Interview with Katie Hery (Dream Works, Kung Fu Panda Bear 2)

What is it like working for Dream Works?

Working for Dreamworks Animation is great because they really treat their employees well. We have full benefits as well as a 401K and bonuses each year. There is free parking, free breakfast and lunch as well as a Starbucks on the lot. There are many different activities on the lot through out the week such as, lunchtime yoga, special speakers, Monday night movies, discounts on different activities and events around LA, discounts on cars, computers and of course there is a gift shop. 

Creativity is important at DreamWorks and everyone including assistants like me is encouraged to make notes on screenings and submit them to the director and producer to look over. I had previously worked in live action as a production assistant (PA) and when I was running around giving out waters and call sheets I never felt I was making a true effort because I was expendable. They could easily fire me and grab another recent college grad hungry to break into the biz. The constant fear that there are millions of others like you graduation each May looking for a job in Hollywood makes it easy for production companies to take advantage of a “green” PA (green meaning new). At DreamWorks I don’t feel like im just another PA or just another faceless young kid with a head set calling out “quiet down we are rolling”. I feel that Im a part of something and also enjoy all the perks that come with working at such a great company.

What does your job entail? 

I arrive at work at 8:15am and usually leave by 7pm. These are un heard of hours in the business because when I was working in live action I would typically work from 5am to 10pm, with a 1 hour lunch in between, and I worked through lunch. Iam the producer’s and director’s assistant on Kung Fu Panda 2. I schedule meetings, answer phones, and im also the liaison between the talent’s managers and agents and the production staff. I schedule records and pitches with the talent. In addition to phones and scheduling I also prepare presentations, file, copy, fax etc etc. I also plan crew parties, book travel, plan crew gifts, help with setting up for meetings and screenings. Although im just an assistant now I know there is room to improve as DWA generally promotes from within, so applying as an outsider is difficult.

Do you feel like you use some of the skills you learned at Keene State being a film major?

When I worked in live action I did use a lot of the skills I learned at KSC. I mainly learned at KSC is to always say YES that can be done and then figure it out later. When you’re on set and they ask can you get me 50 copies of this? And you know for sure that the copier in the office trailer is broken and instead of saying “well I can do it but it may take awhile as the copier is broken” you just say YES that can be done. I also learned that its all about thinking ahead. For instance if a the camera guy asks you for two rolls of film you bring 3, if they ask for a bottle of H2O you bring a room temp one and a cold one, if they ask for copies of the sides (the parts of the script they are covering that day) you bring the smaller version and the 8.5 X 11 version. Its all about thinking ahead and again that goes for Animation (where Iam now) too. When I get things ready for a meeting I make sure to plan ahead and make enough copies of things, plus one, make sure they have the option of food or no food at the meeting. The main goal as an assistant or as a PA is to make sure that the director or the producer thinks about nothing else but creativity of that said project they are working on. They don’t need to know why you chose this conference room or that one they just need the meeting to happen, where they want it, when they want it and have everything there that they need. They do not need to know about the journey just the end.

What is it like working on Kung Fu Panda 2? (Kung Fu Panda NOT kung fu panda bear)

Kung Fu Panda 2 is GREAT! I love working on this project because it’s a film that everyone loves to much and the crew members that are on this show are very involved with the characters and make it an enjoyable creative process to work in. KFP is a great addition to the family DVD collection and so will KFP 2..


What is it like knowing your working on a sequel to a movie that did very well?

It’s a comforting feeling that we have already done so well, over 600 million world wide! However it is a bit scary because you don’t want the second one to suck. Animated films generally take about 3 or 4 years to make or more, a sequel takes less time because the base of the story is already there.

What does the future hold in store for Katie Hery?

I would love to work at DreamWorks for awhile and im thankful that in a tough economy I still have a job. My plan would be to work here and get up to an associate producer level and possibly move into live action as a producer. Live action is where my hear is, I love the fast paced rhythm and the constant unknown if your going to make the day (get all your shots done for that day). It’s the pressure and the intensity that gets me but the hours were just insane. The hours will be intense when im a producer and most likely they will be longer than 50 hours a week but I will have a more creative role and of course be paid more so the time I spend on my job will be worth it. I would love to try and live in NYC for a bit and work as a producer there as well but again Hollywood is where the jobs are. Many people will say NYC is booming and Boston is booming for business but that fluctuates with the economy and right now it’s crappy everywhere. Although there will always be more opportunities in Hollywood. Life in the movie business allows you to travel as well because one day you can be on location shooting an action scene in LA and then you’re on a plane headed to Boston to shoot at Boston University.

When you start in the film business you are looking for anything, just to get your foot in the door. You hustle and hustle for no money and just a copy of the movie, credit that you worked on it and lunch, (copy, credit, and lunch). Then you slowly, slowly work your way up if you’re on set as a PA you can work your way up to be the AD (assistant director, or a line producer). If you are more creative its best for you to work as a PA, make the money and then work on your writing or your directing. Its so cliché to say but it really is who you know, not what you know.