Gina Berceau is a Production Assistant for network film and television in New York City, training to be an Assistant Director and a part of the Director’s Guild of America.

Noctiluca: What is your job description?

Berceau: I am a Production Assistant for network film and television in New York City, training to be an Assistant Director and a part of the Director’s Guild of America. I am also an actress in the Screen Actor’s Guild and book “background extra” and auditions when I am able!

N: How have you reached the position you’re in now? What steps or choices have you made to get here?

B: The biggest choice was physically moving to New York City and putting myself in the same area where production companies are casting, prepping, and filming projects. Although exciting, moving to the east coast from the Midwest and away from my friends, family and comfort definitely came at a personal sacrifice, but the difficult choice was outweighed by the abundance of opportunities I knew were out here. In this business it is very typical to start out as a freelancer which means your work is determined by your own personal networking and the connections you make. I feel like I have accomplished those successfully by making sure I stay true and grounded to what I want to get out of projects and an artistic life as a whole, that way I can express myself as genuine and confidently as possible.

N: What did you get out of your time at North? How had your high school experience helped your career?

B: It was at North that I first got involved in the theater department, Improvedy, and performing at all. I feel as though it is legendary and often spoken of, but the passion and dedication that Ron Parker has as the department head and as a teacher is absolutely infectious. He takes young artists who may not be the most confident or experienced and guides them with unwavering commitment and belief in what they can do. I continue to realize just how impressionable you are in the time you are in high school, and having someone support you so fully made me feel invincible on stage, and with myself. My experience not only helped my career, it is the foundation on which everything I do is built.

N: What is one piece of advice you would give to current North students?

B: I’m focusing on what I would say to my past self, and I couldn’t fit it all into one piece. My advice: 1) To take a big deep giant breath, 2) get more comfortable forgiving yourself for mistakes and work on fully and honestly forgiving others, and 3) everyone is doing their best and everyone is so stressed and tired all the time. The fact that high school is a special breeding ground for anxiety means that you need your best self surrounded by your best people, so take care of yourself and others because you are all in this together.