01.05.2016

Worker’s Day!

It’s Worker’s Day. My hat goes off to the hardest working men and women of this seemingly glamorous industry that I work in, television and film. Of course, those of us who know better know for a fact that glamour doesn’t feature in the daily lives of film and television crew. They are not out celebrating workers’ rights today. Like essential service staff they do not know a Saturday or a public holiday. They work, keeping the most taxing working hours. Sometimes going into overtime that they are fortunate to get paid for without a struggle. They get forgotten by most of us when it’s time to celebrate the industry because they are not the famous ones. But without their hard work you would not see your favourite star on anything. I thought I should take time to salute the person whose job it is to wake up at 3am so I can make it to work by 5:30. I salute the one who gets to work before I do to make sure that the clothes you see us wearing on screen are clean and ironed. There’s is that guy who greets me with a perfect cup of coffee as soon as I get to set. Salute to the guys whose entire day on set involves carrying heavy lights so we can look good. Here’s to the wardrobe assistant who’s always on standby to offer a warm gown and comfortable slippers at the end of every scene. I can’t forget those who stand by to make food for every meal you see on screen and half the time we actors don’t touch it. But still they serve it with dedication. To the dialogue coach who’s forever patient, helping me to get through long days when remembering lines becomes a prayer item. To the boom swinger, the grip, the craft person, the makeup artist, the caterer, the unit guy, the runner, the camera assistant, the focus puller, the vision controller, continuity person, scheduler, coordinator, medic, security guard and set cleaner. You work hard. We see you. We know we can’t do what we do without you. Happy Worker’s Day!