production assistant – Marilyn Ambach

Where do I start my Leonard Cohen story and how do I tell it? Needless to share the part of I’m a fan; loving his music and admiring the man. My story with LC started in my mother’s womb as my father promoted his shows in Belgium in 1974 and 1980 – my birth year. Fast forward to 2009: After working on his legendary concert in the Ramat Gan Stadium in Israel on September 24th, I was asked to join the tour in July 2010 as production assistant. When I got the call from Leonard Cohen’s tour manager, I was first of all very flattered and honoured. Of all working people they met over the years, they had chosen me. Luckily I didn’t have too much time to think, stress and prepare; we were leaving 3 weeks later. For 4 months and a half. 3 months across Europe then New Zealand, Australia, West Canada and the US. As it has now been a long time ago, some memories fade and one keeps mostly the good ones. Yes I was homesick many times. Living in a hotel, out of a suitcase and traveling is not made for everyone. Timing wasn’t good for me either for personal reasons. Being on the move all the time is not an easy thing when you are attached to your family and friends and to your comfort zone(s). But what a ‘mazal’. To see the world and to be part of the most wonderful touring company, the Unified Heart Touring Company. It’s hard work and it’s boring, it’s fast and it’s slow, it’s joy and it’s tears, it’s close and it’s far, it’s winter; it’s summer It’s all of it. All together I visited 45 different cities/countries and did over 60 shows joining the last leg of an ongoing 3 year world tour – that ended up continuing till 2013. I have visited the tour in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and kept in touch with LC until he died. So blessed to have had the privilege to work and know this man. As I said in this interview, for me Leonard Cohen was an idol that became my friend, my grandpa, my rabbi and my shrink.

Gratitude.

Collage I made a long time ago with a quote from Anthem: “There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in“

More info about Leonard Cohen on his website or on the Leonard Cohen Files. Follow “Notes from the road” for all updated tour info or for more souvenirs: http://leonardcohen.tumblr.com/archive/2010/12

My radio tribute to Leonard Cohen

https://www.marilynambach.com/music-2/unwind-rewind-my-tribute-to-leonard-cohen/

I remember when I was a teenager I wanted to write a movie script. The public library in my hometown had this book about the movie industry, filled with tips & tricks. I think i read it about 10 times (let’s be honest – for a book, that’s a lot). I never finished the script however and I went on to study law (mostly because of movies like The Firm and – of course – Legally Blonde and Erin Brockovich).

I stayed on the left brain track in college, but was still fascinated by the world of film and video. After graduating and working as an intern lawyer for a couple of years, I soon realised that if I wanted to stand out as an individual, I’d have to leave the legal world. Having a legal background is (thank God) not very unusual for the film industry. And having some knowledge of entertainment law is always a big plus. So I started working in casting as a production assistant.

Shoot for Petronas Malaysia: YOUTUBE

In the film and TV business, you meet new people all the time. That’s why you need to know the industry and what is happening in it, which – for an (ex)entertainment lawyer – was quite easy. It’s a whole other level of communication however: everybody is your “best friend”. It’s a “small talk”-world, that’s for sure. A nice break from all the formalities and heavy words used in the legal world, but you also have to be careful not to get familiar.

So, what is it I do exactly, you wonder? I work for a casting agency called Dagcasting. We are hired by producers to cast their feature films or TV-commercials. Our goal is to service the director’s vision. We set up auditions, read scripts, select actors out of our huge database and we basically try to make everyone happy. As a production assistant for a casting agency you really are in between directors, producers and actors. It’s a very interesting world. You should always be aware that the role of casting directors is changing as the market changes. Sometimes it’s difficult to figure out how to be able to do the job we love without compromising the quality of our work. But i think we’re doing a pretty good job on that.

Have a look at some of our work and behind the scenes material (don’t forget to check out the links on Youtube to see the full commercial):

Shoot for Mobistar Care: YOUTUBE guitar & YOUTUBE piano