"Neither comprehension nor learning can take place in an atmosphere of anxiety." - Rose Kennedy

Since I've been in Los Angeles I've been attempting to get my hands on an internship. It's probably one of the best ways to break into the entertainment industry and trust me, I need all the help I can get. Quite frankly though, I think there is some kind of conspiracy happening.
The first interview I went on, I was asked if I spoke French, Italian, or Manderin. How about none of the above? Then I was sent off to write a free piece of coverage on a script, which I dutifully did. (very well if I do say so myself, even though the script was terrible/disturbing!) I sent it in, and never heard from them again.
My second interview was even more of a disaster. Even after I had supposedly aced it, and was told they would call me to confirm but I should plan on coming in. (did I mention that when I entered the office I was blatantly ignored for a solid 30min even after making my presence known? ) Anyway, they never called so I did, and I got "Oh, yeah. I'll have to check, let me call you back." They didn't, so I did the next day. No answer, no answer, no answer. So I emailed, and got "What was your availability again?" that's it. So I replied in a very nicely formatted email, and I got "Okay, come in Friday 10-6 and we'll work it out then."
So I'm assuming that was my rousing, "We've decided your a good fit for our company and want you to come on as an intern. Welcome to ------ Entertainment!" Not even a hearty handshake. Excuse me if I'm a little wary about waking up at the crack of dawn tomorrow to go down. Especially after my 2 hours parked in their garage during the interview cost me $36 and there is no other legal parking near by! I don't know about you, but I can't afford to work an 8hr day, and pay out $40 plus dollars.

Maybe I'm being down on the industry. After all, I've only been in Los Angeles officially for a week today. I did after all get another call for an interview from a very lovely sounding secretary, who I'm desperately hoping to hear back from so i can leave Captain Wishy-Washy in the dust.

Now for the good things that happened today... I have made some progress on the outline for a re-write on the pilot I'm developing. It's more like a completely new concept, even if it is the same one I've been working with. Hopefully it all turns out well so i can get an Agent, sell my spec, and live the dream. That's not too much to ask is it? Oh well, the thing to remember is that this business, like many, isn't easy. No one should expect it to be. The key is to keep your chin up, and keep on working at it, because one day the door will open and all you have to do is be ready to walk through.

"Go out on a limb. That's where the fruit is." - Jimmy Carter

I read an article on one of my favorite blogs Classy Career Girl about networking. Now, Heaven knows I'm not the most outgoing person, especially when it comes to asking people for things, but this really rang a bell for me. I've never been in a position where I needed other people so much, and not just for their help, but for their experience. I've also developed a complex over the years where I feel bad anytime I ask for help, there's no need for that.
The challenge is to meet up/make contact with with 4 people you know, and 4 people you don't every month in order to expand your network. I've done pretty well so far, I had lunch with two classmates of mine from film school. It was a great opportunity to see how their doing and what actions they are taking to advance their careers, as well as share what I've been up to and get feed back. You never realize how helpful stuff like that really is until your in the thick of it. I'm planning a lunch with another old classmate for next week, and have decided to make a wish list of professionals I'd like to do informal interviews with. I think this is the start of something good. :-)

... AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

I'm in L.A. now, I adore this city. It's been really fun driving around and running errands to get the lay of the land. In fact, just this morning I was up in Burbank ordering my very first set of business cards. I feel very professional. lol. I'll have to put pictures up when I get them. I also went to the beach out in Santa Monica with my mom who was visiting. It was a gorgeous day, and I even took a few pictures.

“We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.” - Chuck Palahniuk

So, I've had some really nice things said about the short that I posted. Earlier today I received this one via email, and I thought it was so touching that I had to share.

"I must tell you, that film still has an uncomfortable grip on my mind. The sadness almost overwhelms me. I lost my cousin to cancer last year. We grew up together... went fishing every summer with rods from tree branches and line from butcher’s string... went to Sunday hockey games at the forum, and so much more. With his demise what was once a great childhood history got buried along with his bones. It is as though having lost my partner to this history it became bereft of the wonderful vitality it once had. The memory of those days is now without a trace of color. Your film was a perfect mirror of a wound that is unlikely ever to heal. Healing doesn’t come easily at our age. At least not for me. And I would think not for you either."

I find it sad that the film inspires such sadness, but at the same time, I had hoped that while that might be the case it would still give people hope for the future. To build new memories with new friends. I'm curious how other people feel about the subject.

Hopefully one of many.

Here's a short that I wrote and filmed a couple months ago. Everyone who helped out was amazing, and the director Patti Henderson is fantastic. Huge thanks to Chic and John. Also, major props to Jesse Fraser, who seems to be doing really well acting. ^_^