UNSUNG VANGUARDS (Part V)

They’re the people we take for granted -- the same people, without whom, we simply can’t exist, or at least, function normally. More often than not, they’re dubbed the little people -- the little people who make big a difference. We dare call them vanguards because despite their roles in society, life is simply inconceivable without them. Yes, they’re that important. Here are more of the unsung vanguards of today’s society.

BEAUTICIAN

Their job is to make you beautiful. Hard or easy task? No comment.

LIBRARIAN

The stereotype of a scary lady with-rolled up hair, gigantic glasses, and a faint shadow of a moustache furthers the need for kids to "toilet teepee" libraries everywhere. Students hate her for "shushing" them up every three minutes. Parents wish they had her around at home to keep the peace.

Greatly misunderstood. Advocate of silence. Obviously not allergic to dust.

Let’s give her a little credit, shall we? Surely, to be a librarian is a vocation from the heavens. Although it’s never a bad thing to be surrounded by books all day long - imagine succumbing to a life of piling, dusting, stacking, numbering, filing?

CARPENTER

Ah, the mighty carpenter man! Forget the fact that they’re a dime a dozen around the metro. Forgive the nasty "whistle" habit, this is the all-important factor that gets them the job - even before clearing their fear of heights. Never pre-judge them on account of their sweaty, beaten-up exterior. Beneath it all is a well-oiled machine responsible for the secure roof over your head - and maybe even a bizarre boost of confidence. (Admit it. The whistle makes you feel sexy. Cheapo!)

PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER

Yes, a teacher is your typical choice for regular sainthood. Complicate conditions a little more, take out a couple zeros in her paycheck, minus school books from half of her students, hike up the illiteracy rate of her class, multiply broken table and rusty chairs by a hundred, divide time between work and family – you’ve got a superwoman.

A public school teacher, to be exact. And all this is her choice. Her mission in life.

NANNY

She gives up her chance to create a family as she makes you her own. She’s changed your diapers, cared for you when you fell ill, sent you off to school, helped you into your prom dress, cheered at your soccer game, cried at your graduation. Heaven knows what she’ll do when you walk down the aisle and leave her wondering where time has gone. Love. Loyalty. Dedication. Patience. Some of the many virtues attributed to an amazing individual.

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

Definitely the most versatile of all film production positions. One must master the art of making the perfect cup of coffee, holding a Zippo steady to light the director’s cigarette, and juggling vague assignments of being a director’s assistant, actor’s right hand, runner, stylist, wardrobe assistant, or whatever task is needed to be done.

CONTINUITY ASSISTANT

When the director yells cut then the continuity assistant’s job is at its most difficult, trying to make sure the elements in every shot in each scene is as consistent as it can be. The length of the actor’s cigarette, the direction of the sunlight, the strand of hair across the leading lady’s face - consistency of all these are his concerns. A poor day at work might mean shots that don’t match, thus breaking the narrative or the illusion that makes the film seem like one smooth action.

THE GAFFER

The cinematographer’s right hand man and the electrician’s direct assistant. The gaffer checks the power source in a location, changes fuses, lays out the extension cord, and coordinates all flow of electricity that provides safety for perfectly safe and efficient lighting in a shoot.

UTILITY MAN

You see them in a shoot and you don’t really know what they do except for the occasional hammering of a loose board. You might think that they have it pretty easy, but when you see them at work, that’s when you realize the labor they put in. You’ll see the utility personnel setting up the studio or renovating the location, building stages, pitching tents, bringing in portable bathrooms, and wheeling in the heavy equipment. In short, they do the dirty work that lays the foundation for the day’s shoot.

LOCATION MANAGER

A location manager may have the pleasure of touring across the world’s most beautiful cities and locations, and taking pictures or recording images to present to the director and cinematographer. But often times he is not that lucky. When the story demands a shoot in a jungle, a crater near a volcano, or even a busy mall - things may get complicated. Securing permits and budgeting the travel allowance are a bitch, not to mention looking for alternative sites for rain, storm, heat wave, and volcanic eruptions. But often the trouble encountered is simply running into individuals who try to squeeze as much money as they can.