Lights Models Guestlist! j/k

Well for a few hours I got to experience being a model. I responded to an ad for models on craigslist just to see if I could get it. And well I did. It was for the National Restaurant Association and I'm not completely sure but it was for food safety, maybe for a txt book. Don't know really. But anyway it was at Kendell College. Matt's school in fact. I ended up getting let go because they didn't have enough time for that day (or so they said) and that I would get a call back for next week. I still got paid so I don't really care if I didn't get my picture taken and who knows if they really did mean they were going to call me back when they shoot again. But it was fun and I did meet this older lady who gave me some good leads.

There is this group called Chicago Independent Artist Network and they meet every Wednesday near where I live. And she said it was a great networking opportunity and a good way to kind of hear whats going on in the city. So after talking on the phone to a guy who owns the building (Its a company that rents out space and equipment for studios or film crews) I'm excited to meet new people and maybe get some work. If not at least get more involved. I've been in Chicago since June and feel like I still haven't scratched the surface or met anyone cool.

Well another update is that I don't work at Teletech anymore. Don't want to go into it but it was a good thing. I didn't really like it there and I felt that I was getting taken advantage of. But when the shit hit the fan I really knew that it wasn't the place for me. I'm not trying to get out of taking responsibility for my mistakes but when someone instead of helping you get better at your job just treats you like you are 3 years old and calls you stupid well...sorry I don't take shit like that.

Okay enough of that...Yesterday I went to a research study at UIC on alcohol. Yeah I know sounds like I'm just doing whatever to make money but it was fun. It was a study of how alcohol and emotions affect your judgment..etc. Anyway I was chosen for the non-alcohol part and instead of being served I just got cranberry juice and had to take these tests and had electrical sensors on my hand. It was really interesting to tell you the truth. And the poor girl. You could tell this was new for school or something cause she was so nervous. Not sure if it was because of me or just nerves. But I guess I could understand. Here you are just having people from an Ad come in and you and to like talk to them and study them etc. I think I look harmless enough? lol. Anyway because I was the non-alcohlic after two hours I was done. So it was the easiest cash in my pocket...oh and a lottery ticket..lol. Maybe I'll win the millions.

Well that's pretty much it right now. I'm still looking for work. I have enough money to cover rent for then next two months so it gives me time to really try and find a good job as well as pick up more freelance work.

Well that's it. Going to get more coffee and make a few phone calls. Later!

Just a cool picture on my way home today

Awesome

Well it was a success. It was a long day and a half but I survived and enjoyed every minute of it. My body is in pain from all the hauling the 4 locations and the lack of sleep but I'm going to rest up and all will be well.

Anyway where to start. I got up Monday and headed to the first location at this pub that was really close to my house. It was cloudy and cool but I arrived early and got introduced to the producer and production manager Carolyn and Tim. The camera crew and riggers showed up and we got started on setup for the first scene. All of the filming for Monday were for the story of the video. So we had three locations Schuba's Tavern, Navy Pier, and this really cool lady's house. Anywho, I got settled in and started my PA duties. Yeah being a PA I figured would be a lot of just going on errans and stuff but it turned out I got to do a lot more. Yes I did go run errans like going to Walgreens to get shaving cream and a razor and to Kinkos to pick up some pictures for set decorations but still it was fun.Once I got back I had miss most of this locations filming but I did for a short while get to coordinate the talent and tell them when they were needed. It was nice when people would come up to me for answers or feel like I was really had a role. The talent was easy to get along with and listened to me. So it went really well.
Well pretty much they finished up and we had to pack up craft services...I think that's what its call...food and beverage....and helped load up the van to move to the Navy Pier.















It started to really cloud up and get colder by this point. The weather was not being nice at all. But we continued. I met with the extras and had them fill out the release forms. Had to answer questions by one kids mother. She was all about...how long is she have to be here? When does she get paid? blah blah blah I just BS'd her but it was fun being all important...to someone i guess. I didn't take a lot of pictures cause it was just hard cause it rained and all but most of the time I just went around getting things for people or relaying messages. It started to rain at one point and once we finished we loaded up the van and moved to the end of the pier. This I think was the end of the video where I guess the girl and guy switch places or something about that. The story I'm not completely sure of. Something about he is with a girl but longs for the one he lost. Yeah sappy. Anyway I had to do some heavy lifting at this point because they were going to shoot some green screen for a prom scene. It will be interesting once I see the finish product cause I'm sure Nathan (The lead singer) will be at this prom but really he was at the Navy pier inside surrounded by picnic tables and the crew. So by this time we let the extras go and started to pack up for the last location. It was at this lady's house and it was the part of the story where Nathan takes the girl home and like kisses her in front of the house after the prom.This is where I get to be in the video. Well not really but at this scene when you watch the video I'm inside the house right between the door and the window keeping people from getting in the shot. It will be interesting to see when it’s done and you can't see me but I'm there. lol.

Well really that is it for this day. It was midnight and they let me go and Tim took me home so I could get some rest because the next day we had a 5am call and it would take me about an hour to get to that location from my house.

It was a beautiful sight. We were on the roof of this apartment building and the sun was coming up. So freaking cold and windy too which was not fun. I'm surprised I didn't get sick after all this but it was amazing. Well we had to use this freight elevator to get everything up there and up some stairs so that sucked. I have bruises on my arm from all of it. Well we set up and the band showed up and at 7am the band started playing and that's when the complaints started coming in. I'm sure everyone who lived around there didn't like us because it was so loud. But they had the permits and those people just had to deal with it. During all this I didn't have to do much. Just watched everything going on and just chatted with the guy from the label and just generally tried to do some networking.

That first pic is Carolyn the Producer and Liz who was Makeup. Very cool girls. Carolyn lives in LA and Liz in San Diego and have worked with each other for a number of years. Wish I get a lead from them but who knows maybe when they come to Chicago again they will remember me. Anyway really that was all that took place that day. I got to leave at noon and went to work but then left early because I was so tired from lack of sleep. But overall it was well worth it and really energized me about what I want to be doing. So really hope soon I can get another gig. Well that's it for now. Chow!

Sorry delay on the post

There will be a post tomorrow about everything that is going on. Just been a bit behind and trying to catch up on stuff. Anyway just an FYI.

Well it has happened...

Well it happened. Got my call back and well going to be working on my first video shoot. The band is called Madina Lake and they are pretty big in Europe. But anyway I'm excited to be doing something for once fun and exciting and where i want to be. I really hope to meet cool people during the next few days and well hope my current job doesn't get to cock'd off that I'll be unfortunately unable to come in. I think they will be fine. Tomorrow is the only full day and Tuesday is suppose to be a half day with possible work on Wednesday. But if this helps me move forward I can only be happy. Well look for pictures from the set and I'll give updates tomorrow oh how it goes. Now if only the rain would stay away tomorrow but I doubt it. Well later! Wish me luck!

Wow, this was fast.

Well just a little update. Not sure if anything will pan out since I haven't heard anything more from the people. But I went to mandy.com Friday and as usual I look at jobs and just see what is going on. Most of the time I don't apply cause most jobs are located outside my public transportation bubble, but one add looked good. A music video shoot in downtown chicago. Well I just applied I think during work Friday and later that night I got a response. They want me for a PA position and its a three day shoot. So now I have to figure out what to do with my current job. It shouldn't be to bad. I might have to work the late shift or something to make up for not being there during the day. But still they are going to be wondering why or where I'm at. It really kind of makes me mad at them because I seriously doubt they think I'm just going to sit around and make dubs all my life. Well anywho.

Well the band is called Madina Lake and they are from Chicago. Kind of a mix between Simple Plan and The Rasmus. The are shooting a music video and as far as I know I'll be working tomorrow on the set. Tuesday is from sun up to noon so I wonder if we are going to be outside like sunrise or something. Anyway, that's my update so tomorrow could be a fun exciting day. Chow!

I know. Its been forever.

Okay so I haven't posted anything in a long time. I've been busy but also just lazy. Really not much has happened to talk about. Basically I get up, have my coffee or tea, get ready for work, ride the train which can be fun or very annoying, buy my coffee from the shop by the train stop and then walk to work, be more annoyed, leave work, go home, and wash, rinse, repeat. Basically that is it in a nut shell.

Okay where to start. Have to go look at my pictures and see where I've been. Well money has been a problem over the last month. Seems like i get paid then the next thing I've either spent to much or after bills and food and all the living expense I'm back to zero. Its not all that bad but it can go fast.

The job has been good. I've learned a lot but I really miss being creative. And I'm getting a little tired of everyone coming up to me with all their problems that really they should know how to do. Computer problems are the worst. I mean come on. The personal computer has been around for a long time now and people should know how to fix even the smallest problem but then I guess since I grew up in the start of the digital age I must take it for granted. To me its really simple and just basic troubleshooting but really sometimes I just wonder if they are just lazy and don't want to know how to fix it and just have someone else deal with it. Like this stupid video distribution system we have. I have no clue how it all works but somehow I'm suppose to be the master of it now. And I'm trying really trying to understand it and make it work but sometimes when something is broke its almost a waste of resources trying to fix it.

Okay enough bitching...for now. Lets see what else....well I got to encode these videos to Quicktime for Jennifer Garner personally downloaded of her PSA spot she did to stop Influenza. That was fun. To bad I didn't get to meet her or anything.

Me and Matt went down to the lake one day and took pictures. That was fun.

Just not much to talk about so I guess lets talk about the future.

Well I've really got the bug about freelancing. I've been talking to my friend Brian back home and seeing all the guys at work who freelance it really got me started to look at what I really want to do with my life. I want to be creative and do what I used to do back in Oklahoma. I'm not doing anything of that since I've been here. So I've started looking for more work and instead of thinking about it and not even trying to get the job I've emailed every lead. There is this band that needs someone to edit their music video. They don't have a lot of money but I applied and sent them my information and maybe I'll hear from them. That would be fun cause I loved doing that for the girls and their band. There was also this crew call for some indy film in October that I emailed the contact that could also be some fun. But that is basically what I've decided its about time to do. Its not going to fall in my lap. My job right now is okay and I like my coworkers and there are opportunities coming up that could be awesome but I feel like I'm stuck and someone else is deciding how far I go or something. I also feel like I'm not getting the most out of it in regards of pay. Not that money is everything but when I feel like they are leaning on me for so much more than what was in the job description and I'm not getting anything out of it. I mean come on. I'm 30 years old with over 7 years of experience and I swear I'm probably not making more than this just out of college no experience music major we have at work doing basically the same job as me.

Okay well that's my update for now. I know i should write more about my goings on then it wouldn't be so hard trying to remember stuff from a month ago. Okay well guess that's it for now. So I leave off with a favorite quote of mine.

"In the immortal words of The Doors, 'The time to hesitate is through.'
-Lucas in Empire Records