Bender Helper Impact

Last month, several members of the Digital Entertainment team had the opportunity to help the Home Entertainment team staff the star-studded DVD release of “Star Trek.”  Set atop the hills of Los Angeles at the Griffith Park Observatory, stars like Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana and John Cho walked the red carpet in celebration of the launch.

Behind-the-scenes, the B/HI staff was busy assisting media, walking talent down the red carpet and announcing celebrity arrivals.  I had the pleasure of working with a reporter from Star Trek Magazine who gave me lots of Star Trek insight.  By the end of the night, I was placed on car duty along with my colleague, Maria Gonima.  Our new mission was to ensure the timely departure of our new celebrity friends.  Armed with swag and walkie-talkies, we took our positions!

Unbeknownst to us walkie-talkie virgins, there is such a thing as walkie-talkie etiquette and language.   Within minutes of placing the headphones on our heads, we received our first page, “It’s Melanie -- for the front.”  Was she talking to us?  How should we respond? - Yes?  Did you need something?  Go ahead?  The pressure was on.  After some delay we responded with “Maria and Jennifer at the front!”

After receiving some tips from the valets, we were walkie-talkie pros by the end of the night doling out “Roger,” “affirmative” and “copy that.”  Our conversations were no longer drawn out answers – they were brief and to the point.  They went more like the following:

Jennifer: “Jennifer for Maria.”
Maria: “Go Jennifer”
Jennifer: “What’s your 20” (location)
Maria: “Front”
Jennifer: “10-12” (talent heading down)
Maria: “Roger”

The night lent itself to a perfect lesson: brush up on your walkie-talkie skills every chance you get.  You never know when they may come in handy.

Over and out.

[Follow Jennifer: @JenniferReza]