Typical Day
The alarm on Dave's phone goes off for the third time, only this time he finally pays attention. Sitting up, he sees that it's 8:05AM. A stretch and a yawn, and by 8:20AM he's stretched and out for a run. The film industry is kind of an endurance sport, and Dave knows that to stay competitive he has to stay in shape, both mentally and physically. He's still got most of his career ahead of him, so there isn't any time to relax. Yet.
By 9:30AM Dave has showered, dressed, eaten (if you can call chugging a kale smoothie "eating"), and is on his way to work. From his apartment in Sherman Oaks to his office in North Hollywood, it's about a fifteen-minute drive. If he left any earlier in the day his commute could climb as much as thirty minutes, but Dave has been at this game long enough to know you don't mess with Los Angeles rush hour traffic, you make friends with it and avoid it as much as possible.
He parks and walks up to the second floor around 9:45AM. His office overlooks a cute little courtyard with a small birdfeeder in the center. No birds today, as it's over 100 degrees outside and they're probably somewhere in the shade (or maybe they've found some air conditioning).
Opening the door, Dave greets Sandy at reception. Looking around the small-yet-well manicured office space, he sees that Gina and Chuck are already in their offices; it looks like Jim hasn't arrived yet. Needing to go over last week's showcases, Dave asks Sandy when Jim's due in.
"Monday," she says with a hint of smugness. "He's at that festival in Chicago, remember?" Dave didn't remember, but he reminds himself to talk to Sandy about her attitude a little later.
Dave spends the next few hours going over emails, responding to messages, and placing lukewarm sales calls for a film he found the week before. At 11:15AM, he takes an important phone call from his mother. He tells her that he's pretty sure he'll see her at Christmas, but money's a little tight and he's not sure he'll make it back to Ohio. As she starts her guilt-trip (a Mom specialty), Dave knocks on his desk. "Sorry mom. Big money just walked in. Gotta go, hugs and kisses."
As he hangs up the phone, he hears Sandy shout, "Don't lie to your mother!" Dave gets up and closes the office door, at once rolling his eyes and stifling a chuckle.
After sending a few more emails and screening a new film purchase on his office TV, Dave heads out around 1:00PM. He stops at the deli for a sandwich and a soda, and spends a little time on his cell phone. He's not working or anything, just playing the newest smartphone zombie shoot-em-up. He's in no rush at the moment, as he's got a few hours before tonight's big event.
Dave will spend the next few hours going over the trade papers and checking in with the office while enjoying a latte at a neighborhood café.
This is what he calls the calm before the storm. In a matter of hours, Dave will be surrounded by writers, actors, producers, managers, agents, publicists, and theater ushers at tonight's festival screening. By 4:30PM, he figures it's time to start and drives to a theater "over the hill."
At 5:00PM, it's show time. Film after glorious film makes the people around Dave laugh, cry, sometimes both, and occasionally yawn like they're back in their high school physics class. Dave, however, isn't showing any emotion whatsoever; instead, he's taking notes―mentally, of course, he doesn't want to be that guy with the pen light in the theater who everyone hates.
By 9:00PM, Dave knows which film he wants the most. He used to spend his festivals talking to every person in the room, but he realized that doing that made him look desperate and untrustworthy. Instead, he finds the people who made the film he thinks he has the best chance to sell.
He notices the group in the middle of a gaggle of gawkers. They were easy to spot because one of the producers was also the lead actress. Well, that and the unnatural color of pink she's dyed her hair. Dave hopes her business sense is better than her fashion sense.
Having waited for the right moment, at 9:28PM, Dave pounces. "Hi," he says with a winning smile and a strong handshake. "My name is Dave. I loved your work tonight. I'd really like to be a part of its success, if you wouldn't mind giving me a minute or two." By 9:35PM, Dave has phone numbers, appointment dates, and a very sore shaking hand. He hops in his car, feeling satisfied with both his day's work and the prospects of selling this new film.
Just before bed, Dave does one more task to complete his day. Finishing up around 10:30PM, he forwards the confirmation on to his mother. "Booked" it says. "See you in December!"