A while back, I was working on a film entitled “Black August”. We were filming in east Oakland and time came to post for parking. I had my assistant, Justin do a lot of the legwork for this location. He didn’t have much experience, but was sharp and eager to learn. I picked up my signs with my nine-year-old daughter and met him at the location. He had spoken to the residents and obtained permission to block driveways and have cars moved for the day. Since the scene was a period, the equipment had to be parked on the side streets.

I was at the truck labeling the signs. Justin and my daughter were posting the signs. When they were finishing up, I asked him “ how does it look around the corner?” He answered, “ I don’t know “. I turned to the nine year old and asked her, “How does it look?” She replied, “ It looks very good, daddy. The street is wide, the trees are high, there only a few driveways and the cuts in the curb are far apart. You can get three pieces in there easy”, Justin looked stunned. I told him, “Don’t feel bad- she’s been posting since she could walk”. Like I said- POSTING IS CHILD’S PLAY IF YOU KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR”.

by Lance Hoffman