Don't pet a snake backwards and other life lessons

After the spending the better part of the last 5 years working on films I have learned a few things about getting along with people. You see when you work in the film industry you are forced to work very closely with different types of people from different backgrounds, nationalities, ages and vocations, and in very intense and stressful situations ( I once had Terrance Malick stare me in the eye while screaming for more armoured hats ). You make fast friends and can make even faster enemies.

Movie productions an be very causal places, no one hardly ever wears a suit or dresses. The costume designer or the producer can look just like a set dresser or hair and makeup. That person you snarked at in the craft service table for not recycling their coffee cup, could be the director!

My point is people aren't always who you perceive them to be, you know the old phase don't judge a book by is cover.

The other funny thing about films is that the person who is dressing background actors or making fake plies of horse poop on one film could be your supervisor or gang boss on the next film. Positions aren't locked from film to film. The lesson here, treat everyone with the same amount of respect. The same people you step on to succeed in life WILL be the same people you see on the way down.

The last lesson that working in the film bz has taught me is if you make a mistake, own up to it. Its called accountability and I think its greatly lacking in most of the professional world. If you screw up own up to it, most issues can be fixed, an apology goes a long way.

This may seem like a random post, the few of you that were at the VAC this afternoon probably understand, why I am posting this. I dont feel the need to re-hash or bash anyone or another business so I will leave it at this.

Don't judge me on how I look, don't assume that I'm not an important member of my community because I am tattooed, when you speak to someone look them in the eye and if you know you have done any of these things, an apology goes a long way!
Thanks for the vent, I feel much better.

Cheers Jenny