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 .

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.

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.

Baby Steps

Finally!

The long awaited Repose is finally out on youtube as well as my newest PSA. I had a blast shooting and editing both because I was working with such a fantastic cast and crew. Check it out guys!

Repose
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPgS3KiOjy8

PSA Hangover Awareness
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8hpRhiLmUs

Baby Steps Official Poster

So I got some of the footage back today and so far the entire rushes all look fantastic. I am so jazzed to start editing. I hope that I can get a lot done especially since I have a lot of projects that are due at once. Well it looks like there is about 2 more weeks left of the semester. I better get cracking. Here's a poster to drool over till the film gets finished.

Baby Steps

Over the weekend, I finally completed my final film, which I was have been dreaming about all semester. I was fortunate, and had an opportunity to work with the most gifted and extremely humble cast of 8 dancers and 2 actors. I was blessed to have a fantastic crew who helped out as well. Everyone was joyous to be apart of my project, and I did not hear a single complaint from anyone. Everyone was willing to stay outside and endure the cold for hours while I got my dream film on screen.  I felt that this was a great ending of my semester as it maybe the last film I will direct at Columbia. Although, I do not desire to be a director, I feel that people are pushing me on this path. I keep being handed the role of a director too often, it's as if someone is sending me signs to be one. I don't know, I want to be a producer, but deep down I feel that maybe I am destined to do both. We shall see, only time will tell. Here are some behind the scenes photographs taken by my lovely crew. I can't wait till I start editing this film. 

Dim Sum with Angela

Upon Angela's arrival to Chicago, we were immediately all over Michigan Ave., the Chicago River, and all the other landmarks like the Bean. Like a true Chicago native, I showed her the roots of the Windy City, but I also wanted to share the roots of our ancestors. We visited this delicious Dim Sum restaurant in Chinatown.