Nice Things and Chitlins - dinner on the company dime

17th October 2009

Text reblogged from stay for the credits with 4 notes

dinner on the company dime

One of the studio executives was in a good mood, so she invited me, another PA, her secretary, and another co-worker out for dinner. I assumed we’d go dutch when the other PA said, “No, don’t worry about. She’ll put it on the card.”

Wow. I still feel sort of small-town and new to this stuff. Anyway, we went to this amazing restaurant nearby the studio. The executive told us to get whatever we wanted, even insisted we unwind with a drink. I had a gin and tonic.

Even liquored up, I still could not schmooze as well as the other PA. She was just so charismatic and talkative, and she laughed a lot which felt kind of phony to me, but the others don’t seem to mind. I didn’t contribute much to the conversation, just because it felt like there were already too many talkers at the table, not enough listeners.

I wonder if this was a test, just to see how I was like outside the office. Maybe I failed. Don’t think I’d get asked to dinner again.

I work in TV, which isn’t as cut throat as film, but I understand the pressures. To be honest, if you didn’t make an ass out of yourself you’re ahead of the game. Most studio exec’s have been in the business long enough to know when enough brown nosing is enough and can appreciate someone who doesn’t go overboard. You should include yourself at least a bit in the conversation though, just to make your presence known.

Most importantly be yourself. Trying to take on a personality that you think will get you far will only lead down hill. A genuine person is a rare thing in your industry and you’ll get your due points for it.