Gofers: On the Front Lines of Film and Television was the winner in the Entertaining category of the 2021 IndieReader Discovery Awards, where undiscovered talent meets people with the power to make a difference.
Following find an interview with author Daniel Scarpati.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
Gofers: On the Front Lines of Film and Television, published in October 2020.
What’s the book’s first line?
“Ever hear of an entry-level job where the office moves daily, co-workers change constantly and responsibilities could range from unclogging a backed-up dressing room toilet to triggering the controlled explosion of a spaceship in a busy New York City park?”
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
Gofers puts the jobs and lives of entry-level film and TV production assistants (PAs for short, a.k.a. “gofers”) in the spotlight! Come behind the scenes of countless sets to hear about the plentiful, sometimes painful tasks PAs are asked to do so the show can go on. Through stories from time spent with renowned cast and crew, you’ll learn that success in showbiz is all about who you don’t know!
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
After working for over half a decade as a PA, students of film, TV and media programs would regularly ask me about my job. How could someone get started with zero connections? What were the pros and cons of beginning at the bottom rung of the career ladder? What was this often sleepless, nomadic lifestyle really like? I couldn’t find a one stop shop book that covered all that, so I decided to write my own.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
Being nonfiction, this book’s main character is really all the PAs whose names have ever come last or not at all in film/TV credits. Truthfully, many are much better than I ever was. Their perseverance to grow in their trade and become leaders in the craft reminds me of other former PAs such as Mr. Fred Rogers, Krysty Wilson-Cairns, Kathleen Kennedy and Paul Thomas Anderson.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
Gofers is the book that Daniel wished existed while he was in college, beginning his career. This isn’t just another textbook. The street smarts, people skills and practical life lessons can translate to any industry.
Is this the first you’ve written?
Coming from the film/TV world, I’ve written my fair share of screenplays. However, this is my first time writing a book! It has been a real learning experience to translate what I know and see all of the differences between the two styles.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I currently work as a freelance crewmember on many different productions, doing everything from technical camera and sound work to field production and COVID19 compliance.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
On a broader scale, I discuss the freelance lifestyle quite a bit in my book. Just like with writers and authors, most film/TV cast and crewmembers have work that only lasts as long as the thing they’re currently employed on. When that ends, it’s on to the next. Being comfortable with that instability does take time to get used to, but the freedom and flexibility can feel so rewarding.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
For my book, sharing an honest view of what goes on behind the scenes from a PA’s point of view was the central motivation. In general, I’m much less interested in fortune or fame than I am being involved in telling terrific stories that others can appreciate.
Please feel free to follow me on social media:
LinkedIn, Daniel Scarpati
YouTube, Dan Kids You Not
Instagram, @passingplanes
Facebook, Passing Planes Productions LLC