Part One: COFFEE FOR OTHERS-
The film industry runs on coffee. And lots of it. Everyday. Film people are constantly going, and sometimes need the added boost of caffeine. Sometimes they also need the added boost of cocaine... but that's a topic for another day. I'm here to talk about coffee. Nature's goodness in a cup.
Naturally, as an intern, you will get coffee. When I came to RKO, I was told that I'd rarely have to do coffee runs. That most of the executives get their own coffee. Cool. You always here about interns griping about getting coffee. It's not what they want to be doing. They want to be making movies (little do they realize that they are making movies). But here's the thing about coffee: It's your place to shine. I'm sure you're brilliant, I'm sure I'm brilliant - but there will always be someone more brilliant than you, more creative than you - especially when you're just starting out in the industry. I'm green. I'm still learning. But I can do a hell of a Starbucks run.
1) Be in a good mood, hell be CHIPPER, about getting them their fucking coffee.
2) Memorize orders.
3) Deliver each coffee individually.
Executives seem to never want a cup of coffee. They want a double-tall semi-dry cappuccino with chocolate powder on top and two sugars. They want a venti non-fat steamer with a half pump vanilla. They want a grande skinny vanilla latte.
Memorize it. A producer in my office always gets the same thing (I'll give you a clue- it's one of the orders up there) and I impressed her - not with my coverage, not with my insight on a script, not with my ability to place calls. But with my ability to get her coffee right. First I remembered that she wanted chocolate on top. Then gradually the entire order. She told me to get her personal email from her later. Because my good mood and attention to detail was why she was going to hire me (granted, she says these things jokingly- but I know that when it comes time for me to get a job, if she's got a job opening - she'll hire me)
Funny that the thing that most interns hate doing, complain about doing - is going to be the thing that gets me a job.
Part Two: COFFEE FOR YOURSELF-
Oh goodness. I love coffee. It's so much more than energy in a cup for me. I got myself a coffee maker and I rarely use it. But there's something about getting coffee somewhere. I don't know what it is. Sure it's more expensive but it tastes so much better when you're not making it yourself. There's something therapeutic about sitting in a Starbucks, a Coffee Bean, a wherever with your cup of coffee. Therapeutic becomes ritual.
I grew up on coffee, I have a love of Costa Rican coffee. It's in my blood. I, unlike the afore mentioned executives like my coffee simple. I like a cup of coffee. That's all. Call me crazy, but I like my coffee to taste like...well... coffee.
When someone offers to get you coffee (a lowly intern perhaps) beat them to the punch about paying for it. They don't have the money to buy you coffee, especially when you're getting it all the time. And it's hard to ask an executive, someone you're trying to impress, for money (let alone a job). So when someone is getting coffee for yourself, offer them money to pay for it before they ask. And if you're going to give them a complicated order. Thank them. If you're going to give them a simple order. Thank them.
Or offer to buy them a cup.
