Meet Elspeth
When I met Elspeth Grafton, she was working in the travel industry, chasing the dream of becoming a full time script supervisor. While she maintained at her day job, she was taking every opportunity available to earn the hours of experience necessary to qualify for her union, and was striving and struggling ahead against some daunting odds. There were times she wanted to quit, but she never did.
A few years ago, Elspeth took a leap and quit her day job. She launched herself head first into the film and television industry, making her dream a reality.
Look, little impresses me more than someone who has an idea, or a goal, or a dream, and who actually works to make it happen. Elspeth impresses me. She recently wrapped work on a film for last year's Oscar darling, Diablo Cody. In 2007, she earned her screen credit for the second X-Files film. She has worked in the freezing cold, in the blazing heat, she has had her entire kit and gear stolen and recovered. She has worked for great people, for horrible people, with wonderful actors, and with clueless ones. She has worked jobs she has loved, and jobs she has--erm--not loved. But what is important is that she has worked. Check out her IMDB profile. It is robust and growing daily.
Elspeth has done what it takes to turn fantasy into reality. She has never quit. (Also, isn't Elspeth the coolest name ever?)
You have got to meet Elspeth
First Name: Elspeth Grafton
Age Range: on the edge of my 30s - you can guess which end.
Job Title: Script Supervisor (Continuity)
Industry: Film/Television
Who are you? I am a friend, a daughter, a sibling, a woman... I think I'm probably more than I give myself credit for
Describe Your Family: My family is less than conventional. I've 4 living siblings, one deceased. I've got a disabled twin I barely communicate with. I've got two step-fathers (one an ex-step-father), and I've got more extended family than I can describe in a paragraph. Honestly, I joke that I should create a flow chart/family tree so that people can decypher our family - after all, who can boast three Matthews in one family?
What does the first hour of your day look like? When I'm working it normally means crawling my tired behind out of bed, showering, hauling all my work gear to my car and driving to set. If not working, then it usually involves a home made latte, watching the news or reading a book.
What does the last hour of your day look like? When working it means doing the remainder of my script notes from the days filming and faxing/emailing them off to the editors, crawling into bed, and after setting six alarms (seriously), falling into 4 hours of sleep. When not working it usually means falling asleep while reading
What makes you feel successful? This is a hard one. My industry is fickle. Success in the film industry... does that mean steady work or an award on the mantle? Depends on the person. Personally, I try to break it down each day. Was I successful today. Did I contribute in some way to make a scene better? Did I save our actors or director some time? Did I offer a suggestion that could make a scene better? Did I do my job to the best of my ability?
With so much down time inbetween film projects, it's easy to fall into the 'I'm not working therefore I'm not successful. I try not to fall into that trap - but often I do.
What brings you joy? My family. My job. My writing. My friends. My espresso machine. Seriously.
What were you like in first, sixth, and twelfth grades? 1st: hyperactive 6th: withdrawn 12th: desperately trying
What advice would you give yourself at each of those ages? 1st: Enjoy it because your world will come crashing down soon. 6th: Things might be pretty crappy at home, but that doesn't mean you don't deserve to have friends. Cherish them - they'll get you through the worst. 12th: You don't have to be invisible. You can be anything you want. It will take a bit of time to find your stride, but you will. You will be visible, and you will be beautiful. Don't be afraid.
Who do you admire? I admire traits more than I admire people specifically. I admire people who have taken their flaws and turned them around to genuinely helped people. I admire those who can rise above fallibility and accept. So I guess with those criteria, I admire a lot of people.
How would you like to be remembered? I would like to be remembered as someone who was fiercely loyal, and loved with all she had. I'd like to have touched lives with my writing. I'd like to have made a difference.
Elspeth wrote to me after she had sent her Q&A, and added this quote she lives by. Think about it.
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?"
Marianne Williamson
Get to know Elspeth better at IMDb.com.
