Rolling Into Live TV: Jada Mack’s Journey After LCS
Former LCS crew member, Jada Mack, with her NBC colleagues in NYC. (Photo provided by Jada)
From Columbia to New York City
Jada Mack graduated from the University of South Carolina in May 2024 and soon after relocated to New York, where she now works as a page in the prestigious NBC Page Program. Designed to expose young professionals to multiple corners of the media world, the program rotates participants through three different jobs across the company over the course of a year.
Her current rotation? Working at the legendary Saturday Night Live. As an SNL Desk Page, Jada assists cast and crew, manages audience seating logistics for the live show, and helps oversee other pages to ensure smooth backstage operations. "I help with the seating of the 38 audience members on the floor and manage other pages to help this process flow smoothly."
A Foundation Built at LCS
Before live television, Jada got her start behind the scenes at Local Cinema Studios. She joined the production of Hero, one of LCS’s feature films, and it was there that she learned what it truly means to be part of a crew. “LCS significantly shaped the trajectory of my future,” Jada says. “I understood what it meant to work with others for long periods of time and how every department is just as important as the next.” That early appreciation for teamwork still shapes how she shows up at NBC, bringing a calm, humble, and dependable attitude.
Lessons That Stick
The things Jada learned on set at LCS still prove useful in her work today. "Some skills that I learned from LCS that I still use today is adaptability and flexibility to circumstances, staying calm under pressure, working in large group settings, and learning to multitask in a production setting." Her favorite memory from Hero? Filming inside a house in sweltering heat, where the discomfort gave way to laughter and bonding among the crew. “We still got the scenes done, and we had fun doing it.”
Finding Confidence in Sound
One of Jada’s biggest turning points came through mentorship. John Bottrell, a sound professional at LCS, guided her through boom operating and sound mixing. "John Bottrell was a mentor to me while working at LCS. He guided me through boom operating and sound mixing so gracefully. From there, he instilled so much confidence in me to the point where I felt like I could take over for sound mixing for the first time, even through my fear. That stayed with me.”
Bridging Film and TV
Today, Jada finds herself comparing the rhythms of film and television. One surprising lesson? How drastically different the two environments can be. “With live TV, the stakes feel ten times higher. People are running around trying to make the next sketch work. But in studio-based TV, it’s more relaxed. And with film, everyone is quiet and still while rolling. It’s just a completely different atmosphere.”
What a Day Looks Like at NBC
Jada’s typical day as a page involves a wide range of responsibilities, from unlocking dressing room doors and printing schedules to fielding requests and coordinating with her team of fellow pages. “Our days can range from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. or longer,” she says. “Communication is constant.”
Staying Creative and Grounded
Balancing ambition and creativity isn’t easy, but Jada makes time to shoot personal projects or develop new ideas when she’s off the clock. “Time management is crucial. I have to be deliberate with the time I do have.”
Jada on set of Hero (2019), where she got her start on set. (Photo provided by Jada)
Why LCS Still Matters
To Jada, being part of the LCS family means having a creative home base. “It means having a film family I can always go back to when I doubt myself. It means helping continue the LCS legacy and bringing more film to the South.” She believes what makes LCS stand out is its accessibility and hands-on training. “You don’t need a long film resume. LCS doesn’t expect perfection. They give you real responsibilities and teach you as you go. That trust helped me trust myself.”
Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers and LCS Students
"Relax! It will all be okay and it will be a ton of fun. Don’t stress about being perfect at a job you have never done before. The whole point is to learn and get better day by day. Also, never become complacent. Have the same excitement about being a part of LCS on the last day of filming that you did the first. A good attitude is everything."
A Final Message from Jada
“The experience is what you make it. Make friendships and connections with the people around you. The film will eventually end, but the people will always remain. So be kind and be willing to get outside of your comfort zone.”