Trinity University

The Office of University Communications
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Mar. 28, 2012

And the dream job goes to ...

Trinity communication student Andrew Rieger lands gig with the Academy Awards® that put him side by side with A-list directors and actors.

By Andrew Rieger '13

As the lights dim and the orchestra begins to play, I nervously wait behind the stage for the winner of the Best Cinematography category. This is no ordinary event; this is the Academy Awards® and I am working behind the scenes.

For as long as I can remember, I have had a soft spot in my heart for movies. As a child, my father introduced me to some of his favorite film noir classics and I have been a movie nerd ever since.

Now any movie nerd will tell you that the Super Bowl of the film industry occurs in late February when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences® conducts an award ceremony known as the Academy Awards®. I have watched this award show religiously for the last couple of years but I never thought that I would actually get the chance to participate in the show.

A few months back, I had the opportunity to meet with a man who works for the Academy as the manager of page operations. He invited me to the Los Angeles offices to see some of the work that goes into the show and believe me, that was quite an experience in and of itself.

Then he asked me if I was interested in working on the show. I just about fell out of my seat. I said yes without hesitation, and before I knew it, I was back in Los Angeles working on the show.  

My task was to meet with notable guests and ensure that they were seated properly. Once the show started, I would meet the winners of specific award categories as well as the presenters after they spoke to the press.

During a commercial break, I would lead these individuals back to their seats. All of the potential award winners and hosts are located in specific seats so it is essential that you understand the layout of the theater since you only have a few minutes to re-seat the winner before the commercial breaks ends.

While working for the Academy, I had the chance to meet a number of directors, actors, actresses, cinematographers and other influential figures in the film industry. I also worked with a host of talented and passionate individuals who taught me the skills I needed to do my job successfully.

Working on at the 84^th Annual Academy Awards® was a dream come true for me, and I hope I get the opportunity to work on future shows. As an aspiring filmmaker, I have dreamed of attending the event, and working behind the scenes was an experience I will never forget. It is impossible to understand how much work goes into this event until you actually get a chance to see what goes on behind the curtain.

Andrew Rieger '13 is a communication major from Orange County, California. Due to the conditions of his job, he was not able to divulge the names of the filmmakers he came in contact with.