Adventures as a PA

So I have been bumped up/elevated/promoted to a full time Production assistant from transcriber. So good news: no more transcribing, new cubicle right in the middle of the office and not on the outskirts, and possibly extended contract. Bad news: longer hours, more responsibility, same pay.

Wednesday was the official passing of the baton where I trained the new transcriber and was given my orientation to budgets, purchase orders, equipment, call sheets and all that is under my 'jurisdiction'. Yesterday was the real beginning. I had to create 3 call sheets, get my old, slow PC (used to use a Mac, haven't used a PC, especially a desktop, in an eon) configured and handle a myriad of other tasks.

First call sheet I had to compile was with a local crew in Tennessee, so we had to work out all the paperwork for hiring an outside crew and then I had to coordinate with a PR firm in Dallas about access and content for the site in Memphis and then work with the facility personnel about itinerary, safety measures etc. No biggie, right?

Second, in order to film the morning commute of one of the main characters in the show I had to book a motel and rental car for the crew to stay over in Brewster, NY. The car rental was easy but the motel proved more difficult, mostly because Mr Patel, the owner, has difficulty with english and so his daughter tried to assist me. Trouble is they don't accept amex, which was the only company card I had access to at the time, and they only had 2 rooms. After some time and one minor migraine I did managed to work it out.

Third callsheet is for Monday morning at 4am. Lucky me I have to drive into the city to pick up the crew and equipment only to drive back out and end up at the port of Newark to follow a piece of glass on a flatbed to Tower 4. I am not an early riser by any means. We'll see how this goes. Bonus: just because I'm in at 4am does not necessarily mean I get to leave early.

Last night although feeling accomplished I was also exhausted. I went to bed early and woke up to 11 emails. The crew locked the keys in the rental car in Brewster so its still at the motel. Originally it was going to be my job to retrieve the car anyway but it was supposed to be at the train station. Now today I have to take the subway to midtown pickup an extra set of keys and head to Grand Central for an 1148 MetroNorth train to Brewster (nap time). When I arrive in Brewster at 1:10 I then have to walk a mile and a half to the Henry Van Motel to pick up the Ford Fusion and then drive ir back to Midtown (google maps estimates 1 hour 57 minutes). Let's just pray I don't hit rush hour traffic. :/
So with food, water, directions, petty cash, metrocard, walking shoes and my iPod in hand I'm headed off on my adventure. Bon Voyage.