Personally, with all the internet and YouTube videos and just clubs around your hometown, I think film school is pretty useless. Yes, you meet people, but those aren't typically people who do get your foot in the door. And, in terms of where you want to be in the industry, most of the time the instructors know less than you do. In fact, no one knows how to get a foot into the business. They only know how THEY got into the business.
But I understand...the word "school" makes it palpable to a lot of people. For one thing, you get validated through instructors who have worked in the business (at least they should). And also you are learning to follow a curriculum. But, honestly, nearly everyone I've met in the business who finished film school aren't working in the industry at the place they want to be. Because this business lacks common sense. Typically, you get a degree and you're placed in a job. That's it. Nope.
For the amount of money you pay, it doesn't pay off immediately. In fact, you should brace yourself in knowing that you start from the bottom. Which is where you would've started had you not gone to film school. That "bottom" is an opportunity to learn. Film school sometimes does make you a "know it all" which no one likes (I was one). I suggest interning somewhere. A LOT of actresses I knew took jobs as desk clerks in agencies (it's horrible from what I hear). But with the #metoo movement, you probably will experience less sweaty nasty men. I mean that for the gay actors too (redundant). Just kidding. But let's say management or agent sees you. Yes, I understand this is a ploy a TON of people do, but it may work for you.
From what I see though, these schools are simply for some bright creative types who are fearful of the "real world." Which I don't blame them. Every single person working in this business today fears what is in store for tomorrow. Or has to continually fight for things. Even at the highest level. In school, you are insulated with a curriculum. Bright students embrace this. But it has no practical application because it is also a business.
In creative schools there is a sense of vindictiveness and resentment that comes with being a creative type. At first, you can clutch your pearls in horror at the amount of pettiness, but you realize this is actually closer to the "real world" than coddling you. Which a lot of institutions do...because they want your money (sorry, it's true...numbers game). Also they want diversity. When I went to film school in 1998, there was two Asian people...in Los Angeles. They had to recruit me and my (now) friend from Florida and Ohio.
Anyway, I'm not suggesting you not go to school. But question your motives. Most of us were there to hide from the reality of the business, which, at the time, didn't have internet, so the mountain was hidden. Today, you can do your research and find out what works for you. For the most part, I suspect most of you are there to hide from real responsibility. Continue the party until it ends. I don't blame you.
Monday, June 17, 2019
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Gay Pride Month
To be honest, the gays have won. They get recognition for...fuck if I know. But they're happy and they want you to know. Here's the thing...no one cares anymore. In 1985 I think it would've been a big deal. But press and media have blown it (heh heh heh) out of proportion. Because most heteros don't care. And you are fucking with our traffic.
As I've said in past blogs, having gays in your neighborhood are a great thing. They make the neighborhood nice and clean. They are respectful when it comes to not bugging you. And it isn't like they're teaching your kids to suck dick. That's a hetero pedophile that does that. And, in case you weren't paying attention, the more guilt ridden you make a gay, the more they attack children (Catholic priests).
To me, it requires no month to celebrate sexuality. NO sexuality should be celebrated with a parade. I mean, seriously. We get it, and we like you and we're use to it now. So give it a rest.
As I've said in past blogs, having gays in your neighborhood are a great thing. They make the neighborhood nice and clean. They are respectful when it comes to not bugging you. And it isn't like they're teaching your kids to suck dick. That's a hetero pedophile that does that. And, in case you weren't paying attention, the more guilt ridden you make a gay, the more they attack children (Catholic priests).
To me, it requires no month to celebrate sexuality. NO sexuality should be celebrated with a parade. I mean, seriously. We get it, and we like you and we're use to it now. So give it a rest.
Monday, June 3, 2019
Dread
Do you know the concept of "dread"?
There are a lot of people in this world now that live in a constant condition of dread. It is the reluctance to face what is ahead. Most likely because it means some form of pain.
A lot of people wake up to it. Either going to school, work, dentist, mechanics, having to make rent...it's just a constant barrage of it.
Most people don't know this word, but know it by the way it feels. I think it sits in the subconscious. Like "man, Monday's suck." I would say you dread Mondays.
There is also a very dark version of dread, which is the one linked closer to death. I dread finding out the news of a loved one dying or dead. My Mom rarely answers the phone for this reason (and if she does, you can hear it in her voice).
I didn't realize how much of this I did get from my Mom. Not that I dread life...in fact, it's been great to me. REALLY great (comparatively to things I've read or heard). But I think when I wake up in the morning I think of everything I must do before I can get back to a comfortable spot (to watch 80's sitcoms tee-hee). It is a low level sense of dread. For other things that I can't speak of now, but I believe my Mom suffers from what others in this world may feel as a part of their dread which is...
...we have no control over our lives.
Nope. You don't. You can make choices, yes, and there is free will. But the world doesn't have a bubble around you to make it 100%. The dread most people probably feel is the lack of control. Think about it...you go to work...for what? So you can pay bills. Is that control? You go to the gym or exercise. For what? So you don't have a heart attack. Is that control?
If you come to the realization that the facade of control can be relinquished, I think you live a more enriched life. Because you understand that nature, Earth, celestial beings and the afterlife is around you. The illusion is that we have control. Especially in how we guide our lives (so we think). Or how others try to anyway. But we really don't have a choice. Our bodies will betray us, regardless of choice. This the thought that makes every second of every day precious.
I realize the people who have committed suicide in our lives lived in dread. Instead of embrace the lack of control (by the way, I feel their out of control behavior is due to the inability to control...guess what killing yourself offers...control). I think that once your dread level exceeds your acceptable living standards level, you do the unthinkable.
To me, it is a massive relief to know things happen regardless of your existence. While it's nice to consider that people rely on you and need you and the memories are precious. Absolutely there is sadness. But there were living beings here on Earth before us on a daily basis that tackled the topics we think about today.
The best thing for dread? Relinquish control. Stop being upset if things aren't turning out the way you want it to. Expectations are great, but don't let it consume you.
There are a lot of people in this world now that live in a constant condition of dread. It is the reluctance to face what is ahead. Most likely because it means some form of pain.
A lot of people wake up to it. Either going to school, work, dentist, mechanics, having to make rent...it's just a constant barrage of it.
Most people don't know this word, but know it by the way it feels. I think it sits in the subconscious. Like "man, Monday's suck." I would say you dread Mondays.
There is also a very dark version of dread, which is the one linked closer to death. I dread finding out the news of a loved one dying or dead. My Mom rarely answers the phone for this reason (and if she does, you can hear it in her voice).
I didn't realize how much of this I did get from my Mom. Not that I dread life...in fact, it's been great to me. REALLY great (comparatively to things I've read or heard). But I think when I wake up in the morning I think of everything I must do before I can get back to a comfortable spot (to watch 80's sitcoms tee-hee). It is a low level sense of dread. For other things that I can't speak of now, but I believe my Mom suffers from what others in this world may feel as a part of their dread which is...
...we have no control over our lives.
Nope. You don't. You can make choices, yes, and there is free will. But the world doesn't have a bubble around you to make it 100%. The dread most people probably feel is the lack of control. Think about it...you go to work...for what? So you can pay bills. Is that control? You go to the gym or exercise. For what? So you don't have a heart attack. Is that control?
If you come to the realization that the facade of control can be relinquished, I think you live a more enriched life. Because you understand that nature, Earth, celestial beings and the afterlife is around you. The illusion is that we have control. Especially in how we guide our lives (so we think). Or how others try to anyway. But we really don't have a choice. Our bodies will betray us, regardless of choice. This the thought that makes every second of every day precious.
I realize the people who have committed suicide in our lives lived in dread. Instead of embrace the lack of control (by the way, I feel their out of control behavior is due to the inability to control...guess what killing yourself offers...control). I think that once your dread level exceeds your acceptable living standards level, you do the unthinkable.
To me, it is a massive relief to know things happen regardless of your existence. While it's nice to consider that people rely on you and need you and the memories are precious. Absolutely there is sadness. But there were living beings here on Earth before us on a daily basis that tackled the topics we think about today.
The best thing for dread? Relinquish control. Stop being upset if things aren't turning out the way you want it to. Expectations are great, but don't let it consume you.
Sunday, June 2, 2019
The Hollywood Sheen
On my last trip home to Cincinnati, a friend of mine and I went to hang out at an upscale bar/restaurant. The pretty bartender behind the counter greeted us warmly. My friend playing wingman decided to share with her that I'd just come in from Hollywood, California. Because Van Nuys is just too vague.
He also started puffing up my stats of working on high profile movies. To which my mind was capturing maybe a small bit of the conversation, since it goes to the next big question "What DO you do?"
I am not a producer or director. So that's not glamorous. Nor am I an actor. I work in post production. And to explain what I do is met with a blank stare. Which is pretty much the look I got. In fact, prior to the resume dump from my buddy, it was a blank look regardless.
Which got me thinking...
America today could give a flying fuck about Hollywood. UNLESS, your name is Leo, Brad or George (which by the way, everyone in Cincinnati has a Clooney story. He is loved there and almost played for the Reds. As did Charlie Sheen, by the way).
There aren't stars anymore. And I know I keep beating this drum, but I think we know too much about big named actors now and we don't like it.
The issue is that everyone (in our most narcissistic state) is a star in their own right. You write a blog, you are a star. You have a big ass (star). You model for some obscure skater clothing line (star). And so if there are so many stars, there isn't enough...interest.
Sure there still are people of caliber that drives people wild. Tom Cruise still rocks it. As does The Rock. But they may never reach legendary status (which is some circles would argue, the young folk wouldn't know Humphrey Bogart if he sat on their faces). There are no Marilyn Monroes, or James Deans...because media over-saturates them ad nauseum. Not that we didn't care about the stars personal lives back then. Babies being born, divorces, death. But it seemed much more civil. As in we kept out distance. But with the information at your fingertips, the sense of "fanboy'ing out" just doesn't seem to hold its value. I remember when "Alien 3" came out, I got every "Fangoria" and sci-fi mags I could get because I crushed on Sigourney Weaver. I don't think the younger people have to go to those lengths as much. And thus..hold no value.
I think the bartender seemed to also be incredulous to how things are made as well (or don't care). There isn't glamour like there use to be. To her, a simple blurb in some celebrity blog fulfills her need of Hollywood. I could explain the nuts and bolts, but that isn't hot.
It was telling only because not but 10 years ago, the mention of even being in Los Angeles working in movies to the average Midwesterner meant something. With questions to follow. Now it is met with a shrug. I often question how many of us went into the movie business for the fame. Or at least, as my friend would say, cracked the lines of belonging somewhere.
He also started puffing up my stats of working on high profile movies. To which my mind was capturing maybe a small bit of the conversation, since it goes to the next big question "What DO you do?"
I am not a producer or director. So that's not glamorous. Nor am I an actor. I work in post production. And to explain what I do is met with a blank stare. Which is pretty much the look I got. In fact, prior to the resume dump from my buddy, it was a blank look regardless.
Which got me thinking...
America today could give a flying fuck about Hollywood. UNLESS, your name is Leo, Brad or George (which by the way, everyone in Cincinnati has a Clooney story. He is loved there and almost played for the Reds. As did Charlie Sheen, by the way).
There aren't stars anymore. And I know I keep beating this drum, but I think we know too much about big named actors now and we don't like it.
The issue is that everyone (in our most narcissistic state) is a star in their own right. You write a blog, you are a star. You have a big ass (star). You model for some obscure skater clothing line (star). And so if there are so many stars, there isn't enough...interest.
Sure there still are people of caliber that drives people wild. Tom Cruise still rocks it. As does The Rock. But they may never reach legendary status (which is some circles would argue, the young folk wouldn't know Humphrey Bogart if he sat on their faces). There are no Marilyn Monroes, or James Deans...because media over-saturates them ad nauseum. Not that we didn't care about the stars personal lives back then. Babies being born, divorces, death. But it seemed much more civil. As in we kept out distance. But with the information at your fingertips, the sense of "fanboy'ing out" just doesn't seem to hold its value. I remember when "Alien 3" came out, I got every "Fangoria" and sci-fi mags I could get because I crushed on Sigourney Weaver. I don't think the younger people have to go to those lengths as much. And thus..hold no value.
I think the bartender seemed to also be incredulous to how things are made as well (or don't care). There isn't glamour like there use to be. To her, a simple blurb in some celebrity blog fulfills her need of Hollywood. I could explain the nuts and bolts, but that isn't hot.
It was telling only because not but 10 years ago, the mention of even being in Los Angeles working in movies to the average Midwesterner meant something. With questions to follow. Now it is met with a shrug. I often question how many of us went into the movie business for the fame. Or at least, as my friend would say, cracked the lines of belonging somewhere.
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