Sidney Smith I remember when I would hire an engineer when I ran Ops at a certain radio station. Kids would come in trying to dazzle me with assorted bullshit. I wasn't interested where they went to school one finds how little that matters. Just if they're good at what they do. Are they creative, and interesting. I tended to hire women because they were brilliant, and dedicated. That, and guys over 30,...given the job market. These guys were past their drinking, and driving period so were at least reliable.
Natasha Kuznyetsova I hired an assistant editor. He was a film school graduate. He showed up 3 hours late on his first day and I introduced him to his replacement, who showed up to work 30 minutes after I called him. His only qualification in media was he had acted in some porn. LOL.
Sidney Smith Yep perfectly qualified. That's exactly how it works. Get real people for the job. I wanted smart creative folks that could handle anything that came up. Less rinky dink shit for me, and good for them, and the institution. Simple.
Margaret Schermerhorn I hired a lot of people, but I actually just tossed them to my crew.. If the crew accepted them, and they could work in tight and fast and they had the right level of crazy, they stuck!
Sidney Smith You don't have to be in anybody's face if they know what they're doing. Your job is to give them what they need, and stay out of their way. Yeah as you say if the crew likes their scent if they play well with others it works. I only had to let one go. This is the hardest thing for an administrator to have to do. However it happens. Some times a person just doesn't fit. In that case the guy was chronically late hostile sloppy. Yeah a good engineer sometimes, but no. Like you, and Natasha I tried to run efficient though friendly shop. ...otherwise why bother. Btw them maniacs are still pals of mine years after I retired. We all had the right level of "Crazy".
Natasha Kuznyetsova There was another guy, from Armenia. He just didn't get it. After his 2 weeks we paid him and I lt him go. He gave me a bottle of Armenian brandy.
Sidney Smith Sometimes as I say that happens...though he had a cool attitude about it.
Natasha Kuznyetsova When I got vocational rehab, they sent me to 2 editing schools. One of them was all about the state of the art equipment. The other one had simple equipment and one guy. He showed me how to make an edit, and a video insert. Then he gave me a fight scene from "Gunsmoke". 3 versions. Then he said "Edit on the movement." and left the room. I was an editor.
Margaret Schermerhorn I fired one guy (possibly my best) at least twice.. it never took. I made a rule, "No non-employees behind the counter" So SHIT.. if you make a rule everyone has to comply. He kept having his gf come behind the counter.. He ended up marrying her. He still is a great friend. and he's divorced.
Sidney Smith That's how I learned. I began editing as soon as I got there. The first day. I didn't know shit. However after my department head showed me some simple moves I was on the road. If your instructor trusts that you have it in you. Gives you unspoken trust which you pick up on....you're in the Biz. Aw gee I loved all that. 
Sidney Smith I'm glad you're still friends. Though yes some rules are just rules. In the Biz we had Federal broadcast regs. You never as in 'NEVER' fuck with these. Those that went too close got serious shit from me. Fortunately one warning was always enough. A new person would do this a few months in,...almost a rite of passage.
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