My First Production Assistant Gig

            I have just finished my first production assistant gig this morning!  Though it entails crumpling brown paper to create a cave, I’ll receive a credit and a premiere party invitation. Dressed in a pink Ralph Lauren polo shirt and Ann Taylor shorts, I’ve noticed that I don’t have enough grunt-work clothes.  I attribute this to being a highly ranked Program Analyst.  There are people who do this for me; however, I am at the bottom rung of the film industry so I might have to hit a couple of Labor Day sales to have a decent collection.  I will email the executive director thanking her for giving me my first shot and telling her that I am available for future opportunities.  Building my resume is my goal. While enrolled in the studio production class, I will book 2-3 more production assistant jobs.  I will have a solid resume.  This job is my first step.

Personal Enrichment Is a Must

            Watching these student videos make me want to hand them a copy of Story  by Robert McKee!  Their pictures would be so much better!  Oftentimes, you read on the required textbooks instead of those on the strongly recommended list.  I admit when I was a student I only read from the former. Now as an adult, I understand the personal enrichment concept.  Though I attend Writer Center workshops, I read as many books from the recommended list as possible to learn more tips.  I’ve learned more from these books than the lectures.  I like Story because even though it was written 15 years ago in 1997, it is eye-opening. 

            After I complete Story, I’ll start reading The Screenwriter’s Bible.  Forget the fact that the USDA Graduate School has cancelled its screenwriting class, I’m still reading its assigned textbook.  As I age, I’ve claimed responsibility for my own education.  Monday, I’ll call USDA asking about the class’ status. Still I’ll order the book to prepare me for ScriptFrenzy and April’s volunteer film role.  I must know what I’m talking about.  Moreover, the Writer Center won’t offer filmmaking until mid-May.  That 1 ½ months later.  Besides, I’m on my personal timetable where I must write no less than three 20-minute TV episodes during ScriptFrenzy in order to pitch my concept to Aspire TV.  I have been looking into learning about filming and cinematography.  I am adamant about creating my own sizzle reel to accompany my TV pitch.  Of course, I’ll have all of my newly acquired film friends.  I have the money so I’ll attend in April as many workshops as possible to absorb as much knowledge.  Remember, this is a business and possessing working knowledge of cinematography helps me establish expectations.

            My business mentality has helped me find creative opportunities.  Combine this with my MBA, project management certification and professional film membership, and I’ll blow up the industry!  I am ready to hit the ground running.  I’ve just joined the film organization today and will research area film schools for workshops because I will become the full package.  I haven’t ignored my online Ed2Go courses that hold me over whenever the Writer Center or UDC doesn’t offer the classes that I need.  I’ve just scored 86% on my Breaking into Sitcom TV writing final and scored 100% on Descriptive Settings quizzes 1 and 2.  This week I might pay $99 to enroll in Ed2Go’s Pleasures of Poetry because I must expand my creativity and vocabulary.  In addition, I might rollover my $87 to attend the Writer Center’s Syntax seminar to improve my wordplay.  These classes are personal investment ensuring that I keep learn and honing my craft to get picked up by the network.

Lights, Camera, Business! Day One at the Hill Center's Workshop

             As a Writer Center member, I subscribe to the Hill Center’s newsletter.  On Wednesday I saw An Insider’s Guide to the Business of Media class.  Immediately I wanted to attend.  I emailed the staff about receiving a Writer Center discount.  The staff responded that it was independent of the Hill Center.  I paid the money because learning about the business was what was needed to get my TV pilot launched. 

            This is the best money I’ve ever spent thus far on a class!  As soon as the first seminar starts, I learn something new. This film workshop makes me proud to have an MBA, because I understand the bottom line. It’s amazing how creativity types don’t value LinkedIn. It’s only the go-to business networking site! I know that even MGM, Miramax and Warner Brothers have LinkedIn profiles. Remember, it’s a business. I’m glad the professional at our table drives home this point. ‘You want something working for you when you are asleep!’ He also stresses 1-page resumes because it shows your editing skills.  As a science/business type with a 2-pager, this is news to me.  I’ll get on that immediately!  Also joining TV professional organizations help expand your network enabling you to get jobs.  Furthermore, during the break, I meet with a lady who sits on an organizational board that interests me.  I’m unclear about which membership category I fit since I’m not in the industry.  When I mention professional, she concurs.  I get to save $20 off because I’ve attended today’s workshop.  That’s money in the bank!  This is proof positive that even with the plethora of Skype, online chats and instant messaging, face-to-face still dominates.  There’s no pretense.  You get the answer ASAP!

My business background has aided me during the afternoon session.  When attendees ask about how much creative control they have when pitching their show ideas, I wholeheartedly understand one of the executive’s responses that she has a budget and viewership metrics to meet.  I think that so many of the students and other participants are so busy creating, they aren’t quantifying.  Everything costs money.  Afterward, we exchange business cards and I head home knowing that I have so work to do because I want to feedback on my TV pilot show.  Better get it tomorrow during the pitch session. 

This first day has given me so many ideas and goals to set allowing me to build my resume.  The announcement has a resume workshop flummoxing me because I am in the industry.  Throughout this first day, I learn that I can volunteer and network to create one.  This motivates me to join the women’s professional organization and look to joining some more.  In addition, there are an abundance of project management jobs.  The fact that I have project management certification and writing experience, I know that I can get jobs in film.  Today and tomorrow I will evaluate my transferable skills to land me a film job.