We were lucky to catch up with Corey Crandall recently and have shared our conversation below.
Corey, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Growing up I suffered with dyslexia. In the 90’s there weren’t many resources to help with learning disabilities. A traditional job was never something that was made to seem possible for me, so I set out to find a job that I could be sucessful and financally stable at. I was lucky that found my purpose on a sound stage.
The road to get to that stage was a long one. I went from working my way up to being a park ranger, to selling my art professionaly, to making tasty videos for buzzfeed. But because of friends that I had made along the way, I was able to work on The Gong Show and realized that my purpose was to be a stage manager.
I am lucky that I get to live that purpose every day.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I work in television and film. It is a job that I feel lucky to have, because it is one that is never gaurenteed. I am a freelance worker that specializes in both the Talent Department and Stage Management.
I started working in television as a Production Assistant and realized that my end goal was always to be a member of the DGA and work as a Stage Manager.
To get there took many years and a lot of hours worked, but I was able to get those hours because of my friends in the Talent Department. Deena Kats, Kevin Curry, and Chelsea Candelaria all kept me employed and on my feet to where I could consider production a full time job.
Through the Talent Department I was able to meet my friend and mentor, Stage Manager & AD Jason Edwards who showed me the path to becoming a stage manager and gave me my big break in the DGA.
In this business it really is all about who you know, and I was lucky that I met and befreiended some of the best in the business.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
`1. Perservearane – working in production is hard. Especially in the beginning, when you are working 12 plus hour days you can feel like there is no end to the tunnel, but you have to perservere in order to get to the other side.
2. Work Ethic – To show up everyday and give it your best! The people around you will always notice you’re willing to go the extra mile without letting go of your original responsibilities.
3. Positive Attitude – In a business where you deal with people constantly, you dont have to be the smartest, or the fastest, but you will always be remembered for being the kindest and that will get you the farthest.
These 3 go hand in hand in this business and if you can remember to not give up, work hard, and stay positive – there is nothing that can stand in your way.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
I have been lucky to have help at every turn coming up, but I would not be where I am today without the help of my best firend and girlfriend Stephanie Stanziano.
We are lucky that we get to work in this industry together – she has been my guiding light in helping me understand the finess that this job can take, and the balance of life you have to have in order to do this job long term.
My family has been incredibly supportive on my carreer path. They are always excited about every project I do, no matter how small the role they are first to watch it when it airs. Having their support means the world to me.
I am also proud to say that I have been a huge supporter in myself. I understand the importance of my job and work hard every day to make sure that I can to into it and make those that hired me, happy to continue to have me on their team.
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