For this episode, I invited filmmaker Kelsey Bona from Hayden Street Productions onto the podcast to discuss her journey to Los Angeles and to talk about what it's like to be a production supervisor in Hollywood! She talks about how long it took her to find a job and delves into L.A.'s social and professional culture. You won't want to miss this!
Don't forget to rate and subscribe!
Follow Courtney on Twitter: Courtneyj_media
Email: thehollywoodguide@gmail.com
For this episode, I invited filmmaker Kelsey Bona from Hayden Street Productions onto the podcast to discuss her journey to Los Angeles and to talk about what it's like to be a production supervisor in Hollywood! She talks about how long it took her to find a job and delves into L.A.'s social and professional culture. You won't want to miss this!
Don't forget to rate and subscribe!
Follow Courtney on Twitter: Courtneyj_media
Email: thehollywoodguide@gmail.com
Hey guys, welcome to the Hollywood guide, a podcast designed to provide insight about the inner workings of the TV and film industry in Los Angeles. Each episode we talk to someone currently working and living in LA and find out everything you need to know to navigate the entertainment capital of the world. If you're an aspiring or amateur writer, director, producer, etc. As always, this is the show for you. Once again, I'm Courtney Jonathas, your host. I'm a Grad student studying communications and this podcast came about because I spent a summer working in LA and I found out a lot of things that I think you guys should know. I know it's been awhile since I published an episode, but I'm back and I'm ready to help you guys learn more about the industry. For this episode, my guest is different from previous guests that I've had because I've actually never met her in person. Today's special guest is Kelsey Bona and Kelsey currently works as a production supervisor for Hayden Street Productions. Hayden Street Productions is based in LA and they produce everything from game shows to award shows, single camera comedies, reality shows, and anything else you can think of. Before graduating Kelsey actuallycworked at the same on-campus studio that I work at now and my boss would mention her every so often, so I thought it'd be a good idea to just reach out and see how things are going in LA for her. So, thank you so much for coming on the show, Kelsey.
Kelsey:Yeah, thanks for having me, Courtney. That's quite an intro.
Courtney:I do---I do my best. So how are you today?
Kelsey:I'm pretty good. I'm sitting here in LA and it's actually pretty cloudy here today.
Courtney:Oh really? I actually, um, visited back in March and I was totally unprepared for all the rain that, uh, occurred.
Kelsey:I know it's like crazy. Last year I was here and it rained like maybe three days out of the whole year.
Courtney:Yeah, yeah. When I was there last summer, it didn't rain at all and I expected it to be exactly like that, but it was a totally different story. But that's okay. I'm totally not bitter. But um, why don't you start out by telling us a little bit about yourself, your background, like where you grew up and things like that.
Kelsey:Yeah. Um, so I graduated from the University of Florida about two years ago and I studied telecommunication right around when it was kind of shifting from like a news focus to more of like a film and television focus. Uh, and I've always kinda been like passionate about production, so that was really cool to experience. Uh, and, and yeah, so then I moved out to LA right after graduating and I got my job at Hayden Street Productions. Uh, and my title is technically production supervisor like you said, but I do a lot of video editing and script writing and all that sort of stuff. Uh, we mostly work on like award shows, like think of like the visual, like the Oscars and the producing behind that, but smaller shows like that. Yeah. And yeah, it's pretty cool. But my one kind of overall passion is to become like a second assistant director and I've actually gotten the chance to work on like short films and actually two feature films recently where I got to pretty much do that role and like help wrangle actors and it's really cool and I'm really loving the experience out here.
Courtney:Awesome. And how did you end up getting a job at Hayden Street?
Kelsey:Well, uh, actually it was like right away after moving here, I got pretty lucky. So right after I came to LA panic kind of set in and I was like really nervous. I was like, I need a job, I'm going to die out here.
Courtney:Uh,
Kelsey:So I was applying to like literally everything online, like any job posts, every forum. I had a membership with staffmeup.com, which I kind of think is like a scam because I don't think you should pay for jobs. So I was desperate. And, uh, my boss, my current boss, he posted on there that he needed an editor and I responded, but instead of applying through staffmeup, I actually just looked up the website and emailed him directly. Like, hey, this is me, this is my resume.
Courtney:background noise.
Kelsey:Uh, and so I emailed him and then he called me like 20 minutes later and he was like, hey, can you come in today? And I went and I interviewed and he hired me right on the spot.
Courtney:Wow, that's incredible. And how long had you been in LA at that point?
Kelsey:Literally like two days. Like I took a two week road trip out across the country here and then, uh, I went with my dad and then he left and then like two days later I got the job.
Courtney:Wow. That's incredible. Yeah. Wow. So before going, like what are some of the things that you did to prepare? Like did you secure housing before going? How much money did you try to save?
Kelsey:Yeah. Um, in terms of housing, I'm kind of like a person who doesn't like to be like held back, you know, like I don't like the leases and stuff. So I was kind of worried about that coming here because I was like, what if I hate it? Like, what if I want to leave right away? So what I actually did was just look up like monthly airbnbs because they tend to be cheaper. Uh, and I was like, okay, I can just stay short term and if I hate it, I can go back home. Uh, but obviously I ended up staying. But, um, as I looked up airbnbs, I got one before I came out here and it was kind of like my mental preparation for going because beforehand I was like, you know, I'm just going to wing it, but I need to set like a permanent date to like leave or I'll never leave home. So I set like January 28th or something and I moved into my Airbnb January 28th. So that kinda got me to go. But actually, uh, I would, if you are going to do the airbnb route, I would definitely do my research because my first airbnb that I stayed at, it was actually this RV in some guy's backyard and it was very tiny and very cramped and right above the bed was like this open hole or I think there was supposed to be like a sun roof or something like that. But it was just open to the elements and it was very cold and not fun. And the few days that it did rain, which I mentioned before, my bed would be wet because it was right above my bed and it was cheap but not worth it. So I think do your research, it's hard to find housing out here because rent is so high. I did save money and I had some like extra student loan money saved over. I would definitely say if you're going to move out here, have like a couple months planned out and know how much rent is because out here it can be like literally$1,400 a month for like a studio apartment and it's ridiculous. But yeah, if you want to go the airbnb route, just do your research.
Courtney:Okay. And are you still living in airbnbs?
Kelsey:Uh, no. Um, I actually found a different airbnb that was a guest house and like the back of somebody's house and, uh, I ended up really liking it there and I kind of became friends with like the house owner and he actually had another guest house and I was like, hey, is anybody staying in there? And he said no. So now I pay him just monthly to live there and it's cheaper than an apartment and it's pretty nice. So again, I kind of lucked out with that.
Courtney:Wow. Awesome. And going back to Hayden Street Productions a little bit. When you guys do award shows, what is typically your role when these award shows on are happening? Like, what does your day look like, typically?
Kelsey:Um, so it's kinda hard to explain. Uh, I kind of like do it all. Um, so my boss is technically the producer of all these award shows. So we have to like figure out who's going to be shown on stage in terms of like finalists, like there's all these categories, like best promo for example. We have to get a show order, they have to edit all the visuals, we have to build graphics. Uh, so I'm pretty much usually at a desk all day kind of editing and sometimes I get to do like script writing and all this stuff. Then we have to write like jokes and banter for, you know, the host and everything. And then when the shows come around, I pretty much get to do what I like to do, which is second assistant directing. So I kind of help my boss and like wrangle the crew and just kind of be everything.
Courtney:Okay. And what would you say are some of the most helpful skills that people need to have to do the kind of work that you do for Hayden Street?
Kelsey:Um, I don't know. I think you have to have like a tough skin. There's definitely days where production gets difficult and people get moody. I don't know. I think you have to be able to handle it. I would just think you need to be driven and just punctual I guess. Cause in LA lots people are always late and they think it's okay. But, uh, I think it's important to be on time and yeah, I think I usually have to be willing to work really long hours because I work very long hours and it can be stressful and it can get to you and you have to kind of address that and prepare for that. But if you can make it work, then it's great.
Courtney:Right. So you typically work maybe like 12 hour days, would you say?
Kelsey:Yes.
Courtney:Yeah. Because when I was there last summer, I also, um, got the chance to work on a couple of sets and usually it was like 7:00 AM to like 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM. So, um, that's---that's when I knew the set life wasn't for me.
Kelsey:Oh yeah. Yeah. It can be pretty hard.
Courtney:Yeah. But, um, what would you say is probably, um, has probably been the best experience that you have or had, or maybe the coolest experience you've had working for Hayden Street so far?
Kelsey:Um, for Haiti, three in particular, I would say probably one of our last award shows was in San Francisco, which I've never been to. And it was like a video game awards show and it was just, it's hard to explain why, but just the atmosphere was so fun and I felt like I was actually like important in that role that I was doing. Like I was kind of assisting everybody and I felt just really good about myself and like the job I was doing, like everything went off without a hitch and it was kind of amazing. Um, but outside of Hayden Street, I'd actually like to mention, uh, I worked on a feature film a couple months ago called Max and me is up and coming and they're trying to sell it right now for distribution. But that was kind of the first time I got into like a second assistant directing. And this is, uh, and like my first time really on a big movie set and that's where I met most of my life connections and friends these days. And I just loved that so much. And now that's kind of my passion. So I'm kind of translating that into my work at Hayden Street and it's kind of like nice ebb and flow and it's been really cool.
Courtney:Awesome. And why, why a second assistant instead of, you know, first assistant or even the main director?
Kelsey:Um, well in college actually got the chance to direct a few shorts on with myself. And one of those experiences was with like a full crew. And I don't know, I enjoyed bracketing and I like having that charge, but at the same time I'm like a very anxious person and I think I kind of like let that out on my crew and stressed out. So I think like I don't, I shouldn't do that position until like, I have more of a sense of like myself and my experience. But second ada is like more low key. You get to really like meet the actors and hang out with people behind the scenes. You're in charge, but you're not like the main person in charge. And there's like some level of responsibility, but like not everything falls on your shoulders. Like a first lady for example. And I don't know, I just really like it.
Courtney:Okay, makes sense. And when you got to La, you didn't know anyone, right?
Kelsey:Correct.
Courtney:Okay. Most of them pretty lonely. So, um, what would you say has been the most surprising thing about La so far?
Kelsey:Um, in terms of people, I actually expected people to be a lot more shallow for some reason. I think there's like this idea of Hollywood and people's eyes where it's like everybody's like blonde and beautiful and skinny and all that stuff. And I don't know, you come here and you expect people to be like mean and cold. And there's definitely some like self important people like that, like higher up in positions. But a lot of people I think around here I was surprised to know that they're actually really chill and really helpful and like people want to see you succeed. And that really shocked me that Fontana here.
Courtney:Yeah. Okay. And what about, um, does that same thing apply like professionally on sets?
Kelsey:I think so. I think there's definitely like a hierarchy of positions and people can have attitudes and stuff, but I think for the most part, like people I've met and I've been fortunate to meet, like everybody's so helpful and I think connections are kind of everything out here. So if you meet one person, they can get you a job doing something else and then you'd be more people. And it's kind of like the cycle where you just keep getting jobs based on what you know. And I think that's really cool and kind of shocking to me because I thought people would be like, you know, cut for out here and there have been people I worked on, um, the show called speechless on ABC for like a few days and I was a PA and there is just one second id and she was, she was very temperamental, I'll say. And uh, she screamed at me one day because I was on the walking, I asked for a medic for some extra who's like wanted Tylenol or something. And apparently that's a no, no, because you shouldn't ask for a medic unless it's an emergency. So I got screamed at. So there's definitely people with like attitudes and like I said, you have to have like a tough skin. It's kind of deal with that. But in this part people who are kind of like on your own level and people who are kind of building themselves up in the industry as well, they're definitely looking for other friends. And I think it's important to make those connections and you know, be from people.
Courtney:Yeah, definitely. And I know you said that you recently worked on a feature and you were kind of able to make some connections, connections through that. Um, have you been able to, um, successfully keep up with those people and those connections? A little bit?
Kelsey:Yeah, definitely. Um, that's where I find like a lot of my work outside of Aden street production right now because Hayden Street is my full time job, but when I'm not doing that or when we have like off time, I love to just be on sets and everything. So I get those kinds of gigs from people I know. Like there's this guy bill on set who was our first aid on Maximi the feature and he's gotten me positions on speechless on different shows. So that's really nice. And then like the producers have gotten me jobs and everybody kind of tries to stay connected because we became like such a family on that set. So that was a really cool experience. And uh, and so I tried to keep in touch with everybody, but that's hard out here because everybody's schedule is so up in the air and everybody's busy. So it is hard to like connect with people all the time, but for the most part it's been pretty beneficial.
Courtney:One of the things I definitely learned is that if you really work hard and you do a good job, the crew that you work with, you know, really respects you and they typically, you know, try to help you out as much as they can. So, um, I see that you've experienced that. So do you feel like you're making good progress toward your own career goal at this point?
Kelsey:Oh, I think so. I think I'm very fortunate to be where I am and to actually have work related to the entertainment industry right now because, you know, some people move out here and they have to get, like jobs is like Baristas are waiters and that's totally fine, but you know, it's, I'm happy to be where I am. Um, in terms of hate history, I really like it there and I really enjoy it, but I don't want to be doing, you know, kind of the editing world desk job stuff forever because I do want to be on set. So right now I think that's a good way to like, you know, good professional ties and have steady income. But I do want to progress towards my goal becoming a second AAD and actually going to apply to this program later this year that kind of lets you join the director's guild of America, the Union, uh, and you kind of work on sets and build your way up and then you get to join the union, which is nice for like benefits and all that. So yeah, I think I'm making decent steps toward that goal.
Courtney:Awesome. Awesome. And if you could go back in time and tell yourself something that you didn't know before moving to La, what would you say to yourself? Okay.
Kelsey:Um, I would probably tell myself that it's not going to be as scary. I imagine. Uh, when I first moved here I'm pretty sure I would just like cried for like the first three days I was here because I like missed my family and I wanted to go home and the whole town halls scary and like I had like a little bit of a breakdown. But now like nothing is scary. Like nothing feels huge and nothing feels too big that I can't like call grow here, you know? And you know, I still miss my family, but I get to like talk to them all the time. I call my dad everyday. I can always visit whenever I want and I actually have like visited home twice in the past year, uh, just for like holidays and stuff like that. But I realize like only home, nothing really changes without you. So like everything stays the same. So it's nice to kind of come back and be like, oh, I can explore something else and like widen my worldview and yeah, it's just, it's hard coming out here. But I think I just tell myself like, they won't be that hard. You'll get used to it.
Courtney:And when you were initially thinking of moving out there, was your family supportive or did they want you to just, um, stay home or go somewhere else?
Kelsey:Oh, for the most part they were pretty supportive. Um, I don't think anybody was like too stoked. Those like moving across the country and like going to distance myself from them. But I think there was some part of them that was like, okay, Kelsey is going to go pursue her dreams. And that's pretty cool. Um, because most of my family is like all in the same town, like nobody really ever leaves. So I was kind of the first one to kind of, you know, break away from the nest. But I think it's been good for me and I think they see that and they support that, which is really nice.
Courtney:Awesome. And what advice do you have for anyone who doesn't live in La but um, you know, they want to work in the industry. Like what do you think they should do to prepare themselves for the move?
Kelsey:Um, I would say if you're still kind of in the stages where you can't leave, I would say just keep on like building your resume and your portfolio, you know, pursue whatever opportunities you can weather like your field is, whatever it may be. Like, even podcasting or television, there's always like something going on around you and no matter where you are, like there's always new stations or different TV people looking for local crew members, whatever you can find, just look for it and do it and just build up that experience because once you move out here, that will really help you get jobs to, you know, already have that experience. Um, also I would say definitely bring a car with you because public transportation is terrible. Okay.
Courtney:Here
Kelsey:and profit is bad, but you need a car. Uh, people won't actually like hire you without one usually for like pa jobs and stuff like that. Um, and on that note, it's also best to live close to where you work. If you know where you're working before coming out. Uh, and like we mentioned before is saved money, you know, have rent a couple of months worth of rent, like planned out and uh, just be prepared to kind of step out of your comfort zone. Yeah, I think it's important to kind of just become, or like an enhanced version of yourself when you're out here. Like, don't shy away from like meat, like meeting people and making connections and going out for jobs might not know about, like you can totally fake it till you make it. Um, and yeah, everybody's story is different and I think la is a great place to kind of just come and learn and become a new you mean? Yeah. I would just say good luck.
Courtney:Yeah. You, um, mentioned how, you know, people shouldn't be afraid to maybe take an interview for a job that they probably weren't aware of. Um, I definitely agree with that because when I went that when I went out there, I was like, oh my gosh, there are so many like little jobs in this industry that people don't know about because people focus on, you know, being a director or being a writer. But, um, you know, you can just as easily, you know, be a manager or be an agent or be a post production supervisor and still enjoy yourself. So, um, I would definitely encourage people to explore all options and explore, um, all jobs within the industry because there are so many people that, um, make things happen that make the final product happen. Um, so is there anything else that you wanted to add?
Kelsey:Um, just on the note you just said, I would say absolutely just there's so many positions like you said, and I think a lot of people think they need to kind of have this like super planned out plan, uh, to like live their lives in. Like they're like, I want to do this job and I know I want to do this job. Or they think they like need to have that. And people who are more like, I don't know what I'm doing, you know, they're kind of stressed out, but you totally don't need to know what you're doing. Like feel free to explore, test the waters and you'll find something you like. Like before coming here, I didn't know I wanted to be a second id, but I took on a role as the second id. Yeah. Or like having never done it and now I love it and like I want that to be my passion. So just be open to everything, you know?
Courtney:Yeah. And the last couple of things, so what would you say is the best thing about la now that you've been living there for two years?
Kelsey:Hey, the best thing, um, this is not super related to the entertainment industry, but honestly I just love the culture here. Like I know everybody's so open and more liberal I guess, and very progressive with their ideas. Like coming from Florida, like Middle Florida, central Florida, where everybody's kind of like confederate flags and all these kind of awful things. It's definitely like a really like mind blowing experience coming here because everybody's so open. Like there's this, there's a bunch of hippies in the mountain.
Courtney:Yes. Little too
Kelsey:extreme for me, but like, I don't know, other people are just, there's so much acceptance and love here and I think that's really cool. And I feel like it's a great place to kind of be like myself in my early twenties, just kind of living in experiencing, not having this kind of cloud of hatred and negativity over you and people who disagree with you. So I think that's really my favorite thing.
Courtney:Okay. And what would you say is the worst thing?
Kelsey:Definitely how expensive everything is. Uh, even like rent prices in gases, like$4 a gallon here right now. Groceries are crazy. Living situation is impossible. There's just so much stuff and everything's way cheaper and like smaller towns, but you know, if you can find work, you got to make it work.
Courtney:Awesome. Well again, thank you so much for coming on the show. And is there a place that people can go online to maybe follow you or your work? Like a website or social media?
Kelsey:Yeah. Um, I would just say I'm maybe my Twitter account at[inaudible] dot com at Kelsey bone bonus slash Kelsey Vaughan or whatever it is. It's my Twitter handle. Just my name. Uh, yeah, that's pretty much where you can find me.
Courtney:Okay, awesome. Thanks again. Talk to you soon.[inaudible]
Kelsey:yeah, this has been fun. Thanks for having me.
Courtney:Awesome. All right. Once again, that was Kelsey Bona from Hayden street productions, and I hope you guys enjoyed that conversation as much as I did. And if you have a question, feel free to tweet me at Courtney j underscore of media and of course, please feel free to leave a comment or a review on whatever podcast platform that you're currently listening to. This episode on the Hollywood guide is currently available on all the major podcast platforms like stitcher, Google play, Spotify, apple podcast. So please feel free to leave a review or rating. I would love to engage with you guys more if you have a suggestion about maybe who I should try to get on the podcast. If you want to hear more about a specific role, if you want to hear more, uh, hear from more writers, I'm just let me know and I'll try and make it happen for you guys. Thank you so much for listening.