Apparently there are worse things than getting bad notes! Thank you world for that discussion we had. I'm proven wrong. Again. Yes, thank you.
Sorry just a little "You're right, I'm wrong" message I had to send out to the universe.
Now to the good stuff. Okay so I love Televisionwithoutpity.com and read it on the regular. Well nooooowwwwww, a show I am working on, in a creative kind of way, has a forum there! Yes. So basically where I used to bitch and moan and say things are brilliant, people now get that same opportunity to do with me! And an episode in which I co-edited had a post, "The editors did...". So not only are people posting about my show, they are posting about me! In a small, tiny way. But my mind is blown. And I would love to pimp the show here but know a lot of the people that Google it and would rather not direct my bosses to my blog. Soooo, let me just say it's on The Learning C, the day after Mon, every night at ten pm. Look it up. Watch it. And get your mind blown.
Showing posts with label editing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label editing. Show all posts
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Bad Notes
Okay I'm sure there are worse things in this world than sitting through a screening in which the notes just keep on coming, but geez. It's tough in my job to sit and have something you've worked on for so long get torn apart so easily. Which is what happened yesterday. Not that the notes weren't spot on or anything. Unfortunately they were. Of course I've had worse. When I was in college, a screening one time went so badly that the director walked out of the room, leaving me behind, humiliated and scarred for life. Which is when I learned to grow some thick skin, which is easier said than done. Because man, right when I think my job is a walk in the park, something like this happens that shows me there's a reason I'm making money at this. It's hard. It's really effin hard. And now I have three days to sit and focus and churn out some genius stuff, or I fear my job is on the line. So of course I'm motivated now - which is definitely one upside to this whole thing. But I have a lot of people counting on me, which makes this whole thing worse when I let, even for a single second, the thought slip into my head that maybe I'm just not good enough. Which if you ask my mom, is just not true. And if I had a weekend before the cut was due I'd feel better, but I don't. So I'm chaining myself to my desk today and buckling down and going to figure this thing out. It's days like this I wonder why in the world I went into this crazy business when you are repeatedly setting yourself up for someone out there to Mitchum Huntzburger you.
Anyway, that's my current thoughts on my flagellation yesterday. That and, why do I insist on dressing up for these things! When you are being torn to shreds, it's almost worse when you're wearing cute shoes.
Anyway, that's my current thoughts on my flagellation yesterday. That and, why do I insist on dressing up for these things! When you are being torn to shreds, it's almost worse when you're wearing cute shoes.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Work n' Things
I just recently started a new job - one of many short-term gigs I've had in the past three months - but today I came to the realization that I've learned more about the industry in the past week with this job than the nearly 2 years I've lived here. Or maybe just became conscious of what I've learned.
It's such a small world out here in the industry.
I work in this small little office where it is me and an editor and two producers. They are rented out to us by the team of technicians next door. The editor and I started comparing companies we've worked for, and strikingly enough, they're nearly all the same. But him being in the industry longer, he has better contacts at these companies than I do. Friends. He hangs out with these people that I want to get jobs with again. Reputation follows you everywhere. You can't blow off a job or do a bad job, and not expect it to effect future employment.
Networking is so important that just calling it "important" seems not enough. This guy not only hangs out with these people, he's actually putting together his own show. To which I immediately said, "If you need an editor...".
I'm not sure my point is coming across just yet. I want to say laugh at every joke, say every idea is fantastic, but that seems so fake it's hard for me say. But that's what I would say for the mere fact that you don't know where you're next job is coming from.
Last week I was in the office by myself and became quite good friends with all the technician guys. Being as non-demanding as I could and grateful for every deck they hooked uo for me. This week I learned that these guys get calls all the time for people looking for editors. I told them I'd leave my resume with them and they said, "absolutely". An unlikely source for a job, but here I was gaining new contacts from computer technicians. Who actually, small world-y enough, know they guy who taught me about an important piece of editing hardware via phone when I lived in NY. Yet another connection that I never expected to make.
And lastly, and most importantly, in the nicest way possible, demand respect from your producers! It shows them you are worth it if you think you are worth it. This is lesson I brought with me from my last job where I was working in a cubicle and another editor told me to demand a bay. I didn't because I didn't want to be labeled "high-maintenance", and she ended up asking for me. When you make these requests and they are fulfilled, it tells you that your employer thinks keeping you happy and productive is worth the headache of rearranging an office for you. So I brought that with me to this job, and immediately on the phone, did something I never do, but said, "I'll do this job for x amount of money." Excuse the alegbra, but where x = more than the going rate for the position. By doing this I was telling them that I can get work for that amount, and that I'm worth it. A bit risky but the job in question I was quite over-qualified for. Then when an issue came up where I didn't think I was going to be making that rate, I immediately called my supervisor and said, "Am I actually going to make x with the hours that have become standard for us?" She immediately rectified the situation.
Anyway, it's been such an eye-opening week for me, successfully opening up 3 quite promising job opportunity paths. It's such a small world out here, that I almost feel like every job I apply to, I'm applying with many of my friends. Therefore it becomes all about contacts. Getting your name out there and your reputation too. Being fun to work with is almost as important as knowing the machines. Anyway, I feel like this is a jumbled heap of obviousness, but I had to get it out of my head. It's just interesting when you find yourself knowingly playing into stereotypes - stereotypes that are there for a reason.
Network, network, network!
It's such a small world out here in the industry.
I work in this small little office where it is me and an editor and two producers. They are rented out to us by the team of technicians next door. The editor and I started comparing companies we've worked for, and strikingly enough, they're nearly all the same. But him being in the industry longer, he has better contacts at these companies than I do. Friends. He hangs out with these people that I want to get jobs with again. Reputation follows you everywhere. You can't blow off a job or do a bad job, and not expect it to effect future employment.
Networking is so important that just calling it "important" seems not enough. This guy not only hangs out with these people, he's actually putting together his own show. To which I immediately said, "If you need an editor...".
I'm not sure my point is coming across just yet. I want to say laugh at every joke, say every idea is fantastic, but that seems so fake it's hard for me say. But that's what I would say for the mere fact that you don't know where you're next job is coming from.
Last week I was in the office by myself and became quite good friends with all the technician guys. Being as non-demanding as I could and grateful for every deck they hooked uo for me. This week I learned that these guys get calls all the time for people looking for editors. I told them I'd leave my resume with them and they said, "absolutely". An unlikely source for a job, but here I was gaining new contacts from computer technicians. Who actually, small world-y enough, know they guy who taught me about an important piece of editing hardware via phone when I lived in NY. Yet another connection that I never expected to make.
And lastly, and most importantly, in the nicest way possible, demand respect from your producers! It shows them you are worth it if you think you are worth it. This is lesson I brought with me from my last job where I was working in a cubicle and another editor told me to demand a bay. I didn't because I didn't want to be labeled "high-maintenance", and she ended up asking for me. When you make these requests and they are fulfilled, it tells you that your employer thinks keeping you happy and productive is worth the headache of rearranging an office for you. So I brought that with me to this job, and immediately on the phone, did something I never do, but said, "I'll do this job for x amount of money." Excuse the alegbra, but where x = more than the going rate for the position. By doing this I was telling them that I can get work for that amount, and that I'm worth it. A bit risky but the job in question I was quite over-qualified for. Then when an issue came up where I didn't think I was going to be making that rate, I immediately called my supervisor and said, "Am I actually going to make x with the hours that have become standard for us?" She immediately rectified the situation.
Anyway, it's been such an eye-opening week for me, successfully opening up 3 quite promising job opportunity paths. It's such a small world out here, that I almost feel like every job I apply to, I'm applying with many of my friends. Therefore it becomes all about contacts. Getting your name out there and your reputation too. Being fun to work with is almost as important as knowing the machines. Anyway, I feel like this is a jumbled heap of obviousness, but I had to get it out of my head. It's just interesting when you find yourself knowingly playing into stereotypes - stereotypes that are there for a reason.
Network, network, network!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Untilted (like Snow Patrol)
What's it called when you see something done better than you think you could have ever done, and it makes you discouraged? Creative jobs suck that way. I get in these slumps so easy and it totally throws me off my game. With editing, it makes me go on doubting everything I cut.
i watched this music video the other day that totally got me feeling all doubtful. And I'm sitting in my substandard cubicle, (editing in a cubicle is just one more casualty of editing software becoming so cheap that you can pack six editors in a small room that would once house just one Avid), and I'm cutting this stuff that I never really wanted to cut, but now that I've been forced to make a career out of it, think I've done okay for myself. But not being the best, (I know what you're thinking, and yes, I'm one of those), gets under my skin so much that I can barely sit still in my chair when I'm screening with my producer. But it makes me wonder, hope, think...will I be better at narrative if I can ever get my hand out of my wallet long enough to find out?
This stuff I've been doing is so documentary-esque. And I used to think it was the no-script part that got me. While that's certainly part of it, it's also a different type of editing. Where edits are made of out necessity and fast cuts and flashy transitions are used to speed things along. Where the cuts aim to be subtle but the producer never appreciates the extra beat you leave to let something breathe. Where it's tighten, tighten, tighten. While I appreciate the general note of, "Okay let's speed things along..." I have this thread in my mind, hopefully from the tiny twenty minutes I spent with the lovely narrative where I feel like nuances are appreciated. But, mind you, I haven't even gotten the chance to find out in the professional world.
So that's my career woes in a nutshell. Basically I don't even know if I am going to be good at what I want to do. And I kind of have to be. And I'm not the best at the alternative. Hmmm. Anyway, that's it for now.
i watched this music video the other day that totally got me feeling all doubtful. And I'm sitting in my substandard cubicle, (editing in a cubicle is just one more casualty of editing software becoming so cheap that you can pack six editors in a small room that would once house just one Avid), and I'm cutting this stuff that I never really wanted to cut, but now that I've been forced to make a career out of it, think I've done okay for myself. But not being the best, (I know what you're thinking, and yes, I'm one of those), gets under my skin so much that I can barely sit still in my chair when I'm screening with my producer. But it makes me wonder, hope, think...will I be better at narrative if I can ever get my hand out of my wallet long enough to find out?
This stuff I've been doing is so documentary-esque. And I used to think it was the no-script part that got me. While that's certainly part of it, it's also a different type of editing. Where edits are made of out necessity and fast cuts and flashy transitions are used to speed things along. Where the cuts aim to be subtle but the producer never appreciates the extra beat you leave to let something breathe. Where it's tighten, tighten, tighten. While I appreciate the general note of, "Okay let's speed things along..." I have this thread in my mind, hopefully from the tiny twenty minutes I spent with the lovely narrative where I feel like nuances are appreciated. But, mind you, I haven't even gotten the chance to find out in the professional world.
So that's my career woes in a nutshell. Basically I don't even know if I am going to be good at what I want to do. And I kind of have to be. And I'm not the best at the alternative. Hmmm. Anyway, that's it for now.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Work, work, work! (Sleep?)
I am up early as the sun today to start my hell week. It's actually awesome week because I ended up getting an amazing job last week! Okay, so since I have a little time, (woke up before my alarm convinced I was going to sleep in), I'll tell you the whole story. I'm going to channel Chandler for a second and have a "my diamond shoes are too tight and my hundreds won't fit in my wallet" kind of moment.
So a couple of weeks ago, despite having a job, (same place I've worked for like forever), I started applying to a few jobs to see if anything would come up. If somehow I could make the transition to editing. Well, last Wednesday, I got an interview for what I thought was an editing position, so I jumped for joy and then went to the interview. (I should probably start switching that order.) It ended up they thought I was better suited for the assistant position. I was not really looking for an assistant job, but they were awesome and really wanted me to work with them, offering me more than they had budgeted for and calling my phone to remind me that they really wanted me. On the other hand, my current job, who I went ahead and told I was considering the other job, was very ho-hum about the whole thing and didn't offer me anything to stay. So I went ahead and accepted the other offer, even though hours and money were the same. My job told me that this Thursday (night) would be my last day.
Not ten minutes later though, did I get a call from a company looking for an editor! Of course, this is an opportunity I couldn't pass up. So I went into the interview on Friday and they later called me and told me I got the job. I accepted without hesistation and called the other job. I apologized profusely, but they were totally cool and completely understood. Problem is, new job starts today. (days), and old job ends Thursday, (nights). So basically, I'm left working both for this week. How am I going to juggle it all? Only time will tell!
But editing, woo!!!
And then, yesterday, my phone was stolen from the beach, after I had just taken beautiful pictures of a seal that had come to rest on the shore. I knew if I didn't get a new one yesterday, it would be an entire week before I was able to get one. Problem is, since I deactivated mine yesterday, the only way to activate it was to talk to a customer service individual, who wasn't there until today. And in one of my finer blonde moments, I decided I would just call this morning when I woke up. Except for the little fact I don't have a phone. Genius. So now, I guess I will be searching for a phone to borrow today at the new job so I can activate my phone and not be without a lifeline any longer.
Anyway, it's shower time and then work time! Woo! I'm excited and a little scared and just ready for this week to be over! Godspeed readers!
So a couple of weeks ago, despite having a job, (same place I've worked for like forever), I started applying to a few jobs to see if anything would come up. If somehow I could make the transition to editing. Well, last Wednesday, I got an interview for what I thought was an editing position, so I jumped for joy and then went to the interview. (I should probably start switching that order.) It ended up they thought I was better suited for the assistant position. I was not really looking for an assistant job, but they were awesome and really wanted me to work with them, offering me more than they had budgeted for and calling my phone to remind me that they really wanted me. On the other hand, my current job, who I went ahead and told I was considering the other job, was very ho-hum about the whole thing and didn't offer me anything to stay. So I went ahead and accepted the other offer, even though hours and money were the same. My job told me that this Thursday (night) would be my last day.
Not ten minutes later though, did I get a call from a company looking for an editor! Of course, this is an opportunity I couldn't pass up. So I went into the interview on Friday and they later called me and told me I got the job. I accepted without hesistation and called the other job. I apologized profusely, but they were totally cool and completely understood. Problem is, new job starts today. (days), and old job ends Thursday, (nights). So basically, I'm left working both for this week. How am I going to juggle it all? Only time will tell!
But editing, woo!!!
And then, yesterday, my phone was stolen from the beach, after I had just taken beautiful pictures of a seal that had come to rest on the shore. I knew if I didn't get a new one yesterday, it would be an entire week before I was able to get one. Problem is, since I deactivated mine yesterday, the only way to activate it was to talk to a customer service individual, who wasn't there until today. And in one of my finer blonde moments, I decided I would just call this morning when I woke up. Except for the little fact I don't have a phone. Genius. So now, I guess I will be searching for a phone to borrow today at the new job so I can activate my phone and not be without a lifeline any longer.
Anyway, it's shower time and then work time! Woo! I'm excited and a little scared and just ready for this week to be over! Godspeed readers!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Calm and Normal, But a Little Punchy
I hate that my ridiculous fan-girl post is top on the page so I thought I'd push it down a little bit!
I've almost lived in LA for a year. I also just ordered the most amazing business cards ever. Here's a sneak peak (without text obv):
Don't even try and say that's not the best business card ever. Cause it is. (Yes, that is me in the glamour shot. That may be my calling card for life. Thank you Mom for taking me to get those done on that sweet September morning in '94.)
I've almost lived in LA for an entire year. Five days away from my anniversary. Will for sure do another one of those "Since I've Lived in LA" things. Also, I'm not feeling creative enough right this instant but I'm definitely going to be writing a "day in the life of"... a very secret object. But bullets are involved. And lottery tickets. And it's a true made-up story using circumstancial evidence. Get it? You will. (Maybe.)
Oh! I got my favorite editing note ever today! Love it!
Story of my life! If I had a nickel... (I loved how I checked it off victoriously. "Done!")
Also, in one of my voiceovers I said "vicarious" instead of "precarious". Somehow it almost made it all the way to air. Luckily, it was caught today. Man, that would have been embarrasing. That note was funny too but too long for me to get a good pic of it. Something about being curious...
Anyway, I'm tired from all the making myself laugh.
"too but too"
I've almost lived in LA for a year. I also just ordered the most amazing business cards ever. Here's a sneak peak (without text obv):
Don't even try and say that's not the best business card ever. Cause it is. (Yes, that is me in the glamour shot. That may be my calling card for life. Thank you Mom for taking me to get those done on that sweet September morning in '94.)
I've almost lived in LA for an entire year. Five days away from my anniversary. Will for sure do another one of those "Since I've Lived in LA" things. Also, I'm not feeling creative enough right this instant but I'm definitely going to be writing a "day in the life of"... a very secret object. But bullets are involved. And lottery tickets. And it's a true made-up story using circumstancial evidence. Get it? You will. (Maybe.)
Oh! I got my favorite editing note ever today! Love it!
Story of my life! If I had a nickel... (I loved how I checked it off victoriously. "Done!")
Also, in one of my voiceovers I said "vicarious" instead of "precarious". Somehow it almost made it all the way to air. Luckily, it was caught today. Man, that would have been embarrasing. That note was funny too but too long for me to get a good pic of it. Something about being curious...
Anyway, I'm tired from all the making myself laugh.
"too but too"
Friday, November 16, 2007
An Epic Blog Entry
I've needed to update for a while.
Highlights?
*I moved to Hollywood.
That's right! Hollywood proper. I now have one of the easiest commutes ever!
*I've been working on a new show pilot as the associate editor. Sometimes acting as a second editor, sometimes as an assistant. That was terrifyingly hard at first-especially the second editor bit. It was one of those jobs where I was working ten hours and by the end of the day, I still felt like I had sooo much work to do. I constantly felt behind and like there just weren't enough hours in the day. Things have since calmed down and I'm happily working nights again.
*My family came for Thanksgiving. It was bizarre and wonderful. We ate at tons of great restaurants and did a bunch of touristy things. I finally went on one of the star homes tours and left the bus feeling dirtier than I ever recall feeling. It really made me feel sorry for celebrities. But then again, as my brother in law pointed out, it's the price of fame.
*I saw the Stars live again. And on the first lyric, tears came to my eyes. It was so moving and amazing. They are rooted deeply in my heart.
*The writer's strike. I've never been happier to work in reality. I'm totally with the writers on this one though. The internet is quickly replacing dvds and dare I say, changing the industry forever. Their pay deserves to evolve with the changing times. The sad part of all this is all the other people working in Hollywood that have no jobs, as by this point most productions have gone dark. In an industry where a lot of the crew is living paycheck to paycheck, this comes as a major blow. Especially so close to the holidays. Sad all around. Let's hope they reach a resolution soon.
*In my new apartment, I decided that I would install a new toilet paper holder with my new toolkit I got! Well I go to Target and find this cute ring one. I go through the process of installing it, and once it is on the wall, I go to put the toilet paper on. It is then that I discover that it does not open. Upon closer inspection of the packaging, I notice it says "Towel Ring", not "Toilet Paper Ring". Yeah. I know. I'm embarrassed about it. For some strange reason, installing this toilet paper ring thing was standing for my independence and ability to do things for myself. Oh, the irony.
*And now for the BIG one. I got a promotion. A big one. I'm going to be editing starting in January! I can not express my excitement about this with mere exclamation points. Anyway, I'll edit for a couple months, fill in as an assistant temporarily until this new show starts up in the summer, in which I'll be serving as an editor! Permanently! Like, for real editor. Okay, that's very huge for me. Seeing as my birthday in at the end of December, I'll be officially an editor starting in 2008, after my quarter-century birthday.
*Lastly, I am amazed by the Universe. First, I went to the planetarium, in which my mind was blown. Then, in a matter of a few days, I watched the History or Discovery show "The Universe". (Watch it!)
Here's a statistic to blow your mind. If only 1% of the suns in the universe have an earth-like planet revolving around them, then there are billions of other Earth's out there. Billions! 1%. We have found like 200 planets so far that revolve around alien suns. ("Alien" as in not ours.) None have the ability for life to grow because they are either too close to their sun or too far away. Even if only one of the billions of planets out there happens to fall in the able-to-sprout-life range, we are not alone. And that's one out of billions of possibilities. It all depends on where the planet forms and starts its rotation.
There could be "Earth"s that are still in the stage of development that would mirror what we call the "Prehistoric Era". Dinosaurs, people. Think of all the possibilities. There could be civilizations still using candlelight to draw their cave paintings. There could be civilations that have already met their Armageddon's, nothing but charred remains of structures that once held an abundance of life. There could be life decades further advanced than us.
Maybe there is no other human life at all. Perhaps something in our atmosphere is so rare that it only allowed us to evolve the way we did. But, for the first time in my life, I'm seriously doubting it. I think I believe in aliens.
Highlights?
*I moved to Hollywood.
That's right! Hollywood proper. I now have one of the easiest commutes ever!
*I've been working on a new show pilot as the associate editor. Sometimes acting as a second editor, sometimes as an assistant. That was terrifyingly hard at first-especially the second editor bit. It was one of those jobs where I was working ten hours and by the end of the day, I still felt like I had sooo much work to do. I constantly felt behind and like there just weren't enough hours in the day. Things have since calmed down and I'm happily working nights again.
*My family came for Thanksgiving. It was bizarre and wonderful. We ate at tons of great restaurants and did a bunch of touristy things. I finally went on one of the star homes tours and left the bus feeling dirtier than I ever recall feeling. It really made me feel sorry for celebrities. But then again, as my brother in law pointed out, it's the price of fame.
*I saw the Stars live again. And on the first lyric, tears came to my eyes. It was so moving and amazing. They are rooted deeply in my heart.
*The writer's strike. I've never been happier to work in reality. I'm totally with the writers on this one though. The internet is quickly replacing dvds and dare I say, changing the industry forever. Their pay deserves to evolve with the changing times. The sad part of all this is all the other people working in Hollywood that have no jobs, as by this point most productions have gone dark. In an industry where a lot of the crew is living paycheck to paycheck, this comes as a major blow. Especially so close to the holidays. Sad all around. Let's hope they reach a resolution soon.
*In my new apartment, I decided that I would install a new toilet paper holder with my new toolkit I got! Well I go to Target and find this cute ring one. I go through the process of installing it, and once it is on the wall, I go to put the toilet paper on. It is then that I discover that it does not open. Upon closer inspection of the packaging, I notice it says "Towel Ring", not "Toilet Paper Ring". Yeah. I know. I'm embarrassed about it. For some strange reason, installing this toilet paper ring thing was standing for my independence and ability to do things for myself. Oh, the irony.
*And now for the BIG one. I got a promotion. A big one. I'm going to be editing starting in January! I can not express my excitement about this with mere exclamation points. Anyway, I'll edit for a couple months, fill in as an assistant temporarily until this new show starts up in the summer, in which I'll be serving as an editor! Permanently! Like, for real editor. Okay, that's very huge for me. Seeing as my birthday in at the end of December, I'll be officially an editor starting in 2008, after my quarter-century birthday.
*Lastly, I am amazed by the Universe. First, I went to the planetarium, in which my mind was blown. Then, in a matter of a few days, I watched the History or Discovery show "The Universe". (Watch it!)
Here's a statistic to blow your mind. If only 1% of the suns in the universe have an earth-like planet revolving around them, then there are billions of other Earth's out there. Billions! 1%. We have found like 200 planets so far that revolve around alien suns. ("Alien" as in not ours.) None have the ability for life to grow because they are either too close to their sun or too far away. Even if only one of the billions of planets out there happens to fall in the able-to-sprout-life range, we are not alone. And that's one out of billions of possibilities. It all depends on where the planet forms and starts its rotation.
There could be "Earth"s that are still in the stage of development that would mirror what we call the "Prehistoric Era". Dinosaurs, people. Think of all the possibilities. There could be civilizations still using candlelight to draw their cave paintings. There could be civilations that have already met their Armageddon's, nothing but charred remains of structures that once held an abundance of life. There could be life decades further advanced than us.
Maybe there is no other human life at all. Perhaps something in our atmosphere is so rare that it only allowed us to evolve the way we did. But, for the first time in my life, I'm seriously doubting it. I think I believe in aliens.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Funny Fame (by association?)
Okay. So I have these friends who have sort of become a little famous lately for their sketch comedy. Pretty crazy actually. Their group is called POYKPAC and of course I'm going to pimp them. (Do people still "pimp" things?)
"POYKPAC"
So that there is their link to their super funny videos on YouTube. Based out of Williamsburg, they are starting to get recognized on the street and fan mail and the whole thing. Kinda crazy! (In fact, they might even get their own internet show!) One of their more recent videos has a couple shots of me in it. Look for a blonde in the front row, I enter with Maggie, and check out what we did for entertainment in college here:
Anyway, it's pretty cool to know people on the cusp of hitting it big. So you heard it here first! Poykpac is the next big thing! Tell your friends!
My life is kinda insane right now. I'm in the process of getting a new apartment, which I found one today that I love. Now if we can get our pesky landlord to release us from the lease. I'm thinking with the fire, it's a battle that can be won. I edited that music video, which I'll link here the second it's officially on YouTube, and got a small promotion at work, with possibility of a much, much bigger one soon.
I'm second editor on a new show for Discovery channel and that's going good I think. Well, it's going. I'm trying to knock their socks off so the big promotion can happen. Big promotion would mean me as an editor next season for the show I've been working on before this latest one, (starting in December). So that's HUGE. Huge I tell you. So lots of stuff going on.
Well check out POYKPAC and spam all your friends with links and I'll check back in soon!
"POYKPAC"
So that there is their link to their super funny videos on YouTube. Based out of Williamsburg, they are starting to get recognized on the street and fan mail and the whole thing. Kinda crazy! (In fact, they might even get their own internet show!) One of their more recent videos has a couple shots of me in it. Look for a blonde in the front row, I enter with Maggie, and check out what we did for entertainment in college here:
Anyway, it's pretty cool to know people on the cusp of hitting it big. So you heard it here first! Poykpac is the next big thing! Tell your friends!
My life is kinda insane right now. I'm in the process of getting a new apartment, which I found one today that I love. Now if we can get our pesky landlord to release us from the lease. I'm thinking with the fire, it's a battle that can be won. I edited that music video, which I'll link here the second it's officially on YouTube, and got a small promotion at work, with possibility of a much, much bigger one soon.
I'm second editor on a new show for Discovery channel and that's going good I think. Well, it's going. I'm trying to knock their socks off so the big promotion can happen. Big promotion would mean me as an editor next season for the show I've been working on before this latest one, (starting in December). So that's HUGE. Huge I tell you. So lots of stuff going on.
Well check out POYKPAC and spam all your friends with links and I'll check back in soon!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
I Smell A Blog Entry
Sometimes things happen in life in which you are powerless to do anything except write a blog entry. Such an event happened to me yesterday. I was riding with my friend around town and spotted possibly the most intriguing billboard I have ever seen. It read: "Life is Short, Have an Affair" and then gave a website. My friend and I were stupified at the prospect that this billboard was actually ENCOURAGING people to have affairs. I immediately stated, "I smell a blog entry."
Because what kind of society do we live in that makes it okay for people to publically try and convince people to lie and cheat and damage your family for their own gain? And actually say, "Hey it's okay to do all this horrible stuff that, let's face it, never turns out well for any parties involved, because life is short, and hey, that means it's all okay."
Surely this was a misunderstanding. Me and my naive little heart decided that when they said "affair" they actually meant vacation. (I chose to ignore the intimate position of the two people on the sign.) But I looked up the website, because honestly, wouldn't you? If for no other reason than to just make sure that this is not as horrifying as it sounds. And look up I did. And it wasn't as bad as it sounds, right? Wrong! It's worse! If you thought "Life is short, Have an affair", is in poor taste, try these. "When monogamy becomes monotony." "People who are inclined to have affairs are usually more attractive." "It's stimulating, naughty, and fun at the same time!"
Yeah that's right my innocent little creatures. Our world sucks! This site is even more horrendous than the giant billboard. If I'm not mistaken, I believe that this site is trying to convince you to have an affair. Telling you it's going to be fun, the people are really attractive, and hey, what a great escape from normal day to day life.
So basically, yeah. It's a horrifying prospect that people actually use this service enough that they can afford a giant billboard in Hollywood. They even brag about how many people have signed up with them: clocking in at one million, three-hundred ninty-five thousand! (Wha--!?!) What a sad state of affairs. (Pun intended.)
On a more exciting note, another billboard I saw yesterday was promoting the show in which I make my LA editing debut! Woo! "Murder" premieres on Spike TV, next Tuesday night, July 31st, at 10pm! Yippee!
Because what kind of society do we live in that makes it okay for people to publically try and convince people to lie and cheat and damage your family for their own gain? And actually say, "Hey it's okay to do all this horrible stuff that, let's face it, never turns out well for any parties involved, because life is short, and hey, that means it's all okay."
Surely this was a misunderstanding. Me and my naive little heart decided that when they said "affair" they actually meant vacation. (I chose to ignore the intimate position of the two people on the sign.) But I looked up the website, because honestly, wouldn't you? If for no other reason than to just make sure that this is not as horrifying as it sounds. And look up I did. And it wasn't as bad as it sounds, right? Wrong! It's worse! If you thought "Life is short, Have an affair", is in poor taste, try these. "When monogamy becomes monotony." "People who are inclined to have affairs are usually more attractive." "It's stimulating, naughty, and fun at the same time!"
Yeah that's right my innocent little creatures. Our world sucks! This site is even more horrendous than the giant billboard. If I'm not mistaken, I believe that this site is trying to convince you to have an affair. Telling you it's going to be fun, the people are really attractive, and hey, what a great escape from normal day to day life.
So basically, yeah. It's a horrifying prospect that people actually use this service enough that they can afford a giant billboard in Hollywood. They even brag about how many people have signed up with them: clocking in at one million, three-hundred ninty-five thousand! (Wha--!?!) What a sad state of affairs. (Pun intended.)
On a more exciting note, another billboard I saw yesterday was promoting the show in which I make my LA editing debut! Woo! "Murder" premieres on Spike TV, next Tuesday night, July 31st, at 10pm! Yippee!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Woe!
So as a good friend of mine keeps saying--karma owes me big. I've had a kinda hectic couple of weeks. Between trying to scrounge up enough money to register my car in California before my 30-day grace period is up, and trying to play peacemaker in my home between the two dogs, who think they are both dominent, things have been a little stressful lately.
As far as the car thing goes, little did I know when I was buying my car in NC, that when I brought it into California less than a year after purchase, I would have to pay sales tax on it, which roughly estimated is 1000% percent. I've had thirty days to get the sixteen hundred dollars together, and all was going well until the tooth incident of 2007.
The two dogs in our house have been fighting pretty frequently. It's been stressing me out enough, but It all came to a head on this past Saturday night. Several things were unusual about this fight. I was outside and the two dogs were hanging in my roommates room. Usually when the fights occur, we are both present and it seems to be a fight over attention or food or something. But I hear the tell-tale yells from my roommate who is friutlessly trying to seperate the transformed beasts. I come in and rush to help. We hadn't done much research on the matter, so we were still grabbing their collars trying to seperate them. Wrong move, I now know. As I grabbed Hopper's collar and started pulling her towards me, the collar snapped flying back into my face, breaking off a large piece of my bottom tooth.
I was horrified, but kept my cool, (well as far as the tooth thing goes), until we had sucessfully broken up the fight. Immediately afterwards, I broke down, having enough of the fights and suffering the trumatic loss of a large piece of tooth. It was painful and had me just at a loss at how something like that could happen. I saved my tooth and after some good pep talks and sympathy pains from friends, we set out to Walgreens where I could get something for the pain, and/or, discomfort.
Once again, this financial burden increased two-fold. How in the world could I afford to get this fixed when I have a hefty bill to pay for my car, that coincidentially is due this week. I called some emergency dentist, not having a dentist in the area, who offered to call me in some painkillers and said he could see me first thing on Monday. I passed on the painkillers, and stuck to Tylenol, but counted down the hours until I could find some relief. The Tylenol worked pretty good, but the whiskey worked a little better. On Saturday night, with the dogs locked up for the night, I sat back and through a straw drank some whiskey that eased the pain quite nicely. I just wish that in my gum-numbing fun I would have realized just how painful it would be to brush my teeth. But no, not then. It felt fine and I brushed, carefully, but still with enough fervor to have me up at six am on Sunday crying for my mommy.
Monday came and I went to see the dentist. He was able to glue to portion I had broken off back on, but not without shooting me full of novicane first. (Little did I know, you aren't supposed to drink coffee on mornings before you visit the dentist in which you are going to be numbed. Now you know.) Five shots later, I was finally numb enough for them to start work. It went off without a hitch, and after expressing my financial concerns, they gave me a discount that although made thing easier to handle, still took enough out of my account to not have enough to pay my bill at the DMV.
Long story short, I got some help from the parents, which at this point in my life, is a little humbling, but much appreciated. And today, finally, on the day that marks the end of my grace-period, I can go and register my car.
So everything seemed to work out, as things usually do. Now I'm just trying to find a way to keep the peace with the dogs. I've been absolutely horrified about another fight, and have started to keep the dogs seperate almost every moment I am home. I have to get some sort of advice from some dog professionals about how to handle this correctly. If you have any advice, please share. I'm at a loss right now, so scared to even attempt any methods of defusing a situation, not even wanting to let them get close enough to each other to try.
But, other than that, things are just great! Heh! I perhaps had a quarter-life crisis last night, in the startling realization that all the women editors I know are single and without children, and that one of the assistants I work with is way older than I thought. Her solace was no help, "Time flies!", "I still feel like I'm twenty," "It was only yesterday---"
Whew. So lots going on right now. My computer battery is dying and I'm about to go to the DMV to take care of this pesky robbery thing that I feel I am a victim of. But I was just checking in and sharing my latest with you fine folks.
Aliens in America review to come!
As far as the car thing goes, little did I know when I was buying my car in NC, that when I brought it into California less than a year after purchase, I would have to pay sales tax on it, which roughly estimated is 1000% percent. I've had thirty days to get the sixteen hundred dollars together, and all was going well until the tooth incident of 2007.
The two dogs in our house have been fighting pretty frequently. It's been stressing me out enough, but It all came to a head on this past Saturday night. Several things were unusual about this fight. I was outside and the two dogs were hanging in my roommates room. Usually when the fights occur, we are both present and it seems to be a fight over attention or food or something. But I hear the tell-tale yells from my roommate who is friutlessly trying to seperate the transformed beasts. I come in and rush to help. We hadn't done much research on the matter, so we were still grabbing their collars trying to seperate them. Wrong move, I now know. As I grabbed Hopper's collar and started pulling her towards me, the collar snapped flying back into my face, breaking off a large piece of my bottom tooth.
I was horrified, but kept my cool, (well as far as the tooth thing goes), until we had sucessfully broken up the fight. Immediately afterwards, I broke down, having enough of the fights and suffering the trumatic loss of a large piece of tooth. It was painful and had me just at a loss at how something like that could happen. I saved my tooth and after some good pep talks and sympathy pains from friends, we set out to Walgreens where I could get something for the pain, and/or, discomfort.
Once again, this financial burden increased two-fold. How in the world could I afford to get this fixed when I have a hefty bill to pay for my car, that coincidentially is due this week. I called some emergency dentist, not having a dentist in the area, who offered to call me in some painkillers and said he could see me first thing on Monday. I passed on the painkillers, and stuck to Tylenol, but counted down the hours until I could find some relief. The Tylenol worked pretty good, but the whiskey worked a little better. On Saturday night, with the dogs locked up for the night, I sat back and through a straw drank some whiskey that eased the pain quite nicely. I just wish that in my gum-numbing fun I would have realized just how painful it would be to brush my teeth. But no, not then. It felt fine and I brushed, carefully, but still with enough fervor to have me up at six am on Sunday crying for my mommy.
Monday came and I went to see the dentist. He was able to glue to portion I had broken off back on, but not without shooting me full of novicane first. (Little did I know, you aren't supposed to drink coffee on mornings before you visit the dentist in which you are going to be numbed. Now you know.) Five shots later, I was finally numb enough for them to start work. It went off without a hitch, and after expressing my financial concerns, they gave me a discount that although made thing easier to handle, still took enough out of my account to not have enough to pay my bill at the DMV.
Long story short, I got some help from the parents, which at this point in my life, is a little humbling, but much appreciated. And today, finally, on the day that marks the end of my grace-period, I can go and register my car.
So everything seemed to work out, as things usually do. Now I'm just trying to find a way to keep the peace with the dogs. I've been absolutely horrified about another fight, and have started to keep the dogs seperate almost every moment I am home. I have to get some sort of advice from some dog professionals about how to handle this correctly. If you have any advice, please share. I'm at a loss right now, so scared to even attempt any methods of defusing a situation, not even wanting to let them get close enough to each other to try.
But, other than that, things are just great! Heh! I perhaps had a quarter-life crisis last night, in the startling realization that all the women editors I know are single and without children, and that one of the assistants I work with is way older than I thought. Her solace was no help, "Time flies!", "I still feel like I'm twenty," "It was only yesterday---"
Whew. So lots going on right now. My computer battery is dying and I'm about to go to the DMV to take care of this pesky robbery thing that I feel I am a victim of. But I was just checking in and sharing my latest with you fine folks.
Aliens in America review to come!
Sunday, April 15, 2007
No More Ms Nice Bucket
I laid on the couch last night, neck at an awkward ninty-degree angle, MSNBC talking about horrible crimes and their victims, and Hopper lying between my legs/ My eyes drifting shut and my computer, amazingly, closed beside me/ I knew I had an update to give, but my body relaxed in relief of the setting sun/
My day yesterday was an exciting one/ For me, that is/ No more celeb sightings to report or anything like that, (that seems to makes my hits skyrocket)/ Instead it was my first day of work/ Job, got, I/ Woo!
So this is how it happened: My friend gave me an email address of the VP of HR in a production company where she used to work/ My subject line was, "Ref by [friend]"/ I sent my resume and a brief cover letter/ The next day I get a call from the HR department saying that they'd love to meet with me, get me in their system so when jobs come up, they can see if it's something I'd be interested in/ I was ecstatic, as that would be the second interview scheduled that day! I was making some progress in this search I thought would never end/
I went to the first interview that was something I had found on Craigslist/ It sounded similar to my old job, but instead of TV shows, they did TV promos/ And, I wouldn't be editing/ I'd be an assitant editor, in which my duties would include some administrative work as well/ It was a staff position so there wasn't any backing out if I got the opportunity of a lifetime, and as he discussed the position in more detail, I was forced to think of how it wouldn't help me in my ultimate goals, (of taking over the world)/ Or being a television show editor/ The fact that I still had aforementioned interview relaxed me, and with another prospect, I was able to decide that this job just wasn't for me/
That afternoon, I got a call from the Prod Co HR department again, saying a position had come up and they'd like me to come in on Friday instead of Monday/ She told me breifly about the position which I told you in my previous post/
I get there and am forced to wait about an hour, and I keep the smile on my face, and am nice to the receptionist who emailed my arrival instead of called, and "didn't know the internet was down"/ Finally, she figured something fishy was going on, as she hadn't heard anything as of yet/ Finally, she called them, only to discover they hadn't known I had arrived/ She was nice enough to tell them that not only had I been on time, I had been early/
They come out apologetically and give me standard HR paperwork/ Now from my experience in NY, I loathed working through HR/ They are always stiff and condesending and like to pretend you are wasting their time, even though your presence is what pays their bills/ But this HR department was completely different/
They were warm and inviting, conversational and optimistic/ I could tell they were trying to help me find a good position for my skillset/ We discussed some of the shows that the production company did, as some of them, I watched/ We had a great conversation and then, they took me to introduce me to the post-production department/
The guys there were all nice, but I was horrified to learn they wanted me to take a test/ Now the thing about post-production is, I can do stuff with my eyes closed/ I know how to do things, and what to do, but as far as what things are called, and why certain things are done, I'm a little rusty/ Of course, this test was exactly that/ Naming cords and indentifying fasted connections by name/ Discussing the different between non-drop frame TC and drop-frame timecode/ I did the best I could and only hoped that failing the test wouldn't mean I had also failed the interview/
They told me that they'd call me today, which was great not to have to sit anxiously for days awaiting a phone call/ So I went home and relaxed, and decided that I wanted this job so much, that I wouldn't even look at new ads, and that if this didn't work out, I'd resume my search on Monday/
Well, as you've probably deducted, they called me and I had gotten the job/ It starts on Monday and I'm super excited/ They informed me of a production meeting that was happening on Saturday, (yesterday)/ I went to the studios at eleven o'clock, filled out my paperwork and met lots of people I'd be working with/ As this is a new show, they had already completed the pilot, in which I was invited to watch/ As I signed more confidentality papers yesterday than I have in my entire life combined, unfortunatly, I can't say much more about the job, other than I'll be working on set as an editor for segments used in the show, but not actually the show itself/ If that makes any sense/
After the screening, I went to the post offices and picked up my computer I would be using, loaded uo all the footage I would need, and met the person who did my job on the pilot/ It turned into a full day of activity and driving, that when I got home and ate dinner, I collasped on the couch, where I didn't mind that my neck was at an odd angle, the television was too loud and depressing, my that my dog made it difficult to stretch my legs out completely/
I have a job/ And for the most part, feel pretty confident about it/ The first episode is going to be a little rough, but other than that, I think it's going to be a great experience, and a perfect position for someone like myself/
When I finally coaxed myself off of the couch, I decided to take the dogs out on their usual late night backyard romp/ Despite the walks we had taken, the dogs were energized and whenever Hopper runs around, Cillian likes to chase her and bark loudly at her/ You'd think she was the shepherd of the two/ Well, since Cillian listens fairly well, I got her inside no problem/ Hopper, still running around like a crazy person, did something that made my heart drop/ I knew it was bound to happen sometime, but didn't think it would happen so easily/ She ran right past me, fast as light, down my driveway and into the dark/ I didn't know where she had gone/ I was thankful that not many cars were out, my in my head, cursed her uncanny ability to not listen when I tell her to "Come"/
I'm sure my blood pressure spiked, and as I barefoot down the driveway to see where she might have gone/ She stood steadfast in the neighbors yard, threatening to run if I took one step closer/ I felt like I was negotiating for a hostage, urging her to come to Momma, and nobody will get hurt/ I could never be a negotiator in real life, as my pleading did nothing/ She turned up her nose and sniffed the air, probably looking for the chicken bone yard she thinks is right around the corner/ I asked her if she wanted to eat, and in my happiest tone said, "Come on good girl! Let's get some food!" Her tail wagged, but she needed proof/ I went inside for a second and retrived her food/ I walked back outside, still with no shoes, and no jacket, and shook the food/ She started to come to me, but I sensed her hesitation/ So with her food, I turned back to the house and started walking, hearing her collar rattling behind me/ I didn't even turn to look at her, as I was sure she assumed she was sneaking behind me, not wanting me to assume that she was giving in/ I got to the stairs and walked up, she followed/ When she got inside the door, I slammed it shut behind her and turned and asked her, "What the hell where you thinking?!?!" She didn't answer, and I questioned how on earth I could try and train her to come to me when I say "come", and not turn and run away/
I know, gotta be nice when they come, but I couldn't/ I was too irritated and obviously don't have the patience it takes to correctly train a dog/ I will work on her more, but until then, she's going on her leash when she goes outside/ No more Ms Nice Bucket/
My day yesterday was an exciting one/ For me, that is/ No more celeb sightings to report or anything like that, (that seems to makes my hits skyrocket)/ Instead it was my first day of work/ Job, got, I/ Woo!
So this is how it happened: My friend gave me an email address of the VP of HR in a production company where she used to work/ My subject line was, "Ref by [friend]"/ I sent my resume and a brief cover letter/ The next day I get a call from the HR department saying that they'd love to meet with me, get me in their system so when jobs come up, they can see if it's something I'd be interested in/ I was ecstatic, as that would be the second interview scheduled that day! I was making some progress in this search I thought would never end/
I went to the first interview that was something I had found on Craigslist/ It sounded similar to my old job, but instead of TV shows, they did TV promos/ And, I wouldn't be editing/ I'd be an assitant editor, in which my duties would include some administrative work as well/ It was a staff position so there wasn't any backing out if I got the opportunity of a lifetime, and as he discussed the position in more detail, I was forced to think of how it wouldn't help me in my ultimate goals, (of taking over the world)/ Or being a television show editor/ The fact that I still had aforementioned interview relaxed me, and with another prospect, I was able to decide that this job just wasn't for me/
That afternoon, I got a call from the Prod Co HR department again, saying a position had come up and they'd like me to come in on Friday instead of Monday/ She told me breifly about the position which I told you in my previous post/
I get there and am forced to wait about an hour, and I keep the smile on my face, and am nice to the receptionist who emailed my arrival instead of called, and "didn't know the internet was down"/ Finally, she figured something fishy was going on, as she hadn't heard anything as of yet/ Finally, she called them, only to discover they hadn't known I had arrived/ She was nice enough to tell them that not only had I been on time, I had been early/
They come out apologetically and give me standard HR paperwork/ Now from my experience in NY, I loathed working through HR/ They are always stiff and condesending and like to pretend you are wasting their time, even though your presence is what pays their bills/ But this HR department was completely different/
They were warm and inviting, conversational and optimistic/ I could tell they were trying to help me find a good position for my skillset/ We discussed some of the shows that the production company did, as some of them, I watched/ We had a great conversation and then, they took me to introduce me to the post-production department/
The guys there were all nice, but I was horrified to learn they wanted me to take a test/ Now the thing about post-production is, I can do stuff with my eyes closed/ I know how to do things, and what to do, but as far as what things are called, and why certain things are done, I'm a little rusty/ Of course, this test was exactly that/ Naming cords and indentifying fasted connections by name/ Discussing the different between non-drop frame TC and drop-frame timecode/ I did the best I could and only hoped that failing the test wouldn't mean I had also failed the interview/
They told me that they'd call me today, which was great not to have to sit anxiously for days awaiting a phone call/ So I went home and relaxed, and decided that I wanted this job so much, that I wouldn't even look at new ads, and that if this didn't work out, I'd resume my search on Monday/
Well, as you've probably deducted, they called me and I had gotten the job/ It starts on Monday and I'm super excited/ They informed me of a production meeting that was happening on Saturday, (yesterday)/ I went to the studios at eleven o'clock, filled out my paperwork and met lots of people I'd be working with/ As this is a new show, they had already completed the pilot, in which I was invited to watch/ As I signed more confidentality papers yesterday than I have in my entire life combined, unfortunatly, I can't say much more about the job, other than I'll be working on set as an editor for segments used in the show, but not actually the show itself/ If that makes any sense/
After the screening, I went to the post offices and picked up my computer I would be using, loaded uo all the footage I would need, and met the person who did my job on the pilot/ It turned into a full day of activity and driving, that when I got home and ate dinner, I collasped on the couch, where I didn't mind that my neck was at an odd angle, the television was too loud and depressing, my that my dog made it difficult to stretch my legs out completely/
I have a job/ And for the most part, feel pretty confident about it/ The first episode is going to be a little rough, but other than that, I think it's going to be a great experience, and a perfect position for someone like myself/
When I finally coaxed myself off of the couch, I decided to take the dogs out on their usual late night backyard romp/ Despite the walks we had taken, the dogs were energized and whenever Hopper runs around, Cillian likes to chase her and bark loudly at her/ You'd think she was the shepherd of the two/ Well, since Cillian listens fairly well, I got her inside no problem/ Hopper, still running around like a crazy person, did something that made my heart drop/ I knew it was bound to happen sometime, but didn't think it would happen so easily/ She ran right past me, fast as light, down my driveway and into the dark/ I didn't know where she had gone/ I was thankful that not many cars were out, my in my head, cursed her uncanny ability to not listen when I tell her to "Come"/
I'm sure my blood pressure spiked, and as I barefoot down the driveway to see where she might have gone/ She stood steadfast in the neighbors yard, threatening to run if I took one step closer/ I felt like I was negotiating for a hostage, urging her to come to Momma, and nobody will get hurt/ I could never be a negotiator in real life, as my pleading did nothing/ She turned up her nose and sniffed the air, probably looking for the chicken bone yard she thinks is right around the corner/ I asked her if she wanted to eat, and in my happiest tone said, "Come on good girl! Let's get some food!" Her tail wagged, but she needed proof/ I went inside for a second and retrived her food/ I walked back outside, still with no shoes, and no jacket, and shook the food/ She started to come to me, but I sensed her hesitation/ So with her food, I turned back to the house and started walking, hearing her collar rattling behind me/ I didn't even turn to look at her, as I was sure she assumed she was sneaking behind me, not wanting me to assume that she was giving in/ I got to the stairs and walked up, she followed/ When she got inside the door, I slammed it shut behind her and turned and asked her, "What the hell where you thinking?!?!" She didn't answer, and I questioned how on earth I could try and train her to come to me when I say "come", and not turn and run away/
I know, gotta be nice when they come, but I couldn't/ I was too irritated and obviously don't have the patience it takes to correctly train a dog/ I will work on her more, but until then, she's going on her leash when she goes outside/ No more Ms Nice Bucket/
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Selling Myself For Money
I'm trying to keep up this posting everyday business. As far as April is concerned, I believe, if I'm not mistaken, I've written an entry a day. This post is going to say it's the 10th, but it's still the 9th people. I'm on West Coast time now Blogger! (I have yet to change my settings I suppose. Blame where blame is due.)
Well, people tend to ask me what I've done all day and give me that empty pause when I respond, "Looked for a job." They stand there waiting, almost in disbelief that one could spend an entire day in search of a job. (Well obviously I take time out to blog a little. But only while I'm waiting on new jobs to be listed, I swear.)
(Big fan of the parentheticals tonight.)
So how do I fill my day? I wake up and check for new job postings. Make coffee and let the dogs out. (Me, I'm the one that let's them out. That's the answer to that age-old question. [Again with the parentheticals!]) I check for new postings. I drink my coffee and peruse my daily sites. I check for new postings. I refill my coffee, because by now it's gotten cold, and surely by the time I do that there's new jobs postings! Do you see my pattern?
And when there is a new posting, I feel like one of those people in movies with the long trench coats selling watches.
"Whadda ya want? You want Avid? I got Avid. Two years. Meridian and Adrenaline! That guy over there got that? Oh wait. You what? Oh you want Final Cut? Funny you should say that, cause I got Final Cut too. (I open the other side of my coat.) Two features as Editor, one as assistant. I do HD. I do DVDs. Dubbing? Fugettabou'it. In my sleep. Easy as pie."
And that's just one of the, ahem, continuing with the metaphor, coats that I wear. There's a whole closet in which I-okay enough with the metaphor. Just, geez! It's like a minefield, this job search thing. Not only do I have to figure out what system they use, I have to check the ad multiple times and see if I have to sell myself as the perfect assistant or the perfect editor, if I need to be a self-starter or work with groups. I have to check and make sure that I'm not sending my "Assistant Avid" resumes to the same company in which I sent my "Editing Final Cut" resume to, as I am changing them ever so-slightly. Not lying, just highlighting which position I want. Still enough to confuse the employer.
Most people know if they are going for Editing jobs or Assistant jobs. I have no clue. I'm applying for both because honestly, I don't know which I'm most qualified for! Are you asleep yet?
I imagine reading about someone else's job search is about as fun as actually doing it. Which is, not fun at all. I have five or six resumes. Ten to fifteen cover letters. All of which I have to tweak for each job. Out of the seventy or so jobs I've applied to or inquired about, I've heard from three. All no's. That's averaging probably, excluding holidays, about ten resumes out a day. That's tweaking or completely writing twenty documents a day. Twenty one if you count my blogs. And I have the let the dogs out!
And you ask what I do all day! Sheesh...
Well, people tend to ask me what I've done all day and give me that empty pause when I respond, "Looked for a job." They stand there waiting, almost in disbelief that one could spend an entire day in search of a job. (Well obviously I take time out to blog a little. But only while I'm waiting on new jobs to be listed, I swear.)
(Big fan of the parentheticals tonight.)
So how do I fill my day? I wake up and check for new job postings. Make coffee and let the dogs out. (Me, I'm the one that let's them out. That's the answer to that age-old question. [Again with the parentheticals!]) I check for new postings. I drink my coffee and peruse my daily sites. I check for new postings. I refill my coffee, because by now it's gotten cold, and surely by the time I do that there's new jobs postings! Do you see my pattern?
And when there is a new posting, I feel like one of those people in movies with the long trench coats selling watches.
"Whadda ya want? You want Avid? I got Avid. Two years. Meridian and Adrenaline! That guy over there got that? Oh wait. You what? Oh you want Final Cut? Funny you should say that, cause I got Final Cut too. (I open the other side of my coat.) Two features as Editor, one as assistant. I do HD. I do DVDs. Dubbing? Fugettabou'it. In my sleep. Easy as pie."
And that's just one of the, ahem, continuing with the metaphor, coats that I wear. There's a whole closet in which I-okay enough with the metaphor. Just, geez! It's like a minefield, this job search thing. Not only do I have to figure out what system they use, I have to check the ad multiple times and see if I have to sell myself as the perfect assistant or the perfect editor, if I need to be a self-starter or work with groups. I have to check and make sure that I'm not sending my "Assistant Avid" resumes to the same company in which I sent my "Editing Final Cut" resume to, as I am changing them ever so-slightly. Not lying, just highlighting which position I want. Still enough to confuse the employer.
Most people know if they are going for Editing jobs or Assistant jobs. I have no clue. I'm applying for both because honestly, I don't know which I'm most qualified for! Are you asleep yet?
I imagine reading about someone else's job search is about as fun as actually doing it. Which is, not fun at all. I have five or six resumes. Ten to fifteen cover letters. All of which I have to tweak for each job. Out of the seventy or so jobs I've applied to or inquired about, I've heard from three. All no's. That's averaging probably, excluding holidays, about ten resumes out a day. That's tweaking or completely writing twenty documents a day. Twenty one if you count my blogs. And I have the let the dogs out!
And you ask what I do all day! Sheesh...
Thursday, April 05, 2007
A Blood Curling Scream Perhaps?
What will you dream of tonight? A sunny day by the beach, or a kiss with a loved one? Maybe a beautiful spring day with imagery provided by a friend. If you're lucky, you may even dream about your Academy/Grammy/Nobel Peace Prize/Booker Prize award winning moment. Me? Well funny you should ask. I'm pretty sure my dreams are going to contain the blood-curling scream that just echoed throughout my neighborhood a few minutes ago. I'm writing this blog to rid myself of them, but as of yet, no such luck.
I'm standing in the yard with my dog, who's quite enjoying running away from me as I try to usher her inside. Now, I'd go as far to say that I f'in love having a backyard. Love it! And I love that there's only one way out that I have to guard so she doesn't go for the hills, quite literally. But, you see, I have to guard it. So when she's back there playing, I'm pretty immobilized. Because as fun as the her-not-coming-to-me-when-I-call-her thing we have going on must be for her, it's pretty dangerous when you start dealing with major roads that I live very close to. Oh, and she ain't afraid of no cars. Huh! (Must be sung with the fervor of Ghostbusters.)
Here I am, standing in my spot, letting her do her thing, which seems to be sniffing a spot for minutes upon minutes until I call for her, in which she runs the opposite direction, not skipping a beat, finding a new area to sniff until the process repeats. I keep convincing myself that she doesn't need a leash, but everytime, without fail, I get to the fifteen minute mark and my temper starts to flare a bit. Like shit or get off the grass for real dog. And trying to get her to go inside is impossible, so I'm forced to stand in my spot, or within a five foot radius of my spot, until she feels like moseying on back towards the house. I might have a higher blood pressure, but I'm trying to let her enjoy having a backyard for the first time in what seems to be forever. But she doesn't listen, and as much as I try to train her with treats and goodies, if there's no treat, she's not coming.
There I was, and all of the sudden I hear this horrific scream, a girl no less, screaming, "Help me! Oh god, pleasssseeeee, someone help me!" I'm not joking and I'm not laughing, and if it was some actor practicing their lines or some kids playing a joke, it was not funny because I'm still reeling from this.
So I hear this scream and in my head, I have two choices. I can stay put, try and usher the pup in (which would likely take hours) and then go call 911, or I could race up the stairs, leaving the one exit open and potentionally allowing my dog to escape to the chicken bone buffett she must think exists somewhere beyond our yard. What would you do? I mean this scream was the most heart-wrentching, desperate cry I've ever heard. Ya'll, I never say ya'll so this needs to have some impact here, it was horrific.
I couldn't tell where it was coming from, but it was at least two blocks away. I felt absolutely useless. A car scooted by, pretty fast but not abnormally so. I took a mental picture just in case, and in my head I saw a terrified girl sitting in the front passenger seat looking at me and silently asking with big, sad eyes, "Why aren't you doing anything?"
I'm haunted because I reasoned that surely someone closer had to of heard. Someone who knew where it was coming from and damn, i'm making excuses but I didn't do it. I remained rooted to the ground as I could feel the guilt build in my body and the weights on my shoulders.
I started fervently trying to get unresponsive pup inside, and finally did so after pretending to go up the stairs myself. But I didn't go right away and make the day-saving phone call. I feel like I let humanity down, but I was torn with what-ifs and could-I-really-make-a-difference-right-nows. Surely someone else heard. Isn't that what people always say, and that's why no one helps anyone anymore?
I'm just sick, sick to my stomach as it bounces around, that scream, that terrifying scream, just bounces around in my head. I heard some sirens a few minutes later, and plan on giving a car description tomorrow, but i just feel so bad and know that my immobility is going to cause me great stress.
Worst part? I'll never know. I'll never know what happened to that poor girl because this is Los Angeles, and bad stuff happens so much, that it rarely makes the news. The news here all seems to be a bust here and a new building there. Actor did this and fatal car accident there. You rarely hear about the stuff that must happen all the time here, like the shootings and the robberies. It's terrifying to think that it's so common, it doesn't even make the news anymore. And I think this because I've looked. After my shooting detours, I watched the news religiously to see what had happened, and nothing. Not even a blurb.
So there. There is what is going to haunt me tonight. Knowing that somewhere near me, something bad happened to someone and I couldn't do anything.
Moving on? Can I move on from that? Is that too heavy to follow with good news? It'll take my, and your, mind off of it, so here we go.
Tomorrow, big day. I'm eating lunch with a friend on the WB Lot and after lunch will have free reign to tour what I wish. And I wish to tour. So that's exciting. Also, I find out if I get the job I interviewed for! (Awesome!) Yes, I got an interview. For reality tv, but hey, it's a gig, and it pays well, and it's an editing job, not an assistant job, so really, what is there to complain about? It's actually perfect for me. And I want it, and I will keep you posted because wow, I find out tomorrow. Life changing people. LIfe changing.
(Speaking of life changing...) My blonde roots are growing in far faster than I ever thought possible. I'm going to need a touch up soon or I'm seriously going to be two-toned, which isn't all that cute.
My dog and I have a strange night ritual where she gets in bed first, when I lay down, if I as much as graze her with my foot or move her covers, she's off of the bed and huffs like I just woke her up as Tramp was feeding her a meatball or something. Then I take reign of the bed and make myself cozy, until that is, I remember I didn't set my alarm clock. Or my computer is dying and I have to plug it in. Or I left the light on. But I have to get up. Almost every night when I'm going to sleep, it's my strange and twisted habit. I always have to get up to do or get something. Dog then jumps up to exactly where my body was and curls up, refusing to move, stubborn and unmovable. It's times like these, where I try and contort my body as to not disturb her, when I wonder why I allow my dog to take over my bed every single night. I'm a guest in my own bed! Pshaw you guys. Pshaw. Then she cuddles me and gives me her little tired eye face, and my bottom lip sticks out as I gently pet her head.
Now seriously, eyes drooping and no aforementioned horrific-ness at the forefront, so I'm going to bed.
You guys be safe out there.
I'm standing in the yard with my dog, who's quite enjoying running away from me as I try to usher her inside. Now, I'd go as far to say that I f'in love having a backyard. Love it! And I love that there's only one way out that I have to guard so she doesn't go for the hills, quite literally. But, you see, I have to guard it. So when she's back there playing, I'm pretty immobilized. Because as fun as the her-not-coming-to-me-when-I-call-her thing we have going on must be for her, it's pretty dangerous when you start dealing with major roads that I live very close to. Oh, and she ain't afraid of no cars. Huh! (Must be sung with the fervor of Ghostbusters.)
Here I am, standing in my spot, letting her do her thing, which seems to be sniffing a spot for minutes upon minutes until I call for her, in which she runs the opposite direction, not skipping a beat, finding a new area to sniff until the process repeats. I keep convincing myself that she doesn't need a leash, but everytime, without fail, I get to the fifteen minute mark and my temper starts to flare a bit. Like shit or get off the grass for real dog. And trying to get her to go inside is impossible, so I'm forced to stand in my spot, or within a five foot radius of my spot, until she feels like moseying on back towards the house. I might have a higher blood pressure, but I'm trying to let her enjoy having a backyard for the first time in what seems to be forever. But she doesn't listen, and as much as I try to train her with treats and goodies, if there's no treat, she's not coming.
There I was, and all of the sudden I hear this horrific scream, a girl no less, screaming, "Help me! Oh god, pleasssseeeee, someone help me!" I'm not joking and I'm not laughing, and if it was some actor practicing their lines or some kids playing a joke, it was not funny because I'm still reeling from this.
So I hear this scream and in my head, I have two choices. I can stay put, try and usher the pup in (which would likely take hours) and then go call 911, or I could race up the stairs, leaving the one exit open and potentionally allowing my dog to escape to the chicken bone buffett she must think exists somewhere beyond our yard. What would you do? I mean this scream was the most heart-wrentching, desperate cry I've ever heard. Ya'll, I never say ya'll so this needs to have some impact here, it was horrific.
I couldn't tell where it was coming from, but it was at least two blocks away. I felt absolutely useless. A car scooted by, pretty fast but not abnormally so. I took a mental picture just in case, and in my head I saw a terrified girl sitting in the front passenger seat looking at me and silently asking with big, sad eyes, "Why aren't you doing anything?"
I'm haunted because I reasoned that surely someone closer had to of heard. Someone who knew where it was coming from and damn, i'm making excuses but I didn't do it. I remained rooted to the ground as I could feel the guilt build in my body and the weights on my shoulders.
I started fervently trying to get unresponsive pup inside, and finally did so after pretending to go up the stairs myself. But I didn't go right away and make the day-saving phone call. I feel like I let humanity down, but I was torn with what-ifs and could-I-really-make-a-difference-right-nows. Surely someone else heard. Isn't that what people always say, and that's why no one helps anyone anymore?
I'm just sick, sick to my stomach as it bounces around, that scream, that terrifying scream, just bounces around in my head. I heard some sirens a few minutes later, and plan on giving a car description tomorrow, but i just feel so bad and know that my immobility is going to cause me great stress.
Worst part? I'll never know. I'll never know what happened to that poor girl because this is Los Angeles, and bad stuff happens so much, that it rarely makes the news. The news here all seems to be a bust here and a new building there. Actor did this and fatal car accident there. You rarely hear about the stuff that must happen all the time here, like the shootings and the robberies. It's terrifying to think that it's so common, it doesn't even make the news anymore. And I think this because I've looked. After my shooting detours, I watched the news religiously to see what had happened, and nothing. Not even a blurb.
So there. There is what is going to haunt me tonight. Knowing that somewhere near me, something bad happened to someone and I couldn't do anything.
Moving on? Can I move on from that? Is that too heavy to follow with good news? It'll take my, and your, mind off of it, so here we go.
Tomorrow, big day. I'm eating lunch with a friend on the WB Lot and after lunch will have free reign to tour what I wish. And I wish to tour. So that's exciting. Also, I find out if I get the job I interviewed for! (Awesome!) Yes, I got an interview. For reality tv, but hey, it's a gig, and it pays well, and it's an editing job, not an assistant job, so really, what is there to complain about? It's actually perfect for me. And I want it, and I will keep you posted because wow, I find out tomorrow. Life changing people. LIfe changing.
(Speaking of life changing...) My blonde roots are growing in far faster than I ever thought possible. I'm going to need a touch up soon or I'm seriously going to be two-toned, which isn't all that cute.
My dog and I have a strange night ritual where she gets in bed first, when I lay down, if I as much as graze her with my foot or move her covers, she's off of the bed and huffs like I just woke her up as Tramp was feeding her a meatball or something. Then I take reign of the bed and make myself cozy, until that is, I remember I didn't set my alarm clock. Or my computer is dying and I have to plug it in. Or I left the light on. But I have to get up. Almost every night when I'm going to sleep, it's my strange and twisted habit. I always have to get up to do or get something. Dog then jumps up to exactly where my body was and curls up, refusing to move, stubborn and unmovable. It's times like these, where I try and contort my body as to not disturb her, when I wonder why I allow my dog to take over my bed every single night. I'm a guest in my own bed! Pshaw you guys. Pshaw. Then she cuddles me and gives me her little tired eye face, and my bottom lip sticks out as I gently pet her head.
Now seriously, eyes drooping and no aforementioned horrific-ness at the forefront, so I'm going to bed.
You guys be safe out there.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Yes, Excuse Me, I'm Very Important
There's some great feeling that comes with being important. Or people thinking you are, anyway. (Hey, it's the next best thing, right?)
Here I am, sitting across from a the real life version of Michel from Gilmore girls, in a building lobby of Beverly Hills, typing on my laptop as I open the door for people and check their names off of a list. I'm the mysterious person who looks important. My roommate is producing a movie, that hired me as the editor today, (woo?). They needed someone to let these actors in that are coming to audition for the part. It's not that I'm not being friendly, I am. It's just I have internet access and am bored out of my mind, so when I barely look at them, it's not because I'm being snotty, it's because I'm playing an intense game of Sudoku or reading some stories, or hey, writing a blog.
Now when these actors walk in, they look around like they are unsure of what to do next. That's when I speak up. I make sure they look at least a little confused before I do so, just to ensure they don't actually work in the building or something. When I ask them if they are here for the audition, they smile warmly towards me and gravitate my way.
Now, I believe in humanity for the most part. I'm sure that many of these people truly are interested in my day and hope that I'm doing well. But after while, all the niceness had me thinking. These people must think I'm powerful. They must think that I'm going to have some sort of say in their casting. Yesterday, I had multiple laughs at my not-so-funny jokes and one man called me a goddess for waving a piece of paper in front of a motion detector that would open the door for him to enter. Also for this motion, I was compared to the Fonze. For waving a piece of paper. (Let it be known I have stopped even looking at the door as I do this, let alone actually opening it for them.)
Maybe they feed off of each other. One person is nice, and everyone miscontrues it as me being very important. I've never had so many doors opened for me in my life. Some guy just gave me a rose. A rose.
So I'm not complaining here. I like feeling important. I don't mind that these people think I'm someone I'm not. Yes, I ask them their names, but I certainly am not marking down points for how many times they make me feel like a princess. Little do they know, I'm not all that important and will probably have nothing to do with the casting. For the better as it seems. ("He'd be perfect!" "Really? Why?" "Well he gave me a rose so....")
And then this woman walks in and I swear it's Sharon Osbourne. But I can't tell for sure and don't want to stare. And then she comes back and I look again. Still unsure, I decide that it had to of been her. It is only when this Michel wanna-be asks me if that was Sharon Osbourne do I feel like, yes, I saw my first celebrity in Los Angeles. He then mumbled something about her having an office here and I figure it had to be her! Woo! My first celebrity sighting and she was so nice! Or well, she smiled at me.
This casting thing has been an interesting experience. Just watching how the actors size each other up subtly. Looking at their competition. No one has even spoken to each other, this only being especially awkward early in the evening when the first four were told to wait in the lobby with me while they finished setting up. With two chairs and not a lot of room, it was quite a relief to finally get that phone call that said, "Send 'em up!"
Well I'm back to looking important. Only a little longer of this treatment and then I'm back to being unimportant minion walking the street.
Here I am, sitting across from a the real life version of Michel from Gilmore girls, in a building lobby of Beverly Hills, typing on my laptop as I open the door for people and check their names off of a list. I'm the mysterious person who looks important. My roommate is producing a movie, that hired me as the editor today, (woo?). They needed someone to let these actors in that are coming to audition for the part. It's not that I'm not being friendly, I am. It's just I have internet access and am bored out of my mind, so when I barely look at them, it's not because I'm being snotty, it's because I'm playing an intense game of Sudoku or reading some stories, or hey, writing a blog.
Now when these actors walk in, they look around like they are unsure of what to do next. That's when I speak up. I make sure they look at least a little confused before I do so, just to ensure they don't actually work in the building or something. When I ask them if they are here for the audition, they smile warmly towards me and gravitate my way.
Now, I believe in humanity for the most part. I'm sure that many of these people truly are interested in my day and hope that I'm doing well. But after while, all the niceness had me thinking. These people must think I'm powerful. They must think that I'm going to have some sort of say in their casting. Yesterday, I had multiple laughs at my not-so-funny jokes and one man called me a goddess for waving a piece of paper in front of a motion detector that would open the door for him to enter. Also for this motion, I was compared to the Fonze. For waving a piece of paper. (Let it be known I have stopped even looking at the door as I do this, let alone actually opening it for them.)
Maybe they feed off of each other. One person is nice, and everyone miscontrues it as me being very important. I've never had so many doors opened for me in my life. Some guy just gave me a rose. A rose.
So I'm not complaining here. I like feeling important. I don't mind that these people think I'm someone I'm not. Yes, I ask them their names, but I certainly am not marking down points for how many times they make me feel like a princess. Little do they know, I'm not all that important and will probably have nothing to do with the casting. For the better as it seems. ("He'd be perfect!" "Really? Why?" "Well he gave me a rose so....")
And then this woman walks in and I swear it's Sharon Osbourne. But I can't tell for sure and don't want to stare. And then she comes back and I look again. Still unsure, I decide that it had to of been her. It is only when this Michel wanna-be asks me if that was Sharon Osbourne do I feel like, yes, I saw my first celebrity in Los Angeles. He then mumbled something about her having an office here and I figure it had to be her! Woo! My first celebrity sighting and she was so nice! Or well, she smiled at me.
This casting thing has been an interesting experience. Just watching how the actors size each other up subtly. Looking at their competition. No one has even spoken to each other, this only being especially awkward early in the evening when the first four were told to wait in the lobby with me while they finished setting up. With two chairs and not a lot of room, it was quite a relief to finally get that phone call that said, "Send 'em up!"
Well I'm back to looking important. Only a little longer of this treatment and then I'm back to being unimportant minion walking the street.
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