Television is magical. Supernatural is no exception and often literally seems, supernatural- demons, magic, ghosts! We all know the incredible talent on screen, but there are so many talented people who work on the show after the camera has stopped rolling. I had the immense pleasure to ask Mary Manchin (@Nnja11) who works as Supernatural Post Production Staff, some questions about her job and the integral work that goes on behind the scenes to make Supernatural the impressive show we all love.
You can check out all of our Supernatural interviews here.
What is your official job title? Can you briefly explain what your job entails? What is an average day like?
I’m the Post Production Coordinator. My main focuses are ADR (bringing in and coordinating with actors wherever they are and have them redo their cues because of noises on lines or something happening to their mic during a scene and to cover efforts), creating schedules and memos for ADR, invoices, stock footage, coordinating meetings for VFX and sound and taking notes, watching dailies to gather material for the gag reel, checking the recap/flashback memo (this is to make sure that everyone who is shown in pictures, flashbacks and the recap get compensated), checking credits, making sure our PA is good with all of her tasks and helping her when she needs it and any other tasks given to me from a higher up.
I have been with the show for almost a year. Since January of 2016. I was the post PA half way through season 11 and then got promoted to coordinator once we started season 12.
I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do in the industry. I just knew I wanted to be in the industry being creative one way or another haha.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in the Television industry? Education? Foot in the door? Share your wisdom.
Push yourself to go do things especially if it relates to what you want to do and to completely be yourself. If I wasn’t unique, acted like myself and didn’t push myself to do the stuff I love or interested me I wouldn’t be where I am now. Even if you think people aren’t paying attention to what you’re doing trust me when I say there’s at least one person and all it takes is one person to notice. I got where I am now because I was kind of quiet in school but my work was unique, and I was passionate about it. I was asked if I wanted to go to Sundance by the head of my department at SU to go network and represent them, I went there and had a blast and got a couple of job offers before I was even out of college. That then lead me on a film festival kick, and I went to the Cannes film festival to network with an organization called the Creative Mind Group (open for anyone who wants to try to get in the industry and I recommend checking it out). Before I left for Cannes, I had designed and developed an app that showcased my portfolio and had one of a kind business cards which in the end got me multiple job offers and had people wanting and willing to help me get where I wanted to be. Another great thing is to use the resources you have around you. If it wasn’t for me applying and working as a graphic designer all four years for a company called Spiders, it’s a part of the marketing department at SU, while I was still going to school full time I wouldn’t know or have some of the skills I have today. Also, make sure that you’re not only applying to huge companies. Make sure to apply to smaller companies that do a similar thing. Apply to anything and everything that you feel you could do and is what you want to do. This last one goes without saying, but be the best person you can be and always try to be positive. You never know what someone else is or had gone through to make them who they are today. No one wants to be around someone who’s negative and a fun sucker.
Where can we find your work, outside of Supernatural?
Is there anything exclusive you can tell me about Season 12?
What is your favorite prank on set? Kidding. Totally kidding. … You can answer if you’d like.