I am coming through on the plans that I made.
I am now living Sherman Oaks. It's an all around better situation here. I really did like living in West Hollywood but it was time to move. So now I am living with people my own age, the rent is cheaper, and I'm closer to my other friends (that's right, I have friends!) who also live in North Hollywood. So that's all good. I just feel more in control of my own destiny.
And I also started an internship. I know, right? It's nothing too special though... I'm working with a company called Quantum Releasing, a distribution/production company. The reason I got hired (along with several other interns, who also applied on craigslist) is to help them prepare to go to Cannes film festival at the end of May. They have us calling other distribution companies from all over the world to set up meetings during Cannes. So I started in Greece and finished in Portugal, cold calling these companies to see if they are interested in doing business with Quantum. It's definitely "intern" work, but I am considering it something to do while I continue to look for better things. The only bad is that there is no pay (free labor once again, what is wrong with me?), it's not the greatest thing I've ever done and I have to go in a 5:00 am... Wait a minute, 5:00am?? Yes. Very early. But it's because I have to be on the time zone of the countries on the other side of the globe (i.e. Greece and Portugal). I only stay till 11:00 am, so I have the rest of the day ahead of me, and I consider myself a "morning person", so it's not too terrible. Maybe I'll get into a habit of going to bed early and waking up early (just not 5:00 am early...). At least I am getting better at talking to people on the phone and maybe I will learn a thing or two (see, there is a little positive here!).
What I've Learned: Everyone is looking for free labor.
Plans for the Future: Find decent work!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Baby Steps
I'm knocking things off my to-do list slowly.
It was finally decided that I am going to move to Sherman Oaks, so I'm pretty psyched. It's cool because it's not in the middle of everything, but it's still pretty close. And it's cheaper than where I live now (that's what I'm mainly psyched about) and I'll be living with some people my own age who seem pretty cool (I know this based on the one time I met them for about 15 min, so lets hope this stays true...). Regardless, it will be a good change. Maybe just what I need to get the ball rolling. I am tentatively moving on April 18th.
I am also going to start reading "Save the Cat" to try and learn a little about screen plays. Maybe I'll post some of the more interesting/important/impressive/irresponsible(?) info in (take that, alliteration) the blog. Maybe you can learn something too.
By the way, I stumbled across this little master piece. This is the trailer to one of the films I worked on while I was at The Asylum. I present you: Mega Piranha
*The video is wider than my page so here is a link to the trailer on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruHT8ePAxEw *
Yea. I'm proud of that one...
-Things I've learned: Mega Piranha looks Bad Ass (emphasis on Bad)
-Plans for the future: Move, Get a job
It was finally decided that I am going to move to Sherman Oaks, so I'm pretty psyched. It's cool because it's not in the middle of everything, but it's still pretty close. And it's cheaper than where I live now (that's what I'm mainly psyched about) and I'll be living with some people my own age who seem pretty cool (I know this based on the one time I met them for about 15 min, so lets hope this stays true...). Regardless, it will be a good change. Maybe just what I need to get the ball rolling. I am tentatively moving on April 18th.
I am also going to start reading "Save the Cat" to try and learn a little about screen plays. Maybe I'll post some of the more interesting/important/impressive/irresponsible(?) info in (take that, alliteration) the blog. Maybe you can learn something too.
By the way, I stumbled across this little master piece. This is the trailer to one of the films I worked on while I was at The Asylum. I present you: Mega Piranha
*The video is wider than my page so here is a link to the trailer on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruHT8ePAxEw *
Yea. I'm proud of that one...
-Things I've learned: Mega Piranha looks Bad Ass (emphasis on Bad)
-Plans for the future: Move, Get a job
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Uncertain Times
Guys, I have a confession to make: I cannot predict the future. It saddens me to say this, but I am no better than the next when it comes to telling what is coming up around the corner.
Whooo.... Glad to get that off my chest. Besides, if I could predict the future, I definitely would not be sitting here writing this blog (I would be sitting somewhere much more fancy!).
I am going through such a big transition point in my life. Now that I'm done with school I really need to get on the ball and find some work. I've been out there and applying and interviewing, but its been slow coming. I am waiting to hear back about the History Channel gig, but they tell me they are in a holding pattern to see about the new shows they are making. Therefore, I am in a holding pattern. But they haven't even told me I have the job for sure, so that makes it even more uncertain (Ahhhh).
I also made the decision to move out of the place I am living in right now. I just need to find a place that is a little cheaper to live in. And as much as I like living with my current house mates (a married couple with a 6-year-old kid), I think I need to find some people my own age. Maybe I can even make some friends out here. I'm young, single and moderately attractive (ok... fair to moderate... give me a break.... I'm going to get back into working out, again. I mean it this time!) and living in Los Angeles. There is no reason I shouldn't go out and have a good time. So, I've been looking on craigslist for place that would suit me and I found a place in Sherman Oaks which would be perfect. A couple of guys my age who seem pretty cool. The only thing is they have a different friend that might want to live in the room I would take. I can't really compete with that, so they are going to let me know in a couple of days. Once again, a holding pattern and more uncertainty.
I guess I will just have to wait and see.
-Things I've learned: You just have to go with the flow. At this point in my career, I will probably be going from job to job for a while and nothing will ever truly be full time. I just need to keep sticking with it.
-Plans for the future: Wait to hear back from these people and keep looking for other jobs and a places to live.
Whooo.... Glad to get that off my chest. Besides, if I could predict the future, I definitely would not be sitting here writing this blog (I would be sitting somewhere much more fancy!).
I am going through such a big transition point in my life. Now that I'm done with school I really need to get on the ball and find some work. I've been out there and applying and interviewing, but its been slow coming. I am waiting to hear back about the History Channel gig, but they tell me they are in a holding pattern to see about the new shows they are making. Therefore, I am in a holding pattern. But they haven't even told me I have the job for sure, so that makes it even more uncertain (Ahhhh).
I also made the decision to move out of the place I am living in right now. I just need to find a place that is a little cheaper to live in. And as much as I like living with my current house mates (a married couple with a 6-year-old kid), I think I need to find some people my own age. Maybe I can even make some friends out here. I'm young, single and moderately attractive (ok... fair to moderate... give me a break.... I'm going to get back into working out, again. I mean it this time!) and living in Los Angeles. There is no reason I shouldn't go out and have a good time. So, I've been looking on craigslist for place that would suit me and I found a place in Sherman Oaks which would be perfect. A couple of guys my age who seem pretty cool. The only thing is they have a different friend that might want to live in the room I would take. I can't really compete with that, so they are going to let me know in a couple of days. Once again, a holding pattern and more uncertainty.
I guess I will just have to wait and see.
-Things I've learned: You just have to go with the flow. At this point in my career, I will probably be going from job to job for a while and nothing will ever truly be full time. I just need to keep sticking with it.
-Plans for the future: Wait to hear back from these people and keep looking for other jobs and a places to live.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Big Lessons from SXSW
The week of SXSW is pretty much a blur, as I think back upon it. But isn't that how most bad ass times in your life end up? Days pour into each other and the experience is remembered mainly as a whole, but an awesome whole none-the-less!
Lucky for me, there are a few specific things that I remember from that week and a half. Here are a few tidbits that I am taking away as lessons from the grand experience...
One of the cool things I got to do during the week was sit down for a "Mentor Session" with an established producer. I sat down for 10 min with Michael Peyser, the man behind movies such as SLC Punk and Speed 2 (I know, not the biggest movies in the world... but at least hes doing something...), and hear what advise he had for me. He told me that I need to get into the money side of the business, because that is everything. Once you know where the money comes from and where it goes and who controls it, then you can start working your way up into an important position. If you are in charge of the money, you can really have influence on the way things go. Kinda like the Golden Rule: He who has the gold makes the rules. So that is a place to start at.
I also had the chance to talk to another producer (who wasn't nearly as cool or important as Michael Peyser), John Something-or-Another, who told me to read the book "Save the Cat" and its sequels, which are about screenwriting. He said it is important to be able to recognize a good script when you see it. Makes enough sense. He basically said reading the books is as good as going to graduate school for writing. I'm not sure about all that, but its enough motivation to check it out, especially if it comes so highly recommended. I'll at least give the back cover a good once over.
Another thing that I came to learn is that you can't always take what people say at face value and even a sure thing is not a sure thing (a least in the entertainment industry). Allow me to explain. I met several people over the course of the festival whom I good conversations with and exchanged business cards. Many of them work in the industry and were people I considered to be "contacts" I had made that could help me find a job out here in LA. They were all very nice and open to the idea of getting together outside of SXSW. So when I got back to the real world after that crazy week and a half, I called/e-mailed all of them but have yet to hear back from anyone. I'm not bitter about it or anything (Grrr...) and I guess I really wasn't expecting too much to come from it all, but it does kinda suck that none of it worked out. Some had me believing we could be best friends. Like a beautiful flower. But now that flower will never come to be... (huh?)
One last thing that I took away from being at a festival like SXSW is to try not to do too much all at once. Every night there were probably 2 movies and 5 bands that I wanted to see. I would try to get to as many things as I could, but in actuality I ended up walking all over the city, only making it to a few of the things and going to bed exhausted at 3 am. It was still an awesome overall experience and I got to see a lot of the stuff I wanted to, but yea, don't try to do to much all at once. I'm sure that applies to real life some how...
Oh and a side note: I had an interview with a company called Flight 33 for a PA job. They make shows for the History/Discovery Channel. I want to make shows for the History/Discovery Channel, so this would be perfect for me. I really hope I get it! I think I'll find out tomorrow. I just applied for the gig off an internet posting on the website http://www.realitystaff.com and they called me in for an interview. Fingers are crossed!
-Things I've learned: See above.
-Plans for the Future: Pray I get the PA job, hope for a reply from my SXSW "contacts", look for other opportunities in the mean time.
Lucky for me, there are a few specific things that I remember from that week and a half. Here are a few tidbits that I am taking away as lessons from the grand experience...
One of the cool things I got to do during the week was sit down for a "Mentor Session" with an established producer. I sat down for 10 min with Michael Peyser, the man behind movies such as SLC Punk and Speed 2 (I know, not the biggest movies in the world... but at least hes doing something...), and hear what advise he had for me. He told me that I need to get into the money side of the business, because that is everything. Once you know where the money comes from and where it goes and who controls it, then you can start working your way up into an important position. If you are in charge of the money, you can really have influence on the way things go. Kinda like the Golden Rule: He who has the gold makes the rules. So that is a place to start at.
I also had the chance to talk to another producer (who wasn't nearly as cool or important as Michael Peyser), John Something-or-Another, who told me to read the book "Save the Cat" and its sequels, which are about screenwriting. He said it is important to be able to recognize a good script when you see it. Makes enough sense. He basically said reading the books is as good as going to graduate school for writing. I'm not sure about all that, but its enough motivation to check it out, especially if it comes so highly recommended. I'll at least give the back cover a good once over.
Another thing that I came to learn is that you can't always take what people say at face value and even a sure thing is not a sure thing (a least in the entertainment industry). Allow me to explain. I met several people over the course of the festival whom I good conversations with and exchanged business cards. Many of them work in the industry and were people I considered to be "contacts" I had made that could help me find a job out here in LA. They were all very nice and open to the idea of getting together outside of SXSW. So when I got back to the real world after that crazy week and a half, I called/e-mailed all of them but have yet to hear back from anyone. I'm not bitter about it or anything (Grrr...) and I guess I really wasn't expecting too much to come from it all, but it does kinda suck that none of it worked out. Some had me believing we could be best friends. Like a beautiful flower. But now that flower will never come to be... (huh?)
One last thing that I took away from being at a festival like SXSW is to try not to do too much all at once. Every night there were probably 2 movies and 5 bands that I wanted to see. I would try to get to as many things as I could, but in actuality I ended up walking all over the city, only making it to a few of the things and going to bed exhausted at 3 am. It was still an awesome overall experience and I got to see a lot of the stuff I wanted to, but yea, don't try to do to much all at once. I'm sure that applies to real life some how...
Oh and a side note: I had an interview with a company called Flight 33 for a PA job. They make shows for the History/Discovery Channel. I want to make shows for the History/Discovery Channel, so this would be perfect for me. I really hope I get it! I think I'll find out tomorrow. I just applied for the gig off an internet posting on the website http://www.realitystaff.com and they called me in for an interview. Fingers are crossed!
-Things I've learned: See above.
-Plans for the Future: Pray I get the PA job, hope for a reply from my SXSW "contacts", look for other opportunities in the mean time.
Monday, March 22, 2010
SXSWhirlwind
South By Southwest has ended and now I, and many other people, am thrown back into reality.
But what a time it was! Walking down the streets of Austin you couldn't help to notice the chaos that decended upon the city; it basically transforms for a week and a half. People come in from around the world and the Austin Convention Center becomes a hot-spot for new ideas and collaboration, as the best and brightest share their passions and visions for the future.
Everyone comes to the festival for different reasons: Some come for the music, some for the film and some for the technology innovations. And many times there is not a singular reason to attend, but to come and experience all that SXSW has to offer. It's pretty safe to say that no two people have the same SXSW experience.
My experience is the same: Uniquely different.
This year I was a part of the staff and worked for a department called Studio SX. It was our job to bring in the interesting people for an interview which was filmed infront of a small audience for 10-12 minutes. We brought in everyone from film directors, producers and actors, to musicians, to the interactive keynote speakers. My specific job was Assistant Manager and I filled in where ever needed and made sure things were running smooth. I would help with the talent, ran the camera or edited (if needed) and at one point I even gave one of the interviews. We had a great crew and it was a fun job. In the grand scheme of the festival, Studio SX is pretty small potatoes, but the potential is really big and hopefully next year I can come back and make it better.
On a day-to-day during the festival, I would get off at about 5:30, and go explore. It was usually a mission to try and find the free food and drinks, and most of the time I usually came across something. When the night time rolled in, duing the first half of the week, I would go to a movie or try and find a film party to hit up. It was during these partys that I went to work trying to meet people and network. I did a pretty good job and met a lot of people who are producers and filmmakers that are out in LA, and may be able to help me in my career...
And During the second half of the week when the music got started I got off at 5:30 and would try to find free stuff, then figure out which bands I wanted to see. Every night I saw at least five different bands play and most of them I had never heard of, but were amazing I am now a big fan of. It's really a great thing to be apart of.
So, the crazyness of SXSW ended, but that doesn't mean that it is something that I am going to just forget it and move on. I will take everthing I learned and experienced and apply it to life beyond the festival. I think its OK to have a little SXSW crazyness throughout the entire year.
-Things I've learned: Too many things to list here. In future posts I will go more into detail of specific things I learned/experienced that will benefit my career. Just know that a lot was taken in and must be processed.
-Plans for the future: Contact all the people I met through networking and see what that leads to.
But what a time it was! Walking down the streets of Austin you couldn't help to notice the chaos that decended upon the city; it basically transforms for a week and a half. People come in from around the world and the Austin Convention Center becomes a hot-spot for new ideas and collaboration, as the best and brightest share their passions and visions for the future.
Everyone comes to the festival for different reasons: Some come for the music, some for the film and some for the technology innovations. And many times there is not a singular reason to attend, but to come and experience all that SXSW has to offer. It's pretty safe to say that no two people have the same SXSW experience.
My experience is the same: Uniquely different.
This year I was a part of the staff and worked for a department called Studio SX. It was our job to bring in the interesting people for an interview which was filmed infront of a small audience for 10-12 minutes. We brought in everyone from film directors, producers and actors, to musicians, to the interactive keynote speakers. My specific job was Assistant Manager and I filled in where ever needed and made sure things were running smooth. I would help with the talent, ran the camera or edited (if needed) and at one point I even gave one of the interviews. We had a great crew and it was a fun job. In the grand scheme of the festival, Studio SX is pretty small potatoes, but the potential is really big and hopefully next year I can come back and make it better.
On a day-to-day during the festival, I would get off at about 5:30, and go explore. It was usually a mission to try and find the free food and drinks, and most of the time I usually came across something. When the night time rolled in, duing the first half of the week, I would go to a movie or try and find a film party to hit up. It was during these partys that I went to work trying to meet people and network. I did a pretty good job and met a lot of people who are producers and filmmakers that are out in LA, and may be able to help me in my career...
And During the second half of the week when the music got started I got off at 5:30 and would try to find free stuff, then figure out which bands I wanted to see. Every night I saw at least five different bands play and most of them I had never heard of, but were amazing I am now a big fan of. It's really a great thing to be apart of.
So, the crazyness of SXSW ended, but that doesn't mean that it is something that I am going to just forget it and move on. I will take everthing I learned and experienced and apply it to life beyond the festival. I think its OK to have a little SXSW crazyness throughout the entire year.
-Things I've learned: Too many things to list here. In future posts I will go more into detail of specific things I learned/experienced that will benefit my career. Just know that a lot was taken in and must be processed.
-Plans for the future: Contact all the people I met through networking and see what that leads to.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
On to Bigger and Better things
You have to know when to recognize opportunity and when to draw the line.
So I decided to quit The Asylum. I had to. There really wasn't much else I could learn and I was tired of being used by them for free labor. So I left. Moving on. I am glad that I worked for them while I did, but I am glad I left when I did. I took away what I could from the experience, and now I am off to other enterprises. I was pretty expendable to them anyway; they didn't seem too sad for me to go.
So next is SXSW! I am super excited for this. Last year it was so awesome, and this year it will only be better because I have an idea of what to expect. I am going to fully take advantage of what I can.
Last year I enjoyed myself: I got to do some cool things, see some cool things and be apart of a really cool thing. The only thing is, I didn't really take advantage of all the people that are around for this epic festival. But this year I am changing my game plan a little. Instead of just partaking in the festivities, I am going to try and meet as many people as possible AND enjoy the crazyness. Hopefully one of the people I meet will be able to help me find a job.
I may have to come out of my shell a little and be more aggressive (but not overly-aggressive) but I can't let this chance slip by. Maybe when I come out on the other side of this adventure that is SXSW, I will have a job and actually move up a little in the industry.
-Things I've learned: You have to draw the line somewhere. I'm not sure I was benefiting from working at The Asylum. They were getting more from me than I was from them and I had to realize that. That's ok though, I will be better for it in the end. If not.... at least its a good story.
-Plans for the future: Go to SXSW and rock it like no one has ever rocked it before.
So I decided to quit The Asylum. I had to. There really wasn't much else I could learn and I was tired of being used by them for free labor. So I left. Moving on. I am glad that I worked for them while I did, but I am glad I left when I did. I took away what I could from the experience, and now I am off to other enterprises. I was pretty expendable to them anyway; they didn't seem too sad for me to go.
So next is SXSW! I am super excited for this. Last year it was so awesome, and this year it will only be better because I have an idea of what to expect. I am going to fully take advantage of what I can.
Last year I enjoyed myself: I got to do some cool things, see some cool things and be apart of a really cool thing. The only thing is, I didn't really take advantage of all the people that are around for this epic festival. But this year I am changing my game plan a little. Instead of just partaking in the festivities, I am going to try and meet as many people as possible AND enjoy the crazyness. Hopefully one of the people I meet will be able to help me find a job.
I may have to come out of my shell a little and be more aggressive (but not overly-aggressive) but I can't let this chance slip by. Maybe when I come out on the other side of this adventure that is SXSW, I will have a job and actually move up a little in the industry.
-Things I've learned: You have to draw the line somewhere. I'm not sure I was benefiting from working at The Asylum. They were getting more from me than I was from them and I had to realize that. That's ok though, I will be better for it in the end. If not.... at least its a good story.
-Plans for the future: Go to SXSW and rock it like no one has ever rocked it before.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
So, Whats new?
Where have I been? I'm going to have to get better about updating this thing...
Production finished on "Sinbad" and people are coming back from Belize. Guess who gets the honor of picking them up at the airport. ME!!.... Uhh, great....
But, its good that things are wrapping up on that production. Hopefully everything went well and there will be a halfway decent movie coming out of it. I'm pretty sure it was impossible for them to not get beautiful shots while down there.
The new thing around the office is the next movie we are working on "Airline Disaster". Again I was helping on the casting, but this time around things went A LOT smoother. I am definitely on board for a smooth casting process. I think I am going to try and make it like that from now on. Yea, that sounds good.
Other than casting, I haven't been doing much else for pre-production. The guys in the higher positions aren't really giving us much to do. We are going to hire other PAs but someone else has been in charge of that. Production is slated to start on Feb. 27 (a week from now) and I will be around for most of that, but not all of it.
That's because I am going back to Austin for SXSW. I am so excited! I talked to my old boss over there and he said I was in for sure. I will be working for this part called StudioSX, where we interview the big filmmakers and musicians and other important people at SXSW. I am just going to be an assistant, but it should be pretty sweet. There won't be any pay, but it comes with some awesome perks: free movies, concerts, and great opportunity for networking. I am going to hand out business cards left and right.
The goal is to make some kind of connection so that I can get a better gig than The Asylum. I have thought about quitting it for a while now and I feel like I have right reason to. They are not paying me to do a job that sucks, with no real opportunity for promotion, for a company that isn't the best in the world (and that is putting it nicely). But alas, I keep coming back. And I have the right reason for that too. Here I am, learning the process of making a film, not a very good film, but a film none-the-less. I am getting a ton of experience that I will be able take with me once I move on. After working at The Asylum, am I much more qualified for more jobs that many other people my age. And that is what keeps me going.
-Things I've learned: Look at the best of every situation. You will live on as a much better person for the experiences.
-Plans for the Future: Work for The Asylum for a couple more weeks, go to SXSW and do some kick ass networking, then come back to LA and The Asylum, but try really hard to find something else.
Production finished on "Sinbad" and people are coming back from Belize. Guess who gets the honor of picking them up at the airport. ME!!.... Uhh, great....
But, its good that things are wrapping up on that production. Hopefully everything went well and there will be a halfway decent movie coming out of it. I'm pretty sure it was impossible for them to not get beautiful shots while down there.
The new thing around the office is the next movie we are working on "Airline Disaster". Again I was helping on the casting, but this time around things went A LOT smoother. I am definitely on board for a smooth casting process. I think I am going to try and make it like that from now on. Yea, that sounds good.
Other than casting, I haven't been doing much else for pre-production. The guys in the higher positions aren't really giving us much to do. We are going to hire other PAs but someone else has been in charge of that. Production is slated to start on Feb. 27 (a week from now) and I will be around for most of that, but not all of it.
That's because I am going back to Austin for SXSW. I am so excited! I talked to my old boss over there and he said I was in for sure. I will be working for this part called StudioSX, where we interview the big filmmakers and musicians and other important people at SXSW. I am just going to be an assistant, but it should be pretty sweet. There won't be any pay, but it comes with some awesome perks: free movies, concerts, and great opportunity for networking. I am going to hand out business cards left and right.
The goal is to make some kind of connection so that I can get a better gig than The Asylum. I have thought about quitting it for a while now and I feel like I have right reason to. They are not paying me to do a job that sucks, with no real opportunity for promotion, for a company that isn't the best in the world (and that is putting it nicely). But alas, I keep coming back. And I have the right reason for that too. Here I am, learning the process of making a film, not a very good film, but a film none-the-less. I am getting a ton of experience that I will be able take with me once I move on. After working at The Asylum, am I much more qualified for more jobs that many other people my age. And that is what keeps me going.
-Things I've learned: Look at the best of every situation. You will live on as a much better person for the experiences.
-Plans for the Future: Work for The Asylum for a couple more weeks, go to SXSW and do some kick ass networking, then come back to LA and The Asylum, but try really hard to find something else.
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