I absolutely love talking to someone who has no comprehension on the high stress levels and urgency of the television world. It really reminds me of the fact television is not on the same level of heart surgery and that no one will die if we do not get that perfect shot in the next hour.
This afternoon I had a joy of speaking to a specialist from South Africa who's expertise we are using in our show. He hails from Plettenberg Bay and is typical in that wonderful laid back chilled manner that they all have. No matter how many messages I leave with him, how many emails I send him he just does not respond in the immediate way that most people do because, to him, it is not that important because there are still a couple of weeks left till he needs to leave.
Miss M: Can you please confirm the weight of your excess baggage so we can get the forms through to the airline?
Specialist: Well it will be in the range of 80kg's
Miss M: Ok, so if we clear that amount it should be fine
Specialist: Well it might go up to 120kg's but that won't be a problem to clear just before
Miss M: Is it going to be 80kg's or 120kg's?
Specialist: Oh I don't know, either or
Miss M: Ok, how about I just say it will be 120kg's to avoid all problems?
Specialist: Sure, if you want to. I'm sure it won't be a problem
Miss M: Ok, can you tell me the dimensions?
Specialist: I'm not sure yet, we'll pack them up next week and I'll let you know just before we fly
Miss M: But I need to know now!
Specialist: But why, we aren't flying yet ...
Miss M: We want to sort everything out
Still not sure on the dimensions, don't know if he'll ever tell me. But I do enjoy our chats because it does remind me that my job is not the be all and end all ...
Tuesday, 16 October 2007
It's just TV
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13 comments:
Not sure everyone would agree with you that TV "is not the be all and end all".
When I worked at White City (doing security), most people above desk staff level thought that they were very important and needed all the respect in the world. Including my s#!t of a boss!
Tell them they have to pack the equipment into a shoebox, since they didn't give you measurements and that's the airlines default.
Sounds about right, seeing as he's from good ol' Plett. His laid-back approach is typical of South Africans living at the coast.
He's probably right too. No need to be so clinical and precise about every little thing we do.
Thank god for the South African lifestyle.... any contact with it helps us London saffas keep our feet on the ground and the concept of 'just now' in our hearts.
Listen, some day you're going to land in the boss'chair and then, when you are there, you must never forget this. The blood, the sweat and the tears. It'll keep you grounded. Wish other people would remember that sometimes.
@delboy - TV people do think that they are the most important people ever. They seem to think that what we do really matters in the grand scheme of things and that the world would stop without us.
@mr. rabbit - I'm not really that bothered, he will tell me - just in his own time :)
@chitty - Yes there is!!! It is our job in Production to be anal, critical and as precise as possible. Things wouldn't work otherwise!
@Lopz - I love "just now" I always say it here and have a good giggle when people think I really am going to do it "just now"
@MrsM - I definitely will. I won't be one of those bosses who shove their staff around and force them to do things like - collect their laundry or other stupid shit tasks!
I've always thought that "just now" means anytime between now and never.
@amy - that it does, that it does ;) People here just don't get the fact that I really have no intention of doing the work!
Is it Charl Pouw? He is a legend!
@Wiggly - who's that? So the answer to your question is ...
No.
Charl Pauw is a (former?) SABC reporter who speaks appalling english, and has a thing for penguins.
Has a thing for penguins? Should I be peturbed or just leave it alone?
Yip, penguins. And he's always wearing gumboots.
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