Saturday Video Distractions

I have a LONG to-do list this weekend - taxes, pilot pitches, Parenthood spec, and revisions to a Web series outline for an ad agency - plus a few blog posts, if I can stay awake.

So what did I do this morning? I watched these videos on YouTube - all inspirational in their own way - yeah, that's it...

First, a fantastic backseat cover from the incredibly talented Clara C --



I love watching this trailer for Australian TV series Summer Heights High and taking in Chris Lilley's ridiculous talent. Need to get this on DVD!



I don't watch Adventure Time on Cartoon Network, but Christopher swears it's brilliant. He introduced me to the character of Lumpy Space Princess, voiced by the show's Creator & Executive Producer Pendleton Ward.

This compilation of LSP quotes is comprehensive and totally random. My favorite - "Aw no. I am not getting eaten by zombies tonight. Get the lump outta here!"



Of course, this is the best compilation of quotes ever --



Finally, I discovered this wonderful short film from Cherry Sky Films. A simple premise and basic production values, yet completely genuine and authentic performances that make the story sing.

Fiction Friday: City of Fear, Part 1

“New York, New York! It’s a wonderful town!” was stuck in her head as she flew to Chicago. She would have loved to disappear among the throngs of anonymous faces between 5th Avenue and Broadway, but instead she was heading for Oprah’s town, ice-cold and hunched over from the chill, where everyone looked down to keep their eyeballs from freezing.

She’d packed her bag two days ago, taken her trash and recycling to the curb, and opened her windows a crack to let air circulate while she was gone. She’d thought of everything. She was ready.

Except she would never be ready to face her past. Chicago was her destination, but also the pit of her fears. She’d left this city behind eight years ago for a new life alone. A new life away from the news reporters and double takes from passersby and thousands of people who knew her name. A city that hated her.

A boy had died. The man she’d loved and supported had killed him – done horrible things. And even though she took no part in any of it, she wasn’t considered a victim. She should have known, should have seen something, should have noticed the boy’s baseball uniform in her trash can, should have recognized the monster in her bed. She was to blame.

The trial had been swift – the city’s judgment even swifter. He went to jail and she went into hiding, desperately trying to avoid the dark stares of recognition, the notes left on her windshield, even in the snow, and the deep silence from her circle of friends, which had stepped aside and closed back up without her, revealing how little they’d truly cared about her all along.

So she did what any reasonable mouse would do. She ran away. To Portland, where she could hide in the cold and be anonymous. Where the hipster heartline of the town wasn’t up to date on true crime of the last decade so she could get gas for her car without people coughing so she could look up and accept their expressions of hatred.

She became the quiet girl at the office who never went out for drinks and brought her lunch every day. She let her work speak for her, so when the conference in Chicago was announced, her boss chose her for the honor.

She’d cried for an hour in the handicapped bathroom. How to get out of it, how to explain without explaining, how to refuse without drawing attention. There was no way.

So she was sitting on a plane, flying toward the fire, preparing to spend three days at a booth where thousands of people would look at her, put two and two together, and usher her back into her nightmare.

Click to read City of Fear, Part 2

Article Roundup

Note to self - the next time you get rejected by a potential manager, do not get drunk at your writer's group in front of people whose opinion you value. It will feel very embarrassing in the morning. Very.

A few articles I wanted to share --

TV Pilots 2012: The Complete Guide
A comprehensive list of all the pilots getting produced by the networks this season, along with updated cast lists.

Inside the writers room: Top scifi TV writers reveal tricks of the trade
Fantastic nuts and bolts advice from genre writers, including the always awesome Jane Espenson.

The Nine Trends That Are Dominating the 2012–13 Pilot Season
Alas, pilots about Hawaii did not make the list...

Laser-Focused Writers

Don’t just say, “I want to be a writer.” Say, “I want to be a TV writer.”

This was just one of many pieces of advice dispensed at last night’s information session with Frank B. Gonzalez, Director of Talent Development Programs at Disney | ABC. The event featured a panel of current Program Writers and a load of information about the Disney | ABC Writing Program, how to submit, and what makes a successful candidate.

Here’s the gist as I heard it:

• Be a great writer
• Be passionate & confident in interviews
• Be socially ready for the writer’s room

All of which is accomplished through having laser focus on one goal – becoming a working TV writer.

The Disney | ABC Writing Program is incredibly competitive – in part because it pays $50K a year plus full benefits – but also because it actually places its graduates on writing staffs. It’s not for people with a passing interest in TV writing. It’s for people who are committed to breaking in and pushing their career forward. There are only 8 slots each year for a combination of drama and comedy writers.

Sitting in the audience listening to all of this, the thoughts swirling in my head were, “Yes. This is what I want. I’m ready for this. Bring it on. Let’s do this!”

Do I have a new spec script to submit this year? Nope – not yet. Deadline is June 1st – plenty of time right?

I’m not worried. I have laser focus. I can do it.

Other excellent, no-brainer pieces of advice from last night:

• Allow yourself time to devote to the application. Don’t knock yourself out of the running by forgetting one or more of the required components.
  
• Writing is also reading – read as many TV scripts as you can and read the trades to keep up with the biz
  
• Watch television! If you tell them you don’t watch television, your interview is over
  
• Think about your logline as a writer – what is your brand? What makes you different from the next guy? What do you bring to the table?
  
• Your spec should have the sensibility of an ABC show – they’re immediately trying to think where they can place you in the Disney | ABC family of shows
  
• If your spec script makes it past the first round, you’ll need to produce two more writing samples – get that portfolio together now!
  
• You’ll be pitching yourself constantly throughout the application process – get comfortable being an open book
  
• Don’t spec a first year TV show – it takes time for a show to get established and for an audience to get to know that show. Spec a network show that’s been on at least 2 seasons or a cable show that’s been on for 3 seasons.
  

Student Film Shenanigans

Last week, in the midst of my pre-production hell for the FOX project (that eventually got cancelled), I acted in a USC graduate short film.

Because as I've said before, I'm still open to working for free if I can get something out of it - experience, contacts, and/or fun. This project offered all three.

A quick photolog of my experience so far --

This was my third acting job in a year shot at a defunct newspaper office in Los Angeles. Sad, sad wastelands of desks and office chairs:

The production designers dressed up the set quite well, including giving me a green screen - literally.

The background extras near my desk were hilariously entertaining - creating a whole separate storyline amongst themselves. There were several torrid love affairs and a murder plot going on. It's easy to have fun when those around you are having fun.

For a student production, these guys had a ton of equipment - including a $30K camera package from Panavision that was won in a competition.

I had one big scene with the lead actor Jonathan Runyon, seen below as the director watches closely on the monitor --

At one point the director took over the camera himself for my coverage. This is what was staring me in the face for my closeup --

Going back for my third and final day sometime this week. The best part? I'll be working with Roger Bart, who I met at the stage door of Pasadena Playhouse just last month. I told him I looked forward to working with him someday, and now that day is almost here! Isn't life wonderful sometimes?

Money Monday: Vehicle Value

As an actor, your most valuable tool is not your voice. Or your looks. It’s not your ability to break down a script or the list of foreign accents you can pull off.

Your most valuable tool is your car.

Because if you can’t get to the audition or the fitting or the job, you’re not an actor.

Especially in a town like Los Angeles, which is made for cars and not for pedestrians. Public transportation exists, but it’s not a feasible alternative for actors who need to be anywhere at a moment's notice.

So it pays to be smart about your car. Increasing your attention to your car will help decrease your maintenance costs and hassles.

Here are a few tips for taking care of your car life so that your actor life can work:

Don’t Ignore Those Weird Sounds – Investigate immediately! That awful squeaking sound you’re hearing when you turn the corners could mean it’s time for new brake pads. Stop by your local tire place ASAP or you could be shelling out much more on new brakes and rotors.

Get Your Oil Changes on Time – You do not need a new pair of UGGs. Your car does need an oil change on a regular basis or you’re screwing your engine. Check your owner’s manual to find the recommended number of miles for your car between oil changes. Don’t go by EZ Lube’s 3,000 miles assumption – for many cars, you can wait 5,000 miles between changes.

Become an Eco Driver – Slow down on the highway, idle less, and empty that trunk. Follow those and other best practices laid out by sites like Eco Driver and you’ll definitely increase your car’s mpg, which means fewer trips to the gas station. And with today’s prices, you’ll be glad you did.

What is your favorite car maintenance tip?

WonderCon 2012: Nerd Retail Heaven

Ah, the retail paradise for fans that is WonderCon! (Or any sci-fi comic book convention, for that matter.)

After a year of not buying anything, I was looking forward to letting my wallet roam free and capture some geeky gems. There was really something for everyone at WonderCon.

Firefly fans like me could find everything from quirky, funny buttons like these from QMx --

To a detailed model of Serenity herself, also from QMx.

There was stuff for fans who like their tchotchke straight out of the show --

And stuff for fans who like their tchotchke with a little bit of humor --

And stuff for baby fans!

I saw plenty of stuff that made me smile, like this t-shirt that reminded me of playing video games with my brother --

But in the end, here's what I came away with --

A gorgeous print from super talented artist Nidhi Chanani. Her art is beautiful and sweet, often featuring multi-ethnic couples and animal prints worthy of any baby nursery. I chose this print because it reminded me of writing with my own notebooks --

Found more smushiness in Jeff Thomas' characters Pon & Zi - two monster-like characters who actually share a deeply romantic connection. One of my favorite prints --

Though in the end I opted for this bookmark, which just made me laugh --

This button was a must-have from Just Jenn Designs - Nerd Love!

Another fabulous piece of original art, this time from Katie McDee, who it turns out I met at a wedding shower years ago! Love this Harry Potter --

Also picked up two books from Brandon Easton, my fellow Pitching Diversity panelist --

The second book was co-written by Anthony Montgomery, also known as Ensign Travis Mayweather from Star Trek: Enterprise. The logline was the best --

Finally, a few booths with charity connections caught my attention. Picked up this book for a $5 donation to Autism Speaks --

And participated in the Chopstick Pull at the California Browncoats table with proceeds going to The Trevor Project --

I didn't win the prize, but I walked away with a new pair of chopsticks! Score!