It literally has been ages since my last posts. I have never thought of writing blogs again since I was working and being an employee. Here I'm going to share a little bit of my experience working in Media. I'm purely just sharing about my experience, I have no any bad intention towards anyone or any company what so ever.
The very first Job I applied was Trans TV and luckily I was accepted. I worked there for almost a year as a one of the creative team. My background was in production design course, so i thought it would suit me to work in media. Having background studying in the Philippines, I have a little bit struggle at first adapting with the Indonesian work ethic. Although it was not much of a different, but still I had to adapt to it. Everybody who is in a new place must adapt. That's what we all have to do.
Being excited on my first day, I arrived at the office before 9 am. I was brought to my working area at 8th floor by one of the HR staff. I remembered she told me to sit in one of the table right in from of my division head office because he was not around yet. I found out it was his PA's table, and yet the PA wasn't around as well. Then I was wondering, why is the whole floor is so empty. By empty i mean, no people around on working hour. I thought they were all on meeting or going for outing. But No, they were not arrived yet.
The office started to come alive at around 1 pm, or after lunch. So you can imagine, if they arrive at 1 PM, what time will they go home. I finally met my boss, the division head. He assigned me to a show that has not shown on TV yet, called Teater Komedi ( in English Comedy Theater). Then I met my new team. I wasn't sure if i can work in team, but i tried my best by at least being as friendly as possible and not forget their names. Oh wells, I don't think I would recall how did I go with that team. The first team that i met was okay, but as the time, the keep adding new people in and some new producers in. So as people want to be seen, they tried to compete to kiss the producers ass. So it was just me, left alone being the only new comers whom they see as rug (keset).
I did not enjoyed every minute working in that show, with the team i was assigned. We just don't have the chemistry. They were nice, some of them were bossy and think they were the senior therefore they are the best. not mention the working hour. Very "efficient", by saying efficient means they were ready for brainstorm at 6 PM until midnight. We were at the office at 11 in the morning already, but they prefer to not working i guess. Then I was forced by the situation to brainstorm in the room full of smoking people. Geez, they can not think without cigarettes on their mouth.
During the shooting was even worse. They did the set up of everything (props, lighting, camera, etc) all in one time. Also the actors were rehearsing at the same time. It was tiring physically and mentally.
One day, during one of the shooting, I don't know how and why, one of the other executive producer called me and shift me to other program. I was super happy, without even finishing my shooting, I run immediately to her room and received the good news. After that, I went straight brainstorming with my new team. The show called Semangat Pagi.
I enjoyed the team more in here. The down part was only because the show is everyday and live in the morning. So we had to rush to find new topics to discussed, find the interviewees or narasumber, then find actor or famous person who are similar to the topics and check their schedule if still available or not. Then I had to make the story line and rundowns. Those rundowns must be approved by so many people. Last, if my division head does not agree, we had to change it. The comment my division head gave me was my rundown was too sophisticated, he want more cheesy. I had no idea in the world how to be as cheesy as he would.
So, my project turned out was not only that. With all this and that and with all sleepless night and working almost 17 hours, I finally gave up. Aside from those tiring work, i had to deal with some seniors who only want credit of your works. I remember I had to finished the rundown with my team at 11 PM, then go home for some sleep and stand by again at the office at 6 AM. All of those working rhythm might be fun and enjoyable for some people who are passionate in Media and creative industry. By that time, I realized this is not my passion and not where I belong. So after I resigned, I never look back.
This is a few picture of me, staying late at night. still working. I remember the day when I chat with my friend while at the office. It was 10.30 PM and I was already used to staying late at the office. Then my friend ended the chat saying she needed to sleep because it was late already. Then I saw my watch thinking, she said it's late already, while I still in the office doing things that seemed normal for people who work in media. It touched my heart. I wasn't here for the pay (obviously), because I needed experience. And I thought I had it with me already, but I lost my connection to the outside world, my friends and family, and most importantly, my self. I had no time for my self.
PS: Oh, there's one more funny story about my senior who worked with me and the team in Semangat Pagi. She came to the office being the last one to arrive and then she left to pray (Shalat, in muslim), She went back 30 mins later. Then not in a long time, she left again for lunch. She was back after 2 hours. Then she left again for another prayer / Shalat for 1 hour. Then She was back and looking for afternoon snacks already. After we all finished with our work and ready for approval from our producers, She was back and sit in as if she was doing the work. I found out that this is how she survive working in media. So guys, if you want to survive working in media (in indonesia), maybe you can follow her way. hehehe!
