#1 Making a good cup of tea

Assistant Director insights into the Film and Television industry

Now in my late 30s, working in the film industry has been my whole working life, just about. Without knowing anyone in the industry, I have worked on almost any platform to be part of this industry, from commercials to low-budget music videos to short films to TV dramas. In the early days, my wages were 10 pence per mile to cover my expenses and a free lunch. I thought that was great because I had made it. Now I work as the first assistant director on HETV (high-end TV) and low-budget features (anything under $30 million). Regardless of who I work with, the early days taught me that a good cup of tea (or now a flat white) can make any day better.

The memories that we retain and why we do are strange. I have my fair share of horror stories that I could and maybe one day I will share with you, but I wanted to share that moment when I released that a cup of tea really did make a difference, I think. I was working on Wuthering Heights, and Tom Hardy was playing Heathcliffe. I started that job in the office and then had a call to help on set. I jumped at the chance. If you have read the book, you can imagine the filming locations; they were cold, and we filmed a lot at night. As a latecomer to the set or the floor, I didn't know anyone and didn't really know how I fit into the team. So I did everything I could to help: shovelling horse manure, holding stands in the rain, waiting on set until the last person leaves (that doesn't happen anymore; that's the job of the security now). We didn't have craft services; it was the runner's job to look after the tea table, set it up, and manage it. One evening, I saw Charlotte Riley, who played Cathy, stand in the cold on her own. I asked her if she needed anything. She said she would love a cup of tea. I made her a cup of tea with two tea bags, handed it to her, and she loved it. We chatted away and made small talk. She was really kind and appreciated that I had put thought into it. From that moment on, I was the one who made the tea for her.

I tried to search for a photograph of the 'early days' to put into my first post, but I realised I didn't have a camera phone, and we were not allowed to take pictures on set or bring in a camera. So instead, I found this picture of Henry Winkler and me on the set of Hank Zipzer. He was the first actor I had a photograph taken with; it only took me 8 years to pluck up the courage to ask. I found working with him a great inspiration because, like me, he is dyslexic and very kind.

In this blog series, I will share insights into what it is like to be an assistant director and share tips on how to navigate the industry. And my first piece of advice is to learn how to make a good cup of tea, and if you are lucky enough to work on a show that has craft services that make the tea for you, the next piece of advice is to don't forget to ask people if they would like a cup of tea.