We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Elle Davida. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Elle below.

Elle, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about the best boss, mentor, or leader you’ve ever worked with.

While I have been fortunate enough to work under several strong bosses over the last decade, there is one person who definitely outshines them all. I remember meeting Debi on my first studio feature for Disney, and within the first five minutes of meeting her, I remember thinking “wow, this woman is everything I have envisioned for myself to be in the future.” She is smart, respectful, kind, professional and carries herself with confidence. She has spent years building a top-notch resume in the film industry, working on some of the biggest movies all over the world, and she has a wonderful reputation to show for it. I have always been inspired by film and knew I would work in the industry, but Debi really taught me that there is a difference between just learning to do a job, and learning to be great at your job, and that is the biggest thing I took away from my experience working with her. To meet a woman who impressed upon me how important it is to not only learn to do your job well, but to also be kind while doing it makes all the difference. Where many production accountants are found held up in their offices all day with the door closed, not looking to socialize with anyone, I was taught to keep the door open, and to always remember to smile when anyone entered the room, since we are, at the end of the day, a service department and we are there to assist the cast and crew of the production. It’s easy for people to get heated, especially while working in fast paced, high pressure situations involving money, but how you handle confrontation in the workplace and move forward speaks volumes of who you are as a person and your character. She taught me as a freelancer, how important it is to want to build a good reputation for myself. She taught me to be thorough in my work, and to always ask questions, and she taught me how important it is to stand up for yourself no matter what. I really respect her for how hard she works, and for the wisdom and insight she shared with me during the nearly two years I worked with her.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I currently work as an assistant production accountant within the film and television industry. I started back in 2014 as an intern on a movie in Boston. The accountant on that film at the time needed an extra set of hands one day to help her out with filing and asked if I wanted to do it. I agreed to help. and the rest is history! That accountant ended up taking me under her wing and training me to give me the experience I needed on paper to be able to get work on my own. I hustled. It was not easy, but I was determined to make it happen. Now, here we are almost 10 years later, and I am part of the IATSE union, with nearly 20 films under my belt. I have been able to travel, both domestically and internationally, buy my first home, and take care of my family doing a job I really love, within the industry I want to be in.

Everybody thinks because I work in film it’s a big glamourous job, but that could not be furthest from the truth. I think many people do not realize how much work actually goes in to making a movie. It takes an army of people, working long hours, in sometimes crazy conditions or elements to make stuff happen.

Any advice for managing a team?

As I begin to move up in my accounting career and get closer to becoming a production accountant or financial controller, I have learned that how you treat your team will determine how hard they want to work for you. Being mindful that not everyone learns at the same pace, or in the same ways, and being respectful of everybody’s differences and challenges will make you a better leader. Always keep an open mind and remember that every situation has its resolve.

Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

I own one of them! When I heard Migo’s TAKEOFF was holding the first hip hop concert in the metaverse, you know I had to get in on that! haha

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @elledavida
• Linkedin: @elledavida

Image Credits
3rd photo (with the most visable ink) i would like to credit Lisen Gonsalves