Upon my arrival of what I thought was going to be only rural farm lands, I was mistaken. I arrived in the land of Southern Hospitality. Greeted by an elderly waitress with such a polite tone at Cracker Barrel, I knew I was in a different place. Although there are many misconceptions of the South, but southern hospitality just ain't one of them. My first southern meal was a breakfast consisting of eggs, the most delicious bacon I ever had, the flakiest biscuits and creamy gravy, and of course grits. Grits reminded me of rice porridge, ah a taste of home that I have been missing. It didn't just end there. My most favorite part was the apple butter. I have never heard of such thing. Frankly, it was delicious. I wish we had southern comfort food like that back home, instead of another boba shop.
I spent the Thanksgiving weekend with one of my best friends. Thanksgiving meant a bounty of amazing food. With granny's help I discovered my newest favorite dessert. Behold the Chess cake(I want to make this a trend in LA if it ever happens I want the credit). What is this Chess cake you speak of? Well, it is a crumbly cakey texture with a creamy cheesy topping on top. A true hidden gem from the South. Since, I was experiencing all this Southern culture, I had to leave my imprint behind and I made some delicious classic Korean BBQ. I hope everyone enjoyed it.
As soon as we gobbled lunch, we power toured Pigeon Forge and gorged in such amazing food as we drove around what seemed like miles of woods, cows, and horses. We went go cart racing, survived the terrifying dinosaurs from the Jurassic Park Ride, saw the Christmas Place, and photo whored down the street. Sadly, I was unable to see Dollywood, but that gives me all the more reason to return.
Seeing the country side, I was reminiscent of my uncle's farm in Korea. The fresh air, the beautiful views with wonderful people. His grandma was truly what reminded me of home. I missed my grandma.
Anywhoo, the trip was a blast. I felt like a foreigner in my own country due to all these references of places of which I had not known like the Huddle House, Soccer Taco, and Richie Cream. I would like to thank Leigha for all your generosity. It was a pleasure to be in the South and I look forward to returning.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
New commercial
The ad department at converse better be watching out because I have just release my new commercial! CHECK IT OUT GUYS AND PASS IT ALONG!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
What a hectic beginning to my senior year. My only downfall is that I thought I would have more time to do everything, but as usual time is always against me. I have a quite of few things on my plate, but things are looking up.
All the work I did this past summer is out or in post production. I worked on Faith Evan's music video for her new single titled "Gone Already." You guys can check it out on youtube. From the Head is now proudly on IMDB, in post, and hopefully be hitting the festival market in 2011 by the earliest or at least by 2012. I am really excited to see the final cut!
So you are probably wondering what is new on my plate so far? Any new projects? Why, of course! I am looking for more PA gigs during my winter break in LA, but currently I am working on a lot of things at school. I am directing a spec Converse commercial this week, which will be very exciting. I hope that it will be on youtube by next week. I am working as a production coordinator on a few advanced classes at Columbia which is also exciting. I am looking forward to the production of The Knife Thrower's Apprentice, since it will be a period circus film.
That is the overall current status of my schedule. I shall post more of my work in due time. Thanks for reading, and have a great day everyone!
All the work I did this past summer is out or in post production. I worked on Faith Evan's music video for her new single titled "Gone Already." You guys can check it out on youtube. From the Head is now proudly on IMDB, in post, and hopefully be hitting the festival market in 2011 by the earliest or at least by 2012. I am really excited to see the final cut!
So you are probably wondering what is new on my plate so far? Any new projects? Why, of course! I am looking for more PA gigs during my winter break in LA, but currently I am working on a lot of things at school. I am directing a spec Converse commercial this week, which will be very exciting. I hope that it will be on youtube by next week. I am working as a production coordinator on a few advanced classes at Columbia which is also exciting. I am looking forward to the production of The Knife Thrower's Apprentice, since it will be a period circus film.
That is the overall current status of my schedule. I shall post more of my work in due time. Thanks for reading, and have a great day everyone!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Miraculous Summer with a Labor of Love
Miraculous. <\mə-ˈra-kyə-ləs\>. Webster's dictionary defines it as suggesting a miracle: marvelous. I definitely agree. This past summer has been quite a roller-coaster of a ride. I never thought for a second that I would earn an IMDB, meet numerous celebrities and countless producers as well as industry professionals, and be surrounded by studios. I still can't believe it. I feel like I was blessed with a miracle to be allow this. For the first time in my life, my career is taking off in the right direction. No more talking to people who think they have a general idea of what the business might be. No more fantasizing about working in the industry. No more having to spend every opportunity of every birthday wish on hoping one day to be a producer. It has come true. I am now on my way climbing the very same ladder millions have attempted, but very few have succeeded.
Now, I am more determined than ever, now that I am so close. I can walk away from those who are pretentious dreamers who believe that they are the next Spielberg when in reality they can barely make a infommercial. I can choose from passion projects with beautiful stories or work on less worthy films for rent. I would do my best to pursue stories that will unveil cinematic brilliance to the human eye, but some of those sacrifices will be made to make crapper sequels, but hey someone has got to put dinner on the table. The fact is I, now, have choices. I am able to do what very few are able to do. Do what I love for a living.
Despite all the hours of over-working, extreme amount of unnecessary high stress, and all the social sacrifices I have made, it was all worth it. The internship, the semester in LA, and all the PA jobs in between. I finally established myself, and not only that, but I know which direction to go. Some told me I can definitely stay in this cut throat business, few told me I am a rising star, but only one told me, "I am already proud." My father. He smiles with tears in his eyes and shakes my hand, and congratulates as I announced that I got job offers along side multiple internship offers. His words warms my heart, my soul. Everything my parents sacrificed for me is all so clear. They left everything behind for me. I left them to go to Chicago to do the same. I left to get a better start for my family.
Lately, I have been over-stressed, and I quite often ask myself. "Why am I doing this? Why should I deal with these cluster fuck of idiots? Do I really want to work for these strangers?" Each time the answer is still the same. "I love movies, and there is nothing quite like it. I am doing this for my career. I am doing this for my family. This is for me. This is for all of us. For an opportunity of a better life." Now I get it. Like all those people on those reality shows competing for that prize, I am now one of them playing the game of Survivor in Tinseltown.
It is hard to make a dream a reality, but some how I am surviving those odds. I am making it. I have to make it, because it is all I have got. I have been talking to many of my close friends and they seem to admire my drive and work ethic. Honestly, I do work hard because I hate being bored. I hate sitting there doing nothing. I despise laziness. I work hard, I play hard. Whatever it is I do, it is with passion. That is my secret ladies and gentlemen. I just love everything I do. So maybe you should go out there and do something you love.
Now, I am more determined than ever, now that I am so close. I can walk away from those who are pretentious dreamers who believe that they are the next Spielberg when in reality they can barely make a infommercial. I can choose from passion projects with beautiful stories or work on less worthy films for rent. I would do my best to pursue stories that will unveil cinematic brilliance to the human eye, but some of those sacrifices will be made to make crapper sequels, but hey someone has got to put dinner on the table. The fact is I, now, have choices. I am able to do what very few are able to do. Do what I love for a living.
Despite all the hours of over-working, extreme amount of unnecessary high stress, and all the social sacrifices I have made, it was all worth it. The internship, the semester in LA, and all the PA jobs in between. I finally established myself, and not only that, but I know which direction to go. Some told me I can definitely stay in this cut throat business, few told me I am a rising star, but only one told me, "I am already proud." My father. He smiles with tears in his eyes and shakes my hand, and congratulates as I announced that I got job offers along side multiple internship offers. His words warms my heart, my soul. Everything my parents sacrificed for me is all so clear. They left everything behind for me. I left them to go to Chicago to do the same. I left to get a better start for my family.
Lately, I have been over-stressed, and I quite often ask myself. "Why am I doing this? Why should I deal with these cluster fuck of idiots? Do I really want to work for these strangers?" Each time the answer is still the same. "I love movies, and there is nothing quite like it. I am doing this for my career. I am doing this for my family. This is for me. This is for all of us. For an opportunity of a better life." Now I get it. Like all those people on those reality shows competing for that prize, I am now one of them playing the game of Survivor in Tinseltown.
It is hard to make a dream a reality, but some how I am surviving those odds. I am making it. I have to make it, because it is all I have got. I have been talking to many of my close friends and they seem to admire my drive and work ethic. Honestly, I do work hard because I hate being bored. I hate sitting there doing nothing. I despise laziness. I work hard, I play hard. Whatever it is I do, it is with passion. That is my secret ladies and gentlemen. I just love everything I do. So maybe you should go out there and do something you love.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
On the Yellow Brick Road
From day one when I stepped foot to the Mack Sennett studios for my internship, I knew that deep down my dream was finally becoming a reality. The dreams of working in the industry were finally tangible, within my gasps, and I was on the yellow brick road. I certainly was not in Kansas anymore, I was finally in Hollywood surrounded by endless rows of palm trees.
Wait, let's rewind a bit. I found an ad of a low budget feature searching for student P.A.s, and interns, and I applied. Within days, I received a call from the production coordinator who loved my resume and offered me the job. After the call, I jumped ecstatically like an American Idol contestant who got through to the final round. Hollywood was finally calling me.
For the first week, I was sent out on many runs, and it seemed to be a nuisance. I drove thousands of miles all over North Hollywood, through the hills of Burbank, and the squiggly windy roads of Hollywood; in addition to the commute from home, however, each trip alone was an experience. I was given a mission, pick up or drop off what ever that is needed on set. I went to prop warehouses, expendables stores, telecine companies, even the Kodak and the Entertainment Partner offices. Each warehouse I visited seemed to be a hidden gem that I discovered on the treasure map. I was learning the secrets of the trade.
By week two, I was mainly stuck in a stuffy office, making copies of call sheets, and sides. It seemed repetitive: copy this, staple that; tape this, shred that; fold this, stamp that. I felt like a drone or a mindless robot. I wanted a challenge. I kept bugging the UPM will small questions of how expendables worked with certain accounts. My fascination for figuring out where the money went, and to whom it went to was confusing at first, but it all finally started to click. He decided to give me more responsibility, and handed me the reigns.
With a few tips according to my UPM such as, “cash is always king,”; the answer is a “no,” until you call them; and “you never know until you try.” I started calling all vendors looking for the cheapest quotes, cheapest caters, and deals. Within a few phone calls, I became a lean, mean haggling machine. Getting deals left and right. I rented walkie talkies for $200 less than the average quote. Caterers were more than happy to take my orders, while getting me beautiful discounts. The UPM smiled impressively as I spoke to several vendors on the phone. My haggling skills were flawless in three weeks; petty cash became a whole new meaning.
The office was also short on staff, in addition, not having enough funding in the budget for hiring extra P.A.s or stand ins so I used my network to bring in as many as I could to work for free. The production coordinator was extremely shocked at the amount of people I called in to work for either a day or two or even a week. I, somehow, performed a miracle, and pulled every string I had to get enough people to work for free.
Impressed by my skills, the production accountant said, “When you graduate. You need to call me. I will get you a job.” My hard work of blood, sweat, and tears over the course of twelve hours a day, six days a week for three and half weeks finally paid off. Not only did I get several job offers, but I also received the news that I would be getting IMDB credit. This internship opportunity opened the double doors to Hollywood haven. Through this film, I met so many people who will all want to achieve the same thing, create cinematic arts. I collectively feel that my career is finally taking a step forward on the yellow brick road.
Check out From the Head .
Wait, let's rewind a bit. I found an ad of a low budget feature searching for student P.A.s, and interns, and I applied. Within days, I received a call from the production coordinator who loved my resume and offered me the job. After the call, I jumped ecstatically like an American Idol contestant who got through to the final round. Hollywood was finally calling me.
For the first week, I was sent out on many runs, and it seemed to be a nuisance. I drove thousands of miles all over North Hollywood, through the hills of Burbank, and the squiggly windy roads of Hollywood; in addition to the commute from home, however, each trip alone was an experience. I was given a mission, pick up or drop off what ever that is needed on set. I went to prop warehouses, expendables stores, telecine companies, even the Kodak and the Entertainment Partner offices. Each warehouse I visited seemed to be a hidden gem that I discovered on the treasure map. I was learning the secrets of the trade.
By week two, I was mainly stuck in a stuffy office, making copies of call sheets, and sides. It seemed repetitive: copy this, staple that; tape this, shred that; fold this, stamp that. I felt like a drone or a mindless robot. I wanted a challenge. I kept bugging the UPM will small questions of how expendables worked with certain accounts. My fascination for figuring out where the money went, and to whom it went to was confusing at first, but it all finally started to click. He decided to give me more responsibility, and handed me the reigns.
With a few tips according to my UPM such as, “cash is always king,”; the answer is a “no,” until you call them; and “you never know until you try.” I started calling all vendors looking for the cheapest quotes, cheapest caters, and deals. Within a few phone calls, I became a lean, mean haggling machine. Getting deals left and right. I rented walkie talkies for $200 less than the average quote. Caterers were more than happy to take my orders, while getting me beautiful discounts. The UPM smiled impressively as I spoke to several vendors on the phone. My haggling skills were flawless in three weeks; petty cash became a whole new meaning.
The office was also short on staff, in addition, not having enough funding in the budget for hiring extra P.A.s or stand ins so I used my network to bring in as many as I could to work for free. The production coordinator was extremely shocked at the amount of people I called in to work for either a day or two or even a week. I, somehow, performed a miracle, and pulled every string I had to get enough people to work for free.
Impressed by my skills, the production accountant said, “When you graduate. You need to call me. I will get you a job.” My hard work of blood, sweat, and tears over the course of twelve hours a day, six days a week for three and half weeks finally paid off. Not only did I get several job offers, but I also received the news that I would be getting IMDB credit. This internship opportunity opened the double doors to Hollywood haven. Through this film, I met so many people who will all want to achieve the same thing, create cinematic arts. I collectively feel that my career is finally taking a step forward on the yellow brick road.
Check out From the Head .
Monday, May 31, 2010
New chapter
Today was a fantastic day to lay out by the pool to do nothing, but tan. As I woke up this morning, my teenage years came to an end, and now I am finally in my early 20s. Although, I am not too excited about getting old, but deep down I feel more than ready to be 20 years old. I feel like my body is of a 25 year old. Perhaps, I am just saying this as I excitedly look forward more toward my 21st Vegas birthday bash.
This weekend was an end of an era, a major chapter in my life, as I quit working for the evil mouse, started an internship, and entered into my 20s. Everything in my career life seems to be falling into place. Everyone at the ODV office was not hesitant to kick me out into the real world. Everyone seems to fully support me as I escape the mouse, and start my "real world" job. With each step I take on this yellow brick road, I am finding that I am surrounding myself with great friends looking for the wizard, my ticket into the business.
This week, I begin the arduous life of an intern. Tirelessly driving to Hollywood for multiple shoots back to back. Despite the exhaustion, I am absolutely looking forward to all shoot days. I love being on set at Mack Sennette Studios just off Sunset. I feel like the real deal, a hot shoot looking to make it. I hope that gig can lead to endless opportunities in multitude directions. For now, my work is my obsession until I start the Semester in LA program at Raleigh Studios. Until then, I am off to see the wizard.
This weekend was an end of an era, a major chapter in my life, as I quit working for the evil mouse, started an internship, and entered into my 20s. Everything in my career life seems to be falling into place. Everyone at the ODV office was not hesitant to kick me out into the real world. Everyone seems to fully support me as I escape the mouse, and start my "real world" job. With each step I take on this yellow brick road, I am finding that I am surrounding myself with great friends looking for the wizard, my ticket into the business.
This week, I begin the arduous life of an intern. Tirelessly driving to Hollywood for multiple shoots back to back. Despite the exhaustion, I am absolutely looking forward to all shoot days. I love being on set at Mack Sennette Studios just off Sunset. I feel like the real deal, a hot shoot looking to make it. I hope that gig can lead to endless opportunities in multitude directions. For now, my work is my obsession until I start the Semester in LA program at Raleigh Studios. Until then, I am off to see the wizard.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Baby Steps is COMPLETE!
After a semester long arduous journey of planning, writing, shooting for 8 hours, days of editing, and 5 hours of waiting for youtube to upload this film, it is complete. Done. Finito. I have fought long and hard for this film, almost dying twice to get it made. Well that sounds too dramatic, but I did almost get hit by a bus twice. That did scare the crap out of me. Anyways, I am excited and proud to announce the completion of the film because as I am making the DVD copies for my cast and crew, I feel that the end of another school year is near. This does not sadden me. In fact, I am the quite opposite, I can feel that summer is around the corner. The newly planted vibrant colored tulips in the city bring me memories of my favorite season. The fresh smell of summer rain, and the soothing sound of it hitting my fifth floor window is music to my ears. Although I will greatly miss my new friends in Chicago, I am eager to return home to start a new chapter of my life. Perhaps, I feel nostalgic since my teen years are finally coming to an end, or perhaps, it is something else. Who knows? Well here it is, the long awaited Baby Steps.
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