It all started with a sweatband…
Something I've noticed about coworkers I really admire is that they always find ways to work on projects that let them veer outside of their job description (in a good way).
They intentionally collect experiences that line up with where they want their careers to go next.
Not to be all hustle culture on you, but I think that's one of the easiest ways to keep your job exciting.
It keeps burnout at bay, introduces you to people outside your immediate team, and every once in a while, it opens a door you didn't even know existed.
My most recent example of this? I got to write and produce Zapier's first-ever social media mini-series!!
Here’s a little BTS of what it was like. The challenges and the most fun parts of doing this for the first time👇
This is the new face of AI education btw
The concept: At Zapier, we want people to feel like AI isn't scary! It's something that helps you 10x yourself, your team, & your whole company when used the right way.
So naturally, we made our company mascot (bald dude above, AL) host 3 mini AI lessons disguised as a 90s workout series.
Why 90’s-workout inspired you may ask? Simply because I thought it was funny, different, & nostalgic, and the team said “Yeah we see the vision.”
So first, we got to scripting:
Extremely locked in writer, producer, creative director, & personality hire
The toughest thing to balance with a quirky guy like AL is making him funny enough that people actually want to watch...while also making sure they leave with at least a little understanding of what Zapier does.
We wrote three episodes, and let me tell you, I have never received more feedback on anything in my life.
Brand had notes!
Product marketing had notes!
Social team had notes!
Nothing humbles you quite like trying to write something that's funny and enterprise AI-approved lol
Laughing at a joke I wrote, probably
I’ve never been a big process girl, but do you know how many things go into filming on an actual set with a SAG actor?
Negotiating with agents for usage and payments
Travel to LA for our team and production team
Deciding on a location 1 week before we’re supposed to shoot
Locking down a different location 4 days before you’re supposed to shoot because the first one fell through lol
Props, wardrobe, makeup, lighting, pre production calls, call sheets, set lists, etc
And probably a bunch of other things I’m forgetting. Shout out to our brand team and production partners for handling most of the logistics
Filming videos for LinkedIn really is that serious
And then got to the really fun part: FILMING IRL 😈
We had our actor, Sonny, WORKING: Weights, cardio, floor stretches, planks, push ups, the whole thing.
It was a 12 hour day, but he absolutely crushed it until the very end!!!
Shout out Sonny, for being pure class and just the best sport.
And shout out Suzanne Somers, whose ThighMaster videos I watched to make sure I was getting the vibe right
Orange sweatband anyone?
Our director Connor also handed me the intercom, the headset that talks to the whole crew.
Probably a dangerous idea, because I was yapping to everyone the whole time giving notes and feedback.
Pictured below is me giving him a yoga pose suggestion for Sonny:
(We did not go with this suggestion)
You can check out all the episodes here if you missed em on Zapier socials last week:
This was SO MUCH FUN but also so stressful and humbling. Can’t wait to do it again!
What can I say, I’m a sucker for punishment.
We wrapped and celebrated the only appropriate way: Girl Dinner!
Hugo spritzes, steak frites, caesar salad, and an extra side of work gossip
Creating a social series was actually on my "wouldn't it be cool if..." list during my interview for this job.
Six months later, I was sitting in video village with a headset on, giving notes to a film crew and making a 40-year-old man in a sweatband teach enterprise AI.
Speak what you want into existence boys and girls!
Canon event: A deeply formative, life altering experience that quite literally shapes who you become. The kids these days are using this term to reference a super specific major life milestone
Examples:
Your first "Can you hop on a quick call?"
Discovering your parents were right about things
First long term relationship break up → situationship
