Tale as old as time

Well, I just got done working as a PA on a short film called The Bedwetter. More information on the film and the production company here:

http://www.greeniefilms.com/films/works.htm

They loved me :). And it was possibly the most positive group of people I have ever worked with. Anyway, I spent 5 long days with them and it was a wonderful experience. My duties ranged from daily errands, grip work, cake decorating, properties coordination, and child wrangling.

The film is very promising in terms of quality, and I have been promised invitations to all screenings and festival showings :) I can't wait. The writer/director of the project thought I was one of the best things on the face of the earth and has eagerly agreed to be a reference for me to help find future work in the television and film industries. It's really nice to feel appreciated.

One of the other crew members gave me a hot tip on some shoes I should consider buying since my feet have really been killing me (as a PA its poor form to ever sit down when it is not an official meal break, so working 12 hour days can be really rough on your feet). The brand everyone recommends is called Red Wings - they run a bit expensive, but apparently they really do the trick. As soon as I have a job (and if it is in this industry) I will be checking them out.

Also, just a shout out to how small the world his, Michelle and Barbara (the two women in charge of The Bedwetter) knew 1 other grad from Carnegie Mellon - and that is actually why they opted to hire me off of my craigslist inquiry. Her name is Maxine Lapiduss--sound familiar? She was the woman I was planning on working for when I moved out here. Hah.

I got home on Monday at 3:30 PM, talked to my mom on the phone, and immediately fell asleep. I didn't wake up until 11:00 AM on Tuesday. I suppose that's my body's way of telling me I was exhausted. I took yesterday as a rest day. Built a shelf, did some cleaning, unpacked my books, etc. It was nice to get a break.

Today I woke up, showered, cleaned, and went to see a matinee of Funny People all by myself. Just an hour ago, I threw a load of laundry into the washer, and Sam and I were watching a bit of TV. All of a sudden we heard a crashing banging which I immediately thought was someone breaking into our apartment. We both shot up and ran down the hallway to find that our washing machine had eaten itself.

Unfortunately my clothes had not reached the rinse cycle, so I rinsed them out as best I could in the shower and threw everything into the shower so we'll see what happens. I have already filed the maintenance request, so we'll see what happens. UGH.

TTRs:

Crafty: pet name for craft services (industry catering)

Flag: A rectangular metal frame lined with black soft goods, used as a light blocker

C-Stand: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C-Stand

The midas touch

I knocked my interview out of the park today. Not to say that was very difficult - the director was amazingly nice and a CMU grad directing alum. We had a lot to talk about has he went to school with some of the people who taught me over the last few years. He was an awesome guy. His name is Craig Belknap and you can read up on him a little at the following website:

http://calarts.edu/faculty_bios/theater/faculty/craigbelknap/craigbelknap

Anyway, it was a great interview - he liked me, my motorcycle, and how I take my coffee (which was a bit of a lie since I don't drink coffee, but asked for it black which is how he drinks it too). I have learned one thing in an interview - if you get offered a drink, take it. It makes everything so much more relaxed. 

I also found out that he requested the interview with me just because I went to CMU - good thing $50k a year is getting me somewhere.

Improving the Blog

Hello all,

First of all, I have to change my attitude. I am going to be positive - whether or not it kills me. I have changed the title of my blog to reflect my new attitude and given it a description that parallels my determination.

On a less poetic note:
I have modified my blog settings, so now ANYONE can comment directly on my blog and you no longer have to do annoying word verifications. However, word verifications weed out spam, so if it becomes a problem I will have to undo those. Also, when you comment it will email me, so I can respond back to you right away.

Best,

M

Behave yourself.

I spent almost my entire day (10:30 AM - 4:30 PM) at the CA DMV (or driving to and from it). That's right, it took me 6 hours and 3 trips to get my CA license. But I have it. It's not even worth retelling the battle thereof.

This morning (9:15 AM) I get a call from the producer of the touring show. It was a very positive phone interview, and I will know about that in a week. The position is less of an ASM and more of an all around production assistant, but the pay would be about $750 a week including per diem which is -- fantastic -- considering the current financial state of everything and the drop offs in the arts.

While at the DMV (waiting in one of many very long lines), the production manager of a nearby theater called me (her name is Becca and she's an alum of the CMU SOD). She asked me to interview with a director tomorrow to see if we would be a good pairing for stage managing a show in their season. Of course I'm going to do the interview tomorrow @ 11:30 AM, but the problem with the job is that stage managing a show in rep gives you a very awkward schedule (weeks off at a time, but working at a 110% efficiency other times), and as such, the pay is not very good and the erratic schedule doesn't allow you to supplement your employment. Maybe it would be okay with temp work, but it might be a stretch :-/

Anyway, I am going to stop counting my chickens before they hatch.

Tomorrow: Interview
Wednesday-Sunday: PA on a short film

(PA = Production Assistant for those of you who may not know)

And the Heavens opened

Yesterday was the worst interview I have ever had. Macy's retail group interview. One woman in my group would not stop talking about her financial desperation, and another guy had a blinking twitch that I couldn't help but stare at. HOWEVER, due to the unfortunate people in my group, I was definitely the shining star. BUT, the manager made it clear that they no longer had any jobs available, so they were just doing general inquiries. So not only was it awkward, but it was pointless and a waste of my time. I did a light batch of retail therapy (spent $7 between a coffee drink and a set of STRAP PERFECTS) to make myself feel better.

BUT THEN SOMETHING AMAZING HAPPENED!
I got a call yesterday that I missed from Sam's ex-boyfriend (a guy we went to school with together for a while; we actually worked on "Three Sisters" together). His name is Dan, and he has practically handed me a job on a silver platter. A friend of his, Andi, is looking for an Assistant Stage Manager to go on tour with a big band show she is stage managing. I do not know Andi, I do not know the name of the show, I do not know where it is touring.

You might ask: "Well, Maddie, what DO you know?"

I know that it will pay $500 a week (not great, but not minimum wage either).
I know it will cover my travel expenses.
I know I will receive per diem.
I know that it seems a lot more productive than what I am doing right now.
I know that it would tour September - November.

So I talked to Dan for a while about this job, and he sold it to me as, "If you want it, it's yours." He and Andi are very close and he has referred me very highly to her. Something for which I am in a huge debt to him.

So I just finished polishing my theater resume and I sent it off to Andi. I will let all of you know information as it comes to me. Fingers crossed.

Test test... Is this thing on?

Hey family of mine. Just making sure some of you are still out there.

Tomorrow's interview #1. Please wish me luck!!!

Interviewing with a permanent placement temp/staffing agency - hopefully this can be a source of steady work. I have to do computer standards tests - typing speed, excel, etc. I am SOOO not worried about those.

If it goes poorly--we'll lets just say I have a $2 bottle of wine and a $4 bottle of champagne who will greet me with open arms! Just kidding.

Silver linings

OKAY!

I grew up a little today (in addition to eating a piece of humble pie). I have an interview with a permanent placement temp agency on Monday, a retail interview with Macys on Thursday, and filed for consideration with a executive assistant temp agency today.

If I don't get hired to work at Macy's... let's just say I might be down an eyebrow.

I will be sure to keep you all in the loop as things progress.