This week Robert, Anthony and I assisted on a video shoot for the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD). We met the one and only Gino Bruno. After going through metal detectors with all of our equipment, we finally made it to the DSLBD office. We walked into a brightly colored, spacious room filled with gorgeous people. Gorgeous. I thought DSLBD hired people to be in the shoot because they were all good looking. But no, they all actually worked there. After that shocking revelation, we set up for the shoot and enjoyed the luxury of seeing Gino in his element. He shot from every angle you can imagine. During the shoot Robert snapped pictures, Anthony helped set up the teleprompter and camera, and I took charge of makeup and handed out release forms.
Lunch was a pretty intense situation. Anthony and I walked from Judiciary Square to Union Station to get six sandwiches from Au Bon Pain. I don’t think I’ve ever sweated so much in my life. When we arrived to the set 45 minutes later, I think it looked like we ran through a rainstorm, only it was perspiration. I know. Gross, huh?
When we wrapped up, I took away two lessons from the experience. The first is the client is always right. Rosemary made sure she captured the shots she needed, but once we arrived to the shoot, one of the employees wanted additional shots we hadn’t planned on taking. Gino and Rosemary shot those scenes as well. Why? Because that’s what the client wanted! I also learned that, as an intern, I have to be ready for ANYTHING. Somebody needs a paper towel? Run to the kitchen and get one! Rosemary is having a cough attack? Dig through her purse, and get her mints! There are not enough people in the shot? Get in front of the camera, and look productive! The director spills a drink on his pants? Volunteer your own pants! Just kidding about that last one, but you get the idea. We experienced being in a real situation where we had to know how to adapt to our surroundings, and we did a pretty good job, if I do say so myself.
