Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Argo.
Hi Rachel, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I came to Savannah in 2013 to attend SCAD for Production Design. I completed my undergrad in 2017 (BFA in Production Design) and then decided to pursue a Master’s degree.
I finished my MFA in Themed Entertainment in 2020 just as the pandemic started. Throughout my education, I worked for SCAD as a Scene Shop Carpenter and as the Assistant to the Production Manager. I grew up with a fascination for theater and the magic of live entertainment.
My undergrad classes focused heavily on theatrical design. I pursued designing films and shorts outside of classes and on my weekends. I designed many, many short films, winning a Red Dot award for Design and a Student Emmy.
As my experience grew, I started taking on more professional (paid) work. I did some freelance scenic painting, and some commercial art director works and designed a small feature or two. There were many stumbling blocks along the way.
I interviewed time and again for larger features and was told that there were more experienced people to hire and they would get me on the next one. I didn’t seem to be able to make the jump from commercials and indies to larger studio shows.
This changed in June of 2021. Dre, my new friend and union sponsor, hired me as a PA on an NBC TV show filming in town. Dre taught me so much, and I ended up taking over as the Art Coordinator from her. She helped me find my footing, sponsoring me into membership in IA491.
I cannot thank her enough. After wrapping up the NBC show in January, I was called to work on the Sony TV show coming into town. I am currently on this production until the end of June/July.
Joining IATSE has been one of the best and most rewarding decisions of my life. I have stability in healthcare, pension, and annuity funds that being in the union provides, which many people who work in Film and TV lack. I work hard to be the best at my job.
I throw everything into making my small part of creating a TV show or a film run as smoothly as possible. I strive to hire the best person for the job and to teach new people what I know while continuing to learn myself. I know that our industry is far from perfect, and I will continue to try and make it better every day in whatever small way I can.
As my friend Ben is so fond of saying “If you can do anything else besides film and be happy, do that instead.” The film is not just my job, it’s my passion. It’s making cool stuff with other people.
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?
Hell no. I feel like I covered a lot of this in my first paragraph.
But the struggle has been real. Finishing my degree right as the pandemic started was rough. The film industry basically entirely dried up in 2020. I think I did like 2 commercials that year? And that was it?
I also got hit by a semi-truck in November 2020 and totaled my car and was injured. The pandemic severely impacted my career. In many ways, it feels like I got started two years late.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I do a lot. I specialize in a lot. I design film and live entertainment productions. I art direct commercial shoots, I am a scenic carpenter and painter building and painting sets and set pieces.
My IA491 membership is as an Art Dept Coordinator and Props. I have a full wood shop/maker shop in a warehouse in Savannah that I use for my various projects, if I can’t make it myself I know someone who can.
What matters most to you?
Making cool stuff with cool people.
I like working with my friends, I like being creative. The film kinda puts those two things together. Since Covid enforced so much isolation, I have come to realize how important being able to do creative things with people I like is to me.
I very recently designed a short film and roped my friends into helping me, it not only looked great but we had an amazing time working together again.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.rachelargo.com
- Other: https://iatse491.com
Image Credits
Caroline Hoffman
