Weighing the possibilities

Just finished hand delivering all the resumes and reels I wanted to drop off. One of the last was to Studio City Matinee. They're a promo and (supposed) trailer house. This was my third R&R drop off in over a year. Only this time I had a friend of Elisabeth Grace whom she'd referred me to named Michelle Walenz as a new contact there.



Literally within 2 hours of dropping off my materials Michelle sent an e-mail commenting very favorably on various trailers and promos on my reel. She also said she would do what she could to get me in the door there and was passing everything on to Stu Weiss, the founder and CEO who did all the hiring. She suggested giving him a call on Monday to follow up. Not even a day went by when the phone rang with Stu Weiss on the other end inquiring about my reel and experience. He asked if I could come in for an interview this afternoon, so I got changed and headed over. Once there he told me more of what they do and how I would fit in on sort of a freelance/try out basis (which of course most places do). I'd taken some time to peruse their website prior to our meeting which I usually do regarding a new post house; get acquanted with what types of projects they do, clients, equipment and editing software used, etc.



This of course puts the link to Studio City Matinee under the 'recent interviews' sidebar.



Since last year they had tried to develop a theatrical trailer department. This of course interested me the most, as well as the promo work. During the interview I learned they had dipped their foot into the trailer world only to have it bitten off by the competition. So for now they're sticking with broadcast promos. Bottom line: they want me to start Monday night for a 5pm - 1am shift which would last around 4 weeks.



Two things concern me a little. #1 is there is something about these guys that doesn't make me feel as confortable as say the folks at Autonomy. Sure they seem to be friendly...but we'll see how it goes. #2, it turns out the promos I'll be working on are for "Dr. Phil" and "Judge Judy"................and the excitment meter drops quite a bit.



Up side: it's work and if they like me and I like them, it'll be good money for a little over a month. Down side: the content. BLAH! I'd have to say within a few minutes of leaving the interview I was trying to come up with ways to back out. Although I did feel like I'd made a commitment, plus Elisabeth's friend Michelle had helped me get in the door. So I'm going to give it a whirl and see what happens. During the interview Stu mentioned that sometimes an editor will come in and by the first thursday or friday decide whether it's a good fit or not. So it's nice to have the 'out' set up for me just in case. Who knows it may turn out to be a benificial experience.



I get concerned sometime about pigeonholing myself into doing too much promo work. Experience is experience. But in the end I want to steer everything towards FILM work...even film work that is promo based would be fine as well. Right now I'm doing part film and part broadcast television projects. 'All film' is the ultimate goal.



Next on the list...



I got a call out of the blue from a director's assistant who needs an editor to cut a 90 minute feature/documentary. He said Gina at Autonomy had referred me to him...thanks to Gina for that one. They have numerous hours of footage for their film entitled "Pauly Shore Is Dead". Ironically I had just seem an advance one sheet for this in Burbank. Basically they wanted to know if I was interested. My answer of course being yes, although I couldn't get exact information about salary. I was told the director would have that info for me and it would probably be on an indie budget. This could mean $100 a day which I would have to turn down. I can accept no less than $250-$300 a day at this point. A second call on Wednesday of this week asked for a copy of my resume which I e-mailed immediately. Still waiting for a response. BTW, if everything jived and I did work on this film I am told it would be for two to three months starting right away. This would very much carry me over the holiday slump and hopfully connect with other projects at the beginning of '05.



Then in the frustration corner...



After not being able to connect with Hammer Creative Advertising past the Bowl project (since they had called two weeks prior to check on my availability), I decided to saturation bomb them with another updated copy of my reel and resume...now with two Bowl montages, the "De-Lovely" music video, and follow up promos I did at Autonomy, among others. The day I dropped those off, an ad appeared on one of the film job sites stating they were currently in need of freelance trailer editors...big flag: CAAAAAAALLLLLLL MMMMMEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!! Tim...ing. Ti...ming! I would surely drop everything at this point to get in the door there. Cue praying...aannnddd...PRAYING!!



Just one more pass and I know I can grab that brass ring.



Oh and yes I did go see "Team America" again tonight...God Bless It!! Again I was throwing up my lungs with laughter! I hope they do a sequel.