Golden Time with Ataboy Studios' Rasha Clark
If you know Rasha Clark, you’d probably not be surprised to know she’s a bit of a theatre geek. It’s true -- while better known as the Head of Production at Ataboy Studios, the renowned New York-based production, design and animation studio, there’s another side to Rasha – the side that revels in hanging with the arts community in the rolling hills of the Susquehanna Valley, where she dabbles in the performing arts while she’s not shepherding around her two young sons. Indeed, she’s on the board of the upcoming Fringe Festival in her hometown, where she’s written a play and will be performing in it, too. (You can find out more here.) Guess we need to call her a true triple-threat.
A veteran of the post production and VFX scene in NYC, she’s worked on staff or freelanced for a wide range of studios, edit houses and ad agencies over the course of her career. She’s been at Ataboy since 2021, where she leads the production team that’s created work for such brands as adidas, IBM, White Castle and many more.
Originally from Bahrain, Rasha puts a high priority on family and friends. Like any good producer, she makes sure her weekends are planned to the T, balancing her personal passions with her role as one of the busiest working moms in Amish Country. The Howler caught up with her recently to see how she spends her Golden Time. Here’s what she told us.
Where do you live? What do you like best about where you live?
Rasha: I live in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and moved here in 2018 from NYC. Before that, I lived in New York for 25 years, and grew up in the Middle East. I love Lancaster - it's inclusive, welcoming and a great balance of a quiet life and downtown excitement! We have great food, all kinds of art and you can be an integral part of your community if you choose to be.
So how did you get into the business? And how long have you been in your current role?
Rasha: Oh, I got into advertising in 1999 – ages ago! I had lots of odd jobs at that time, and overheard that an entertainment company needed a receptionist for their special effects division. I got the job and after a year was offered an assistant producer role. And boom, here I am 27 years later!! I’ve been with Ataboy since early in the pandemic, and love the work fam I have.
How often do you end up working on the weekend?
Rasha: Hmm…weekends really depend on how the projects fall. I’d say not often, we really try to protect the weekends and plan out the timelines around that as much as possible. Our kids and families are priorities on weekends.
What’s your favorite weekend decompression activity? How often do you get to do it?
Rasha: I’m involved in theatre here, and I love catching live music and spending time with my family and friends and traveling!! I definitely make time for those things; working around all the kids’ sporting events we have, I still get to indulge in those passions at least once or twice a week!
It’s a three-day weekend. How do you spend that bonus day?
Rasha: If the kids are off from school on those weekends, we’re usually traveling back from somewhere with them, or spending the day doing something extra with them. I’d love an extra day after they’re back at school to read a book or do something quiet!
How much time do you spend on your phone/tablet/laptop on a typical weekend?
Rasha: I don't really. I try to keep it just for logistics, meeting up, and solidifying plans. I think tech breaks are very important, and I should model that for my kids too.
What have you been watching lately?
Rasha: Oh, “Shrinking”!! Love that show. And just finished “Bad Monkey,” it was soooo good (great author, too) and “Landman.”
What do you listen to? What’s on your playlist?
Rasha: Oh, RKS is on constant repeat...I love them!! And Re:um and Tame Impala.
What’s been your best weekend live experience of the past year?
Rasha: I saw RKS in Charleston last fall, I went with my girlfriends and it was awesome! It combined the people I love with things I love: travel, amazing food, new sights and my fav band. One hundred percent perfect.
So it’s Sunday night already! How do you get ready for Monday morning?
Rasha: We try to keep Sunday a family day. I love that my in-laws and mom are close by. We try to have dinner all together and play with the kids, then wind down with a movie before bedtime. It's a nice tradition, a way to connect to family and we have so many great Sunday night memories!
