I heard back from both of my gigs that I potentially have lined up.
I'll start with my camping adventure. The guy in charge is named Keith and he called me this morning to pretty much tell me I had the job and to give me some details. So I guess I need to get a sleeping bag for this weekend! He told me I am basically going to be in charge of food and other stuff for the shoot. Hopefully I can work it so that I do more than hand out sandwiches and granola bars the whole time. Otherwise I am excited to get out there.
I also had my Skype interview. It was pretty cool and work out really well. The only problem we had was I don't think I want to work the job. It would be a 30 mile drive, one way, for 5 days, no pay or gas money. I really want to get a lot of work but I think this might be the line that I draw. I don't want to go too far in the hole to get good experience. Maybe if we were staying out there like my other job I have lined up I would do it, but not if I have to do a whole lot of driving. She mentioned car pool, which would be ok, but we'll have to see... She also said that she is working on a bunch of other stuff so there might be something else I would be able to work.
-Things I learned: You don't have to accept every job that comes your way. If it doesn't fit your schedule or if its something you really don't want to do, then don't do it. Look at the bigger picture.
-Plans for the near future: Buy a sleeping bag. Film low budget indie ghostie film at Joshua Tree.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Does lightning stike twice?
I think so!
Especially on the Empire State Building...
But also for my career in LA.
I got another job offer. And this time it's not a music video. Yes!! I finally get to work on a narrative film. I am going to be a Production Assistant on a low budget ghost film. I applied to it off Mandy.com where the post read "Need a PA to do what PA's do" and that is all. I'm pretty sure I am capable of doing "what PA's do" so I blindly applied for it. This was about a week or so ago. They finally got back to me with this:
Especially on the Empire State Building...
But also for my career in LA.
I got another job offer. And this time it's not a music video. Yes!! I finally get to work on a narrative film. I am going to be a Production Assistant on a low budget ghost film. I applied to it off Mandy.com where the post read "Need a PA to do what PA's do" and that is all. I'm pretty sure I am capable of doing "what PA's do" so I blindly applied for it. This was about a week or so ago. They finally got back to me with this:
Hello
Are you willing to drive to Joshua Tree (2 hrs from LA ) in your car for the dates of 11/28 – 12/1 and possibly 12/2 at $50 a day, bring a sleeping bag (will be "camping" in house) and work as a P.A. (basically food & supplies) for a super low budget indie ghostie film?
Thank You
I was definitely intrigued and being one to not pass up work, let alone a great opportunity and possibly a super fun time, I replied "Yes". This was yesterday and I have not yet heard back from them. I am pretty sure that they are going to give me the job, and I guess I shouldn't expect anything back too soon, seeing as it took them so long to get back to me the first time. Seems to be a common theme in this job. I shall continue to wait...
I also have another job possibly lined up as a Production Assistant again. It's for a project for an American Film Institute student. The reason I'm not sure I have it yet is because I have to interview with the person who is producing it tomorrow, via Skype. I'm not exactly sure how it's going to go down, but I'm willing to give it a try. It is scheduled for tomorrow (Monday) at 10 am. I'll let you know how it goes.
Oh, I got a membership to a gym. Half to keep in shape and half for my sanity. So that I will have something to do on days when I'm not working. At this rate I am going to be in great shape.
-Things I've learned: You just gotta stick with it. There are days where I feel like I am not getting anything accomplished and I'm sure there are going to be many more to come. I guess my overnight success hasn't come yet... Yeah right.
-Plans for the Future: Rock this interview and have two gigs lined up for the future. Work out and get the chiseled body that has always been hiding inside of me.
Monday, November 16, 2009
One down, Many to go
So I finished my first job in LA... Huzzah!
Does anyone say "Huzzah" anymore? Did anyone ever say "Huzzah"?
Just me I guess. Oh well.
Anyway, the whole thing was a real good time. I am very glad I did it. I feel like I got a lot out of it. Except money. But that's ok, I ended up bringing back some packages of bagels. So that more than justifies my time.
I also brought back some good experience. This was the biggest production I had been a part of so far. There was about 15 people total on the crew, two rappers and their entourage of about 10 people who just kinda stood around and got in the way. The video was for the rapper Paypa (like "paper" but more gangsta) who is from Chicago and has sorta has a Kanye West sound. I tired to find some of his stuff online, but I'm not sure if it's him or not. I will post when I find more about him.
I think this was a good Music Video for me to be a part of because it is a step up from what I have done in the past, but it still wasn't a huge production. Kinda like a baby step. Everyone on the crew was really nice and very helpful and fun to work with. I was officially hired on as a Production Assistant but I wiggled my way into working as a Grip. A Grip works with someone called the Gaffer, who is in charge of all the lighting on the set, a very important job. The hierarchy goes: Gaffer, Key Grip, then Grip. I'll let you figure out what the Key Grip is. These guys make the difference between professional and amateur productions (You're either a Pro or a Noob). So I was working a lot with the lights as a grip and learned a lot about that job.
I also brought back some good contacts. I did my best to leave a good impression on the Gaffer and I'm pretty sure he liked me. He said that he gets a lot of work and implied that he would contact me if there was room on future productions. So that is bad ass. The other crew members in key positions also said they enjoyed working with me, so maybe they will remember me in the future, too. Fingers are crossed.
The video is going to be pretty awesome. Actually, I should say the videos are going to be pretty awesome because we filmed two. The Friday and Saturday we worked on the video for the first song. There were 5 locations total and 10-12 hour days. Most of the time was spent getting the lighting set up perfect or waiting on the talent to arrive. But it was all worth it because we got some really cool stuff. On Sunday we filmed a half day for the second video. The reason being is there was only one location and it was all filmed in one long continuous take. The way they did it should turn out to be really cool.
I am really glad that I got this work because it is good experience, but also because it justifies me moving out here. I was determined to actually do something once I got here and I made it happen, now I just need to make it happen again. At least I know it's possible. So far I can say that it has not been a waste to move out here.
On a lesser note, I got my first parking ticket, too. Welcome to LA, I guess.
Things I've Learned: The work of a Grip. I think this is a skill set that I can develop and become good at. I am going to meet a ton of people in this business. That's cool with me, I like meeting new people. Be more careful about where I park.
Plans for the near future: Make business cards, even if its just a name and number. The Gaffer asked me if I had one and I didn't. He said I should make some. Consider it done. Land some more jobs, however they may come.
Does anyone say "Huzzah" anymore? Did anyone ever say "Huzzah"?
Just me I guess. Oh well.
Anyway, the whole thing was a real good time. I am very glad I did it. I feel like I got a lot out of it. Except money. But that's ok, I ended up bringing back some packages of bagels. So that more than justifies my time.
I also brought back some good experience. This was the biggest production I had been a part of so far. There was about 15 people total on the crew, two rappers and their entourage of about 10 people who just kinda stood around and got in the way. The video was for the rapper Paypa (like "paper" but more gangsta) who is from Chicago and has sorta has a Kanye West sound. I tired to find some of his stuff online, but I'm not sure if it's him or not. I will post when I find more about him.
I think this was a good Music Video for me to be a part of because it is a step up from what I have done in the past, but it still wasn't a huge production. Kinda like a baby step. Everyone on the crew was really nice and very helpful and fun to work with. I was officially hired on as a Production Assistant but I wiggled my way into working as a Grip. A Grip works with someone called the Gaffer, who is in charge of all the lighting on the set, a very important job. The hierarchy goes: Gaffer, Key Grip, then Grip. I'll let you figure out what the Key Grip is. These guys make the difference between professional and amateur productions (You're either a Pro or a Noob). So I was working a lot with the lights as a grip and learned a lot about that job.
I also brought back some good contacts. I did my best to leave a good impression on the Gaffer and I'm pretty sure he liked me. He said that he gets a lot of work and implied that he would contact me if there was room on future productions. So that is bad ass. The other crew members in key positions also said they enjoyed working with me, so maybe they will remember me in the future, too. Fingers are crossed.
The video is going to be pretty awesome. Actually, I should say the videos are going to be pretty awesome because we filmed two. The Friday and Saturday we worked on the video for the first song. There were 5 locations total and 10-12 hour days. Most of the time was spent getting the lighting set up perfect or waiting on the talent to arrive. But it was all worth it because we got some really cool stuff. On Sunday we filmed a half day for the second video. The reason being is there was only one location and it was all filmed in one long continuous take. The way they did it should turn out to be really cool.
I am really glad that I got this work because it is good experience, but also because it justifies me moving out here. I was determined to actually do something once I got here and I made it happen, now I just need to make it happen again. At least I know it's possible. So far I can say that it has not been a waste to move out here.
On a lesser note, I got my first parking ticket, too. Welcome to LA, I guess.
Things I've Learned: The work of a Grip. I think this is a skill set that I can develop and become good at. I am going to meet a ton of people in this business. That's cool with me, I like meeting new people. Be more careful about where I park.
Plans for the near future: Make business cards, even if its just a name and number. The Gaffer asked me if I had one and I didn't. He said I should make some. Consider it done. Land some more jobs, however they may come.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
First LA gig
Less than a week living here and I'm already a working man.
At least I think so. It all happened yesterday when I was looking online for any kind of work as a Production Assistant. I came across a post on the website Mandy.com that was asking for Production Assistants this weekend for a music video shoot. Being that music videos are pretty much my specialty thus far (I've worked three), I figured I would be a likely candidate. So I sent in my resume and a cover letter and crossed my fingers.
In the afternoon I got a phone call from someone in charge of the shoot. I couldn't really hear the details because my cell phone doesn't get a good signal, but in a nut shell he basically told me I could have the job if I wanted it. Needless to say, I hopped on it! He said he would email me a treatment and outline with the details, but what I know so far is that the shoot is this Friday, 8am-8pm, Saturday, 8am-8pm, and Sunday 6:30am-12:00 noon. I haven't received the any email yet and the way it is probably going to end up happening is I am going to get it sometime around midnight tonight and have to be ready to go bright and early tomorrow morning.
I don't know who the artist is and I'm not even sure if I'm going to get paid, but nonetheless, I am excited to be out working. At the very least they will have to feed me. So that's something. I am going to make a strong effort to get to know everyone I am working with and build some relationships. I moved out here to get my career going and this seems to be a step in the right direction. I will keep you updated on how far I go in that direction.
-Things I've Learned: You can find work from the Internet. This was not the first thing I sent my resume to, but I eventually found something. It can happen and I will definitely peruse it further.
-Goals for the Near Future: To rock it on this music video and make some connections with the people I am working with.
At least I think so. It all happened yesterday when I was looking online for any kind of work as a Production Assistant. I came across a post on the website Mandy.com that was asking for Production Assistants this weekend for a music video shoot. Being that music videos are pretty much my specialty thus far (I've worked three), I figured I would be a likely candidate. So I sent in my resume and a cover letter and crossed my fingers.
In the afternoon I got a phone call from someone in charge of the shoot. I couldn't really hear the details because my cell phone doesn't get a good signal, but in a nut shell he basically told me I could have the job if I wanted it. Needless to say, I hopped on it! He said he would email me a treatment and outline with the details, but what I know so far is that the shoot is this Friday, 8am-8pm, Saturday, 8am-8pm, and Sunday 6:30am-12:00 noon. I haven't received the any email yet and the way it is probably going to end up happening is I am going to get it sometime around midnight tonight and have to be ready to go bright and early tomorrow morning.
I don't know who the artist is and I'm not even sure if I'm going to get paid, but nonetheless, I am excited to be out working. At the very least they will have to feed me. So that's something. I am going to make a strong effort to get to know everyone I am working with and build some relationships. I moved out here to get my career going and this seems to be a step in the right direction. I will keep you updated on how far I go in that direction.
-Things I've Learned: You can find work from the Internet. This was not the first thing I sent my resume to, but I eventually found something. It can happen and I will definitely peruse it further.
-Goals for the Near Future: To rock it on this music video and make some connections with the people I am working with.
Monday, November 9, 2009
I'm here to take over the city!
Well, I finally arrived. I am now a resident of Los Angeles.
Now it's time to get the career on track. In a day or two I will be settled in and comfortable enough to start working. I think I will start by looking online for listings for Production Assistants and see what I can find. Supposedly you can find lots of opportunities if you put a little effort into your search.
The only thing I still need to figure out is how much I am willing to work for free. It's kind of like a right of passage and something I'm probably going to have to do in order to get started out here. And that's ok. I think the way I am going to play is if I am learning something new or gaining something else besides money, then I'll be willing work for free. I'm not saying I'm going to like it, nevertheless, I think I'll make it. But if it is something I have already done and I'm not really getting anything out of it, then I'm gonna need some compensation. Just a little somthin', you know what I'm sayin'?
I also need to get going on working my contacts. It's time to get out there and meet and greet and schmooze. Gotta work it baby!
Oh, and something I'm going to start doing for every post is writing out the "Things I've Learned" and my "Goals for the Near Future". Hopefully this will help keep me on track and will give you an idea of what I've done and what I plan to do.
So...
-Things I've Learned: Traffic in LA is crazy. There are lots of cars and everyone drives fast. Just something I'm going to have to get used to. And parking is crazy, too. I've only been here for a day or two, so the only thing I've had a chance to learn is about driving around. I promise this will be more informative in the future. Until then, every time I get in my car it's a new adventure.
-Goals for the Near Future: To settle into my new environment, research where to find work via the internet, get in touch with some industry contacts.
Now it's time to get the career on track. In a day or two I will be settled in and comfortable enough to start working. I think I will start by looking online for listings for Production Assistants and see what I can find. Supposedly you can find lots of opportunities if you put a little effort into your search.
The only thing I still need to figure out is how much I am willing to work for free. It's kind of like a right of passage and something I'm probably going to have to do in order to get started out here. And that's ok. I think the way I am going to play is if I am learning something new or gaining something else besides money, then I'll be willing work for free. I'm not saying I'm going to like it, nevertheless, I think I'll make it. But if it is something I have already done and I'm not really getting anything out of it, then I'm gonna need some compensation. Just a little somthin', you know what I'm sayin'?
I also need to get going on working my contacts. It's time to get out there and meet and greet and schmooze. Gotta work it baby!
Oh, and something I'm going to start doing for every post is writing out the "Things I've Learned" and my "Goals for the Near Future". Hopefully this will help keep me on track and will give you an idea of what I've done and what I plan to do.
So...
-Things I've Learned: Traffic in LA is crazy. There are lots of cars and everyone drives fast. Just something I'm going to have to get used to. And parking is crazy, too. I've only been here for a day or two, so the only thing I've had a chance to learn is about driving around. I promise this will be more informative in the future. Until then, every time I get in my car it's a new adventure.
-Goals for the Near Future: To settle into my new environment, research where to find work via the internet, get in touch with some industry contacts.
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