Industry Pro: Celebrity Personal Assistant Jacqueline Lesko
Think you have what it takes to be a celebrity personal assistant?
As I’m sure the savvy readers of YII know, it’s not just hanging out by the pool or in the studio jet with Jennifer Aniston or George Clooney. Jacqueline Lesko takes us into the world of celebrity personal assistants, the good and the bad, so you can see if you have the right stuff to do the job.
Current situation: I completed work last year as an Executive Assistant to a director/writer/producer on a feature film comedy. (Currently, I am rewriting my screenplay for an interested producer.)
College & degree: Graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a B.A. in Screenwriting
Internship (if any): Yes, with Paul Schiff Productions. If I remember correctly, I went skydiving with a couple friends and the two other people there were both film students at USC. One of them was interning at Paul Schiff Productions. I believe that is how I got my first internship writing screenplay coverage. (Which, by the way, I was horrible at and loathed doing.)
First job in the entertainment industry: While I was an intern, I became friends with the Executive Assistant to Paul Schiff. He recommended me for the receptionist position at Icon. I worked the phones, the front door, fan mail, bought groceries, cleaned the kitchen…you name it. It was pretty awesome because they were in post-production on Braveheart, so I offered to help out after-hours and got to sit in on a lot of editing and mixing.
While working as the receptionist, I also became ‘an assistant on the side’ to the in-house Producer. He lobbied for me to work with him on the film 187 and that was my first feature film production experience. When we finished shooting, I returned to my receptionist duties!
Big break: “Big Breaks” are hard to define… I feel like for me, it’s never just one big moment, but rather, lots of little breaks that happen along the way. My first break would be working at Icon Productions. I felt like everyone took me under their wing, showed me the ropes, and I was able to wear many hats, which was a great learning experience and resume-builder. The next break would have to be landing a job as an Executive Assistant to an “A-list” feature film comedy director who was just about to write and direct one of the biggest comedies ever. I built a lot of great relationships from that experience and really felt I was in my element.
Eureka moment: I realized that I ready to move on from being “just an assistant.” No one was going to push me to do anything – I had to push myself. So I decided to write and direct my very own 35mm short film. Once I committed to the idea, wrote it and went about pre-production, many people stepped up to support me in my endeavor.
Career path: I knew no one in the film business before interning. This was my foot in the door and based on my experience, I can say that interning is a great way to begin. After my receptionist gig at Icon, I jumped to an Executive Assistant position to an “A-list” actor/writer on a hit comedy TV show. From there, I worked as a Personal Assistant to an iconic feature film writer/director. He wasn’t making movies at the time but he was still writing, it was a fantastic opportunities to learn from one of the best comedy writers ever. And after that, I temped!
Temping in the film industry is not a bad thing – you meet tons of people in all different kinds of production companies and if you are professional and have a good attitude, they usually ask you to stay on. Also, it allowed me to work on my documentary feature film so it was a great way to make a little money when I needed to and have the free time to shoot.
One day, my temp agent called and asked if I wanted a full-time job. As luck would have it, the documentary shooting was over and I desperately needed money. That’s when I landed my job working as an Executive Assistant to an “A-list” comedy director/producer.
Worst job in entertainment industry: My worst job as an assistant was an awful, degrading, and generally abusive experience every single day from the time I was interviewing to the moment I quit, approximately 2 months later. Every single second sucked. I dropped 12 pounds, I never slept and I lost all respect for myself for even accepting the job – everyone told me not to! Somehow I was lured in by the money and prestige. Big lesson – always follow your gut.
Best job in entertainment industry: Working on a huge feature film comedy that was a giant success. Meeting my husband on that film and making enough money to pay off my school loans and direct my 35mm short film.
Best thing about your current job: The best thing about being an assistant is the access you have to extremely talented artists. I have learned so much about craft, discipline, and dedication just by watching a director or writer or actor go about their process. It is inspiring. Sometimes, you may even catch them when they feel like talking about their work and that is incredible. You learn that they go through the exact same indecision, fear and anxiety you experience. And yet, they still move forward and walk through the fear… Hopefully, just as you will!
Worst thing about your current job: The worst thing about being an assistant, in my opinion, is when the boss procrastinates! It just makes everything so much harder. I tell people all the time that Fridays are the worst day of the week for assistants. I DREAD Friday, because that’s the day the boss finally gives answers on everything he/she has been putting off all week! Friday evening, approximately 5:00 pm, is when they return calls, go over accounting, give notes on scripts, AND decide what they want to do for the weekend, which usually means booking a private plane, massages, and a car for that very evening. Fridays are brutal!
Brush with greatness: I’ve had many brushes with greatness working with extremely talented directors, writers, and actors. One actor made me blush just by looking at me. It was crazy because I never even thought he was cute – he was just that talented. I watched one writer compose entire scenes in pencil on notepaper and never cross anything out – he was so good. But I will say I was awestruck by one person in particular – Bono. Oh, yeah and hearing this phrase: “Hi, this is Paul Newman calling for…” That was pretty cool.
Secret of your success/advice to the newbie: For being a celebrity personal assistant, the first thing you have to remember is that you are an extension of your boss, you represent him or her at all times, so you must always treat everyone with respect and kindness, even if they are not extending you the same courtesy. Also, keep in mind the people badgering you are waiting on your boss for answers and they have their own bosses to deal with and are frustrated. You are a juggler of emotions and constantly in deflect mode- whether it’s getting an answer to tell someone who is waiting, dealing with the person who keeps calling and calling or is waiting for notes on a script, you name it.
My general advice: Be friendly, a hard worker, and professional. Even if you are not great at your job, companies/producers will rehire you because they want to work long hours with people they like! A producer passed that bit of wisdom on to me in the early 90’s and I believe it rings true to this day.
Next move (or next five moves): My next move is to sell this script I am rewriting and ultimately make sure it gets made, preferably with me directing. If an assistant is smart, they will try to get jobs within the discipline they want to work – with an agent, writer, producer, director, costumes, camera. Usually by the time they are ready to move on, they have made some great contacts and can call in one or two to help out, whether it is to get a script read, an actor attached, or a short screened by an agent. It’s all about the people you know so don’t forget – If you are friendly, a hard worker and professional, people will want to help you! That’s how it works.
Jacqueline Making Her First 35mm Film
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