Behind the Scenes with Andrea!
KO & Hanne interview Dixie…
We are very pleased to introduce to you… Andrea Smith! Most of us got to know her as a devoted Street Team member, who became one of the fantastic admins of the SoGoPro website. However, she has also worked as an office production assistant for the very last season of One Tree Hill.
Can you explain to the ‘newbies’ who haven’t met you in chat how you got so involved with SoGoPro and what your role is?
To be quite frank, I have always been a self proclaimed geek. So that has always included
being “in the know” about upcoming internet sensations. Twitter was rather new, but I had started following SoGoPro in its infancy and I’ll never forget Ali posting a tweet about “shaking up the cbox” and I jumped in head first. This changed everything. I had been trying to decide what I wanted to be when I
grew up, and had always been interested in TV production. Them bam, because of the beauty of the internet, I found a company that was offering a behind the scenes look into this industry. I felt like this was the perfect opportunity to learn, so why not offer my skills to help it find its legs and help get them started by taking on what I knew, which was coding and building websites. My role? Hah. I am just one of those people that wants to get involved. Let me roll up my sleeves, give me a task, a couple of days to “figure it out”, and let me go to work. And it has turned out to be somewhat of a computer geek behind the scenes.
Kaitlan: So Glad to have you as part of the SGP Team! 
What did SoGoPro change for you in your personal life?
An outlet to discuss movies, TV, music, this industry, and a passion for arts that I would not have found in my hometown or among my group of friends. Don’t get me wrong, people can turn to the internet to be mean, ugly, and critical. BUT there are communities out there that are connected through a general interest that would NEVER be connected otherwise because of the internet.
Hanne: I personally have never seen another community like this before. The company and group of people have a great and honest foundation.
What have you enjoyed most so far about SoGoPro?
The beauty of the internet is that it can build an Army of goodness and spread it across countries, continents, and social classes that life doesn’t always give us. SoGoPro has made me feel more understood. There are people out there that get it, want to be a part of it for the right reasons, and just don’t know how to get started in the industry. It also provides a support group, people there to pick you up, encourage you, educate you, and inspire you.
Hanne: It is lovely to meet people in chat and in real life from different countries and even continents, both via chat and live, who share the same interests. It really has become a warm group of people with the same interests and who are genuinely kind.
Kaitlan: I completely agree with you. The foundation that has been created out of the SGP community is incredible. The friendships that have been created because of this general interest that we all have is incredible. Something that never would have happened without the Internet.
What would you like to see happen in the future for SGP and the SGP Street Team?
SoGoPro was created on honesty. At its heart were people that wanted to make an impact and share it with people that were interested. Street Teams are the best Army you can have. We want to be here, want to see it succeed, aren’t afraid to talk about it until we are blue in the face, and want to contribute to the success of this company all on good merit. We aren’t getting paid, we just want to spread a good idea. In the future, I want to see success beyond any of our imaginations. I know it will happen because the foundation of hard work, dedication, and passion has already be established. As far as the Street Team goes, I want to see it grow as well and give back to other members. I wouldn’t be here if Kelly hadn’t extended his hand to me and given me the opportunities I have been given. I want to see that trickle down for years to come. Make the Army stronger, bigger, and better.
Hanne: Beautifully said.
Kaitlan: Could not have said it better my self. Wonderfully written!
Where did you go to College and what did you study?
Where didn’t I go to college? HAH. ADD over here went to a local community college for a year and half, then transferred to another, and finally another. To be honest, I didn’t know what I wanted to be and I just kept going to different areas trying to figure it out. I didn’t graduate, but Troy University as a Business Major was doing when I left to work full time at a local TV station.
Hanne: Hmmm, I believed the system in the States is quite different from ours then. But a business major + your experience in the film/tv industry makes for a great combination, nice!
Kaitlan: haha I know the feeling of not knowing what you want to do well. But in agreement to what Hanne said, a business major especially in the industry that you are involved in is great!
You got a job as an office production assistant. How did you get to work for One Tree Hill and what did you have to do exactly?
Two words, KELLY TENNEY. He called my name when their PA was leaving. I somewhat “auditioned” and got the job. I was a “runner” for the office. Picking up groceries, lunches, office supplies, taking the film to the airport, all of the grunt work. When the office needed something done, it was my job to go out and get it. I was also responsible for running callsheets at night, “sides” for the next day, mail pickup and delivery, and a few other things that are escaping me right now.
Hanne: Can’t help saying “yay KT!”
Kaitlan: Way to go KT with his great choice in character. SGP would not have been the same without you, along with OTH! Glad to have you on our team!
What did you find the most difficult about the job?
For me, someone that would talk to a brick wall even if it wouldn’t talk back, it was being gone all day and feeling a little isolated when you go back into a group where you’ve missed all the “action.” Then at the end of the day, you are there alone and not really sure of what all has transpired throughout the day. No big deal right? Well if someone would call and ask me a question about that day, I would get a little flustered that I didn’t have the answers they were looking for right then. That is totally a personal issue, no one expected me to have all the answers, I just put an unnecessary pressure to have those answers when asked. Now that I have had a break and can reflect on the past year, I realize that all of that taught me so much. Kind of like you need to be thrown into the fire and find your way out to learn. It’s so hard to explain. Hopefully that does it justice. All of those experiences make you better as a PA and will eventually make you a better crew member when you are given opportunity to move up the ranks.
Kaitlan: I guess that it must have been hard to be alone most of the day in the beginning. When you did not really know many people. However it is those experiences that we are sort of thrust into that we learn the most like you. Those experiences we tend look back on and feel the most accomplished as well, because you were able to figure things out on your own and succeed. Even though at the time it might not have felt that way at the time. But the most important thing in the end is that you felt like you were part of a family and are now closer than ever to many of the people that were in that office and can take those experiences and use them on your next job venture!
What did you like and dislike most?
LIKE? More like LOVED– I loved that I didnt sit behind a desk all day. I would go nuts just sitting around waiting to do stuff, being the PA allows for you to get up and move and to constantly have something to do throughout the day. Until the end of the day (when your dog tired) you can sit and do what little paperwork I was responsible for. Disklike? Being away from set. Let me start with the disclaimer that if you get the chance to start out as a PA on a show, the office is absolutely the way to go. I was covered when it rained, warm when it was cold, and had the opportunity to actually sit down throughout the day. And surrounded by truly awesome team members. It’s a great starting point for someone like me that knew I wanted to be apart of the production side, but didn’t really know where. The more I learned about the process, the greater my curiosity of the actual filming process grew. Ultimately, my personality, my interests, the things that I thought were cool were happening on set. I want to learn more about camera angles, blocking, set design, lighting, ect. That all is on set. BUT like I said, I didn’t know what I really wanted to do in this industry and the office allowed for excellent opportunity to see what all the departments are responsible for and take the time to really decide what interested me.
Hanne: That indirectly is actually a great tip for people who want to pursue a career in this business. Most people find it difficult to think of what they want to do with their life. It’s great you got to look around like this!
What was your best experience with being a production assistant?
There are too many because I was a part of something truly amazing. I will forever be thankful for those 13 episodes of season 9. At the end of filming we had a party on set in the Red Bedroom records. I saw crew members rock out on guitars and the drums as well as our cast belt out a few tunes. For the music lover in me, I couldn’t imagine ending on a better note. You will also have to come back to me a little further in the season, early in the filming process I had another “to die for moment.” It was one of those moments that when you imagined this career as a kid you think about witnessing a moment EXACTLY like it. It was surreal and still gives me chill bumps to this day. But the episode hasnt aired yet, hint, hint, TUNE IN JAN 11th. I swear this season is going to rock your socks off if you are a fan of the show. Even if you’re not, its good TV. Scratch that, GREAT TV.
How did you experience the whole atmosphere at the office?
Trying to take EVERYTHING in. And it was a lot. It was fast paced, confusing at times, fun, awesome, I should probably get a thesaurus out. Or you could probably look up AWESOME in the dictionary and get my drift. Kelly, Karen, and Leigh are a family that I will forever have. Our crew worked their asses off. It really is like joining a circus and I loved it. It also gave me the chance to change my perception of actors. I went into this industry ready to write off the people on the other side of the camera. Not with our cast. Jackson is the coolest kid, and I will admit that I teared up when he was leaving. Sophia is the most kind hearted person, Austin was the first to ever remember my name, and Rob has to be one of the funniest people you will ever meet. Along with Mark, agh, it was just such a great experience.
Hanne: That sounds like a great experience. It also must have been an eye-opener to work with a cast like that. I don’t think many people can imagine what it’s actuallylike to walk around on a set. I’m sure you had such a warm welcome.
Kaitlan: I’m glad that you had such a great experience working in the office. Being able to walk around a set and see all of the actors in action just seems like an experience all in itself. One that no many people get to witness.
Can you picture one or two hilarious moments for us?
Hands down has to be the night Karen and I found this “annoyatron” device in the office. For days there had been this beeping sound that would go off every three minutes. Keep in mind, I am gone most of the day, so it didn’t really bother me too bad. But it was driving Karen and Leigh CRAZY and I think them going crazy made KT a little aggravated too. Well you know me, I have to fix it immediately because I knew the girls were losing their mind. I tore the ENTIRE office apart, took the clocks out of the room, unplugged EVERYTHING imaginable, moved the couch, and tried to move this huge TV off the file cabinet. Then there was a moment when I was on the ground looking for ANYTHING, Karen is standing ON TOP of my desk reaching up in the ceiling, looking behind the TV, and finally behind the filing cabinet. She reaches back behind it to pull out this http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/b278/. All I see on the device is the word “annoy” so I rush off to google it. The mystery is solved. But I wish there had been a camera to catch the exact moment when we put it all together. It was a great prank, I wish I would have thought of it!!!
Hanne: Woow, what a fantastic prank!! Haha! It would be hilarious to watch people go crazy over it..
Kaitlan: haha that is amazing! A friend of mine LOVES ThinkGeek and I have actually thought of getting that device and using it on her. So reading this just made my day! Now I just got to go out and buy this device and think of a good prank!
Ok, we also have a couple of random question for you. So here it goes…
What is your favorite word?
Umm I dont think I have a favorite word, but I definitely have a phrase “Weagle Weagle Warrrrr Damn Eagle!” And yes, it’s football related, and yes I taught it to the office.
Hanne: Bahaa, is there a video tape of this? There must be… I tried to google it, and I still don’t know what it means, but I did read some very hot discussions about it haha, madness!
What is your favorite curse word?
erm I have to pick? Nah I use the F word WAYY to much (blame Joey D) , but I do enjoy saying “I could give two-shits less”
Hanne: Haha, I like that one!
Kaitlan: haha, very nice choice!
What turns you on?
OH LORD! Gutter brain over here does not need to answer this. But shaved head, scruffy beard, a good watch, a boy that loves his momma, and can strum a Keith Whitley tune. A manly SOUTHERN boy. An athletic football playing type with a good smile.
What turns you off?
Stupidity, mean for the sake of being mean, boys that are too girly, no sense of humor
Hanne: I couldn’t agree with you more!
Kaitlan: Ditto..!
What sound do you love?
MUSIC, the ocean, genuine laughter, you know the kind that you are laughing so hard you are crying?, and gameday sounds of an Auburn football game. There isn’t a time when I am more happy than after an AUBURN win walking out of the stadium screaming with 85k other people “IT’S GREAT TO BE AN AUBURN TIGER” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dnjzKo1TQo
Kaitlan: Those really are some beautiful sounds. There really is nothing more calming and soothing than the sounds of the ocean. When I hear that it feels like I’m home.
What profession other than yours would you like to try?
NONE, but if I have to chose, I’d like to go on the road with a country band. Or be the country band
Where would you like to be in 10 years? (both professional and personal)
I’m taking it one day at a time, life has been working out pretty well for me that way, and part of my New Years resolutions were to enjoy EVERYDAY I am given. But I hope to have my own production company, Dixieland Delight, that focuses on sports documentaries and scripted sports related character
driven TV shows or movies.
Hanne: That’s an interesting path. Now of course I want to know all about your plan! Hope we hear more about this in the future…!
Kaitlan: Oh wow! That sounds amazing and very interesting indeed! I wish you the best of luck on all your future endeavors, including starting your own production company. Like Hanne said, hope to hear more in the future!
