An Offer Has Been Made!?

(7/14/11)

Wow... life has delivered some big twists today! It is funny how life can change in one day... 24 hours. I will just cut to the chase... I got a job offer!! I cannot tell you anymore than that, but I am super excited!

I have so much to think about, but I will not post my thoughts for various reasons. I am going to think about all the various aspects of this position. If you wish to know more, please email me. Thanks!!

TV Progress is Being Made!

(Written 7/13/11)

It seems that I may be getting somewhere afterall! I feel momentum is starting to kick up in life... little by little. Let me explain...

Well, today is Wednesday, and last Friday, I applied to be a PA on NBC's new show The Voice for their NYC auditions, and I got it! They want me to be in NYC for two days July 22 and 23rd to help out with the contestants of the show. After NYC, the show will continue to travel to Orlando, Atalanta, San Fran, and then LA by the end of the summer. I am hoping to do well in NYC so they may offer me a position when they tape in LA. I know that is future thinking and not where I am right now, but at least I got the chance to work on it in NYC!! Therefore... I am going home! I will be home Wednesday the 20th- the 27th. I cannot wait!

Then literally a few hours after I booked the flight, I got an email from the production coordinator working on X-Factor, Simon Cowell's new and most anticipated competition show, for ten days here in LA. Of course I wanted to say yes, especially since this is the "dream job" for me, even if only for a few days, but of course as life would have it, the dates conflict with The Voice. I would not be able to go home, and I would have to cancel on Voice.

I asked the coordinator if I could work half of the expected days and switch my flight, but he said that would not work for him. Darn! I finalized my conversation saying I need to honor my commitment to Voice as I made it first, even if it means losing money instead of earning it. All in the name of taking a career chance.

I do wish I will get the chance to eventually work on both shows. To be a part of the staff when they return to LA would be a dream come true because it is family entertainment combined with Live TV, and a mass appeal. I only hope!

Furthermore, I have been reaching out to producers in NYC working on GMA and Today as well as Rachel Ray. I have been in contact with three of them thus far, and when I return to NYC next week, they want to meet with me! YAY! I hope that could lead somewhere too. I will keep you posted.

And lastly, I was able to shadow the assistant to the Executive Producer on So You Think You Can Dance!! She is a friend of mine, and part of my theater group, and she knows I want to work in live television, so she invited me to watch the taping and meet others on the staff. I was on cloud nine. I literally felt like I was in the right place at the right time. Ugh, if only I could be given the chance to be on a show like that! I met with some of the editors as well as Barry Adelman, the Executive Producer and my friend's boss. He told me if I am interested in learning more about Live TV to hang around with him more often. I really hope he was serious!!

I finally feel with these recent developments, that I am finally gaining some ground in making it in the television world. It is starting to become possible, I just have to keep going. I really hope something breaks soon. I have not heard yet, from my other interviews, but I feel okay about that for the first time.

I recently had an idea pop into my head that maybe having a full time job is not in the cards for me. Maybe I was meant to start out as a freelance PA and have been fighting it all this time. Maybe being this sporadic in various projects was all what my path was supposed to be anyway. A job may not be my answer as I thought it was the only one a few months back. If only I could be wanted on a steady basis, then I could say goodbye to BJs and survive on my own.

I hope to get there someday with or without a job as once expected. I am okay with just knowing that, so who knows where the wind will take me. At least it is starting to become breezy and pointing me in some direction. Here is hoping!!

Gaining Momentum!!

Hey Bloggers,

I just wanted to update you quickly on what happened this week. Unlike the previous week, I suddenly find myself super busy! Yay!

To start, I had 4 interviews! One is actually for a non-profit organization called the LA Youth Network. It is their quest to house homeless children in LA in long term shelters. I had no idea the youth homeless population is over 10,000. That is over 7 large high schools! Kids ages 2-17 are welcomed to these shelters, but only 48 beds exist due to lack of budget from the CA government. I found these statistics staggering. Even the fact that 15% of the adult homeless are with bachelor's degrees. I could never imagine being in that situation, but in this economy, I guess we all could potentially become one of them. I don't think the job is for me, which is raising awareness of the situation in the streets of LA, like a grassroots campaign, but I do want to be involved as a volunteer somehow.

The second interview was with Disney Animation. It was the third and final round of interviews. This time, I was to meet with the 6 Production Supervisors in groups of two for 30 minutes each group. I was there for over 1.5 hours, and my mouth was tired of talking! The interviews went well, but I am still deciding if Animation is where I want to be. I really like the process, but I still want to be in TV. I will take it, obviously, if a position came up, but as of now, I just do not see myself staying there for really long. Otherwise, the people who work there are absolutely amazing, and I know the work environment is right for me.

The third interview I had was with... drum roll please.... Disney Channel! Yay! This was for the exact position I interviewed with a month and a half ago. Go figure! The only different is it is for three other executives. I applied ot it online, but I had three of my Channel contacts recommend me to come in for the interview. I know I am going on to round 2, because they told me at the end of the interview, and they sent me a script to read and give notes. I am really excited about this possibility, but I do not want to expect anything this time, because my heart hurt so bad last time I was rejected. I have no expectations, so I do not want to think about it.

The last two interviews were more random. One was for a reality production company that is in charge of the Kardashians and a few other top shows. So I don't want that one. The last one was for a Production Coordinator, not assistant, but Coordinator position for Discovery, more specifically, TLC. The catch with this is, if I get it, I have to move to Maryland. I am not opposed to moving, especially if the job takes me there, but I don't know anyone or anything really in MD. I would start completely over, but at least I would be closer to home. I have no idea what will happen with that, but I hope to hear something soon.

So... that was my week in summary! Pretty good! It really feels like I am getting closer to something happening. 5 successful interviews, and two I know I am going further in the process. It has put me in a surprisingly good mood! I have not given up yet, but my bank account almost has. I have nothing really left, and I only get half the hours I need at the restaurant, so I am praying hard that something will break sooner. That leaves a lot of possible news to come this week. Until then....

goodnight!

Meetings in NYC

(Thursday May 26^th)

I just got back in from a nice night in the city. I cannot explain to you how great it feels to be in New York again. Tall buildings, busy streets, places to go, and public transportation to get you there!

I have actually been in the city twice this week for various meetings I had set up. On Tuesday, I came in early in the morning to visit an executive at MTV Networks. She was really great. I enjoyed what she had to say because she works within the events department, which is becoming something I seriously want to pursue if production/television does not pan out.

The second girl I met was with Nickelodeon as an assistant. She had a very rocky beginning like I have, and she now loves what she does. She gave me good insight and a new perspective that things will work out for me. I just need the “right place at the right time” deal to happen.

After those meetings, I met up with two BU friends of mine for lunch and a coffee. It was great to see them. It made me wonder if I really see myself back East or not. I know I am an East Coast girl, but where I want to settle, I am still unsure.

I can totally see myself in NYC as a career woman, but not sure if I would live back at home or move into the city. I would want to stay at home for sure, but the commuting and the responding to parental favors would get to me after a while. Then again, living in the city is $$$$ and I don’t have to do that. Plus the city can become overwhelming at times to live, so I would enjoy the break of scenery. The idea of living in NYC is not super thrilling to me, or at least not my first choice. Not sure.

I have been applying to jobs in NYC though, like I have the last 2 years. Nothing has turned up yet. I am leaving it open ended to see where life takes me. Plus, if I leave LA and return to NYC with no job, I feel like I am losing my network foundation I had established out there and worked so hard to get. It’s a tough scenario.

As for tonight, I was at a BU Almuni event. Andy Cohen, of Bravo TV, aka the Reunion man, was the speaker. He graduated from my school in 1990, and has had a very successful career. It was great getting to hear his side of things.

I noticed all the women were so well dressed! Not one slutty girl around! Maybe I have become desensitized by working at an unglamorous restaurant named BJs, but NYC women were so classy! All corporate. No boobs, no booty shorts, but well dressed, flattering outfits. I felt like I was in the right mix again with my intelligent peers that I miss being around.

After the event, 3 of my fellow BU buds went for pizza and a beer to catch up. It was such a great time! NYC PIZZA… how I missed you!! We chatted it up, laughed, and ate. Perfect night out in Soho. There was even a tuba band playing as we were next to a random carnival. I could totally see that being a part of my life, however, dealing with public transportation can be hard at times.

I missed my train by 5 minutes, so I had to wait another hour to get the next one.. AND… they raised the tickets by almost 4 dollars each way now. Boo. I eventually made it home… as you can tell I’m blogging.

Being in NYC has been so great this week! I will return someday, just not sure when. We will see… Until then…

Goodnight!

The Callback

(written Wed 5/18)

Well it seems this week has turned out to be quite different than last. Just when I thought I was going to relaxing before my big trip home, things got quite busy. I got called back for three interviews within 24 hours!

The first interview was a phone call with the company of the executive that called me a farm girl. I am not sure if they lost their marbles over there or what, but these conversations can get really bizarre. I was called around 8pm to talk with the production manager. He was really nice, but asked me questions like “What is your favorite color and why?” “What is your favorite number and why?” “What is your most embarrassing work moment?”

Why do these questions really matter? I have not really thought about the psychology behind some of my answers, but I guess it reveals part of your personality that may or may not mesh with your potential boss.

At the end of the 35 minute conversation, I felt good about it. Not sure if this is for me, especially since it is for a three month position. Although I know I could learn from it, the interview process has been outrageous, and I am not sure if that is an ideal work situation for me. What was even more strange was my interviewer told me, based on my previous interview, I was their favorite interviewee. Really? Not sure what to think of that. Thoughts?

The second interview was a call back for VH1 in their talent department. I never applied for this job. In fact, the HR recruiter took my resume from the other jobs I did apply for online, and brought it to the executive.

This second interview went really well. I was asked a series of questions about possible work scenarios that I may face and how I would handle them. If I get this position, and I am actually surprised on how interested I am in it, I would have to train my brain to not think in terms of Television but Music. Which also means, I need to think in terms of record labels and not agencies or production companies. This will take a while, but I know I can handle the job. I just never pursued working for Music Talent, so we will see what happens.

I think this is my best bet for a full time job at the moment. I am excited about it, but I do not want to jinx myself as I did with Disney Channel, so I am keeping low expectations.

The third interview was for a PA position for Disney Animation. They are working on a variety of upcoming projects from shorts to features. I really liked this interview, and what made it better, was the producer I am friends with saw my interviewing so he came over to “make an accidental appearance” and talk to the recruiter about needing a PA. Awesome, right?

I am now moving on to round two of that interview. I will do it via Skype on Monday while I am home. I am actually really excited about this interview. If I get the project I want to work on, my roommate could potentially become my boss. Strange!

I am keeping my fingers crossed. It really feels good to be heading home knowing I got called back for three potential jobs within 24 hours, even when just last week nothing happened. Yay Callbacks! I will let you know what happens….

Until then, Goodnight!