How Larry, My Uber Driver, Became My Production Assistant in Salt Lake City

Sometimes the best production days don’t start with a call sheet, they start with a good conversation.

I landed in Salt Lake City for a project with Avail Technologies, Inc., ready to spend the next couple of days capturing interviews and scenic shots of the city. My driver from the airport was Larry, a cheerful guy whose passenger seat pocket was absolutely stacked with snacks and ice-cold water bottles for his riders.

Somewhere between the baggage claim and my hotel, I mentioned I’d need a production assistant to help me get around and film scenic shots so I asked him if he had any recommendations about where I should shoot. He had a ton of ideas and so I thought… maybe I should just ask Larry.

“Hey Larry, what do you think about being my PA and personal driver for the day?”

He said you know what, that sounds like a great day.

A few minutes later, we were filming at the Utah State Capitol, setting up on a stranger’s back porch for a panoramic city shot, and stopping at hidden spots that only a local would know. Between shots, we talked about his life, the challenges he was facing, and the little wins that kept him going.

By the end of the day, we’d made more than just footage — we’d made a connection. I picked up a sticker that said “Get in, loser” and slapped it on my camera case as a reminder of our day. Larry got one too that I hope is still on the back of his passenger’s seat.

Not every trip goes according to plan, but sometimes that’s the best thing that can happen. Here’s to saying yes, trusting people, and letting a shoot become more than just work.