I've been quiet for awhile because my last internship was top secret and I thought it was best to minimize content on the internet about it. Therefore, that means that my internship, that was supposed to last three months, only lasted one. It wasn't that I couldn't hang, and I wasn't fired. A month into the internship, we had the "internship talk". Based on a assessment, we realized that it was not in our best interest to stay.
I learned a valuable lesson from the internship...I am not interested in talent management. If I dip my toe into management, it would have to be literary management. I am far better suited and interested in working with writers, as opposed to actors. I appreciate the lesson, it wasn't something I knew before I got into it.
However, if one read my bio, it can be clearly seen that I am interested in development, and that has not changed. An interest in management stemmed from the fact that everyone recommended that if I would like to get into development, a management company or an agency was the best place to start. I may have mentioned this in an earlier post, but several months ago, I made an appointment to speak with a partner at a major management company in Beverly Hills.
I had the appointment yesterday, and it went far better than I expected. He expressed a willingness to help me and asked me to send my resume this morning. He is forwarding my resume on, and for the first time since I have arrived in LA, I have a lead on an opportunity to actually speak to someone who works in television development.
It has taken me six months to meet someone who can and will connect me with someone who presently works in the field that I moved here to break into. This is by no means a complaint, simply a statement that contributes to the proof of how difficult it is to break into the industry. If I thought it would be easy, I wouldn't have started a blog to document this process. Hopefully, this meeting will lead to a crack in breaking through the small screen. Thank you all for your support.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged
I like to call myself a master juggler, but this week, I dropped the ball. This weekend, I volunteered and attended the Screenwriting Expo, managed a web project, entertained a friend from out of town (shout out to Lucy Loo), finished screenwriting coverage assignments, and had an interview before and after the weekend. With all of this scuffling, I broke the cardinal rule of interview preparation.
While working as a office production assistant for a film called Out West, I received two calls on the same day. One was for an unpaid talent management internship position, and the other was for a paid executive assistant position at a commercial agency. Because the executive assistant position was paid and because I had some issues confirming the interview, I spent all of my spare time and energy on that company.
Therefore, I was somewhat unprepared for the internship interview. I mentioned that I had a job interview on Monday, and indicated that I would take the paid position, if offered. I never expected to receive a call on Friday night with an offer for the internship. The only reason an unpaid internship posed a conflict was because there is a real opportunity for growth, specifically doing what it is that I am interested in and an opportunity to connect me to the kind of industry people that I want to be connected to. None of this is true for the paid position. The real dilemma was posed when they wanted me to start immediately, and make a three month commitment.
Though I think I would like to work at the commercial talent agency, I think the unpaid internship is a better decision to achieve my career goals. I will not get a response from the paid position until about two weeks. Therefore, after the interview with the commercial agency, I called the management company and agreed to start the next day.
I walked into the management company completely unaware of who their clients were. So when I was individually introduced to members of The Rej3cts, I nodded and smiled politely, having no idea that I know their song, and that they are a YouTube sensation. My bad. I hope this lesson will not only prevent me from making this same mistake, but will inspire the four of you who read this blog, not to make the same mistake yourselves.
Stay tuned to find out if I am offered the paid position, what I will do if I am offered it, and to read about my adventures at either company.
While working as a office production assistant for a film called Out West, I received two calls on the same day. One was for an unpaid talent management internship position, and the other was for a paid executive assistant position at a commercial agency. Because the executive assistant position was paid and because I had some issues confirming the interview, I spent all of my spare time and energy on that company.
Therefore, I was somewhat unprepared for the internship interview. I mentioned that I had a job interview on Monday, and indicated that I would take the paid position, if offered. I never expected to receive a call on Friday night with an offer for the internship. The only reason an unpaid internship posed a conflict was because there is a real opportunity for growth, specifically doing what it is that I am interested in and an opportunity to connect me to the kind of industry people that I want to be connected to. None of this is true for the paid position. The real dilemma was posed when they wanted me to start immediately, and make a three month commitment.
Though I think I would like to work at the commercial talent agency, I think the unpaid internship is a better decision to achieve my career goals. I will not get a response from the paid position until about two weeks. Therefore, after the interview with the commercial agency, I called the management company and agreed to start the next day.
I walked into the management company completely unaware of who their clients were. So when I was individually introduced to members of The Rej3cts, I nodded and smiled politely, having no idea that I know their song, and that they are a YouTube sensation. My bad. I hope this lesson will not only prevent me from making this same mistake, but will inspire the four of you who read this blog, not to make the same mistake yourselves.
Stay tuned to find out if I am offered the paid position, what I will do if I am offered it, and to read about my adventures at either company.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
My Experience With "The Help"
Over the last month, I have been in a lot of conversations on Facebook and in Hollywood (sometimes literally, in Hollywood) about the film, The Help. I have read and heard all kinds of controversy about the film, but I am grateful to finally have been able to experience the film for myself. I was especially grateful that the experience occured in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
My wife's family reunion was in a community center in Jonesboro, which is the biggest town closest to her hometown. The community center featured a small museum about Jonesboro's history. I saw pictures of the graduating classes of the colored high school that stayed open until the late 60s, even though schools were desegregated over a decade earlier. There was an exhibit dedicated to Debbye Turner, the pride and joy of Jonesboro, who was Miss America in 1990. She competed in Arkansas for years without a state title and had to compete and Missouri to move on to the Miss America pageant. I was told that her race probably contributed to that issue.
I have been to Arkansas with her two other times, but I was never exposed to Arkansas's culture like I was on this trip. My experience was taken to a new level when my mother-in-law, my wife and I went to see The Help. As we were walking to the theater, my mother-in-law ran into two high school classmates who had just left the movie.
They spoke of how much the movie touched them, and the three of them reminisced about their childhoods in Arkansas. The classmates were Caucasian, and they insisted upon the fact that they could not have afforded to have maids, but if they did, they would have never treated them the way the women did in the movie. One woman spoke of how hers was the only white family on a block of African-Americans. They remembered the whites only pool being shut down because black kids would throw things into it, out of protest. The white classmates couldn't blame them for doing so. They reflected on the separate, yet "equal" facilities. As we walked into the movie, we giggled about how the classmates seemed to feel as if they needed to apologize on behalf of their race.
A lot of the controversy I have heard about them film relates to how most of the team involved in its creation are Caucasian. Regardless, I think it was a terrific film. In my eyes, the color of the content creators did not affect the quality of the film and the truth in this story. This film, and my weekend, shows how far we have come in this country.
The huge theater was filled was filled with Caucasian people, and my mother-in-law said that the first time she went to see the film, it was filled with Caucasian people then. Clearly, the book that the movie was based on had a major impact on the culture of the south, and it continues to do so. Movies like this, is what inspired me to move out to Hollywood in the first place.
My wife's family reunion was in a community center in Jonesboro, which is the biggest town closest to her hometown. The community center featured a small museum about Jonesboro's history. I saw pictures of the graduating classes of the colored high school that stayed open until the late 60s, even though schools were desegregated over a decade earlier. There was an exhibit dedicated to Debbye Turner, the pride and joy of Jonesboro, who was Miss America in 1990. She competed in Arkansas for years without a state title and had to compete and Missouri to move on to the Miss America pageant. I was told that her race probably contributed to that issue.
I have been to Arkansas with her two other times, but I was never exposed to Arkansas's culture like I was on this trip. My experience was taken to a new level when my mother-in-law, my wife and I went to see The Help. As we were walking to the theater, my mother-in-law ran into two high school classmates who had just left the movie.
They spoke of how much the movie touched them, and the three of them reminisced about their childhoods in Arkansas. The classmates were Caucasian, and they insisted upon the fact that they could not have afforded to have maids, but if they did, they would have never treated them the way the women did in the movie. One woman spoke of how hers was the only white family on a block of African-Americans. They remembered the whites only pool being shut down because black kids would throw things into it, out of protest. The white classmates couldn't blame them for doing so. They reflected on the separate, yet "equal" facilities. As we walked into the movie, we giggled about how the classmates seemed to feel as if they needed to apologize on behalf of their race.
A lot of the controversy I have heard about them film relates to how most of the team involved in its creation are Caucasian. Regardless, I think it was a terrific film. In my eyes, the color of the content creators did not affect the quality of the film and the truth in this story. This film, and my weekend, shows how far we have come in this country.
The huge theater was filled was filled with Caucasian people, and my mother-in-law said that the first time she went to see the film, it was filled with Caucasian people then. Clearly, the book that the movie was based on had a major impact on the culture of the south, and it continues to do so. Movies like this, is what inspired me to move out to Hollywood in the first place.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
A Learning Experience
As of this moment, I've lived in LA for three months, had four internships, volunteered as a reader for a production company and got a VERY part-time and low-paid gig reading scripts for a screenwriting competition. And as of this moment, none of those experiences even smell like they will lead to a full-time job in the near future. However, they have been the learning experiences that they were designed to be.
In Chicago, I believed that I wanted to be a development executive. Therefore, I got internships that were related to development. I got lots of experience reading and writing coverage for feature films, which is how I was able to get the job with the screenwriting competition.
My experience with applying for development jobs and talking to people in the industry have led me to believe that I should currently pursue a career in management. The comments from the last blog had me considering starting my own management company. But I have learned that the best way to meet people in the industry, is to work in the industry.
I've certainly been able to meet people in the industry outside of my internships. In fact, almost everyone I've ever met in the industry has come from Columbia College Chicago networking events or someone I knew personally that introduced me to other people who introduced me to other people...and so on. I especially enjoyed meeting a producer from Glee, my favorite show, at a 4th of July barbecue.
So obviously, if I want to meet more people in the industry through my internships, I need a new internship. I just got an email about a management internship five minutes ago, so we will see how that pans out. Though my internships don't appear to be leading to anything solid, I now have great references, experience, and something to do during the day to keep me sane.
So in this place of gratitude and appreciation, I know everything is all good right now, and will continue to be good. I appreciate all of the good job vibes you all have been sending out, and I'm happy to continue to receive them. Don't forget to update your subscription settings to get notifications about blog updates. Feel free to comment here, as opposed to Facebook. 'Til next time...
In Chicago, I believed that I wanted to be a development executive. Therefore, I got internships that were related to development. I got lots of experience reading and writing coverage for feature films, which is how I was able to get the job with the screenwriting competition.
My experience with applying for development jobs and talking to people in the industry have led me to believe that I should currently pursue a career in management. The comments from the last blog had me considering starting my own management company. But I have learned that the best way to meet people in the industry, is to work in the industry.
I've certainly been able to meet people in the industry outside of my internships. In fact, almost everyone I've ever met in the industry has come from Columbia College Chicago networking events or someone I knew personally that introduced me to other people who introduced me to other people...and so on. I especially enjoyed meeting a producer from Glee, my favorite show, at a 4th of July barbecue.
So obviously, if I want to meet more people in the industry through my internships, I need a new internship. I just got an email about a management internship five minutes ago, so we will see how that pans out. Though my internships don't appear to be leading to anything solid, I now have great references, experience, and something to do during the day to keep me sane.
So in this place of gratitude and appreciation, I know everything is all good right now, and will continue to be good. I appreciate all of the good job vibes you all have been sending out, and I'm happy to continue to receive them. Don't forget to update your subscription settings to get notifications about blog updates. Feel free to comment here, as opposed to Facebook. 'Til next time...
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Internship Mania
I had a lot of fun and met a lot of great people at the Pitchfest. As of this moment, no real life job has materialized from the experience. However, my presence there definitely reinforced my place in the Hollywood Universe. I got tons of great feedback and more people in the industry know my name than there were before.
Though there is no real life job at this moment, I got lots of pretend job opportunities...otherwise known as internships. Everyone I've ever spoken to about how they got a job here, started with an internship. I started a new internship at a production company known for making big films in the 90s. They haven't done a lot lately, but there are some projects on the slate.
Right now, I'm balancing two internships and I have interviews for two more. One of them actually looks like it pays real money. I spoke to a few others expressed interest, and the time has come for me to step up and reinforce that interest.
Though I am officially out of money, luckily, the wife is not. She's been working since Day 1 and web developers make far more than interns. So far, it looks like we'll be able to eat and keep a roof over our heads without my contribution. I wonder if that makes me a homemaker...
Stay tuned to find out how the meetings go!
Though there is no real life job at this moment, I got lots of pretend job opportunities...otherwise known as internships. Everyone I've ever spoken to about how they got a job here, started with an internship. I started a new internship at a production company known for making big films in the 90s. They haven't done a lot lately, but there are some projects on the slate.
Right now, I'm balancing two internships and I have interviews for two more. One of them actually looks like it pays real money. I spoke to a few others expressed interest, and the time has come for me to step up and reinforce that interest.
Though I am officially out of money, luckily, the wife is not. She's been working since Day 1 and web developers make far more than interns. So far, it looks like we'll be able to eat and keep a roof over our heads without my contribution. I wonder if that makes me a homemaker...
Stay tuned to find out how the meetings go!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Timing is Everything
This time last year was the start of it all. I went to the Great American Pitchfest to pitch a screenplay and get a feel for the business. I had so much fun and had such great feedback that I didn't want to fly home. This time last year, I decided that I needed to get to LA asap.
I didn't expect an engagement and a wedding when I made this decision, but I didn't let our happy event slow me down. I have questioned whether I should have made such a huge step two weeks after our wedding and whether the date of the move was purely motivated by my desire to live here before I turned 30.
Though that was my primary motivation, I am happy I made the decision the way I did. The Great American Pitchfest is this weekend, and this year, I am working as a volunteer. I roped the wife until volunteering with me. Not only is it a ton of fun and an opportunity for us to hang out with some new people, but I will get to pitch at the conference for free.
This year, I am way more comfortable. I know my way around the area. the excitement about just being here has faded to being normal life, and I am much better at pitching. On top of that, my experience as an intern makes me feel like I have a better sense of the industry and I will be better prepared when I meet executives.
Last year, I came across a job opportunity. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this year brings the same.
I didn't expect an engagement and a wedding when I made this decision, but I didn't let our happy event slow me down. I have questioned whether I should have made such a huge step two weeks after our wedding and whether the date of the move was purely motivated by my desire to live here before I turned 30.
Though that was my primary motivation, I am happy I made the decision the way I did. The Great American Pitchfest is this weekend, and this year, I am working as a volunteer. I roped the wife until volunteering with me. Not only is it a ton of fun and an opportunity for us to hang out with some new people, but I will get to pitch at the conference for free.
This year, I am way more comfortable. I know my way around the area. the excitement about just being here has faded to being normal life, and I am much better at pitching. On top of that, my experience as an intern makes me feel like I have a better sense of the industry and I will be better prepared when I meet executives.
Last year, I came across a job opportunity. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this year brings the same.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Free food!
No job yet, but free food coupons for my birthday have been VERY helpful. I made sure to sign up for every place I could find giving out free birthday food in LA the week before my birthday, and luckily, some of these coupon expiration dates aren't coming up until the end of the month.
The wife is growing very tired of Mexican food, since that's where most of them are from, but we're surviving. To keep from going crazy, I took Grant's advice (see comment on last post to read his advice) and took an internship. Not only is it giving me something else to do, but I'm getting the kind of experience I need and want.
Getting the internship was ridiculously easy, I just applied and they gave it to me. It's a boutique production company where I not only make coffee and get the mail, but I get to read all of the scripts my heart desires and write my opinions about them. Those of you who know me well, know that I LOVE opportunities to express my opinion.
So in the future, I will have examples of script coverage at a production company that will serve me well. Though I've only been there for about a week, I have more to say in my job applications than I did two weeks ago. And...I get a free, healthy lunch while at my internship. The pictures below are of the "cafeteria" where I eat my lunch. If I've got to be broke somewhere, it might as well be here.
If only I can find a way to get free gas...
The wife is growing very tired of Mexican food, since that's where most of them are from, but we're surviving. To keep from going crazy, I took Grant's advice (see comment on last post to read his advice) and took an internship. Not only is it giving me something else to do, but I'm getting the kind of experience I need and want.
Getting the internship was ridiculously easy, I just applied and they gave it to me. It's a boutique production company where I not only make coffee and get the mail, but I get to read all of the scripts my heart desires and write my opinions about them. Those of you who know me well, know that I LOVE opportunities to express my opinion.
So in the future, I will have examples of script coverage at a production company that will serve me well. Though I've only been there for about a week, I have more to say in my job applications than I did two weeks ago. And...I get a free, healthy lunch while at my internship. The pictures below are of the "cafeteria" where I eat my lunch. If I've got to be broke somewhere, it might as well be here.
If only I can find a way to get free gas...
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