Sun, Oct 15, 2017
In earlier episodes, I discuss sexual violence and predatory behavior that unfortunately happens in certain circles in the entertainment world. Something I wanted to touch upon is another form of violation that happens far too often; identity theft. Identity theft is another form of violation that can happen to you or someone you know. It happens when someone steals your personal information and uses it without your permission. It is a serious crime and is growing all of the time. When one falls victim to identity theft, it can create a lot of problems with your finances, damage your credit history, and even effect your reputation. But many people don't know is that your personal information is a valuable commodity. Everything from your social security number, credit card numbers, even access to your email or social media account is of value to someone other than you. Someone having your social security number can apply for additional credit cards, bank loans, and even get medical care, all without your knowledge. Two good friends had someone use their credit card information to purchase automobiles from different car dealerships without their knowledge. They both ended up getting the F.B.I. involved.
Wed, Oct 18, 2017
My filmmaking friends have made fun of me for working in television for so many years instead of being more dedicated to film. I would often respond, "Yes, but at least I'm not broke and borrowing money from you." I planned on being one of the top contributors in the visual communications arena, and I have. I have beaten the ten-year formula by years and have been very fortunate with the achievements I have accomplished. I am an exception to what most people consider the rule in this town, but my success has been largely in television. While I was in school, I identified that perceived stability exists more in the television world than it does in the film world. You can work steadily with television, in some cases year round, with health benefits and contributions into your 401k. Unless you are part of a production company creating films with a steady stream of projects, or you're part of a crew that works with one director that has films lined up for years, chances are, you'll be a waiter and hoping to be discovered or to get your big break. This also holds true if you want to be in front of the camera. You need to keep an open mind and to be flexible no matter what. If you want to direct, go shoot something on your days off. If you're an actor, get involved with a theatre company and get on that stage. No matter what, just keep doing it.
Fri, Nov 24, 2017
One thing a lot of young filmmakers get hung up has to do with resources. Some people have access to a lot of resources. Whether they have a good job, have very generous parents with deep pockets, or decided to take their college tuition money and invest it in a film. For the rest of us, resources don't come so easily. We may barely get by from the job as a cashier or stock person at the local supermarket. Or maybe you're like me and others I know who chose to drop everything in our lives, made a conscious choice to move to another city, to live in our cars just so we can go and study film and digital media as part of following our dreams. There comes a time where we reach a crossroads in our careers and in our lives, that we either go for it, and just do it, or we get sucked into this negative perpetual cycle that many people fall into. We either scrap up every little bit of energy, money, patience, and everything else we can get our hands on and follow our dreams, and for us it's to make a motion picture. Or we just buckle under the continuous pressure dropped upon us by our surroundings, the toxic naysayers, and by ourselves. This is especially true for many I've met over the years in Los Angeles, in part due to the constant beatings everyone goes through especially in their early careers, just to keep a roof over their heads. Not too mention the day-to-day predators on the prowl we all have to watch out for, looking for the next victims to rip off or far worst.
Thu, Nov 30, 2017
"Assigning value to my work? We worked on it, damn it. It has value, to me!" Um, yes. And to everyone who worked on it, of course it has value. You've all sweat, bled, cried, lost sleep. That is true. But there has been a shift in recent years, where independent films, and for television series as well, where the perceived worth of projects being produced has diminished. During a conversation I was in recently, the question of assigning value came up by a filmmaker who has directed and produced mostly features and some episodics, and for most of his career had a hard time getting any kind of financial return. There were several reasons for this. Some financial models for television for example have followed the financial model based on inexpensive cookie-cutter reality shows. A problem we've seen over and over again where offers were so low to produce a series, no more than three people can be on any of the actual shoots, for very little pay, if any. And what I mean is that the little bit the production did get went into two of the three people of the shoot, and into post.
Thu, Jan 4, 2018
When I first decided to begin The New Hollywood Generation, I envisioned a movement of like-minded individuals interested in all aspects of filmmaking. This is important, especially in places like Los Angeles, because even if you are surrounded by others of similar interests, similar skillsets, age, and even similar a place in your career, it's easy to be caught up in your own bubble and not know a whole other world of people and opportunities exist in close proximity.