Jacinthe Robillard - Stage manager

Translated from French

WHAT IS YOUR JOB? HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORK?

I'm a stage manager for variety shows. It's a key role that involves coordinating the on-set crew with the team in the control room. I’m the directing team’s eyes, ears and voice on the set; I work closely with the director and assistant director.

The job is tons of fun but it's not for everyone. I realized that this career was for me when I attended a Patrice L'Écuyer show with my mother and saw the stage manager Jenny Tessier at work. Recently, I had the opportunity to thank her for setting me on this path.

You have to enjoy talking to people and learning from them. I'd say that 80% to 90% of the job is public relations. You've also got to be a good listener, but not just with your ears! You need to be observant and know when the crew is busy and when they're ready, without always having to ask. Having a good understanding of what each person does on set is key to doing your job well.

Sometimes you can make a decision or make a suggestion to the director to help things go smoothly. A good stage manager is always one or two steps ahead; we always know what's coming next.

We also have the privilege of thrusting people into the spotlight and then welcoming them back when they leave the set. That makes us privy to some pretty special, emotion-filled moments.

WHAT PART OF THE JOB DO YOU LIKE THE BEST?

That's easy: the people. 

I love working in TV. Working with others keeps me motivated and energized. I love chatting, asking questions, learning about the creative process, watching people work and seeing how passionate and dedicated they are.

I also love planning and organizing, so staying one or two steps ahead comes naturally to me.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE PROJECT?

This is a tough question to answer because each project is unique and ends up taking me down unexpected roads.

I've met some amazing people and had unforgettable experiences working on projects for Canadian Heritage, Ricardo, Dans les médias, Prière de ne pas envoyer de fleurs and Génial!

For most of my career, I've worked as a substitute, which means doing intense work in short bursts.

IS THERE AN ANECDOTE ABOUT YOUR WORK THAT COMES TO MIND?

There are so many and I'm really grateful for all of them. But one of my most memorable moments was on Canada Day in 2017. To mark the 150th anniversary of Confederation, there was a big show planned with special guests, but we didn't know who. Just a few hours before showtime, I read in La Presse that U2 would be performing. I've been a huge fan since I was 10. I used to dream of them singing in my backyard for my birthday and now I was going to be ushering them onto the stage!

Bono and The Edge were scheduled to appear right after Justin Trudeau's speech. Bono had prepared a few words to say in French before singing. Minutes before taking the stage, he asked if he could read me his text and make sure everything was right. So, there I was, standing in the wings next to Bono as he rehearsed his lines in my ear. I could see his handwriting on the piece of paper he was holding. It was a total rush of emotions.

Later, when he was exiting the stage, I asked if I could keep that paper, explaining that it would mean a lot to me. His face changed when he realized that I was, as he put it, a "hardcore fan." He introduced me to The Edge. The whole thing only lasted a few minutes, but it's an experience I'll never forget. My childhood dream came true, so don't be afraid to dream big!

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT BEING AN INSTRUCTOR?

When people talk about our jobs, they refer to film much more than TV. So when I was asked to be an instructor at AQTIS 514 IATSE, I saw it as an opportunity to be a spokesperson for this medium that I love.

Teaching makes me feel useful. I'm a lecturer at UQÀM’s media school and the Institut Grasset, and I facilitate the Introduction to the Union course at AQTIS 514 IATSE. But no matter where I'm teaching, I always enjoy guiding people who are interested in this challenging field.

It's important to let people know what it's really like in the workplace, so that they're prepared for it. It's tough to be a freelancer in the media industry and we need to be transparent about it.

That said, I'm still upbeat. I've rarely been without work over the past 20 years, though I haven't pulled in big bucks every year. I've always had side gigs, like teaching and my art practice.

One thing I always say is don't sit at home waiting for the phone to ring. That's really important if you want to make it in this business. You don't want to be solely focused on work. You need to have other interests to occupy your time when you’re between gigs.

HOW DO YOU SEE THE FUTURE OF THE PROFESSION?

Our professions are changing as technology advances. But we're also human beings coordinating other human beings, so we'll always be the eyes, ears and voice of the director, who is off-set. The big changes are more in the recording techniques, but that affects the way we do things.

I think TV is here to stay. Even if it changes over time and goes through ups and downs, TV adapts and will always have a place in people's lives.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE QUEBEC AUDIOVISUAL INDUSTRY’S GREATEST STRENGTH?

We're second to none! In addition to being highly productive, our industry is internationally recognized for our expertise. It's something I've experienced first-hand when working with crews in Europe.

I'm not saying we're the best or the only ones to do what we do, but we've got a solid reputation. Our working conditions you don’t find elsewhere and we pitch in to improve them—and this inspires others to do the same.