Well, its official, I am finally a real member of the workforce. I have landed the forty hour a week job and now support myself! Wow.
I hadn't really shared anything here with much of anyone since I had no idea where I was going and where I was going to end up. But thats part of the journey, which is one of my fav aspects about the biz/Hollywood. For the most part everyone has a different story on how they got in and not that I am in, but well I support myself and live in LA. And as far as my journey goes, this is one step closer to where I would like to go.
So as part of the journey, here is the latest entry --
I graduated in May and begin looking for work. I get a call to do some freelance work at Trailer Park - where I interned. Did that for a month, but also picked up a church camp to pay my rent. So I took a trip to Florida while I began looking for work. At the same time I was awaiting word from Disney. If I hadn't mentioned I had met an editor of a TV show and was trying to get on the show. However I found out in July that they hired someone internally at Disney for the position. I again set out looking for work. A friend got me an interview at a shop in town so I went in to interview. It went well, but again they went internally. I spent a chunk of time in July beefing up my resume, my reel and my website. I wanted to sell myself as a brand. Or at least make it look that I know what I am doing. Anything to set me away from the pack. With no job in mid July I took a 2nd camp and went back to Florida. Big thanks to both churches, I don't know how I would have done it otherwise. And also mixed into this was a few minor freelance gigs, mostly graphics work. Oh, and a wedding. Pays to be versatile!
After returning to LA at the end of July, I began compiling a list of places in town -- trailer houses primarily -- and got a list of 40 together. I called every single one of them and asked where I could send my Demo Reel/Resume. I got both physical address and emails. Most places were not hiring. Actually I don't even know if there was one place I sent to that was hiring. I think the split was 10 hard copies (demo reel DVD/resume) and 30 soft copies. See, the website paid off with me just sending a link. I sent everything out at the beginning of August.
Within 4 days of sending off the hard copies I get a call from a place in town. They ask me to come in and work as a freelance Runner/PA. That one day spurred into the next 4 weeks. After sometime I wondered what what was going to come of everything and where was I going to end up? Then I got a call this week to do an interview at another shop in town, so I took it . For the record the two places I got contacts from where places I sent hard copies to, FYI. On Thursday I took a half day from where I was freelancing and went into this new place. Like any post house, its got a cool and laid back interior. Moments after arriving I begin interviewing and had to say I wasn't feeling it. Back at the place I was freelancing I ran into the president and he asked me into a brief meeting. We chatted about things and my work over the last few weeks and before long he offered me a full time position. That really turned the day around, which had previously been a hurricane of confusion.
I have to say it was one of the hardest things to do, just to get a job. And a job that is just a Production Assistant/ Runner job. But because I had to work so hard to get it, its worth that much more to me. And at the end of the day I am quite excited to have landed the position and I hope it will move me along the way that is my journey.
Will say this everyone, if you didn't know already, in Hollywood, its who you know before what you know. Just make sure you can back up your promises!
Also I have been reading a book -- Hollywood Assistants Handbook. Its a basic intro to being an assistant in Hollywood. Now its more or less for people working for someone behind a desk. But I think it offers great insight to what Hollywood is really like. Its a nice reminder that its not all glitz and glamour. Especially when you first start out here. So anyone fresh out of school or almost out and wanting to come out to this place should defiantly read it. Its great stuff!
Oh, here is think for a downer -- in mid August I parked my car in a no parking after such an hour place. And while I was awaiting a package, they towed my car! Ouch. I hear its a regular occurrence, so watch out. And I can laugh about it now -- I do have a job...
This week is going to be a big week -- both One Day and Dear to the One will be playing at two venues in separate states! As mention below, you can read more about the Desert High Shorts IFF... 
