![]() It was huge to come up in this industry with a boss who valued my opinion. He asked for and appreciated my opinions and allowed me to have a voice. Or when he would call an agent or manager and the assistant would answer, he knew their name and would always ask how they were. I would watch how he spoke respectfully to people on set. ![]() Assistants in general aren’t respected in this industry, but Will was different. Pliska: What was it like being a young Black woman in Hollywood?Ĭowan: Challenging. ![]() for three months to work on a studio lot for the first time. My first theatrical movie with him had me relocate to L.A. I said, "I'm totally down, but when you go and make movies, I’d like to go with you.” I knew I didn’t want to be a desk assistant-not that there’s anything wrong with that I just knew it wasn’t for me. He recognized the value I brought, and soon I became indispensable to him.Ĭowan: Three weeks before we wrapped, he asked me if I would come on as his executive assistant. I was always two steps ahead, and my relationships from my time in the music industry also came in handy. The other assistants had way more on-set experience than me, but I had a drive, a hunger, and I was super-quick on my feet. Will answered every question I had, which I appreciated as the new kid on the block. Pliska: What was that first experience like on set?Ĭowan: A learning curve! I had worked in music to that point, so I was learning a new industry while on the job. It was a case of being in the right place at the right time. I had recently quit my job, so I came in for an interview with him and line producer Dianne Ashford, and I got the job. This time, he told me he was looking for an assistant for his next project. How did you get it?Ĭowan: Our paths had crossed a few times, and then I happened to run into him at an event. Pliska: You got your first job with producer Will Packer as his on-set assistant. That was instilled in me very early, so when it was time to show up on set, it was no different. On school breaks, I went to work with her and I would have to know how to act. When we went out to eat, I would order from the menu like they did. ![]() Pliska: Why do you think you had that level of maturity at that age?Ĭowan: My mom had me around her friends all the time and I understood how to behave. After that, it was job after job after job, because I showed I could deliver. I did my lines, and another kid wouldn’t say his, so they ended up giving me the whole thing. Pliska: Were you all business when you showed up for that job?Ĭowan: When I got on set, the other kids were out of control. I don't know how not to go into something with my all. It was inspiring and it made me go hard when I had opportunities at hand, because I witnessed how hard she would go. I saw how hard she worked and the sacrifices she made so I could have a solid upbringing. She’s who instilled in me the importance of hard work. ![]()
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