behind the scenes

in serious need of a tripod ~ shot last night from Ginger Lounge (aka our deck)

I have always been a behind the scenes type of person. Because of this, I think that is why I wanted to initially work in film, why I love being behind the camera lens, and why I love working with food. Even some of my dreams are behind the scenes like catering or making wine and olive oil or why I enjoyed working in visual efx is that I like for people to have an experience. I want to be a part of creating that magic. This is where I gain satisfaction, joy, and a sense of accomplishment.

Sure the person out in front is the one who usually takes the credit ~ such as actors, directors, celebrity chefs ~ but if it weren't for the dozens, if not hundreds, of people behind the scenes of any event making that magic come to life ~ be it anything from a wedding to a movie ~ well, let's just say there would be no awards on Oscar night.

So, it was very fun for me to play behind-the-scenes tourist the other day on the Warner Bros. lot courtesy of my oh so fabulous in every sense of the word friend Kristen.  I first met Kristen when I took a so-not-right-for-me corporate office job during my lost years, not so long ago, and I was instantly smitten. I believe the reason I ended up in that job was, in fact, to meet Kristen. I know she was the reason I was able to stay in that position as long as I did. 

Kristen is this lovely high level entertainment executive with an incredible sense of play and wonder. She is an architecture major, art collector, style guru, teacher, student, explorer, storyteller, comedian, dreamer, fellow foodie and possesses this wonderful hipness factor, the most brilliant haircut, and not one single drop of ego that sometimes comes with the territory of other high level entertainment executives in these circles. Not that I know any of them. {wink}

I used to make excuses at work so I could hang out in her office in the hopes that some of this hipness would rub off on me or that I could somehow contract her hipness simply through osmosis. Sadly, that didn't work, but what did happen is Kristen and I forged a wonderful and special friendship which I am extremely grateful for.

Most movie studios are very large and employ golf carts to transport people across the lot from building to building for convenience. My dream while at WB was to ride in one of these golf carts around the lot but since our department was not one of the lucky ones to get a golf cart, since we weren't physically on the studio lot, that dream was crushed.

So when Kristen recently told me she had finally landed her dream job with golf cart attached, I couldn't contain myself. I was giddy. Giddy with extreme happiness for her of course, but also selfishly giddy with visions of golf cart rides for me. I know this is silly, but a dream is a dream, no matter how small. And don't despair because my other dream of seeing George Clooney (with the entire cast of Ocean's 12 as a bonus) did happen, not once but twice, so all was not lost.

I arrived at the Warner Bros. lot on Tuesday to meet Kristen for lunch who told me she would pick me up in a golf cart and because she had to run an errand we could go for a little ride. Woo Hoo! As were were on our way I quickly realized that I felt so far removed from this world I had once known. I worked at Warner Bros., in different capacities, for a few years but I instantly felt like an overly excited teenage tourist waiting to catch a glimpse of my favorite movie star. It was almost like it was my first time there.

And I suppose in some ways it was. Kristen took me on a back lot tour of sorts to places I had never even knew existed when I was working there. Our first stop was the Transportation Dept. where they keep track of all the cars that are used in many of WB's films. The kind woman who led the department took us to see the tent in the garage where they house such cars as The Mystery Machine, The General Lee, George Clooney's Batmobile as well as the Ducati from the Matrix, Brad Pitt's chariot from Troy and cars from Harry Potter and AI. It was very cool.

We then tooled around to where they construct the sets for television shows that I have never even seen one episode of such as The Gilmore Girls and The West Wing so it was a little lost on me, although I just love the vibe of exploring through all the back lots. I was definitely living like a tourist in my own town. Because WB is a working studio lot, however, I couldn't get any fun photos to share, so that is why the little rocket of red glare above.

After a couple hours, we arrived at Kristen's office which is large yet cozy, inviting and sits in the shade of tall trees. I noticed as she was showing me some of the fun projects she is currently working on that I am still looking for excuses to hang out in her office even to this day. Perhaps I could come curl up on your couch and quietly read a book, or run errands for you in the golf cart sometime?

Thanks for a truly fun day, my friend, and for making my golf cart dream, silly as it may seem, come true.

Comments

[PixieDust]

So fun! I remember my first "Walk of Stars" and the excitement of seeing a Movie Star! And you saw 12 - YAY!
Cheers to you, your friend, and your golf-cart dream coming true.
:-)

[madelyn]

What a splendid day!

Did you get any craft services - i LOVE craft
services!

Love your photo of the fireworks - joy joy joy!

[kristen]

I remember when we met - I remember thinking there was no way you would take the job -- that you were WAY too amazing for the job (and that the job was WAY too mundane for you) so I felt it was an amazing stroke of luck for me that you took it and that you stuck around as long as you did because it gave our friendship time to.. well, to become. And I will be ever grateful to the universe for that. Thanks for the shout-out Stacie, and for a million more things, not the least of which is being someone who will come to the office and laugh out loud with me as we drive around in a golf cart! Here's to all the marvelous things to come. xoxoxoxox kb

[daisies]

how very wonderful : ) it sounds like an utterly fantastic day with a wonderful friend!! and i'm thinking that you have a lot of amazing hipness of your own ... wow, it really does sound like super fun to drive around in a golf cart, just like in the movies, heh heh ...

[daisies]

and can i say that photo is amazing ~ and wow no tripod ... super beautiful!! xoxox

[Dreamergirl]

Sounds like you had a marvelous time! I wish you a marvelous weekend too!

xoxo

[megan]

what a fun day! i'm a behind the scenes type of gal too...i like credit, just not all of the attention.

[Scarlett]

i love this story! it reminds me of my little dream of working for disney, i wanted to be all behind the scenes, but also i wanted to be a performer too....funny little dreams, i'm so glad you got to do this! oh and i would have been reaaalllyyy excited to see George Clooney in person too! aawww yeah! ;)

[ceanandjen]

I agree w/Dar...I do not doubt for one second that you are hip! *wink*

This sounds like so much fun honey! Thank you for taking us along on the ride. :-)

lots of love.xoxo

[cayden]

I love this dream, especially since it came true for you! Have a wonderful weekend