Whats been keeping me

Its been a while between posts and wanted to give an update on whats been going on.

I just posted about the interview with Jabbawockies and Sweet Fetish News. They have some meetings this week and next to finally pitch their pilot to a few networks so I wish them the best. I'm suppose to head with them tomorrow (Thursday) for an interview with Natasha Bedingfield and then later in the week for an interview with E-40. Sadly I've been out of a car and so not sure how I'll be getting out there. Hopefully I can figure something out and then I'll have another blog post about those events. Not to mention so good footage and names for Sweet Fetish News to use.

I've actually been spending most of my time working with a few other clients/projects. I've been Exec. Producing on a documentary on sustainability, working at getting that off the ground. I've been making some pretty good connections and coming along well. A lot of my time has been going into one of the tech clients we have and getting them off the ground. Then my last big time consuming project has been an upcoming TV series that is preping for production.

I'd say I haven't been doing much else aside from work. There have been a few smaller projects and clients that I've been working on here and there and a few trips down to LA or into S.F that have also kept me busy.

I have bought my ticket to the Mashable Event coming up this Tuesday in S.F. That should a lot of fun and a good networking opportunity. I haven't ever been to one of their events before or to any tech event so we'll see how it is.

Running out of steam and have to head to training. Hopefully I'll get back on here soon.

Jabbawockies and SF News

Wow, I can't believe its been so long since I've written a post on here. I guess that is why ppl are starting to twitter more because they just don't have time. I can't remember when but I had been meaning to get on here and write about our interview with the Jabbawockies. It was whenever they last performed out in Stockton, CA.

Again it was a crazy night, we didn't know confirmed details till the very end and the time kept getting pushed back. We showed up at their hotel after the show but they wanted to get ready for a club they were going to that night so we were suppose to ride with them in the limo on the way over. Then, that got changed to just meet them there at the club. We'll it was eventually 1:30 before we had the interview. Things just tend to take a lot of time. Its a lot of hurry up and wait.

The interview went well and so hopefully you can catch it with Sweet Fetish News when it comes out. They have actually since met up with the Jabbawockies again to hang out for the forth of July out in San Jose. This time there was a lot less delays and went very smooth. Hope they enjoyed the cake the Ladies at Sweet Fetish got for them.

Ne-Yo, Alicia Keys Concert

On the 10th Ne-Yo and Alicia Keys were in San Jose performing at the HP Pavilion. I'm actually a fan of both artists and was really looking forward to the show. I was headed out there once again with the Ladies from SF News. It was set up for us to interview Ne-Yo and then head inside for Alicia's performance. However, with the 101 different people that we were coordinating with prior to the event and the number of times the plans changed. It was no surprise when things didn't work out as planned.

Sadly we never got to go inside for the Alicia Keys' performance because some miss communication and a rather angry security guard. (I should say though everyone else was helpful)

We were still able to meet up with Ne-Yo and held a short interview before he had to go on stage. Of course you will have to check out SF News for all the details of the interview. Things went well, once we got in it was an easy set up and wait kind of situation as usual. But once he got there and we were going to start, I was really impressed with how personable and grounded he really was. Very polite, came in and shook everyones hand, said hello and the interview got started. Its great to continually met others in the industry and related industries that have made a huge succses for themselves yet don't let it get to their head. I had a good time at the interview, it's great to be around very positive people.

After the interview of course there was some mix ups and we were not allowed to stay for the Alicia keys concert but hopefully we'll meet up with her next time she heads through the area.

Iron Man and Forgetting Sarah Marshal

This past weekend I actually took off for a change and went to the movies. A couple weeks prior I went to go see the Forbidden Kingdom which was the first movie I had seen in the theaters in a very long time. Which I was actually impressed with, based off the trailers I saw, I really didn't expect much for the film. But I did like the story and the action scenes. There was also a decent amount of comedy through the film which I enjoyed.

Jon Favreau did a great job with Iron Man. I had heard a lot about the film and its not always good to follow all the hype. I was interested to see how the film was shot, since a lot of it takes place in the day and I knew they were experimenting with some different camera techniques. All of which I think came out very well. I had also heard about all the training and working out that Robert Downey Jr. had to do for the role. He hasn't played a super hero type in the past and new that was something of a concern for the film. He did a great job though, I was really impressed all around and glad I saw the film. I don't know how true to the story of Iron Man the film stayed to, I've known of Iron man and followed some of the story lines but it wasn't the main comic for me growing up. However, I enjoyed the movie, and again besides the action, I found myself laughing at several parts.

Forgetting Sarah Marshal. Now I know a few people that could really benefit from this film but they will never take away a very central message. Which would be, Forget your ex, move on. Of course its always easier said than done. I thought it was well written, the cast was great, (Mila Kunis is amazing, I'd ask her out if I ever met her), and the locations, I can't believe how much I want to head back to Hawaii right now. The movie is worth seeing in the theaters and if you miss it in the theaters you might as well just buy it when it comes out. Its everything you expect, I would say I liked it a lot more than Knocked Up, probably more than 40 year old Virgin also.

Its been a very long and busy week, working again this weekend, so I am going to cut this very short. Hope you can get out and enjoy a few shows.

Cristal Camden + Melissa S.

Saturday night, what to do...

To start off a little earlier, I had hurt my ankle on Wednesday and could barely walk. Things didn't look like it was getting any better and spent my Friday night resting on the coach. Saturday I head into work, get an edit going and take care of some paperwork and other forms that I had to get done.

I arrange for a guy to meet my camera op for another job to drop off and pick up the tapes, fixed the on camera light (so I thought), and arranged everything for my shoot out in the city with the expected 20 something playboy playmates and a performance by Melissa S.

Well come 4pm and I haven't heard anything from my production assistant (friend from town) that is suppose to go help me shoot, the guy that was going to drop off and pick up the tapes got called into San Jose so he canceled on me. I hadn't heard from anyone all day.

Well, 7pm finally comes around and everyone decides to call me back, thankfully. My DP for the local shoot said he could swing by the office for me so that worked out nice. and the guy that was going to head out with me to the city said he was ready as well.

We leave late and still get to club 525 early because since they are rehearsing they wont let anyone in. not even the extra camera guy that is suppose to be filming for the club. Because partially because I'm not a DP, my ankle was messed up, and I just didn't want to film, I had brought with me another friend that is looking to build his reel.

Things were going good, we all luckily got in once the manager of the club got there. At least we didn't have any major set up as we did last time with the interview I did with Donnie Klang. People were starting to pile in even though it was still very early, and by about 11 or so we started to get some good shots. p.i.n.k. and Jetset Energy were two of the event sponsors for the night so it was good talking to them in regards to an upcoming series I'm working on. Hopefully they will help us out.

Things were going fine. Then, our dam on camera light went out. The dam light is suppose to last for like 1,000 hours or something like that and we've used it for maybe 10 hours total. And the bad thing was, we only had about 10 minutes of footage at that point and the whole night left to go. And might I add, we did not have a spare.

Luckily once it was time for Melissa S's performance the lighting was good enough for us to capture her act. which, I was rather impressed by. I haven't heard her before or even knew who she was prior to this but she looks good. And she can sing also.

Shortly after her performance it was time for the playboy playmate bikini runway show. Which really turned out to just be hosted by one playboy playmate, Cristal Camden. It was still a good show with some good models up there. We were lucky enough to use the light provided for the runway show. We finished up taping after the runway show and packed up the camera.

So all in all it was a good night. Got a couple good shots, more importantly got the camera into Roberts hands so he could get some additional experience. The club still had another 30 minutes till last call and there just happened to be a girl there offering to buy us a drink. I'm sure it would have been rude to refuse. So my friend made a new friend, and we hung out till the bar closed before taking off. The day started off questionable but the night ended pretty good. Even though I hate when we run into problems in a shoot, this was more for the experience of the crew I brought with me and I had fun. Just another reason I love my job.

Networking

I was recently writing about networking and though I should post up what I had written.

Networking is key in any industry. Networking is especially important in any industry where the product you sell is yourself.

We are in an age of constant work and constant communication. It is important for any person in the marketing industry to take full advantage of the top online social networking sites, attaining email addresses, phone numbers, and addresses of everyone they meet in an industry because in a year, or two years or ten years. They may be the person you need to talk to for your next job, your next sale or they may be your next top employee.

You have to remember you can't just see people for what they can do for you but what you can do for them.

Also, with so many areas to connect and network with people; social networking sites, email, fax, text, blogs, etc. it is important to remember how much more important an actual letter, a phone call or face to face meeting can be.

With the widespread reach of the internet, mobile phones and fax machines, people can run entire companies with never meeting half the employees, start run and close new accounts from across the world with never meeting the client face to face. I actually ran an nationwide account where I never met a single person face to face from that company.

With so many great options for networking and keeping in touch and with how simple it is to shoot off a text or an email. The meaning behind a written letter, phone call or personal face to face meeting now means that much more.

Remember to take the time, and go beyond the simple email or quick text. Not just in business but with all your friends and family.

I remember back in college when I was lucky enough to still receive packages from my grandmother, I wrote her a letter to say thank you. Turns out non of the other cousins had done that before and I had then started received a lot more packages. Or also just think about the last time you received a letter in the mail that was from an old friend saying hi, instead of the usual bills or junk mail. Makes you feel pretty good.

Why I included Training

I've been training in martial arts for about the past year and a half in shou shu. Prior to that, I trained on and off in Aikido with Sensei Bash in Riverside for about 2 and a half years. Which I highly recommend for anyone in the Riverside Area. He is one of the best instructors in Aikido.

Oddly enough, there are a lot of similarities between my old instructor and my new instructor, I think mainly because they come from a very practical application of the art for real life situations.

I included Training in the title of my blog because it is a big part of who I am, and is my escape from everything else going on in life. Most of my blogs will be about work or some work related event since I am working most of the time. However, every now and then there may be a blog included about martial arts or some form of training.

Besides, working in film, traveling and martial arts are my three passions in life, and if I can enjoy all that with friends and family while eating great food, I'll be very happy.

Anjelah Johnson

I was out in Fairfield at the pepperbelly to interview Anjelah Johnson, again with Sweet Fetish News. I don't know what else is in Fairfield but the Peperbelly is a nice lil spot with some good history and sold out crowds.

It didn't start off well though because when I showed up the ppl there were like "oh, so I guess the interview is on". So I'm like great. we got this person to interview and she doesn't want to be here.

Which was right, I don't think she really wanted to be there, and there was a lot of confusion on what was going on and she was tired from the night before.

But I will say this, even though she was tired, Anjelah was great. She is such a nice person. It was great hanging out and then once the interview got started things went well. I look forward to when we can actually work together on a film.

If you haven't been able to get out and check out her show, find out where she is playing next and make it out. Its well worth it, and on top of it she seems very genuine and nice.

I'll cut it off there, I'll write again about my upcoming projects or let you know how they went.

So hopefully this will be the first of many, not sure knowing how my schedule can get sometimes, but I wanted to say hi to everyone. I'll keep this one short but hope to get back on here and keep you updated on anything going on.

Oh, I guess real quick, I got back last night from an interview with Donnie Klang, I'm helping out the Sweet Fetish News team with some of the work they are doing out in the Bay area. The shoot went well, Club NV is pretty cool, anyway not on any sleep and I'm still working on casting for another TV series so I'm gonna end this and get back to work, I'll keep you posted on the next event, in more detail as well.

Best,