| May. 1st, 2007 @ 10:20 pm Connections. (long, but worth reading) |
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The summer before my sophomore year in college, I got bored in Florida and used the opportunity to look into small jobs on Craigslist. There was a position that sounded like fun- production designing a student film in Miami. I sent in my resume and heard back from Eddie Lytton, the producer. Eddie told me about the production (3 day shoot, spanish, shoots in south miami) and though I wasn't experienced enough to be production designer, he agreed to bring me on as prop master, as a volunteer. After googling Carlos Gutierrez (the director), I found out that he'd been selected as the DGA(directors guild of america) Student Director of the year- a HUGE honor- this was not your typical student film. I contemplated...make the 2 hour trip to south miami and then back each day, for no pay? Would I really be making good connections? I remember discussing it with my mom next to the laundry machine, as if it was yesterday. But I had nothing better to do so why not...I was on board.
Everyone working on the film was wonderful. Eddie and Carlos took me on as their little student for the two days I was with them, allowing me to be in on set for scenes where no other crew members were allowed (space restrictions). The main character's bike was the one main prop in the movie - my role was to always be with the bike. In fact, one shot entailed the kid riding the bike through the woods, and we shot it with an SUV following him. The camera guy hungout the window of the car, and guess who hanging off the side of the car, holding on for dear life? You got it..."always be with the bike". It was frickin awesome. I'm so grateful for them taking me on board like that and being so kind.
On the second day of the production, I met someone who would give me a tip that has led me to where I am in my career today. His name was Gerry, and he was the electrician/gaffer on the film- an older man in his late fifties. It was the middle of the day and I hopped in the passenger side of Gerry's van on the way to the crew lunch. We made small talk, he asked me about school and what my goals where. I expressed interest in television, award shows, mtv, etc. and was quick to mention that this was my first real out of school experience in film/tv. It was a short ride, good small talk, the end. Or so I thought.
Gerry came up to me at lunch (god, I remember the moment like it was yesterday, the exact spot I was standing in) and whispered in my ear- "You know Michelle? She's the girl doing the makeup. She is hiring PAs for the Video Music Awards here in Miami, you should talk to her...maybe she can hook you up." I almost peed in my pants...but instead, I ran to the bathroom. Not to pee though, to compose myself and scream and flip out and try to act normal as I stepped out and walked over to Michelle (who I'd literally spoken to once, at our introduction a few hours earlier). And then Michelle hired me as a PA at the 2004 VMAs. And again at the 2005 VMAs. Where I met Eve- who hooked me up with an internship at Spike TV. Where I met Brooke- who hooked me up with my job at Nickelodeon.
Looking back, I've always been grateful to Eddie & Carlos (for answering my email that day), to Gerry (for leaking me the the singlemost important bit of information to help my career thus far), and to Michelle (for taking me on as a PA even though she didn't know anything about me). These people have guided a (barely) college sophomore onto the road of success in the entertainment industry- something that takes people years to get into. I don't think I have ever properly thanked any of them, but I should. They say it's all about connections and these people made my first few connections so easy to form and I am so lucky for that.
I got an email today notifying me about the death of Gerry Jones. He passed away in his sleep after a short battle with Prostate cancer. This is the first I have heard from/about/of Gerry since that day on the set. I regret not seeking Gerry out sooner to thank him for his help and advice. It's one of those things where someone touches your life and you think you'll never see or hear from them ever again. He was a good man and I'm disappointed that I didn't get the opportunity to formally give him the thank you he deserved, for helping guide me to where I am today.
In memory...
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