“No one had warned me beforehand about the long lonely hours”: Work experience on a film set

My first piece of advice to anyone interested in working on film sets would be to forget about glory. Last year, I had the opportunity to be part of a team of assistant directors, working on the French film Les Têtes de l’emploi, on location around Paris. Despite the fact that the placement was only two weeks long, I could barely contain my excitement, having been offered an exclusive insider’s tour of a film set. Although I was named part of the group of assistant directors, due to my complete lack of experience, I was on the lowest rung.

No one had warned me beforehand about the long lonely hours in the cold rain, patrolling what was most likely the most deserted spot in the Parisian suburbs, trying my best to appear vigilant

Shortly after my placement commenced, I came to realise that endurance and patience are probably the most useful qualities one could possess for this job. I did not have much to do; my duties included menial tasks such as blocking the pathway from anything or anybody threatening to disrupt the filming, in addition to tracking the actors to ensure that they were ready on time, and basically being at the beck and call of the rest of the crew.

Endurance and patience are probably the most useful qualities one could possess for this job

However, no one had warned me beforehand about the long lonely hours in the cold rain, patrolling what was likely the most deserted spot in the Parisian suburbs, trying my best to appear vigilant while muttering “Cameras rolling… quiet please”. The days started early and finished at indecent hours. As a result, I constantly felt exhausted (even though I might not have been particularly productive). And so, after only two weeks as a trainee assistant director, I was already morphing into a zombie.

You definitely get a taste of how exciting it could be if you stick to it long enough

However, the crew accepted accepted me as a young, curious novice who could not do much, yet they were still enthusiastic at the prospect of chatting with me and showing me around. Every day brought with it new challenges, new locations, new people, new scenes, new menus at the cafeteria – all a whole new experience. The crew and the cast warmly teased me, asked questions about me, and looked genuinely fond of the clumsy duckling waddling around. A particular highlight of the placement was when I met Frank Dubosc and various other celebrities. I miss all members of the cast and crew, to the extent that whenever I watch the special features on DVD, my heart throbs faster, hoping to relive this experience. Working on a film set, especially for a first timer, might not be the most exciting experience ever, but you definitely get a taste of how exciting it could be if you stick to it long enough.