Brandie Posey moved to Hollywood in January 2007 and has been working steadily as a PA ever since. She has worked on numerous television, film and music video productions including: “Deal or No Deal”, “House M.D.” “American Inventor” & “Hot Guys who cook”.
Her ultimate career goal is to be a comedy writer and producer, and knows deep down in her heart that getting coffee for high strung executives will get her there someday.
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Daily Blog
November 10, 2008
Hey all! Wanted to upload a video I’m in this week. It’s a response to the despicable passing of Proposition 8 out here in California. My friend Jonathan Smith wrote and directed it, and as always, I am constantly amazed by the power of technology at how fast something like this can get turned around. I really feel that being in a digital age like ours is a great time to be alive because of how quickly we can reach an audience, especially when it comes to helping us fight injustices like Prop 8… or Prop h8 as I like to call it.
Check it out. Sign the petition. Because think about it… how many children of gay couples have issues versus how many children of divorced parents? If/when we get this Proposition on the ballot, the goal is then the rally AGAINST it… no one’s rights should EVER be taken away, period. But a point must be made.
Here’s where you can sign the petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/protect-marriage-protect-children-prohibit-divorce
And for my amazing gay friends, I just want to say have hope… when Lincoln was elected President, he didn’t initially set out to free the slaves… but he quietly worked towards it nevertheless. I have faith that another tall, skinny dude from Illinois might do the same for you, if we give him time.
October 27, 2008
So today I received a question from a reader o’ mine asking, “As another kid trying to eek it out being a PA and someone who does not drink or smoke I wanted to ask something. Has your decision to not drink or smoke inhibit you in this industry?”
This is actually something I have spent a good deal of time thinking about… One would think the obvious answer would be NO! Hard work and a good personality get you where you need to go! And this is true… but only to a point unfortunately. The way I see it, the entertainment industry lifestyle is a work hard/play hard wild ride until you crash, take a few days off to recover from 3 months of 17 hour days and then dive right back in on the next project. And for many of the people who subscribe to this way of life, booze, drugs and cigarettes are an integral part of the equation just to keep them going.
I’ve always managed to play off not doing these things with small jokes or just changing the subject… in college I used to carry a cigarette case full of candy cigarettes and chew on them when my friends would take smoke breaks while we were editting our short films. I’m also a lover of Welch’s Grape Juice served in the biggest Brandy snifter you can find at parties. If people ask why I’m not drinking, I’ll usually say I’m driving or I’m cheap and laugh about it.
But every once in a while there are those awkward cases when you’ll be at a bar with the crew and you’ll be asked to explain yourself more in depth… because even though your producer is a vegetarian because she doesn’t like to eat meat, she cannot FATHOM how you could not drink because you don’t like beer. Being a teetotaler brings with it a life of infinite patience and hidden exasperation… God forbid you come across as judgmental, in an environment where you yourself are constantly judged. Sometimes I even consider telling people I’m “sober” and I “keep my temple clean”… The west coast is interesting to me because we glorify those who have gone to rehab… but those that just choose to abstain from the activities that put so many there in the first place are seen as a type of weird moral police.
I don’t, however, think it has really inhibited me in working. Luckily I am personable enough that I don’t need something to help me open up and “be myself”, so most people don’t really even notice. Plus carrying around a Shirley Temple can look enough like you’re enjoying a vodka cranberry that most people won’t think twice. And I know I’ve been lucky with bosses too, the people who I tend to work for again and again don’t care about that kind of thing and it’s that kind of attitude that keeps THEM working on fun projects as well… there’s a reason that vegetarian hippie is only on my resume once.
So I hope I helped, and stay strong my sober brother! You’re not alone, I promise. At least at the end of YOUR night, you can be the one in the room who remembers seeing that washed up 90’s comedian making out with a possible minor. (Seeeeecrets!!)
And anyone else that has a question, go ahead and submit, I love this kind of stuff!
September 29, 2008
Hey. It’s good to see you. Have you lost weight? I’m digging the new beard. It’s been a while, hasn’t it? How’s the wife? Kids? What have I been up to? Well. Got a minute?
A few weeks ago, I was cast and shot my first television bit for a new reality show on MTV. Don’t worry, I’m not a contestant, I was actually using some comedic talent as a made up character. I’m not sure how much I’m allowed to say, but I’ll have more details up once the show starts… wouldn’t want to spoil such “rivetting” television for anyone. But basically I got hired to harass a bunch of popped collar jock douchebags. I love my life. I got a fake name and everything!
For someone whose worked exclusively behind the camera up to this point, it was a pretty interesting experience to be on the other side. My knee jerk reaction to help when a spill happens had to be quelled, not to mention the fact that I rarely wear much make up of any kind. People speak to you differently too, and it’s interesting if you know all that is going on behind the scenes while you are standing in front doing your thing. Also, you work FAR less hours - I was only on set for 4 and got paid for a full day. That was pretty awesome.
Overall it was a blur, a new kind of challenge and a LOT of fun.
But that’s not all! I’m in a new sketch writing class over at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. If you are thinking about taking any kind of comedy classes out here, go with them, everyone who is big in comedy right now has ties to that theatre. They have shows every night of the week for $8, $5 or free, and I am rarely disappointed by anything. I’ve also been doing a bunch of open mics around the city, and am booked on a show at the Improv Olympic on October 12th! So if you’re in town, come on by! I’ll have more details as it gets closer.
What else… The Emmys were a joke. Poor Josh Grobin. I was embarassed for you. The only good part was seeing five of my husbands on stage - Ricky Gervais, Conan O’Brien, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert and Steve Carrell. Could someone arrange me a slumber party with all of them please? I just want to do hair, eat chocolate pudding and talk about boys all night long.
Production Assistant-wise… as you guys can probably tell, I’m making the transition away from doing it. Right now I am coordinating for a production company that does live event shows, another way that your film degree can be put to use. The hours are easier, and while its definitely not as fun, its good to have some time back to myself so I’m not feeling constantly over worked.
Also - last night was the season premiere for Dexter on Showtime. If you do not watch this show, you are missing out.
I PROMISE next week I will have another crazy story update. I’m modeling for a friend of mine’s make up class on Wednesday night, maybe something wacky will happen then. Peace out, cub scouts.
August 21, 2008
So. Because being a PA is freelance, you have to get your own health insurance seperately from any production company you work for. But last April, mine, (Blue Shield of California) decided to drop me because my credit card was close to the limit and a payment didn’t go through. As opposed to calling/emailing/sending me a letter about this, they did nothing, just quietly took me off their list. I have automatic payment on my card, so I never really look at the transactions unless they’re way off what I expect them to be. So I didn’t notice that I wasn’t getting charged until a few weeks ago when I got a bill for a few hundred dollars from a doctor’s visit. I called in a frenzy, we figured out the problem and I had to reapply and also submit an appeal to have my insurance restarted. I just got a letter in the mail saying that my application for coverage was denied, so now I am fully dependent on the appeal going through.
I was just denied health insurance from Blue Shield of California for two reasons:
1. “unexplained fatigue”
2. “additional concern is depression”
Well you glorified telemarketing FUCKS, maybe if you got off your asses and worked a 14 hour day on your feet, then came home and spent time pursuing a dream career of writing and performing comedy every night, then you might be able to explain some of that fatigue… but that would involve having some kind of goal or ambition besides a midlife crisis when you’re 40 and realizing you didn’t have the balls or talent to go after something you were passionate about besides watching TV and getting fat. You’re the unimaginative, smug townie that married your highschool sweatheart and puts Cathy cartoon clippings from the Sunday paper in your cubicle to mask the fact that you don’t see sunlight from 9-5, 5 days a week… you are the fatted cows for the American Dreams of mediocrity and sloth. So I’m tired and overworked, and I told that to my old doctor, who decided that it was a concern that a 24 year old girl was pushing herself to be all she could be instead of giving up and getting 10 hours of sleep a night.
And I do have depression. Want to know why, asshole? My grandmother, the woman who was a second mother to me, who basically raised me and taught me everything that I value and am proud of in myself, died suddenly a little over a year and a half ago, right before I moved to California. I stayed home until after Christmas, but knew if I didn’t leave then, then I never would and I would regret it. But California is a cold, lonely place if you don’t have good friends to surround you when you need them, and being 3,000 miles away from a family torn apart by grief is hard for anyone. So I got a therapist to help me cope with it, and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I grow as a person every day and am happier than I have been in a long time… but depression is still apparently written on my medical charts.
I don’t drink, never have. I don’t smoke, never will. I have never touched a drug a day in my life. I exercise every single day. I watch what I eat. I’m not overweight. I have not been sick in over a year. I am a good kid. I am extremely healthy. Yet you won’t give me health insurance? Why am I being punished for taking the road less travelled? Does something about me scare you, big corporation? I’m sorry I’m honest and in touch with my feelings and I don’t drown them out with $2 happy hours and reruns of American Idol.
Shame on you. Go fuck yourselves.
August 18, 2008
Hey all!! This week I’m going to do some shameless self promotion. I’ve got a stand up show this Wednesday in Hollywood!! If you’re free, come check it out. Here’s the info:
12 comedians. 5 minutes each. And super super cheap alcohol. What more could a kid want?
Featuring the comedic stylings of:
Alisha Gaddis, Susan Coletti, Lane Moore, Andy Ostroff, Tilt, Meg Murphy, Dustin David, Emily Brochin, Rebecca Stevens, Brandie Posey, Jamie Brunton, Vanessa Ramos, Jeremy Evans, Kevin Garbee, Charles Ball
$10. See you there!
Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Time: 8:00 - 10:00 PM
Location: The Next Stage: 1523 N. La Brea Hollywood, CA
I know a few of these comics and they’re awesome, funny people, so it should be a bunch of fun. My set will be me talking about: knife fights, emilio estevez, baby showers, scatting and Bob Saget. I promise to be funny, or at the very least bomb in an amusing fashion.
Come on out!
