Check Out Katie Drysen’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Drysen.

Katie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m not exactly sure where to start with my story. It’s a little all over the place and goes in multiple directions! While I have held multiple positions within the entertainment industry over the past 10 years both in TV and Features as well as Studio and Freelance. My most recent position is as a Freelance Production Coordinator. Working on projects like Freakier Friday, Crime 101 and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit (Currently in Post).

I originally went to school for Business but learned while I was at school that I really loved events – especially volunteer or community outreach events. I continued to complete my degree in Business so I could graduate on time but during the last two years of school I held positions and helped plan events as to gain experience.

I was thinking of what type of company I wanted to work for once graduated. I always had a love for Disney and had actually done a VoluntEARs event and decided that was route I wanted to go. I applied for the Disney College Program at Disneyland as to be able to at least get my foot into that world as well as set myself up for a stable living and income situation. Since I had already graduated when my program was over when they asked me to continue working as a permanent hire I accepted. I tried to figure out the best way to be a part of the VoluntEAR team. Unfortunately, I found out there was no real route. It was a very small group of people and the only way to join was basically the right timing and connections. I decided that maybe I will just volunteer on my own time.

At the same time one of my friends was a Coordinator for a WB show. He was telling me about the things he liked and even disliked like about the job. While I was listening I was like wait this sounds so interesting and something I would be good at. Also this was a world I knew nothing about and I love learning new things. Thus a new goal was born. To working in the Production department for television.

Luckily I was able to get a PA job on a Multicam kids show and from there my journey in that world started. Definitely not a linear path as I went from multi-cam, to single-cam, head of client serivces, back to single-cam, studio for film, studio for television and then freelance for features.

As someone with ADHD this job has definitely been the best fit for me. Every day feels like a new day with new challenges and learning experiences. I feel like I am constantly growing while never getting bored. I enjoy turning chaos into organized chaos, problem solving and helping people. It’s also really cool to be a part of something that allows people to escape the world a little bit.

I think when I first started this job I felt like I needed to follow the Production positions job path even if it wasn’t something that I wanted. Honesty the higher the position the more unhappy or stressed people seemed to be, but I was taught growing up if you choose a path that is what you continue on until you reach the highest point you are able to go. I was also a planner. I was constantly planning my next step, my next job, my next everything as to be prepared for anything.

That all changed with COVID. I learned quickly that no matter how much you plan those plans can be derailed. Learning that I have no control over anything other than my own actions was both terrifying and freeing. It also made me take a look at what was important and what I wanted out of life. It took a couple of months but I came to the conclusion that when it comes to my job my title didn’t matter what mattered when it came to work was these things: work life balance, enough money for my overhead/health insurance, working with good people, learning new things and being useful. This opened up the possibilities for me job wise because as long as it hit these things I would be happy. I knew exactly what I was looking for in a job and was able to convey that in interviews or meeting with people. Since then I feel like I have put myself in better work situations and removed a lot of unnecessary stress.

Most importantly I realized that my goal in life was to be happy. While I do want to enjoy my job it’s mostly a means to fund the things that bring me joy. I discovered that live music, events and traveling are what truly brings me joy. Also food! Thus comes to the new part of journey. My social media was meant to be kind of like a journal of my life for myself. Honestly because I have the worst memory. I never really thought about when I posted or what I posted. I just posted whatever I felt like no matter how random it was. I did of course share all the things I liked or enjoyed doing. Food I tried, concerts I went to and my travels. I never really posted to influence people but if it happened to influence people to try something new then that was cool. I was surprised with how invested people could be or how much people lived through my stories. While it’s still fairly I do get invited to events now as a creator. When people ask me what type of content I do I don’t really know what to say because I just post about my life. So in this way I don’t really feel like a creator yet since my posts weren’t really intentional. I am exploring this, my boundaries and how I want to approach this potential new path.

I am not a business owner and while I work in the creative space I’m not sure I consider myself a creator. I definitely like helping businesses and creator though! I do hope that how I live and approach my life would help encourage people in these positions to also live theirs the way they want. When it comes to work I’m very open with what is important to me when looking for a job. I’ve been lucky enough to find people who are like minded or understanding because of it. It is possible. I have also learned that sometimes it’s not a good fit on either end and that’s ok. Find what it is that is important and what you need and a lot of the times it actually helps you find a solution to your answer or acceptance when things don’t work out. One of my favorite compliments is when people in my industry say that they love that I still go to my concerts. I think it also shows them that it’s possible for them to have both a work like balance and it helps confirm that I am succeeding with my own goals.

When it comes to being a creator I think that there is no right or wrong way to do it. I think as long as you are happy and enjoying it or it hits whatever points you need to make it worth it then that’s great! There are also so many paths to choose from.

This might be a little dark but I realized at my funeral I hope people say that I am a good person who really enjoyed her life. so I try to make choices that reflect that. If something brings me joy even fleeting then I will do it. So long as it doesn’t hurt myself or others. With the world being as crazy as it is today I will take any type of happiness I can get!

I’m not sure where I will end up work wise. I like learning new things. I’ve recently become interested in vertical dramas and want to see if there is a way I can help get those made within the studios. I don’t know where I want to go as a creator at the moment but I’m working on figuring it out. I’ve seen so many people succeed but still be upset after each success as they are already wanting to be at the next goal. I want to celebrate each success but most importantly I want to enjoy the journey. Hopefully inspire people to be happy and choose themselves as well.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There has definitely been a lot of uncertainty in myself and my direction. There has also been a lot of uncertainty in the job market with COVID, strikes, shut downs, etc. There is no guarantee for anything. I think COVID was a setback and a blessing. I think that during that time it helped me figure out what was really important to me. It definitely shaped how I viewed and approached work moving forward but in a positive way. Figuring out my boundaries every time I’m in a new situation or new position has been the hardest part. As you normally end up going past that boundary in order to figure out where your line is. There is a lot of trial and error.

There is also the struggle of literally having no path anymore since my jobs are focused on hitting those points mentioned previously rather than a specific job title. That does come with some freedom though. To enjoy your currently position as long as you like or to try something total new.

The creator path is also unknown. Hhether it’s being a content creator or even a Producer on shorts there is a lot of unknown and uncertainty on how to do that or what it looks like. Do I want to? Can I even do it? How is all of this making me feel? But I feel like with every bump in the road there is also a silver lining so I try to remember that.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I currently an a Freelance Production Coordinator for Film and TV. I think that I am pretty good at problem solving, organization and dealing with all different types of personalities. I think the thing that sets me apart is my mindset. A lot of times when I work on shows people who have never worked with me before will ask me if I am green (new to industry) because I am not jaded or broken yet. If I seem jaded or broken then I should quit because that means I no longer enjoy my job. I don’t need that to be that way or want to be that way in order to show my “experience”. I much rather prefer people to think I am new.

Because of this mindset there is a lot less pressure. Of course I want to do a good job as I am a Virgo but at the end of the day it’s just a job. Something that I do but does not define who I am. I believe we can have both in the workplace. We can work hard and still have fun. I try to make the environment a pleasant one for my team and those who interact with us. I’m not easily offended and genuinely want to help. I hope that my positive personality affects others in a good way so we can all have a great time together. I also make sure that I have work life balance. This also helps me be in a better place mentally at work letting me deals with things in an even clearer headspace.

I also don’t have the mentally of being stuck. There are two things I have never listened to. One is only look out for yourself. I will never do that as I have my own team that I want to look out for and the fact that everyone involved in this project are all working together to create it. The second one is working with “the devil you know”. Some people will stay in a bad situation because they at least know the bad. I can’t do that. The idea of staying where you know it’s never going to get better for me. I’d rather choose “the devil you don’t know”. Yes it might be worse but it also might be better. And even if it is worse you can try again with a new team and that one can be better. Also each time you survive worse the less scary it becomes to try new things.

I don’t like feeling uncomfortable. If there is something uncomfortable that I know I won’t be able to avoid in the future I will keep doing it until that feeling goes away.

So I guess while I do hope that task wise I am good at my job I believe my personality and approach within the job is what sets me apart and what I am most proud of.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Happiness. Whatever that definition is to someone. Does what you are doing make you happy or allow you to do the things that make you happy? Without harming yourself or others. If the answer is yes then I feel like that is success. If I am also able to help other people find that then even better. I feel like everyone deserves it.

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