Rebellion, I am pulling the blog as of 4/1/2010. No, this is not an April Fools Day joke. The blog goes down as of 4/1/2010.
With all of you on Facebook, MySpace, Linkedin, Twitter, etc. and doing an exceptional job of staying in contact, there is no need for this blog.
I only have one piece of advice, and it's based on what many students and former students have come to me about lately: "Professor Biddle, I really want to teach!". Allow me to be blatantly honest...if you can't handle being a PA or an Assistant, then you don't want to teach...especially at the university level.
The explanation on why is not something to blog about, just know that if you've been in a PA or Assistant position...that's teaching.
Take care, everyone.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Love your family. Enjoy your job. Run screaming when your job is "...like a family"!
Hello, Rebellion!
Before the barrage of new technical insights, reports from graduated members, plans for the 2010 NYC Trip, and other forms of production fun & frolic, here's one more warning as many of you head out into the world: Your job is NOT a family.
I've heard this MANY times, and I've always taken special precautions to avoid falling into the "Well we're just like a family here" mentality. I warn you now (and as always, take it or leave it) your job is NOT a family (not even the joke of "Yeah, it's a dysfunctional family!" *pathetic laughter followed by people sharing pictures of cats and having cases of "The Mondays"*).
Your job is your job. Where you work is a professional business that produces a professional product. Your family loves you: your job does not. Your family can guilt you into things that you don't want to do: your job should NEVER have that type of mental hold on you and force you into that type of guilt. Yes, being friends with people you work with is not unprofessional, and neither is having fun where you work...but that doesn't mean the relationships are "family" and not "business".
If where you work sees itself as a family, then you're not going to be treated as a professional, and you need to be ready for that. You'll be asked to do things like a parent would ask, or demand of a child...and the appreciation you get will most likely NOT be in the form of a professional reward. When you look for a job, look for a place that sees itself as a group of professionals. That place is the best place to grow professionally. The companies and productions I worked for that acted as professionals were the BEST placed I worked for, and my best professional connections and friends came from those places.
Long Live The Rebellion!
Before the barrage of new technical insights, reports from graduated members, plans for the 2010 NYC Trip, and other forms of production fun & frolic, here's one more warning as many of you head out into the world: Your job is NOT a family.
I've heard this MANY times, and I've always taken special precautions to avoid falling into the "Well we're just like a family here" mentality. I warn you now (and as always, take it or leave it) your job is NOT a family (not even the joke of "Yeah, it's a dysfunctional family!" *pathetic laughter followed by people sharing pictures of cats and having cases of "The Mondays"*).
Your job is your job. Where you work is a professional business that produces a professional product. Your family loves you: your job does not. Your family can guilt you into things that you don't want to do: your job should NEVER have that type of mental hold on you and force you into that type of guilt. Yes, being friends with people you work with is not unprofessional, and neither is having fun where you work...but that doesn't mean the relationships are "family" and not "business".
If where you work sees itself as a family, then you're not going to be treated as a professional, and you need to be ready for that. You'll be asked to do things like a parent would ask, or demand of a child...and the appreciation you get will most likely NOT be in the form of a professional reward. When you look for a job, look for a place that sees itself as a group of professionals. That place is the best place to grow professionally. The companies and productions I worked for that acted as professionals were the BEST placed I worked for, and my best professional connections and friends came from those places.
Long Live The Rebellion!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
The Graduation Open Letter of 2009.
Hello, everyone. Sorry that the blog has been so sporadic in 2009. 2009 was a very strange year for me and all of the students at Grady College, especially the Broadcast News and TeleArts students ($4000, anyone?).
Yes, eventually the Apple Authorized Training Center will be up and working, but for now I'd like to address the "It's the worst economy ever you're graduating into.." psycho-babble!
I graduated from Syracuse University in 1991 and 2000. Although the professors were some of the best people I've learned from (and had the fortunate opportunity to actually work with), they did say the same things: "It's not a good time to get into the job market", "The economy is taking a bad turn", "It's going to be tough", etc. I heard this in 1991 and 2000. Has any graduating EVER been told that it is a great time to be graduating into the job market? If so...was it true?
I've learned that situations are not simply "good" or "bad": situations are always good, bad, and ugly. If you're all as smart as we claim you are (and you are), you won't simply see the economic world as something simply reduced to good or bad, especially while you're trying to build your career. Take 'em or leave 'em, but here are my suggestions:
PROMISES ARE JUST THAT..."PROMISES":
If I believed people every time they said to me, "I promise you that if you do this job for free that bigger things and bigger money will come from it," I would have a jet pack, a lazer rifle, and eventy-buhjillion-fuhfillion-dollars in Krugerands and gold bricks guarded by giant gundam robots. A promise made does not equal a promise kept. Believing that what you do will always lead to something better and grander gives credence to "...the worst economy in years." A gig is a gig. If it leads to something bigger, then WOOHOO!!! However, don't bank everything on that. Do your best at that job, don't put all your eggs into a "promise", save the money you make, invest some of it into items you truly need, and have your sights set on the next gig. And please trust me on this one: "No matter what, we promise you that no one is going to lose their job." As soon as you hear that one, know that the reason someone said it is because the possibility of people losing their jobs is there and will most likely be a reality. Always have three-to-six-month of rent, car payments, etc. in reserve.
TWO MUCH NEEDED ITEMS:
#1. A lawyer.
#2. A Blackberry to keep in touch with your LAWYER!!!!
"I'm just graduated, I don't need a lawyer, dude." No, you're an un-tapped bundle of energy and creativity that wants to make movies, graphics, etc. and as someone with a company, I know I can get your to make stuff and then possibly steal it from you.
School is great, but those of us in the institutional world have many rules to protect ourselves, and to protect you. Once you get that diploma, you're on your own. YOU have to learn to protect yourself. The place you work for: they need to protect their product and profits, not you. At Grady, teaching students to have better skills than my own is my top priority: as a freelance editor/post-production specialist and consultant, my bottom line is profit and my own marketing...so, I have a lawyer.
Yes, you are young and most likely have no money to spend on a lawyer...you sure about that? Ever spoken to one? You should. Find out who the best entertainment/business lawyers are in your area, or find one just starting out...like you. See what it would take to start a long term business relationship. Why not? You've got the time.
And now, the Blackberry. I have one. I use it to stay in touch with business contacts, students, and my lawyer. I don't use it for games and such. If you have Facebook and/or Linkedin, the ol' Blackberry is a great way to stay in touch and find out about jobs that just "come up".
Being "active" in your communication and business practices tends to cushion the effects of a "bad economy".
WHAT ARE YOU INVESTING IN?
Laptops and editing systems are good if you intend to freelance...but what else do you have? What did you ask for as a graduation gift? A suit? A nice bag? Good shoes? A year-long pass for the Marta, "T", "L", or Metro depending on where you're living? Gloves to work on production sets? Tools to work on production sets? A headset for walkies when you are on set? PS3's are cool, but are you a creator or a consumer?
I've learned to laugh-off a lot of grief given to me when students and professionals see that I've spent my money on heat-resistant gloves, a production-assistant fanny pack flashlights, battery testers, etc. But more people borrow those from me than anything else. And I routinely just walk onto sets and get work because I have the proper "stuff"...and I really don't like working on set...but I do like money to buy more audio and editing gear. It's easy to rack up a lot of those cheaper items liek gloves, testers, etc. in six months if you plan correctly.
GRAD SCHOOL
I've not commented on the question of, "Should I go to grad school?" for many reasons. While I initially did NOT want to make my personal feelings on this public, here goes...
If you intend to teach or do research in the academic world for the rest of your life, then go to graduate school immediately after undergraduate school. If you intend to do nothing but work, learn, and focus your skills in something such as screenwriting in one of the many schools with excellent programs, then go to graduate school right after undergraduate school. If you want to avoid the bad economy, then don't waste your time. I was very fortunate to have a graduate class of people who wanted to be there, not people avoiding the real world and living out the "fifth year senior partying dream."
I work with many people, and what I can honestly tell you in that people who took the time directly after college to "experience the world" have better jobs, and better life, and a far better idea of "reality". Going to Atlanta, Los Angeles, London, Chicago, NYC, etc. doesn't mean you need to have "The Job" to leave. Get out of your parent's house, get off their health insurance, and start taking responsibility (if you haven't already) to get out of bed and live on something other than the "academic schedule".
Be a bartender in Barcelona. Rent surfboards in Hawai'i. Work a ski-lift in Denver and teach yourself guitar at the same time. Learn how to brew beer while working at a microbrewery. Rent out camera equipment in midtown Manhattan. These are examples of former students of mine who took anywhere from six-months-to-two-years to simply learn to live in the world and follow an interest...and during those times, they still freelanced on movie sets, made music videos, assisted on live shows. Three went back to graduate school five years later and did very well because they WANTED to be in school again. All of these people currently work in the TV/Movie industry as producers, editors, and graphic artists. An interesting, mature, well-rounded person is far more valuable to a good graduate program than grades and "bad economy panic mode". Did I mention all of those students graduated into the "bad economies" of 2001, 2003, and 2005?
Douglas Adams wrote that the Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy was the best selling book in the known universe because it had the words "Don't Panic" printed on it in big, friendly letters (loosely quoted for this blog).
No matter what any webpage, graduate speaker, etc. informs you of, you'll be fine if you live smart, be active in what you do, and don't "avoid" situations because of what "might" happen or because "it's a bad time".
Long Live The Rebellion.
Yes, eventually the Apple Authorized Training Center will be up and working, but for now I'd like to address the "It's the worst economy ever you're graduating into.." psycho-babble!
I graduated from Syracuse University in 1991 and 2000. Although the professors were some of the best people I've learned from (and had the fortunate opportunity to actually work with), they did say the same things: "It's not a good time to get into the job market", "The economy is taking a bad turn", "It's going to be tough", etc. I heard this in 1991 and 2000. Has any graduating EVER been told that it is a great time to be graduating into the job market? If so...was it true?
I've learned that situations are not simply "good" or "bad": situations are always good, bad, and ugly. If you're all as smart as we claim you are (and you are), you won't simply see the economic world as something simply reduced to good or bad, especially while you're trying to build your career. Take 'em or leave 'em, but here are my suggestions:
PROMISES ARE JUST THAT..."PROMISES":
If I believed people every time they said to me, "I promise you that if you do this job for free that bigger things and bigger money will come from it," I would have a jet pack, a lazer rifle, and eventy-buhjillion-fuhfillion-dollars in Krugerands and gold bricks guarded by giant gundam robots. A promise made does not equal a promise kept. Believing that what you do will always lead to something better and grander gives credence to "...the worst economy in years." A gig is a gig. If it leads to something bigger, then WOOHOO!!! However, don't bank everything on that. Do your best at that job, don't put all your eggs into a "promise", save the money you make, invest some of it into items you truly need, and have your sights set on the next gig. And please trust me on this one: "No matter what, we promise you that no one is going to lose their job." As soon as you hear that one, know that the reason someone said it is because the possibility of people losing their jobs is there and will most likely be a reality. Always have three-to-six-month of rent, car payments, etc. in reserve.
TWO MUCH NEEDED ITEMS:
#1. A lawyer.
#2. A Blackberry to keep in touch with your LAWYER!!!!
"I'm just graduated, I don't need a lawyer, dude." No, you're an un-tapped bundle of energy and creativity that wants to make movies, graphics, etc. and as someone with a company, I know I can get your to make stuff and then possibly steal it from you.
School is great, but those of us in the institutional world have many rules to protect ourselves, and to protect you. Once you get that diploma, you're on your own. YOU have to learn to protect yourself. The place you work for: they need to protect their product and profits, not you. At Grady, teaching students to have better skills than my own is my top priority: as a freelance editor/post-production specialist and consultant, my bottom line is profit and my own marketing...so, I have a lawyer.
Yes, you are young and most likely have no money to spend on a lawyer...you sure about that? Ever spoken to one? You should. Find out who the best entertainment/business lawyers are in your area, or find one just starting out...like you. See what it would take to start a long term business relationship. Why not? You've got the time.
And now, the Blackberry. I have one. I use it to stay in touch with business contacts, students, and my lawyer. I don't use it for games and such. If you have Facebook and/or Linkedin, the ol' Blackberry is a great way to stay in touch and find out about jobs that just "come up".
Being "active" in your communication and business practices tends to cushion the effects of a "bad economy".
WHAT ARE YOU INVESTING IN?
Laptops and editing systems are good if you intend to freelance...but what else do you have? What did you ask for as a graduation gift? A suit? A nice bag? Good shoes? A year-long pass for the Marta, "T", "L", or Metro depending on where you're living? Gloves to work on production sets? Tools to work on production sets? A headset for walkies when you are on set? PS3's are cool, but are you a creator or a consumer?
I've learned to laugh-off a lot of grief given to me when students and professionals see that I've spent my money on heat-resistant gloves, a production-assistant fanny pack flashlights, battery testers, etc. But more people borrow those from me than anything else. And I routinely just walk onto sets and get work because I have the proper "stuff"...and I really don't like working on set...but I do like money to buy more audio and editing gear. It's easy to rack up a lot of those cheaper items liek gloves, testers, etc. in six months if you plan correctly.
GRAD SCHOOL
I've not commented on the question of, "Should I go to grad school?" for many reasons. While I initially did NOT want to make my personal feelings on this public, here goes...
If you intend to teach or do research in the academic world for the rest of your life, then go to graduate school immediately after undergraduate school. If you intend to do nothing but work, learn, and focus your skills in something such as screenwriting in one of the many schools with excellent programs, then go to graduate school right after undergraduate school. If you want to avoid the bad economy, then don't waste your time. I was very fortunate to have a graduate class of people who wanted to be there, not people avoiding the real world and living out the "fifth year senior partying dream."
I work with many people, and what I can honestly tell you in that people who took the time directly after college to "experience the world" have better jobs, and better life, and a far better idea of "reality". Going to Atlanta, Los Angeles, London, Chicago, NYC, etc. doesn't mean you need to have "The Job" to leave. Get out of your parent's house, get off their health insurance, and start taking responsibility (if you haven't already) to get out of bed and live on something other than the "academic schedule".
Be a bartender in Barcelona. Rent surfboards in Hawai'i. Work a ski-lift in Denver and teach yourself guitar at the same time. Learn how to brew beer while working at a microbrewery. Rent out camera equipment in midtown Manhattan. These are examples of former students of mine who took anywhere from six-months-to-two-years to simply learn to live in the world and follow an interest...and during those times, they still freelanced on movie sets, made music videos, assisted on live shows. Three went back to graduate school five years later and did very well because they WANTED to be in school again. All of these people currently work in the TV/Movie industry as producers, editors, and graphic artists. An interesting, mature, well-rounded person is far more valuable to a good graduate program than grades and "bad economy panic mode". Did I mention all of those students graduated into the "bad economies" of 2001, 2003, and 2005?
Douglas Adams wrote that the Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy was the best selling book in the known universe because it had the words "Don't Panic" printed on it in big, friendly letters (loosely quoted for this blog).
No matter what any webpage, graduate speaker, etc. informs you of, you'll be fine if you live smart, be active in what you do, and don't "avoid" situations because of what "might" happen or because "it's a bad time".
Long Live The Rebellion.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
More from The Rebellion: Weston VerSteeg
Here's some advice from the man who is Wes-Town, cause ya know he holds it down!
Do you want to work in film and television?! Do you want to move but not sure how to make that happen?! Are you stressed about how either of these two things will happen after graduation?! If you said "Yes!" to these three questions, then you can join my club "Recent Grads Who-Are-Stressed-Out-of-Their-Minds Because They Want to Work in an Already Competitive Field in a Recession and Possibly Move to a New City/State With Little to No Plan of What's Going to Happen When They Get There"!
Ok, that's not a real club (yet). But, just know that virtually everyone shares that sentiment. Going from possibly the best college town in the country to a new city that you may have only vacationed in is a big change. I'm learning (slowly) that college is over and that the real world has been waiting and tapping it's foot like a mother sitting at the kitchen table when her teenager is an hour passed curfew. We will inevitably collide with the real world, but the collision can be smooth or messy depending on how well we're able to shake our crazy addiction to college and try to realize the rest of the world isn't like our sweet home of Athens.
Before I graduated, Jen Smith gave me some names of fellow Grady Grads who have moved to NYC. I got in touch with them and asked for their advice on moving, working and living in the city. They gave me excellent feedback and were more than willing to help out a Grady brotha. So definitely use the Grady network to get advice or info on the respective city where you would like to move. I know there are several Grady peeps out in LA (Mitch, Kate, Chatter, Flippo, Scofield, Carrie, Joey Brown, Ashley Kruythoff, Jared, Speas and I'm sure a few others I'm missing). We out here in NYC are a bit of a smaller but growing bunch (myself, Kalie Watch, Chelsea Galen, Chad Mumm, Rocky and, again, I'm sure a few I'm leaving out).
I was fortunate enough to work with roughly 13 other UGA grads on CBS' "There Goes The Neighborhood" which was shot in Kennesaw, GA this summer. It was a great experience and I'm so glad I was able to work on the show and meet the people I did. But I want to second what Mitch said in her previous post; when you get that job or internship, work and work hard. Complaining is the fastest way to put yourself on people's "I don't want to work with them again" list. Also phrases like, "I can't", "I don't know" and "I don't think that's gonna work." These are statements that show a lack of commitment, motivation and work ethic, all vital parts to being a valuable crew member.
All in all, try not to stress too much, find out where the Grady network is and utilize the people within it, and bust your hiney when you get an internship or job. Let the only thought of you in people's mind be, "(Your Name) is a hard worker, enjoyable to be around and reliable". As important as the Grady network is, your network with each internship/job you get can be equally if not more important in terms of getting future work. If I asked you right now to refer to me some people I could use for a short film I'm shooting, would you go online and look through people's resumes? Maybe. Or would you look through your phone and look at people in your class that you've worked with before? Probably the latter. It's the same outside of college. Some productions do staff up for crew from online applications, but a lot of them go through their phones and crew lists from other shows to find people they already know. Basically, be someone they will remember. For good reasons, that is.
As always, Jen and Biddle are amazing resources. Both have a wellspring of knowledge and experience that can help answer any questions you may have.
I'm still learning all these things I've laid out myself. It's easy to get bogged down with the details, but it's important to remember this is one of the only times in your life when you can pack up and go somewhere. Whether that's abroad in another country or across this country, this is the time to do it. I've been up here in NYC for a month now and I'm loving it. I'm staying with a friend from Macon that I've known for awhile and I'm currently working on NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice." Do I know what's going to happen after this show wraps? Not at all. But I'm hopeful and will enjoy every minute of living here regardless.
Good luck and long live the Rebellion!
Weston
Do you want to work in film and television?! Do you want to move but not sure how to make that happen?! Are you stressed about how either of these two things will happen after graduation?! If you said "Yes!" to these three questions, then you can join my club "Recent Grads Who-Are-Stressed-Out-of-Their-Minds Because They Want to Work in an Already Competitive Field in a Recession and Possibly Move to a New City/State With Little to No Plan of What's Going to Happen When They Get There"!
Ok, that's not a real club (yet). But, just know that virtually everyone shares that sentiment. Going from possibly the best college town in the country to a new city that you may have only vacationed in is a big change. I'm learning (slowly) that college is over and that the real world has been waiting and tapping it's foot like a mother sitting at the kitchen table when her teenager is an hour passed curfew. We will inevitably collide with the real world, but the collision can be smooth or messy depending on how well we're able to shake our crazy addiction to college and try to realize the rest of the world isn't like our sweet home of Athens.
Before I graduated, Jen Smith gave me some names of fellow Grady Grads who have moved to NYC. I got in touch with them and asked for their advice on moving, working and living in the city. They gave me excellent feedback and were more than willing to help out a Grady brotha. So definitely use the Grady network to get advice or info on the respective city where you would like to move. I know there are several Grady peeps out in LA (Mitch, Kate, Chatter, Flippo, Scofield, Carrie, Joey Brown, Ashley Kruythoff, Jared, Speas and I'm sure a few others I'm missing). We out here in NYC are a bit of a smaller but growing bunch (myself, Kalie Watch, Chelsea Galen, Chad Mumm, Rocky and, again, I'm sure a few I'm leaving out).
I was fortunate enough to work with roughly 13 other UGA grads on CBS' "There Goes The Neighborhood" which was shot in Kennesaw, GA this summer. It was a great experience and I'm so glad I was able to work on the show and meet the people I did. But I want to second what Mitch said in her previous post; when you get that job or internship, work and work hard. Complaining is the fastest way to put yourself on people's "I don't want to work with them again" list. Also phrases like, "I can't", "I don't know" and "I don't think that's gonna work." These are statements that show a lack of commitment, motivation and work ethic, all vital parts to being a valuable crew member.
All in all, try not to stress too much, find out where the Grady network is and utilize the people within it, and bust your hiney when you get an internship or job. Let the only thought of you in people's mind be, "(Your Name) is a hard worker, enjoyable to be around and reliable". As important as the Grady network is, your network with each internship/job you get can be equally if not more important in terms of getting future work. If I asked you right now to refer to me some people I could use for a short film I'm shooting, would you go online and look through people's resumes? Maybe. Or would you look through your phone and look at people in your class that you've worked with before? Probably the latter. It's the same outside of college. Some productions do staff up for crew from online applications, but a lot of them go through their phones and crew lists from other shows to find people they already know. Basically, be someone they will remember. For good reasons, that is.
As always, Jen and Biddle are amazing resources. Both have a wellspring of knowledge and experience that can help answer any questions you may have.
I'm still learning all these things I've laid out myself. It's easy to get bogged down with the details, but it's important to remember this is one of the only times in your life when you can pack up and go somewhere. Whether that's abroad in another country or across this country, this is the time to do it. I've been up here in NYC for a month now and I'm loving it. I'm staying with a friend from Macon that I've known for awhile and I'm currently working on NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice." Do I know what's going to happen after this show wraps? Not at all. But I'm hopeful and will enjoy every minute of living here regardless.
Good luck and long live the Rebellion!
Weston
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Another exciting edition of..."Ask Biddle!"
In this episode: "Drives: More Than Just Storage".
"Professor Biddle, why do you have so many 250GB drives when you could just use a big ol' 2TB drive?"
Well, I do have a "big ol' 2TB drive", but that is for archive storage. I spin the drive twice a week (as in plug it into my computer and let it run, or "spin") for an hour to keep it moving and happy. Drives that sit too long might never spin again. My smaller drives are for current projects and "associated files". Associated files means I do NOT store the sound files that come with Sound Track, the templates that come with Motion, the media that comes with Photoshop, etc. on my main drive: that's a foolish use for your main drive. I keep the main operating drive on my computers (Mac, PC, laptop, and desktop) as tight and file free as possible. It needs room to breathe. So, keep a drive for associated files.
"I just bought FCP 7, CS4, and Avid 3.6! I can run them at home, but not at UGA!"
So, why haven't you created an operating drive?
"Huh!!??!!!??"
If you own a MAC and you have not explored many of the advanced features of your machine, you're wasting 90% of what you (or your parents) paid for. If you paid $3500 - $5000 just for faster Twitter and Facebook access, ppppllllllleeeeassssseeeee keep reading...
For MANY years now (I can't count that high anymore), I've had a portable drive (it's one of the 250Gb G-Raid drives now) that houses a copy of my MAC operating system and applications. Remember, when you install an operating system (OSX, snow leopard, ocelot, whatever) or an application (FCP, Photoshop, Avid, etc.) it has to live on a drive, yes? Well, instead of praying that I get a MAC with the proper operating system and application, I take mine with me on a small, high-speed drive. Then, by pushing a button on MAC start-up, I can use my portable drive with it's operating system and applications. The MAC simply provides the RAM, the processing, the keyboard & mouse, and the screen(s). It's also a great way to simply reformat your MAC if it goes kah-blooey. Just a simple disk image from your portable "Ops-Drive" and there ya go.
So, do some research on what else you can do with drives instead of just "store stuff".
"Professor Biddle, why do you have so many 250GB drives when you could just use a big ol' 2TB drive?"
Well, I do have a "big ol' 2TB drive", but that is for archive storage. I spin the drive twice a week (as in plug it into my computer and let it run, or "spin") for an hour to keep it moving and happy. Drives that sit too long might never spin again. My smaller drives are for current projects and "associated files". Associated files means I do NOT store the sound files that come with Sound Track, the templates that come with Motion, the media that comes with Photoshop, etc. on my main drive: that's a foolish use for your main drive. I keep the main operating drive on my computers (Mac, PC, laptop, and desktop) as tight and file free as possible. It needs room to breathe. So, keep a drive for associated files.
"I just bought FCP 7, CS4, and Avid 3.6! I can run them at home, but not at UGA!"
So, why haven't you created an operating drive?
"Huh!!??!!!??"
If you own a MAC and you have not explored many of the advanced features of your machine, you're wasting 90% of what you (or your parents) paid for. If you paid $3500 - $5000 just for faster Twitter and Facebook access, ppppllllllleeeeassssseeeee keep reading...
For MANY years now (I can't count that high anymore), I've had a portable drive (it's one of the 250Gb G-Raid drives now) that houses a copy of my MAC operating system and applications. Remember, when you install an operating system (OSX, snow leopard, ocelot, whatever) or an application (FCP, Photoshop, Avid, etc.) it has to live on a drive, yes? Well, instead of praying that I get a MAC with the proper operating system and application, I take mine with me on a small, high-speed drive. Then, by pushing a button on MAC start-up, I can use my portable drive with it's operating system and applications. The MAC simply provides the RAM, the processing, the keyboard & mouse, and the screen(s). It's also a great way to simply reformat your MAC if it goes kah-blooey. Just a simple disk image from your portable "Ops-Drive" and there ya go.
So, do some research on what else you can do with drives instead of just "store stuff".
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Time to make stuff, again. What should I buy?
Hello, and welcome to Fall 2009. I know everyone currently working in NYC, LA, ATL, and now CHICAGO (Way to go "Mr. Editing Workflow" Paul Smith off to Tower Productions!!) will get all nostalgic about this. If any of you want to comment, send to me and I'll be happy to post it.
So, what do I need?
- Gloves. Yes, a good pair of gloves. Setwear (available through Barbizon http://www.barbizon.com/home/index.cfm, or Studio Depot http://www.studiodepot.com/store/) is my preferred brand. They are expensive, but worth it. If you are going to grip and pull cables, get heavy duty gloves (leather ones from Home Depot or Lowes will work). Handling lights? The Setwear "heat resistant" gloves work well, but don't think you can just grab white-hot objects with them and not feel some heat, or eventually burn your fingers. If you're working with equipment such as meters, audio recorders, etc. then get yourself some palm-padded, fingerless gloves to operate small buttons but still have some protection. Gloves are essential.
- Battery tester. $3.95 at Radio Shack. I've had mine for 15 years. Is the battery good? Why not test it...especially before you go out in the field.
- Cargo Bungees. They tie stuff, support stuff, hold doors open, mount small cameras to cars and ceilings, and are a fairly handy weapon in a pinch.
- A multi-tool. Leatherman, SOG, whatever. Tools are good.
- A multi-input storage drive. Yes, you can get USB 02 drives for dirt cheap at many stores around town, but here's the reality: you need a firewire-based, high-speed drive. Currently, the only drives truly well-rated for SD, HDV, and HD are the G-RAID series (http://www.g-technology.com/index.cfm). Aside from a full raid system for my work at home, the MINI and MINI 02 drives have the proper spin rate and power options for work you'll be doing (I have 7...one actually acts as a spare operating system that I can take to any MAC and use all of my applications). No, they are not a big ol' 1TB, but learn to organize and you won't NEED a big 1TB drive...ask Speas or Paul.
- C-47's, Hello Kitty's, door stops, etc. As many expendables as you can afford!
Remember, creating visual stories isn't for the classroom only. Keep writing, shooting, etc. This stuff helps.
So, what do I need?
- Gloves. Yes, a good pair of gloves. Setwear (available through Barbizon http://www.barbizon.com/home/index.cfm, or Studio Depot http://www.studiodepot.com/store/) is my preferred brand. They are expensive, but worth it. If you are going to grip and pull cables, get heavy duty gloves (leather ones from Home Depot or Lowes will work). Handling lights? The Setwear "heat resistant" gloves work well, but don't think you can just grab white-hot objects with them and not feel some heat, or eventually burn your fingers. If you're working with equipment such as meters, audio recorders, etc. then get yourself some palm-padded, fingerless gloves to operate small buttons but still have some protection. Gloves are essential.
- Battery tester. $3.95 at Radio Shack. I've had mine for 15 years. Is the battery good? Why not test it...especially before you go out in the field.
- Cargo Bungees. They tie stuff, support stuff, hold doors open, mount small cameras to cars and ceilings, and are a fairly handy weapon in a pinch.
- A multi-tool. Leatherman, SOG, whatever. Tools are good.
- A multi-input storage drive. Yes, you can get USB 02 drives for dirt cheap at many stores around town, but here's the reality: you need a firewire-based, high-speed drive. Currently, the only drives truly well-rated for SD, HDV, and HD are the G-RAID series (http://www.g-technology.com/index.cfm). Aside from a full raid system for my work at home, the MINI and MINI 02 drives have the proper spin rate and power options for work you'll be doing (I have 7...one actually acts as a spare operating system that I can take to any MAC and use all of my applications). No, they are not a big ol' 1TB, but learn to organize and you won't NEED a big 1TB drive...ask Speas or Paul.
- C-47's, Hello Kitty's, door stops, etc. As many expendables as you can afford!
Remember, creating visual stories isn't for the classroom only. Keep writing, shooting, etc. This stuff helps.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Advice From The LA Crew: "Speasalicious"
Sorry this post has taken so long folks...but just like Kate and Mitch, all must stop until Adam "Speasalicious" Speas sends his post. Here it is (wishing it was in glorious Technicolor). This has been edited for content because Speas was born with a "Mature Content Warning":
Speas is dishing out the advice! Take heed lil chillens!
To make the move to LA successful first get pliers, a 6' piece of floss, gummi bears, and plastic explosive. Then McGuyver together a RED camera and editing bay! It's as simple as that. Well maybe not as simple as that, and most likely you'll be sitting in your new apartment surrounded by empty Mickey's bottles, using storage tubs as furniture, and drying your tears with 99 cent store toilet paper. Or maybe that was just me...
Anyway, so you wanna join the ranks of UGA alum out in LA? You wanna throw passion to the wind, let down your hair, and drive route 66 west till you see blue waters (by route 66 I mean I-40 which runs right beside 66 and lets you drive oh so much faster, and by blue waters I mean the nasty trash ridden black waters of South Cali)! Welcome to the club. We are a select few, and we stick together. Which is one of the most important things for me out here. I don't know if I would be as sane (by sane I mean only wetting myself once a week!) without the likes of Jared, Blade, Chatter, Flippo, Pike, Ashley, Mitch, and Kate. In the long run, I know my friends in LA will be the biggest asset I have in the industry. We've helped each other hunt for jobs and keep motivation high. This goes for everyone you meet out in LA too. Keep up contacts. Email, call, text everyone you've met once in a while to let them know you're still alive and needing work. Lesson #1: Don't be an a-hole, be friendly.
Once you have a friend or two to make spoons with on those cold dark nights, the next step is find work. Lesson #2: Be an eager whore. Hunt for any work you can. Any type of work to meet new people and take a step closer to your final job goal is a worthy job. Talk to everyone you can. Walk up to shoots on the street to pass out your card, get your name out there. No one knows you, and no one cares what short you made for a class project. But what you can do is take the talents you learned from Biddle and Smith and meld them with an undying need to whore yourself out. This industry-prostitution is most potent in forms of interning. We all have to do it - free work. To really show people the hunger for the film industry you have, you need to get out there and prove that you deserve to get paid. Graduating from college with a degree in production doesn't prove you deserve money. Soaking up every little morsel of information in your field helps, late hours help, and asking questions help. If you get turned down on a job you really want, then offer to come in and help for free. Do whatever you have to do to learn what you need. And if that doesn't work, my pimp Angelo knows the best street corners in Thai-town to get a little extra income.
Now you have learned the ways of the elegant LA film industry whore. This is not a cake walk. Moving across the country to pursue a dream is not for everyone. If you really believe you have the marbles to move out here, then pack up and I wanna see you at my door asking to crash on the couch by next week. All of us rebels are more than happy to help. Time for the final lesson (because only 2 lessons is a jip, and I've learned everything in film should come in threes). Lesson #3: Luck be a lady tonight (hopefully a lady that looks like Bea Arthur, mmmmmm, Bea Arthur). Pray to whatever deity you believe in, eat enough fortune cookies at panda express until you get the right one, or try to be at the right place in the right time. Hope for luck. That's all anyone can really do out here. No one knows there will be another job after the first. This is easily the least important lesson of the day. If you work hard enough on lessons 1 and 2 then you'll need very little luck to get where you need. But if you dick around and wait, then you'll be needing a lot of luck to get where you want to be. So with any real ingenuity, luck will be a minor (but can definitely be important) factor out in LA. As a representative of UGA and Tele Arts, I'd expect luck to be the slimmest aid in your journey. You've been taught better than that, so prove it. Or don't take it from me. There may be a good reason Mander's pet name for me is Royal F&%$-up.
Speas
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