Everyone is going nuts right now because NBC fired Dan Harmon from his show, COMMUNITY. I’m not allowed to voice my opinion in real life, because friends of mine work on that show and because I’m friends-in-law with Dan. So I’m going to blog about it instead.
If you’re an asshole who insists on wallowing in your own misery, it’s only a matter of time before that misery catches up with you. Moreover, if you’re prone to wild temper tantrums, then you’d better be sure that your product is perfect and wildly loved by the masses. Community is a very good show, but when you’re bringing in the same 18-49 ratings as JESSE STONE, then even the bizarro nice-guy version of Dan Harmon would find himself on the chopping block.
How does this apply to PAs? Because, despite being at the bottom of the totem pole, too many PAs out there are complete assholes, filled with self-righteousness and entitlement. Look, you make photocopies and get people’s lunches. Even if you write the greatest PA blog of all time, you’re no better than anyone else.
In fairness, I think Dan Harmon is brilliant, and I think it’s only too bad that he hasn’t changed his attitude by now. For any aspiring writers (like myself), I’d recommend reading anything and everything Dan Harmon has ever written about the hero’s journey.
3 Responses
Great insight. I just completed a simple photo double with CBS’s Eye Production. The PA was not only a self righteous little shit, but she was going out of her way to publicly humiliate me. Furthermore, she asked me to follow her to the set and she zipped 10 paces ahead, leaving me lost in the hallway. She literally ducked me. THEN her second PA had to come find me; leaving the holding room empty. Her behavior caused a hiccup in the flow. I was ready to kick her in the can. Not cool as I showed up, on time, in fact, 20 minutes early. I noticed my name spelled wrong on the call sheet from the casting assistant the night before (who also played the placating game). I gently let her know about the misspelling so it wouldn’t cause grief or confusion at check in. I showed up with a costume (as they weren’t CLEAR about what I’d be wearing, I brought my ID, I followed directions). She was a complete, unnecessary asshole. I had to make nice as she’s the beloved one right, but what are an actors rights when a PA is acting up or WORSE, making an actor look like their incompetent? What IS the proper protocol or does someone just have to be miserable on set? I worked as an office assistant for a boutique production company (commercial) and when the little shits working would try and pull shit on me or SASS ME, I got to go straight to the boss and say, “WTF?” I did get another waiver out of it so I did suck it up, but I truly would like to know the protocol.
You’re only right. It really is too bad though. I’ve been a huge fan of the man for years. I swear I’ve even the story primers you link to! I know enough about how his mind works to know that Community was basically transcribed from his brain waves. Who knows what’s in store for that show now.