Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1014407
41 Q3 2018 / CINEMONTAGE Baby Borrowers [2007- 2008] and that was my introduction to logging and transcribing." In her first job, she had to pause and rewind tapes. "It wasn't until a couple of years later, when I was working on Celebrity Apprentice [2008- 2015] that things started going digital," she says. Mackie had worked as a floater secretary in law firms and often took dictation or transcribed off the computer. She had also learned a kind of shorthand earlier in her career working in artist management. "I saw a job listing about transcribing and answered it," she remembers. "And they wanted me to work that night — and said it was for three months." That was Top Chef (2006-present) in 2010. She notes that working in transcription at a law firm, which demanded flexibility, speed and accuracy, was good training. "I like transcribing," adds Mackie. "And the people seemed to like my skills." After studying musical theater at Chico State University, Sivertsen moved to Los Angeles for a whirlwind year, after which he returned home. "But a friend called and said that there was a position open for a transcriber and asked if I could type fast," he relates. "I interviewed on a Wednesday and they wanted me there on Monday." He describes what a logger/transcriber needs to have a successful career: "It's the work ethic; it's getting things done in a certain amount of time. You go in and type until the work is done." Tabrizi graduated college with a degree in music and then got his start in the industry working odd jobs. About nine years ago, a friend asked if he wanted to do logging and transcribing for Top Chef. "I was a fan of the show, so it sounded intriguing to me," he explains. "I was looking for something in post-production, so it was also a good fit." Since then, Tabrizi has worked on a number of reality shows, including Project Runway (2004-present). "Right now, working on a show like Big Brother is cool to witness," he continues. "Experiencing working on a union show is a big leap for me, and pretty amazing." He also notes, "Being a logger/transcriber is much more than entry-level; this is a job with its own nuances, one that ties in with story and editing." LIFE AFTER LOGGING While the loggers/transcribers enjoy their jobs, not all of them see it as a final destination in their careers. Sivertsen, who has been a logger/ transcriber for five years, has been taking training classes offered by the Editors Guild. "Some loggers like the story aspect of it, and some want to move into assistant editing," he explains, admitting that he enjoys working with editors. "In my spare time, I still choreograph, dance and take acting classes," he adds. "Right now, I love being where I am." Tabrizi, who says he's led by curiosity more than ambition, also says he likes his job. "I do some freelance scoring and working on music editing," he says. "I haven't done much with sound editing although that interests me, as does Foley. I would love to be able to get into a position to edit music, but I'm still learning a lot of things. The flexibility of logging has allowed me to freelance." Mackie also has a side interest, writing projects that she hopes to direct and produce one day. Weathington says she initially wanted to produce film and TV when she fell into the logging/ transcribing job. Previously, she worked as a production associate on The Queen Latifah Show (2013-2015) when she was an alternate on Big Brother, and as a production assistant on Super Soul Sunday (2011-present) when Big Brother was off-season. "In the past three Lisa Mackie. Ashkan Tabrizi. Big Brother. CBS