One Month In: Finding My Place Behind the Scenes

Introduction

Hi friends! I can’t believe a month has already flown by since starting my internship as an office production assistant. Reflecting on this first month, I want to share the specific challenges I faced, like adjusting to the commute, and the rewards, such as feeling more confident in my role, to keep you engaged with my journey.

When I was younger, I never really knew what job I wanted and kept changing my mind, but I always remember watching movies about career-driven women and thinking that was what I wanted. I wanted to work hard, create something for myself, and slowly work my way up. Not necessarily because I wanted a corner office, but because I wanted that feeling of being proud of something I had built.

Starting this journey now in an entry-level position in the film industry has been exciting because, for the first time, it feels like the dream I had growing up is actually beginning to become something real.

A New Routine & Learning to Enjoy the Process

After spending my first month on the prep production team, our office officially moved as we began stepping into production, and we are now working out of a tiny schoolhouse built in the 1800s in the countryside, over an hour from the city. The commute has definitely been an adjustment.

Being an assistant means being the runner, which can get tricky when I’m doing runs back into the city during the workday and then driving all the way back out again. My role also includes helping with office setup and takedown each week, keeping our team stocked with favourite snacks and coffee orders, helping support communication between departments, and now beginning to spend more time heading out to set.

Every day looks completely different, and I really enjoy that. Something is rewarding about feeling needed and constantly moving. Whether I’m doing pickups, solving problems, forwarding emails, organizing supplies, or connecting with other departments, I’m seeing firsthand how much goes into producing a film or television show, and it has given me a greater appreciation for film and television.

With the longer commute also came rush hour, and instead of letting that become something negative, I decided to make the most of this summer experience and create a routine that worked for me.

So with my first big-girl paycheck, I got myself a gym membership and started leaving earlier to beat traffic, get to Guelph with enough time to work out, and begin my mornings feeling energized instead of stressed. Unexpectedly, meeting people at the gym has also become a really nice social outlet outside of work, making this transition feel easier.

The Best Part So Far Has Been the Team

One of the biggest surprises of this experience has been how much I’ve enjoyed the people I work with. Being the youngest and working closely with a production team made up of four guys has actually been so much fun, and the long days have allowed us to bond and have lots of laughs.

My producer has also been incredibly supportive of my running journey as I train for the Toronto Half Marathon this fall. That support has made me feel genuinely appreciated, both as a runner and as a young professional. I’m grateful to work alongside a team that encourages my growth and celebrates accomplishments both inside and outside of work. During long production days, it means a lot to be surrounded by people who make you feel comfortable enough to be yourself.

Because of my role as an assistant, I’ve also gotten the opportunity to work across departments, which has allowed me to meet so many interesting people and start building connections in the industry. We also have an office dog, which has become one of my favourite parts of the day because on breaks, I’ll run around the field beside our schoolhouse and reset before getting back to work.

As most of you know, I’m quite a bubbly person, and it's meant a lot to me to feel appreciated for bringing that energy into the office. On days when I’m out running and come back in, people are always complimenting my smile and energy, and I really try to keep that going even on long days because I know how lucky I am to be here.

One comment that really stuck with me was someone saying I should be proud to get into a production office so young because it took them much longer in their career to get there. Moments like that remind me to stop and realize I’m living moments I once hoped for.

Looking Back & Realizing How Much Prepared Me For This

On the long days, I thank my experience working at Disney, which prepared me for managing long hours, adapting to new situations, and working with diverse teams, all skills I now apply in this industry.

Being a part of the Disney College Program and later becoming a trainer taught me how to adapt to constantly changing situations and manage long hours, which helps me stay resilient during long days here. It's a reminder that perseverance pays off, even in unfamiliar environments.

I’m also grateful for all the panels I attended and for hearing executives talk about their journeys, because everyone’s story looks different, and I’ve learned there is no one path into an industry. I appreciate every mentor who has checked in on me, every friend from my Disney program who still supports my journey, and every person who believed in me before I believed in myself.

Looking back now, even those late nights closing the Disney parks taught me something because, funny enough, they prepared me for moments like being responsible for our countryside office and literally having to drive garbage back to the city because there isn’t a dump open after office hours.

Life works in funny ways, but most importantly, Disney reminded me to stay energetic, stay positive, and trust that hard work will eventually lead to this.

Conclusion

This month has stretched me in ways I didn’t expect. Long commutes, long days, and constantly learning.

I’m realizing growth doesn’t always happen in glamorous moments. Sometimes it happens in traffic, carrying office supplies, or in a tiny schoolhouse in the middle of nowhere.

I still don’t know exactly where my career will take me, but for the first time, I feel like I’m moving in the right direction, and that feels pretty exciting.

Thank you for following along and supporting me through this journey, because I’m excited to keep sharing where it takes me next!