Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1339678
66 C I N E M O N T A G E W O R K F R O M H O M E Q How has COVID impacted your work/family balance? I have been able to spend a lot more time with my son. I've been fortunate that the companies I've worked for have been flexible enough to allow an earlier workday. Typical days are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. plus commute, but I've been able to work 8 a.m.-6 p.m. without the commute. I have dinner with him and put him to bed in the evening, which is something I rare- ly enjoyed before. However, my husband is a physician, so I've had less time with him since he's needed more than ever at the hospital. Q Once COVID is behind us, which part(s) of the pre-COVID work life would you like to see return? What part of working at home should become the new normal? The biggest thing I miss is the face- to-face communication and being able to screen cuts with producers in bay. The new normal should include flexibility in working hours and the ability to work from home a few days a week. Q What special challenges do you think post-production profession- als face in raising a family? Besides the long hours, the unpre- d i c ta b i l i t y o f wo r k s c h e d u l e s a s we go from project to project makes sched- u l i n g fa m i l y a c t i v i t i e s o r va ca t i o n s particularly difficult. Q Are there special tools or gear that have made the job easier? A laptop for communicating with my team throughout the day and high-speed internet to avoid lag issues. BRONWYN SHIELDS (Visual Effects Editor) Q Describe a typical day balancing work and family life. Balancing work and home for working parents is a coordinated dance with the village each family constructs about them to function. The logistics of our day didn't change much when we all shuffled home, just the details and the commute. Q How has COVID impacted your work/family balance? Wo r k i n g f ro m h o m e h a s a c t u al ly had a positive impact. Eliminating the commute gave me 10 additional hours a week with my family. The financial gains are also not to be discounted – gas and purchased lunches are gone. I am far more accessible to my kids and I can over- hear the goings-on in the house and be more involved. Q Once COVID is behind us, which part(s) of the pre-COVID work life would you like to see return? What part of working at home should become the new normal? I miss the face-to-face interactions with my crew that help us anticipate needs seamlessly. Slack has made com- munication easier and allows for [virtual] visibility among the departments. But we still miss the conversations you would typically hear in the hallways. Q What special challenges do you think post-production profession- als face in raising a family? Working 10 to 15 hours a day with long commutes takes a toll on families and one's health and wellbeing. We have two children – a son with disabilities and a very precocious daughter. The skills I've gained professionally have become an asset to my family life. Dealing with a constantly changing crew, freelance net- working, unpredictable schedules and learning to navigate big personalities [at work] have given me the skills to navigate the educational needs and state support systems for children with disabilities. Q Are there special tools or gear that have made the job easier? The tools our team utilizes most is Slack and email to communicate, and Evercast, Blue Jeans and Teams to run reviews and support cameras. We all VPN into the studio to on-site Avids and media storage. Q How can the union help more with this balance? The union needs to value women and Angel Gamboa Bryant.