Traveling for work?

Read this before your next shoot.

Headlines have been pretty graphic lately…
I’ve been unsettled by some of these headlines, and been discussing with my team what I might keep in mind in the future.

Across the nation, there have been attacks that are racially and politically charged, or even targeted toward people in leadership roles within big companies. What's worse, I've seen local ones that are just people like you and me living life.

As an actress who often travels alone, these stories hit differently.
I recently had an overnight shoot in Miami. Overnight shoots aren’t uncommon, and I’ve done plenty of them before. But what struck me was that some of these recent attacks didn’t even happen late at night or in “secluded” areas—they happened in broad daylight.

That reality makes me pause. It makes me choose to be more aware. And it makes me want to share a reminder about the habits we can all adopt to keep ourselves safer when traveling for work, or even our daily commutes.

Simple Safety Habits for Actors on the Go:

• Stay aware of your surroundings. Don’t get glued to your phone in parking lots or while walking to set.

• Walk with others when possible. If other talent or crew are headed the same way, join them.

• Have a plan. Mentally rehearse what you might do if someone surprised you.
  Even a split-second of preparedness can make a difference. Keychain Mace​

• Share your location. Let someone know when you arrive or leave, or use a GPS-sharing app (tutorial for google sharing) with a trusted person.

• Dash Cam. I've seen countless videos where people attempt to cause an accident or attack someone but are deterred by a dash cam.

• Prioritize safety over privacy. Your peace of mind is worth more than keeping every detail private.

• Be quick getting into your car. Unlock, get in, and lock the door right away—no lollygagging.

We can’t control everything, but we can control how careful we are. A little extra awareness can go a long way in protecting ourselves. In no way am I saying we should "live in fear" but instead "live with safety in mind"

I’d love to hear your suggestions: what’s safety habit do you practice when you’re on set or traveling for a job? Just hit comment—I’d love to feature some reader tips in a future blog.

Stay safe out there,
Tabs