Total Respect for Production Crews

In my line of work, I've been privy to behind the scenes looks of documentaries and commercials.

Today was an especially grueling day on set. Working with multiple talent (actors and actresses), many combinations of wardrobe and props under intense summer heat, I have found a greater respect for production crews.

Stylists, prop artists and production assistants constantly rush back and forth the whole day getting a prop for an actor, fixing hair, wardrobe and make-up, making sure outsiders (everyday people) are kept off the set and quiet and basically making sure everything is moving along smoothly. It is rough! On top of that, the director, sound and lighting crews make sure everything is sticking to script and lighting is ok. It's especially rough when you shoot outdoors, like we were today. We were constantly having to wait for the sun to come out behind clouds. Sometimes we would have a couple of minutes and sometimes it was only a few seconds to get precious takes. It is a heck of a lot of waiting!

Craft service crew members (the ones that provide the food, the good part of being on set) fill and refill snacks and food, making sure no one goes hungry or thirsty. Staying hydrated today was a problem since it was so hot.

There is so much work that goes into putting together a piece that goes on TV. And I didn't really understand why people would lose sleep or weight. Now, I get it. Perhaps I didn't stay for long enough on sets before, or perhaps it just didn't click when I read actors lose sleep and weight during weeks of shooting. (Google pics of different actors like Jang Geun Suk, Kim Hyun Joong, and Lee Min Ho pre, during and post production on their dramas. You'll see what I mean) With call times in the early morning and wrap up times late at night, it's no wonder!

It's so cool and glamorous on the outside. A friend of mine on Facebook thought it was so cool that I work on sets. And yeah, it is. You meet people and you get a first look at everything. But it is tiring work. I wouldn't recommend it for just anyone.

I definitely have total respect for production crews on TV shows and movies. Especially the ones on Korean dramas. I hear they run their crews ragged to get the perfect takes on shoot constantly, day after long day. Whew!

Tomorrow, I pull double duty. I'll be part of the production crew and I'll also be acting again. We'll see how it goes. Hope I wake up on time, it's another early morning call and a full shoot day.

Blog about it later! Happy weekend! Hwaiting!

Sasaeng Fans

I came across this term within the past couple of days after reading a tweet from Korean actor Jang Geun Suk. He was warning these sasaengs (obsessive stalkers)to not interfere into his private life. And apparently, this wasn't the first time he was warning them.

One would think that after the first time, these fans would stop, relax and respect his wishes. In this case, they didn't. Perhaps some thought he wasn't talking to all of them??

In another instance, Super Junior's Heechul had been followed to work and home by these crazed fans. It had gotten so bad that he became very upset and closed his twitter account, @heedictator, and vowed he would spend the next year of his time in the military without tweeting.

This may not seem like anything for some, but if you absolutely adore an idol, to be cut off any form of communication from your idol is equivalent to never seeing them again.

I ask you, for what? A chance to take a whiff of his shirt? To perhaps touch their hair? Perhaps the odd chance they will fall in love with you?

Give me a break! Reign in your hormones! It's not worth the embarrassment or getting hauled off to jail for.

I mean seriously, how would you like it if the tables were turned? Would you want to not be able to walk to your car for fear of someone mugging you?

Give these idols a break! Sasaengs not only spoil the chance of keeping in touch with their idols, but they spoil it for everyone else as well.

I wish they would just stop it. And if any idol is reading this, remember the world is not full of sasaengs and that there are fans who truly want you to be happy.