The First Day
I’ve realized that I’m now on blog three and I haven’t fully revealed what “Black Collar” is. “The Intro” was exactly that, an intro into what and who makes up B.J. “The Call” blog referenced a time in my life that I feel was critical in molding a boy into a young man. Which leads to “The First Day” that shows how new chapters are started and ended all while getting closer to a present day life in which the term “Black Collar” has so much significance for me. I couldn’t begin to express the current state of my personal journey without acknowledging these moments in my life. So as the flashback continues…
About a week had passed since my phone interview for the job of my dreams, and I’d yet to hear anything. I figured hearing nothing was better than a rejection call, but never the less…funds were still depleting. I was still searching for some type of income because the savings account had finally hit the critically low point. However, the stress was not as high as usual. The feeling of being “seen” or “thought of” from the few phone calls I did receive that one magical day gave me a sense of hope like no other. I was feeling a lot more content than I had in the past, but the calls gave me a sense of energy that I hadn’t felt in a long time…Motivation! That feeling of being noticed and acknowledged was all I needed at the time to set a fire under me. That fire also knew that it was crunch time for this thing we call money, and I needed to make something happen soon. I wasn’t looking to get a full time gig on a show, but I figured I could day play (substitute) here and there to make ends meet until I found a better option. Thankfully, I’d created a strong relationship with the director of photography from my first show, and he’d always looked out for me. J.B. not only hooked me up with a gig when I needed it most, but he was one of the best “teachers” I had in Atlanta. I can even remember my first day meeting him.
As I stated in the Intro blog, Atlanta was a very trying time for me and working in the film industry had its many trials. However, a lot of amazing positive relationships did come from this time in my life. One relationship that I am very grateful for was, and still is, with J.B. Seeing that I received the offer to be a production assistant on this show the night before graduation in Knoxville and filming started three days later…I had a lot on my to-do list. Pack up my apartment, find a way to send all the things I couldn’t fit in my car back to Memphis, get to Atlanta, get acquainted with the area, and everything else you can think of when moving cities to start a job three days after graduation. In this quick three day time period I did have the chance to speak with a few people to ask what being a production assistant was like. For the most part they all said mainly helping out around set to keep production smooth. Let me tell you, I definitely underestimated what “helping out” meant. I’ll never forget my first day on set, this was also the first time I met J.B. I was told as far as dress code to be casual, so I showed up wearing the crispiest, white v-neck I had in my closet, a pair of burgundy khakis, and my favorite pair of Cole Haans. I quickly realized that the phrase casual in this industry meant cargo shorts, Nike dri-fit shirt, and your most comfortable pair of tennis shoes. I was sticking out like a sore thumb, and I’m sure everyone on set knew that it was my first day. Either way I didn’t let this slow me down. I was excited and curious and wanted to learn everything there was to know about the magic behind television.
My first task of the day was to load the walkie talkies and the crafty (snacks) into the Sprinter (team van) before we headed out. I sat in the back of the sprinter and listened as J.B. made sure everyone was on the same page for the first day of filming. The first scene was at this small restaurant about 30 minutes (Atlanta traffic time) away from basecamp. I was in this black Sprinter with a group of guys I’d never seen in my life in a city driving around in places that I’d never heard of to go do something I’d never done. That 30 minute ride felt like forever as my mind raced to no end trying to put some type of expectations on what was to come. As I helped unpack everything for the first scene, I was basically watching everyone and how they maneuver: how the camera operators find their corners to get their best angles, how the audio guy is preparing his IFBs (mics), how the assistant camera operator is setting up video village for the producers. I’m in a whole new world from anything I’d ever experienced. This almost felt like my first time riding a bike without training wheels and not falling off. This crazy new experience that I had no idea what to expect and was slightly nervous about was finally making a little sense.
I remember sitting back after the scene had started just trying to process the plethora of vocabulary that I’d just been introduced to: c-stands, forth wall, “86 it”, “What’s your 20.” All of these things that sounded nothing like the photography and video world that I was familiar with but seemed very important now. All of a sudden the scene slowly starts to move outside which I don’t think any of us were expecting. J.B. had the main shot of the two subjects right at the exit of the restaurant while the other two camera ops were finding their respected “creative angles.” It’s middle of summer in Atlanta with not a cloud in sight, sun beaming down relentlessly and all of a sudden the production manager waves over at me in a rush as if something was wrong. I quietly run over trying my best to make sure I’m not messing up anyones shot. The production manager points over to J.B., and I realize that he can’t see the screen on his camera because of the glare of the sun. I swiftly run with some type of hope to find something to cover him with. A quick deflection…I’ve had a problem with my shoulder since high school that I’m pretty sure is baseball related. Simply lifting my arm over my head sometimes feels like my shoulder would pop out of place. All that to say, J.B. is about 6’2 and I’m not! I ended up holding this flag for a good 15 minutes over his head with my shoulder feeling like it was about to pop out of place the entire time. The only thought going through my mind was dropping this flag on the director of photography my first day on set and instantly having to call my mom & ask her if I could have my room back in Memphis. Arm shaking like a scared dog, the scene finally wrapped up and I made it out without ruining the first scene of the season. J.B. turned around after he stopped recording and said, “Preciate you B.J.”
Fast forward eight months into the future, and I’m jobless on my last coins. J.B. called and asked me if I could be a camera operator on set of a show called Saints and Sinners for a behind-the-scenes package he was contracted to do. It’s almost like he knew exactly when I needed a gig most somehow without me even having to reach out. That morning as I’m driving to set, my phone begins to ring. It’s from the same Harrison, Arkansas area code and my heart instantly starts to beat a little fast. I answer the phone and the gentleman on the other end asks, “Is this B.J.?” I say yes and the next thing that he says I will never forget. This man who I’d never seen, only talked to a couple of times over the phone, and didn’t know anything about him other than what his LinkedIn profile portrayed asked me, “Do you go by B.J. or Brandon, because I plan to work with you a lot more in the near future?” I pull up to set smiling from ear to ear, and J.B. asks what I’m so happy about this early in the morning. I tell him that I just received an offer from this dream company back in my home city. J.B., an intimidating, blunt, but also very caring big brother figure of mine told me “B.J. I’m proud of you.”
After getting everything ready before going on set I had somewhat of a break to actually sit-down and breathe. My mind was racing, my heart was pumping, and things almost seemed to be going in slow motion. It felt like I was finally rounding third, being waved into home, and could see the plate clear as day. I knew I was about to slide into something that I had no idea about, but that space did feel better than where I was. The only thing remaining to do at this point was to call my mother and tell her…I’m coming home!
To be continued…
Live with LOVE
B.J. Crawford
