Saying goodbye to the place I got my start

My first group pic after officially joining the art department! My coworkers from left the right: Stacy Henning, Steph Devan, Anni Atkinson, Jerry Chavez, Jon Hampton, Jason Bennet, Martin Vallejo, & Me, with purple hair.

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I was scrolling on instagram today and saw the news: the daytime talk show, The Real, has been canceled after 8 seasons.

I was lucky enough to work on The Real for 6 consecutive seasons — starting during Season 1 on my 18th birthday. I moved to LA to live with my aunt, who was the Executive in Charge (EIC) on the show and she got me a gig as a Production Assistant (PA) “temporarily”. That temporary gig turned into 3 years with production, and 3 years as the art department’s designated PA. I spent birthdays 18-23 on this show. We made jokes that The Real was my “college” and I even continued on to grad school there.

I was given a lot of responsibility at a young age on this show. It led me to grow up quickly and toughen up to this city. I met people who’ve influenced my life and career forever and experienced things I could never recreate. I learned so much. I only left the show in 2020 because I was presented an opportunity to join the union.

After hearing about the cancelation, I went down memory lane looking through some old pictures of my years there. I thought it would be fun to relive some of the projects I did with the art department on this show, from my very first season helping out where I could, to my very last day as an art PA and graphics assistant.

If you’ve worked with me on this show, you might remember some of these projects! On to the gallery:

Lemonade stand

This was the very first project I helped the art department on. The wooden lemonade stand was rented from the WB prop house and I was asked to dress it up with more colorful chalk.

Chalkboard writing

After showing off my chalk skills on the lemonade stand, our art director asked me to draw this for a cooking segment

Giant lunchbag writing

So I guess "typography" was my foot in the door of the art department... I was frequently requested to assist whenever handwriting was required.

Match the clothing game

The art department asked for my help photographing wardrobe items for an upcoming segment! Each outfit needed to be photographed completely flat and enlarged to be life-size game peices!

Silhouettes of the hosts

I made these framed, construction paper silhouettes of the hosts for a decor segment! This project was actually so easy and cute.

Science fair display

I was so excited to help on these science fair style triboards for a lifestyle segment. We ended up donating these to the prop house to be rented out in the future, so I always check the background of science fair scenes when I'm watching TV!

Emoji eggs

For a segment all about decorating Easter eggs, I hand painted these eggs to look like popular emojis!

Decorated mailboxes

These mailboxes were decorated for a field shoot on the WB backlot - the art department needed a PA to help on the shoot and they chose me! This was one of my first opportunities to really work with the department and learn some tips and tricks.

Welcome graphics

At the start of the next season, I was the official art department PA! My art director asked if I could do graphics, and while I didn't have an extraordinary amount of experience, I knew I was capable. I took on the first task of designing a new welcome sign. This poster was framed in our main lobby as well as the area directly behind stage.

Plenty of wrapped gifts

I experimented with so many fun ways to make bows on this show. My favorite elements to incorporate are origami!

So many paddles

I'm actually surprised I don't have more photo evidence of these (possibly because I made them so frequently that I began to despise the process!)

Most of the paddles I made were actually full cut outs of celebrities faces, including hair! I made a set of these almost every week.

Dressing mannequins

I learned everything I know about mannequins from this show -- assembling, dressing, and even shopping for them!

More handwriting

I definitely stuck to my "roots" of doing all the handwriting!

Spin the wheel redesign

It was a big day when I finally got the math right for these wheel pieces. The person who originally designed it didn't leave the graphic so when the show rebranded with new colors, it was up to me to figure it out.

Cereal box

The cereal box was one of my favorite graphic projects ever! I designed the full layout and printed and assembled mockups for producer approval! We had these boxes assembled at the print shop, but after what I know now from LMAD, I could have done the whole thing myself ;)

Logo carved pumpkin

I got pretty familiar with this logo over six years... comfortable enough to carve it into pumpkins!

Moesha rug replica

We were recreating the set of the popular sitcom, Moesha, and couldn't source the perfect rug, so I was tasked with recreating one on Adobe Illustrator!

Conversation heart boxes

I worked with my friend and coworker, Stacy Henning, to create these bottomless boxes for a Valentine's Day gift reveal segment. We used foam core, fiberfill, and super soft fleece to make these huge, puffy, hearts!

Ellen's blue marble walls

One Halloween, our hosts and set were decorated like other iconic talk show hosts! I used Adobe Illustrator to create a replica of the blue marble walls from Ellen's set!

Food styling

When I was working in the art department, we had a "Fri-yay" bartending segment every week. By my final season on the show, I was doing a lot t prepare and create these drinks!

We also had plenty of non-edible food props in the show, and I learned so many tips and tricks from our food stylist, Eleanor. For example, the ice cream in this picture won't melt!

Wilderness girls boxes

Another favorite graphic project --giant scout cookie boxes!

Met Gala ballgown

Another Halloween, our hosts dressed up as celebrities at the Met Gala. I helped one of the wardrobe stylists, Chelsea, apply lace detailing to this custom yellow ballgown to recreate Rihanna's Met Gala look!

So many random, fun projects

Like this mini step-and-repeat, complete with miniature stanchions!