| I thought I would steer away a bit from the usual | | | | (deadly), fresh vegetables and fruit, nuts, chips, the |
| articles and discuss my experience as a party event | | | | list is endless. All I can say is, there is food available all |
| planner working on the set of NCIS LA. Believe it or | | | | day and I must say, to stay away from all the |
| not, but many of the concepts of catering and | | | | delicious temptations is a real discipline. |
| events apply to the TV production world as well. | | | | Being a party event planner on a major Hollywood |
| NCIS LA is in their second season and already they | | | | sound stage is also a lot of fun. For once, I am not |
| are back in production. Like catering and events there | | | | the one organizing! I get to relax a bit in that arena |
| are strict call times, various locations and of course | | | | but it is still work. The average work day is 13 hours |
| lots of great food. The closest counterpart to a | | | | with an hour taken out for lunch. At the lunch break, |
| party event planner on the set is the 1st AD. The 1st | | | | I usually go to the commissary for more food and |
| AD is the person who keeps the production on | | | | recently saw Jane Lynch (the cheerleading coach |
| schedule while filming, sets the itinerary and tells the | | | | from Glee). |
| crew what shot to set up next. It is important for | | | | My job on the set is to play background or as some |
| budget reasons that they continually keep a strict | | | | may say an extra. I have been a member of SAG |
| timetable so that little if any overtime (and hence | | | | for 17 years so at least I am putting my membership |
| increase of costs) occur. | | | | to work. Basically, we walk behind the main actors in |
| Similar to other special events, the catering on the | | | | the scene to make the office appear as a real |
| set of NCIS LA is great and we are well fed all day. | | | | working environment. In fact, I am in a couple of |
| As with other catering and events I have been | | | | scenes and hope to make the final cut! You'll just |
| involved with, the food served on the set caters to | | | | have to tune in when the season starts to find out. |
| all tastes. There is a great breakfast buffet that | | | | Well, as they say in Hollywood, that's a wrap. I hope |
| encompasses all diets, vegetarian, gluten-free and | | | | you enjoyed getting a party event planner |
| then a mid-morning meal as well. Breakfasts are hot | | | | perspective on the set of NCIS LA. Like catering and |
| with various egg dishes, pancakes, oatmeal, fresh | | | | events, the days are long but it is a fun group of |
| fruit, cereal, pastries, breakfast potatoes, etc. and | | | | people to work with and you don't leave hungry! Until |
| then the afternoon meal maybe Thai, Mexican or | | | | next time remember the Budget Bash mantra: make |
| Continental. Of course, there is a candy station | | | | it simple, delicious, stylish, fun & economical to all! |