Today, I woke up to a text message from our producer//post production Superviser telling me to carry the Director of Photography's luggage from one luxury hotel in Manhattan, to another. I was not given any quantifiable information about the luggage or hotel, just "do it." So, I asked if I was being asked to do this because of my physical ability, the fact that I can walk. I asked if the DOP was not able in such a capacity.
I received no response.
Later, in person I was told to take taxis, to take receipts, and petty cash it later. Everything in the company is expendable.
I followed through on the task, taking taxis as I was told and meeting two people. One door man from Miami who was launching a trendy cap company and the other, a taxi driver who was struggling to find healthcare coverage for his diabetes. He was very frustrated and dealing with answering machines and dead-end phone calls while driving me. I empathized with him.
Once back at the office, I retreated to my desk where I prepared for lunch orders.
And then the Post Production coordinator came in.
"Alex, are you busy?"
"Why?"
These questions always mean one thing. She then asked if I could go help the Editor pack up her apartment and make sure the boxes were delivered.
I told her no, if she wanted an answer, then mine would be no, I would not do that. That does not fall within my responsibilities as an editorial assistant.
She quickly became frustrated with me and told me to "suck it up or quit" and that she had it much worse when she was starting out. I assured her that she was part of the problem then, to perpetuate the torture and abuse of beginning workers. She did not appreciate this.
