It’s been six incredibly productive months since our Production Assistants, Sofia McCurry and Bria Cooper, joined the crew. Our new dynamic duo jumped right into the mix, creating call sheets, assisting with set decorating, transporting crew, wrangling walkies, doing voiceover, creating content, and much more.
Sofia joins us as a Fresno State Theatre alum and current LA Film School student. Her effervescent personality brings joy to each set she steps onto. In her time on Windsong’s crew, Sofia’s innate creativity and excitement to explore all aspects of production has really shined. We love seeing her vast skill sets and commitment to great storytelling.
Bria came to Windsong as a graduate of the University of San Francisco. She majored in Performing Arts and Social Justice, with a concentration in theatre, and a minor in African American Studies. Her immediate warmth and grounded nature bring a steady calm to the production office. Bria radiates confidence and curiosity. She is up for any challenge we set before her and executes with meticulous attention to detail and care.
We checked in with them to see how it felt to be half-a-year into life at Windsong, and here’s what they had to say:
What surprised you about working on a production team?
Sofia (SM): I was surprised by the level of mentorship the team has shown me. I am always appreciative of when any of them find the time during a shoot or in the studio to walk through what certain equipment is and how to know what other team members are talking about. It makes it all the less daunting when they share such patience and encouragement with us.
Bria (BC): The thing that has surprised me the most about working on a production team is how fast we move! When I first started at Windsong, I marveled at how our directors, editors, producers, and everyone else are able to jump from project to project and make it look easy! I know now that they are great at making the process look flawless, but I recognize the hard work and how high a level everyone has to be working at to get the job done. My first full week at Windsong, I had my first time on set; I felt thrust into a machine, but soon felt settled in knowing everyone around me is operating on such a high frequency. It made me want to exceed expectations I had set for myself about the shoot day!
What areas of production have most interested you so far?
SM: I have really enjoyed the casting side of production! It’s been really fun to see a group of talent come together. I end up feeling very emotionally tied to the group. I also really enjoyed getting to make mood boards and a rough draft of a pitch deck!
BC: The area of production that has most interested me is being on production sets themselves! The shoots I tend to enjoy most are documentary- or interview-based. I love watching our directors get to know an interviewee, a lot of times on the spot, and get them to feel comfortable enough to open up and give a great interview. It’s so interesting to watch them generate what seems like a naturally flowing conversation, but when you look down at the interview questions, they’ve already gotten perfect responses from the interviewee! There really is an art to it, and it’s fun to see how that process changes based off of the shoot, the client, or who is sitting in the interview chair.
Are there any parts of the job that unexpectedly piqued your interest?
SM: Pre-production aside, I still love set days. I like getting “behind the scenes” photos when I’m able! I love the candid photos of people in action. I can’t speak for anyone else, but it feels special capturing people when they’re doing something they love.
BC: One day in the office, Jo, our producer, had asked if I had any acting experience. I told her yes, but I thought it was just her making casual conversation. Little did I know that an hour later, one of our directors came in and asked if I would record some scratch voiceover for a project with one of our long-standing clients, the City of Ontario. That turned into me getting pulled into the booth a few more times over a couple of weeks, until finally, they decided to go with my voice for Ontario’s “Game On” Tourism Commercial Campaign. I take a lot of pride in it as my family is from the Inland Empire, and it has been great to share with them about what I get to do at work and how it connects to them as well!
What are you looking forward to in your next 6 months?
SM: Learning even more! It’s wild to think how much I’ve learned in six months, let alone thinking what I’ll have learned in nine months from now! I’m also really excited to see how my school education will progress with my time here. I hope it allows me to feel more confident tackling more areas of production. I look forward to knowing everyone better too! Everyone has been really nice and welcoming, and the camaraderie has already started to form.
BC: The thing that excites me the most about the next six months is growing more comfortable in my role! It has been a whirlwind and I’ve had the privilege to work on some amazing projects so far at Windsong. I have really worked on honing how to anticipate the needs of different crews on set, and how to best be of service during the days I spend in the office. I hope that with time some of the instincts I have been working to train come naturally to me, and that I can step onto set with ease that only experience could bring. I want to continue to build relationships with everyone on the Windsong team as I step into pace alongside everyone; it should be a fun ride!
Do you have a stand-out memory so far?
SM: A stand-out memory on-set was working my first Solar Negotiators shoot. It was a big talent day and an interesting challenge taking on the level of set management required. I was alert at a level I hadn’t quite experienced before. It became a very affirming day because our client, Gary, was very kind and said I was doing a good job. But, also, overall I was just very proud with how Bria and I conducted ourselves given it was our first time on our own to that level and incorporating new elements (like the teleprompter) into the equation.
BC: A stand out memory on-set has to be working on the University of Massachusetts Global Graduation! We worked with a big crew and many members I got to meet for the first time (as it was an out-of-town shoot). Everyone was in such high spirits and was ready to tackle the day. I was placed on the “on the fly” interview team, and after each ceremony, we would go out into the crowd of graduates with their loved ones and spend moments capturing their days and what this event meant for them. It filled me with so much joy to be a part of so many graduates’ special moments. You could feel the pride coming off of their families in waves. I walked away from the day feeling very impacted by the stories of each graduate I had the pleasure of hearing from. I’m happy I got to witness their special day. It’s a shoot I’ll carry with me for a very long time!
What advice would you give someone who may want to start a career in video production?
SM: In my opinion, I would say, once you get your footing, a big player of this job (mainly on set, but it can apply anywhere) is staying ahead of the game. I know I always feel at my best when I’m successfully anticipating the needs of the team. Once you know the routines, just anticipate and act. Thinking ahead for procedures you’ve done before, whether you simply ask if your team would like you to take care of them or get a head start on them, sometimes helps take things off their plate. I think that’s part of being a really good team player is thinking of the needs of your team and how you can assist in getting them done. I think it’s also important to maintain clear communication. Maintain that everywhere. It will always pay off in the end. And HAVE FUN! This career is magical if you allow yourself to feel it.
BC: I would tell them how much effort it takes for one project to get to the finish line. I come from a background in theatre, and a common colloquialism is “There are no small parts.” As cheesy as that might sound, I find it to be transferable and rings true! Whether you start as a PA or in a different position, you will come to realize that with this career, everything you do counts. I would also advise someone to give themselves grace! Sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know, and that’s an okay answer; you will learn and remember for the next time. Every day can look different, and instead of letting that spin you, take it as an opportunity to soak up all you can.
