Since I began to work in physical production, I get to meet new and interesting people on every new job. One of my favorite people to work for to date was Clark Johnson. I served as his assistant on the pilot of DELTA BLUES (later changed to MEMPHIS BEAT). Clark is an amazing person! Super down to Earth, really engaging and definitely about supporting local businesses and workers. It was so great to work with him! I've been watching THE WIRE and started Season 5 last night. I knew that Clark had directed the show during the first season. He told me when we wrapped DELTA BLUES that I should get into THE WIRE. HE was right - I LOVE IT! He told me he made a brief appearance in Season 5. He's a jokester and his "appearance" is as one of the main characters during the season! I saw the first episode of the last season last night and he's good! (He starred in HOMICIDE back in the day but I never saw that show either.) Anyway, yet another example of an industry vet that does not place himself in a box! While there are 700,000 things that work my nerves about my career choice, opportunities to work closely with greats such as Clark are amazing. I feel so fortunate and hope that my future work somehow reflects all the great mentors I've had throughout my career!
Showing posts with label Opportunities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Opportunities. Show all posts
9.28.2010
I Love My Job
Since I began to work in physical production, I get to meet new and interesting people on every new job. One of my favorite people to work for to date was Clark Johnson. I served as his assistant on the pilot of DELTA BLUES (later changed to MEMPHIS BEAT). Clark is an amazing person! Super down to Earth, really engaging and definitely about supporting local businesses and workers. It was so great to work with him! I've been watching THE WIRE and started Season 5 last night. I knew that Clark had directed the show during the first season. He told me when we wrapped DELTA BLUES that I should get into THE WIRE. HE was right - I LOVE IT! He told me he made a brief appearance in Season 5. He's a jokester and his "appearance" is as one of the main characters during the season! I saw the first episode of the last season last night and he's good! (He starred in HOMICIDE back in the day but I never saw that show either.) Anyway, yet another example of an industry vet that does not place himself in a box! While there are 700,000 things that work my nerves about my career choice, opportunities to work closely with greats such as Clark are amazing. I feel so fortunate and hope that my future work somehow reflects all the great mentors I've had throughout my career!
8.20.2010
Lights, Camera, Action
Tonight I'm making my feature film debut!!! It's an indie...it's a very small role...it may get cut BUT I'm acting in a movie!!! VERY excited. I mean, I've done tons of my own stuff and of course I was in a music video (lol! my claim to fame can be viewed here), but this is different. Someone called me to cast me in their project just b/c she thought I can do it. I'm pretty stoked! And very prepared. I'll try to take pics on set but in the meantime, you can click here to learn more about SIREN SONG featuring DAVIDA CHANEL!!!
7.13.2010
On To The Next One
Working in the world of physical production is a challenge for me. Not because the work is super hard or demanding, but b/c the gigs are not long term. I enjoy the stability of knowing where I'll work for the next few years and production just doesn't work that way. The average production will take 3-6 months to shoot so the gigs come and go. Nothing is guaranteed in this biz but the production side is much more irratic than when I worked desks in L.A.
I'm VERY excited because I just got my next job in production. It is a great treat because it is a project I am a huge fan of. It films in Baton Rouge which is an hour or so from New Orleans. I'm going to be able to live with my granny - another great treat b/c with the hours I work I rarely get to go see her. Even though I'll still be crazy busy with work, it'll be great to be able to see her everyday! Because my business is starting to really grow, I am going to keep my place in NOLA. (And hopefully some Sundays I'll get to go see my Saints -hint hint to anyone that wants to invite me to a game!). Another great thing is that I won't have a lapse in employment - I wrap here on July 31 and start there on Aug 2. It'll be awesome b/c I can FINALLY join the union!
I'm most pleased because this was not my plan - it literally just happened! I just let go and let things fall into place - normally pretty difficult stuff for me. I'm walking the walk when it comes to my faith and belief that everything will happen just as it should. Gotta remember that NO MATTER WHAT the Universe is conspiring for my good!
I'm VERY excited because I just got my next job in production. It is a great treat because it is a project I am a huge fan of. It films in Baton Rouge which is an hour or so from New Orleans. I'm going to be able to live with my granny - another great treat b/c with the hours I work I rarely get to go see her. Even though I'll still be crazy busy with work, it'll be great to be able to see her everyday! Because my business is starting to really grow, I am going to keep my place in NOLA. (And hopefully some Sundays I'll get to go see my Saints -hint hint to anyone that wants to invite me to a game!). Another great thing is that I won't have a lapse in employment - I wrap here on July 31 and start there on Aug 2. It'll be awesome b/c I can FINALLY join the union!
I'm most pleased because this was not my plan - it literally just happened! I just let go and let things fall into place - normally pretty difficult stuff for me. I'm walking the walk when it comes to my faith and belief that everything will happen just as it should. Gotta remember that NO MATTER WHAT the Universe is conspiring for my good!
7.02.2010
Let Me Work With You
Before I moved to L.A., I read a book about landing your first job in Hollywood. It said the way to any longevity in the city, one had to go the assistant route. It said once you become an assistant, you must do your job to the fullest - and even more importantly, let your boss be the boss. Master being a great understudy and refine your leadership skills by serving great leaders. I took those words of advice to heart. When my boss(es) would do crazy stuff to get on my nerves, I'd let it ride and clean up his(their) messes because that's what a great assistant does. Being as humble as possible, I was a damn good assistant. Even the brilliant crazy azz BM said so (and he NEVER gave a compliment that wasn't well deserved!)! Problem is I never wanted to be an assistant - I went to pursue a career as an executive. I just got caught up in the assistant lane because I'm good at it and it was safe (someone is always looking to hire a great assistant) .
How's it safe? Well,the thing about Hollywood is it is the one place where no one really wants to be the person who can officially say yes...until they know that yes is going to pay off. I mean imagine being the guy who says yes to a $100,000 budget to a movie that flops! It can be a scary thing. Ironically no one wants to say no either - lol the agent who turned down Julia Roberts has a great career BUT no longer as an agent! Starting a business there is damn near impossible unless you are independently wealthy and that still doesn't guarantee anything. Being a great assistant is like a safety net - everyone is always looking for one. You get all the perks with fewer risks (you get everything your boss and their clients get and you have an entire network of people just like you!). Yes you do have to protect your boss at all times but that boss is the one who has to make sure the bills get paid and the lights stay on. Talk about pressure-making sure you, your clients, your family and your employees all eat and do well is MEGA pressure.
Staying in that assistant lane is very tempting but after the monotony of it, I felt myself ready to branch off. The average amount of years an assistant is an assistant before making the leap is at least five. The recession made that amount of time become unpredictable. In general, you pay your dues learn the biz for that allotted time and you'll eventually move up. I was quite frustrated because once I'd master the desk, I'd get so bored. (And after doing it for a while, it didn't take much time to master a desk.) I vowed when I came to New Orleans, I'd be an executive NOT an assistant. But my pattern was the same.
I find as I pursue my goals, it is easy for me to want to work for others. Instead of saying, "this is what I can do," I generally ask, "how can I help." Many folk I've attempted to "help" didn't get it and the situations didn't work out. I'm extremely fortunate because one of the people I wanted to "help" and work "for," was instead looking for people to work with to achieve his goals. That situation taught me to switch my question to "how can I work WITH you." That type of attitude is providing many great opportunities across the board and exciting things are happening!
Things are looking better!
How's it safe? Well,the thing about Hollywood is it is the one place where no one really wants to be the person who can officially say yes...until they know that yes is going to pay off. I mean imagine being the guy who says yes to a $100,000 budget to a movie that flops! It can be a scary thing. Ironically no one wants to say no either - lol the agent who turned down Julia Roberts has a great career BUT no longer as an agent! Starting a business there is damn near impossible unless you are independently wealthy and that still doesn't guarantee anything. Being a great assistant is like a safety net - everyone is always looking for one. You get all the perks with fewer risks (you get everything your boss and their clients get and you have an entire network of people just like you!). Yes you do have to protect your boss at all times but that boss is the one who has to make sure the bills get paid and the lights stay on. Talk about pressure-making sure you, your clients, your family and your employees all eat and do well is MEGA pressure.
Staying in that assistant lane is very tempting but after the monotony of it, I felt myself ready to branch off. The average amount of years an assistant is an assistant before making the leap is at least five. The recession made that amount of time become unpredictable. In general, you pay your dues learn the biz for that allotted time and you'll eventually move up. I was quite frustrated because once I'd master the desk, I'd get so bored. (And after doing it for a while, it didn't take much time to master a desk.) I vowed when I came to New Orleans, I'd be an executive NOT an assistant. But my pattern was the same.
I find as I pursue my goals, it is easy for me to want to work for others. Instead of saying, "this is what I can do," I generally ask, "how can I help." Many folk I've attempted to "help" didn't get it and the situations didn't work out. I'm extremely fortunate because one of the people I wanted to "help" and work "for," was instead looking for people to work with to achieve his goals. That situation taught me to switch my question to "how can I work WITH you." That type of attitude is providing many great opportunities across the board and exciting things are happening!
Things are looking better!
6.24.2010
F 'Em....
The last two weeks have been a lot! I've had some serious issues with some folk that were in my world. When pushed to a certain point, I can become consumed with anger, thoughts of revenge and really strong emotions of rage. Don't let the dimples fool you - I spent many a day in anger management as a kid because people would make me so mad all I could see was the color red! I did not enjoy those times - out of anger I would do things so uncharacteristic of me that it would scare not only my family but me too! Now I try my best to avoid all confrontation - I know where that crap can lead so why bother. I literally tiptoe around things all the time (lol! literally-my friend does a funny impersonation of how I walk around people all the time). But over the last two weeks I found myself in percarious situations where the white light slowly began to fade to red. In the past when it got that bad and the red came I'd say f' 'em and let the chips fall where they may. This time, I decided to say f' 'em but in a much different way. Instead of the F-#-@-& word, I chose the F-o-r-g-i-v-e word.Here's the thing, in forgiving what I perceive as a wrong done to me, I set myself free. This is not about the other person, it is all about me and my response to the issue at hand. Instead of seeking revenge or politic-ing against them, I simply decided to forgive and move on. While it doesn't absolve them from the wrong they did to me, that's not really my job. The best and highest solution to the problem. It did take a minute and the red eventually faded back to light but it's now over and done with and I've set myself free from the issues. And kharmacially I know it was the best choice available! So when one wrongs you, remember I said to F' em...and if that's not enough, quote Oscar Wilde: "Always forgive your enemies, nothing annoys them more!".
6.08.2010
JAYE Magazine is BACK!!!
JAYE, the lifestyle magazine that realizes college is more than the classroom and serves as the authority on fashion, style, beauty, health and culture for smart, sophisticated and stylish women across the country as they achieve success now and work towards post-graduate prosperity later, relaunches this fall, relaunches this fall and there are still opportunities to contribute! The magazine is online, so you can be anywhere to contribute as long as you have Internet access and a computer. FASHION
If you can identify trends as they happen in the street or on the runway, and conceptualize them into engaging and lustful story ideas; if you know what the Alex Wang Freja and PS1 are and why they're relevant to the current fashion landscape; and if you have an insatiable hunger to find the newest, most under-the-radar talents in the industry, then a spot on the JAYE fashion team may be for you. E-mail Fashion Director Chandler Stephens (Chandler.Stephens@yahoo.com) with your resume and a short cover letter in the body of the message.
BEAUTY
Are you just as interested in the psychological side of beauty as the product- and trend-driven aspects of the topic? Are you able to translate key makeup and hair trends into irresistible prose that not only engages readers, but enlightens them? Does hunting for health and fitness stories, trends and breakthroughs get you blood boiling? Then, we want you on our beauty team. E-mail Editor-in-Chief Michael Jones (jayemagmike@gmail.com) with your resume and a short cover letter in the body of the message.
FEATURES
If you are proactive about going to get stories and not waiting for them to come to you, e-mail Executive Editor Melissa Kimble (mkimble076@gmail.com) about joining our features team. You should know what a lead is, have a little experience interviewing a variety of people, have access to and know what an AP Stylebook is, and be able to juggle a couple of stories at a time. Also, there are tons of FOB opportunities for shorter culture and lifestyle pieces so if you're searching for a few clips, we just may be a match made in magazine heaven.
MANAGING EDITOR
JAYE seeks a savvy, organized and articulate managing editor to oversee editorial production, managing editorial, art, photo and to ensure, in simple terms, that the magazine closes on time. You'll work to create issue production schedules, develop and enforce departmental deadlines and provide administrative management for the editorial staff. You should have some experience on newspapers and magazines and be well-versed in all aspects of lifestyle publications. This isn't a writing-first position, but if you're looking for an opportunity to lead a staff of young, creative and ambitious college students and recent grads, then you should sending your e-mail and cover letter to EIC Michael Jones (jayemagmike@gmail.com), stat!
If you can identify trends as they happen in the street or on the runway, and conceptualize them into engaging and lustful story ideas; if you know what the Alex Wang Freja and PS1 are and why they're relevant to the current fashion landscape; and if you have an insatiable hunger to find the newest, most under-the-radar talents in the industry, then a spot on the JAYE fashion team may be for you. E-mail Fashion Director Chandler Stephens (Chandler.Stephens@yahoo.com) with your resume and a short cover letter in the body of the message.
BEAUTY
Are you just as interested in the psychological side of beauty as the product- and trend-driven aspects of the topic? Are you able to translate key makeup and hair trends into irresistible prose that not only engages readers, but enlightens them? Does hunting for health and fitness stories, trends and breakthroughs get you blood boiling? Then, we want you on our beauty team. E-mail Editor-in-Chief Michael Jones (jayemagmike@gmail.com) with your resume and a short cover letter in the body of the message.
FEATURES
If you are proactive about going to get stories and not waiting for them to come to you, e-mail Executive Editor Melissa Kimble (mkimble076@gmail.com) about joining our features team. You should know what a lead is, have a little experience interviewing a variety of people, have access to and know what an AP Stylebook is, and be able to juggle a couple of stories at a time. Also, there are tons of FOB opportunities for shorter culture and lifestyle pieces so if you're searching for a few clips, we just may be a match made in magazine heaven.
MANAGING EDITOR
JAYE seeks a savvy, organized and articulate managing editor to oversee editorial production, managing editorial, art, photo and to ensure, in simple terms, that the magazine closes on time. You'll work to create issue production schedules, develop and enforce departmental deadlines and provide administrative management for the editorial staff. You should have some experience on newspapers and magazines and be well-versed in all aspects of lifestyle publications. This isn't a writing-first position, but if you're looking for an opportunity to lead a staff of young, creative and ambitious college students and recent grads, then you should sending your e-mail and cover letter to EIC Michael Jones (jayemagmike@gmail.com), stat!
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