Sun, Aug 12, 2018
On the positive side, the 'Hollywood, Unapologetic!' channel popped up to number one in the search rankings for "filmmaking" channels on YouTube for a few days last week. Considering the search volume is extremely high for the filmmaking topic, and the other channels that rank high consistently has hundreds of thousand subscribers and some even over one million, I think that's pretty damn good. And the 'Hollywood, Unapologetic!' channel has ranked number one consistently in the search rankings for "filmmaking essentials" for several months as well, with the closest ranking channel has over 400,000 subscribers. Not too shabby.
Sun, Sep 2, 2018
The 'Hollywood, Unapologetic!' channel popped up to number one in the search rankings for "filmmaking" channels on YouTube for several days over the course of two weeks. That was a very welcome thing to see. Thank you New Hollywood Generation. Considering the search volume is extremely high for the filmmaking topic, and the other channels that rank high consistently has hundreds of thousand subscribers and some even over one million, I think that's pretty damn good. And the 'Hollywood, Unapologetic!' channel has ranked number one consistently in the search rankings for "filmmaking essentials" for a better part of the year as well. Thank you again New Hollywood Generation. About two and a half months ago or so, I picked up several steel wire-shelving units to house my two Macs and other production related gear I use for the series, two of which, I was able to attach two umbrellas two soft boxes, my microphone boom, and also attach the green screen stand as well. I built a box out of the shelving units to build a green screen stage if you will, which helped me keep the lighting and audio set up consistent. But during this process I chipped one of my Apple Cinema Displays. While setting up the wire shelving for my workstation, the glass broke. There's a crack along the front of the screen spreading across more than a third of the way across.
Sun, Sep 30, 2018
One of my internal hard drives was showing signs of failure three episodes ago, which prompted me to stop producing these episodes and do some maintenance. I was able to stay somewhat productive using my iMac to run the maintenance needed on my Mac Pro. I was able to pick up a four-terabyte Western Digital external hard drive and moved a lot of files around. Between moving files around, a deep virus scan, and drive maintenance, everything else production orientated stopped. During this time demanding process, the drive that was showing signs of failing failed. Fortunately, no data was lost - which brings us to today. The new drives arrived. One of the executive producers of this series purchased two new Western Digital Black hard drives. When he ordered them, they were supposed to come directly to me, but they were sent to him instead and that added further delay.
Sun, Oct 21, 2018
Recently, a long-time friend was fired from a show she has been working on for ten years. Although she may have been known for being the voice of the series on camera, her duties ranged from writing and producing, to picture cutting and directing as well. For her tenure there, she fell victim to sexual harassment from her male co-workers. And like many workplaces in our industry, the value system leans very much towards a men controlled patriarchal ecosystem, very much a boy's club. As time went by, the sexual harassment grew, and so did retaliatory behavior. She went to her union with no resolve. And as a way to get back at her, the senior staff made It more difficult for her to do her job by in part going out of their way to not have resources available until right before deadlines were due. She had little support, and in many ways became a one-woman-show. But as so many individuals, who land a decent work situation in our industry, puts up with the toxicity that comes along with it. And for any of you whom has had to do the everyday grind to find work in the Hollywood trenches knows firsthand, when a somewhat steady situation comes along, take it and do what you can to stick it out.
Sun, Oct 28, 2018
In the previous episode, we discussed sexual harassment in the entertainment industry, and the how the value system leans very much towards a men controlled patriarchal ecosystem, very much a boy's club. One thing I brought up time-and-time again were stories of how intimidation runs rampantly throughout the entertainment industry. Many use intimidation tactics to keep up-and-coming talent at bay. Many of them fall into a group I call "The Yellers," I've been fortunate enough to avoid much direct contact with those producers who like to measure their own dicks all of the time. I mean the yellers; I call them this, because they are yelling at the top of their lungs about unimportant matters of no consequence most of the time. These are often producers at smaller production companies or agencies. You'll know them fairly quickly because they are most likely related to the guy standing in an underwear ad in a magazine. You know -- the one holding a cup filled with pomposity and pointing out into space. "Ah, the flavor means, I'm a dick." Hopefully, he's not that guy . . .
Sun, Nov 11, 2018
For those who don't know, pornography is the explicit portrayal of sexual subject matter. It applies to the depiction of the act rather than the act itself. It can be a lucrative enterprise if you're a producer of content, but the industry has a copiously grotesque underbelly different from the mainstream world of entertainment.
It has been my observation that there are juxtapositions between the beautiful and the deadly in this industry. You can have physically attractive women choosing to create a brand for themselves and exploit the available technological and cultural trends to their advantage on one side.
On the other, you find dark extremes like snuff films, child pornography, suicide, or even some who fall victim to human trafficking and a life in the sex trades. There's a crazy range of things that can happen in different corners of this industry, and it is extremely toxic as a whole for many.
Before I go any further, I want to stress the importance of planning and being diligent in your research. This is a theme I bring up throughout this series and my books, because I strongly believe that your chances of success and longevity are increased by preparation.
With that said, I don't wish to get into discussing adult entertainment too deeply. I have included this topic, because some of you watching this may consider working in the adult industry when times are tough.
Don't say that some of you would never consider it. It's just something that crosses people's minds when they are hungry and looking for a solution. And in Los Angeles and other cities, some go looking in this direction for their solution.
There are some misconceptions of the business side of this industry I will get into shortly that you should be aware of if you truly want to get into the adult industry.
I will not get into moral or political opinions, because I'm not trying to be on a soapbox. I just want those of you that are considering this to realize that this is a trap in itself and what you can easily be pulled into.
This episode is not written as a scare tactic but rather to inform you what is really out there. It only touches the surface of an industry that has allures and traps similar to the mainstream entertainment industry, but it can have more profound consequences.
I've met many young women who have come to Los Angeles to become film stars with no real plan; some fall into this world either out of desperation or with an ignorance of what truly may be at stake.
It has been my observation that there are juxtapositions between the beautiful and the deadly in this industry. You can have physically attractive women choosing to create a brand for themselves and exploit the available technological and cultural trends to their advantage on one side.
On the other, you find dark extremes like snuff films, child pornography, suicide, or even some who fall victim to human trafficking and a life in the sex trades. There's a crazy range of things that can happen in different corners of this industry, and it is extremely toxic as a whole for many.
Before I go any further, I want to stress the importance of planning and being diligent in your research. This is a theme I bring up throughout this series and my books, because I strongly believe that your chances of success and longevity are increased by preparation.
With that said, I don't wish to get into discussing adult entertainment too deeply. I have included this topic, because some of you watching this may consider working in the adult industry when times are tough.
Don't say that some of you would never consider it. It's just something that crosses people's minds when they are hungry and looking for a solution. And in Los Angeles and other cities, some go looking in this direction for their solution.
There are some misconceptions of the business side of this industry I will get into shortly that you should be aware of if you truly want to get into the adult industry.
I will not get into moral or political opinions, because I'm not trying to be on a soapbox. I just want those of you that are considering this to realize that this is a trap in itself and what you can easily be pulled into.
This episode is not written as a scare tactic but rather to inform you what is really out there. It only touches the surface of an industry that has allures and traps similar to the mainstream entertainment industry, but it can have more profound consequences.
I've met many young women who have come to Los Angeles to become film stars with no real plan; some fall into this world either out of desperation or with an ignorance of what truly may be at stake.
Mon, Nov 26, 2018
What are your reasons for not being a filmmaker? Why do you feel you will not be a success? Give that a little thought. And what is your definition of success? Fame? Money? Success is defined by being able to have the quality of life you want. And those that are truly successful, help those around them succeed as well. And by the way, money can bring comfort, but it doesn't guarantee happiness. Fame can offer ego-boosting attention, but at what cost? Loss of privacy? Loss of building true relationships that isn't one-sided? And so many stresses that come along with money and fame if you don't have a balanced life. Far too many people look at where they are in their life and compare themselves with others. They look at their past, and hardships you and your family had still weigh down on you. And many let those hardships become his or her identity. You and I, and everyone have something that may not have been ideal in our lives.
Sun, Feb 17, 2019
Let me ask you, "Do you feel you have good people in your life? Do you have honest friendships and relationships? Are those relationships at all one-sided?" The truth is, developing honest friendships within the Hollywood trenches is all too often not real. Sometimes those we have known for many years turn out to only be "good-time friends" once your success fluctuates. Key words here, "your success." Remember that. I'm going to share with you my personal story that takes place around Emmy®. Or better said, her "Hollywood" backstory, and the value of true friendships in this business.
Sun, Mar 10, 2019
Are you doing what you love? Or do you feel stuck and unchallenged? Do you want to make a living at something you are naturally good at? Do you feel there may be a time limit on your success? The truth is, knowing what the definition of success is for you will help determine your path, and your longevity in this business. And this is true in all aspects of life. I'm going to share with you my fourteen steps for success. These are all steps that I have had to take into account decades ago when I first began my journey in the entertainment space, and what they've evolved into to work in today's world.
Sun, Mar 31, 2019
"Are you someone who waits for the right time to do something? Are you someone who makes the time right on his or her terms?" -- Hmmm. Do you know the difference between the two? It's something to think about? The truth is, knowing the difference and honestly knowing which of the two you are can make or break how successful you are in the entertainment industry and in life. Understanding self-discipline becomes a lifestyle, and is crucial for success. I'm going to share with you the 18 things I had to be mindful of and how I brought together my life and work experiences as part of building a success strategy, built entirely on the foundations of self-discipline.
Sat, Mar 23, 2019
I'm doing something a little different today. I ended up staying up last night watching videos of all of these Broadway performers. They were performing off stage. They were performing in subway stations, on planes, in malls, that kind of thing. And it really got me thinking about the differences between Los Angeles and New York. Being a New Yorker who has been in Los Angeles for so many years, I definitely know what the difference is. Everything from cost of living; both places are expensive. New York is definitely more expensive. But also the attitudes, the egos, the whole thing is just very different. And I mention this because, when I was watching these videos in particular, the one that really stood out was from Lion King. And I believe it was the touring company. They sung, Circle of Life. It just really stuck with me. They're on a New York subway. I bring all this up because when you're considering, "what do you want to do?" That's a question you have to ask yourself. I know in Los Angeles, I was asked that over and over again by so many people when I first met them, the first few years of my being there.
Sun, Apr 7, 2019
"Does the great unknown make you feel uneasy during the filmmaking process? Or are you enthusiastic to the point you may not be best prepared in following a game plan? It's something to think about? The truth is identifying if you fit either one of these two categories is important because all too often something gets overlooked, protecting yourself. And the most common things I've seen so many aspiring content creators and filmmakers sidestep have to do with protecting one's intellectual property. I'm going to share with you the three types of intellectual property law many young filmmakers fail to fully understand in his or her first few years. And in doing so, they totally miss the importance of protecting their intellectual property.
Sun, Apr 14, 2019
"Did you know that some groups use coercion through blackmail as a way to control its members? Did you know some groups target those in the entertainment space? Did you know sexual slavery in Hollywood and in the entertainment world is a real thing? It's something to think about? The truth is, many get caught up in schemes by the many predators hovering in and around the Hollywood trenches and in the various corners of the entertainment world. And for some, a life of financial and sexual servitude, including sexual slavery and forced labor occurs. I'm going to share with you a brief story of Allison Mack, an actress known for her role on "Smallville," who pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy and racketeering relating to her alleged role in a sex trafficking case. This directly relates to those wanting to "break in" to Hollywood, because one of the programs, which she co-created, was used to recruit actors. And in her defense, her lawyers argued that if the Church of Scientology is not guilty of exploiting forced labor through blackmail, then neither is she.