My very first job out of college was one I did not want, to be honest. I was working in advertising but not making commercials - we sold air time, and my job in "production" wasn't one that made me excited to get up every day.
But it taught me a lot.
We used to have quarterly trainings about customer service or time management or creating a commanding presence. One of the best pieces of professional advice I ever got came from one of those meetings: the instructor said "if you're ever in a position where you are nervous, act as though it's your party and everyone is there to see you."
A few months later, I saw a gig posted on our local film office website looking for production assistants. I leapt at the opportunity, even though I had no idea what a production assistant did, I just knew I needed a seat, any seat, at a table where they were making films. I got the gig, and was set up to work as a production assistant with the art department.
I was now going to be a part of a film starring David Morse (12 Monkeys, The Green Mile, Hack) and Corey Monteith (Glee) in one of his final roles. Elated is an understatement.
A week before production was slated to begin, the entire cast and crew were invited to a pre-production party in a fancy part of town. Now the reality of what I was jumping into had set in, and I was petrified.
What if I was horrible, what if they found out I'd never done this before, what does the art department even do...
I sat in my car outside the private residence, my key still in the ignition, thinking about calling it off.
I worked up the courage to get to the front door and knocked. No answer.
I knocked again, no answer.
I thought about leaving, but then I thought about walking in as though it was my party and everyone was there to see me.
I don’t know what came over me, but I turned the door knob and it was open. I entered the foyer and was greeted by a lovely woman who wanted to know why I was there.
I choked out "I'm working on the movie."
A smile overtook her face. She grabbed me by the hand and led me into the kitchen where all the producers, the director and David Morse were cooking up some burgers and drinking wine. She introduced me to all the major players by name and I spent the rest of the evening getting to know all the crew I would be working with over the next 6 weeks, many of whom I still keep in touch with today.
Imagine if I had chickened out and drove home?
Take the risk, take the chance.
It's your party, and every one is there to see you.
2 people like this
That's great advice, Rachel Troche! I'm gonna try it. Thanks for sharing your story and the advice!
2 people like this
Dope advice! I learned from taking classes in improv comedy that if you just keep going, the only person in the room who will know you messed up is you. I walk into every room like I've got the juice. And I fake it til I make it. And eventually the juice comes along. That method has never ever failed me once.
3 people like this
Love this!
3 people like this
I loved your post. Thank you for sharing such valuable advice!
5 people like this
Rachel Troche, I loved this story! I’ve had experiences like these myself. Every time I would say to myself, "Good on me for taking that jump or I wouldn’t be here!"
3 people like this
Outstanding share, Rachel Troche! Not only a super cool personal story, it's a great parable for so many. Thank you!
2 people like this
thanks Sam Sokolow ! it was one for the books
2 people like this
Ayah Alhabbal YES!! all our experiences build to something
3 people like this
Anytime Sydney Summers
3 people like this
I love this. Thanks for sharing, Rachel!
2 people like this
AMAZING! I love that you shared this story with us, Rachel Troche! Thank you so much!
3 people like this
Great story. It makes me think of a popular quote by Hugh Laurie: “It's a terrible thing, I think, in life to wait until you're ready. I have this feeling now that actually no one is ever ready to do anything. There's almost no such thing as ready. There's only now. And you may as well do it now”.
3 people like this
Wow! So in a way, you had to open the door yourself.
"Take the risk. Take the chance." Great advice, Rachel.
2 people like this
Gisele Orellana exactly!! it's like Mark Duplass says, "the cavalry isn't coming. YOU are the cavalry."
3 people like this
That's right. It's what Chris Gardner always says. YOU are the cavalry!
2 people like this
Great quote, Rachel Troche!