Know that you can then you will, get to the top of the hill

I remember the first time I ever heard this song. I was actually in Canada this summer...I think in some restaurant and of course I got so excited because I could've sworn it was Shania Twain. Turns out, it was and when I got a chance to actually listen to all the lyrics, I liked it even more. Every time I heard this song I would remind myself that I wanted to feature this on my blog here...and today is the day. There have been (many) times throughout the past couple months when I've felt scared, defeated, and uncertain about my future...today was one of those days. Every time I hear this song, it makes me feel better and encourages me to not get down and keep plugging away. Fortunately, this song came up on my walk back from class, and I think it was just a sign...or a great reminder, if you will, that things in life are gonna be hard, but if you have something you wanna do, go out and do it!!

I messaged one of the production assistants from The Hunger Games a couple days ago, asking how he got his start in the business and any advice, and then I e-mailed the script supervisor as well. Turns out...today really is my day. I woke up to a reply from the script supervisor who had a lot of helpful things to say and told me to keep in touch monthly. I just got back from my last class and I get an e-mailing saying I got a message back on that film page where I messaged that production assistant...he responded that he would love to talk to me and might even be able to get me a job and to call him. Well, I just got off the phone with him and he seemed nice and eager to talk on the phone, however he was still on set and I told him he could call me back at his convenience (he said he would be on set for another 4 hours or so.) So anyway, although out of nowhere today I kinda got this huge "oh great, nothing is going to work out" feeling, I am encouraged after just once phone call...where nothing even really happened. So from now on, if I ever start to feel defeated again (which I know will happen a lot sooner than later) I will just turn this song on and remember that things do turn around. Don't quit. Part of the fun IS the climb. This is one rather untraditional path i've wanted to follow, so i'm gonna just gonna go out there and give it all I got. Do the best I can and have fun doing it.



You got what it takes you can win,
Today is your day to begin.
Don't give up here, don't you quit.
The moment is now, this is it
Know that you can then you will
Get to the top of the hill
Part of the fun is the climb
You just gotta make up your mind

That today is your day
And nothing can stand in your way
Today is your day
Everything's goin' your way
Today (you can do it)
Today (c'mon c'mon)
Today (c'mon do it)
Today

When somebody throws sticks and stones
All they can break are your bones
And life's gonna kick you around
Then kick you again when you're down

But today is your day
And nothing can stand in your way
Today is your day
Everything's goin' your way
Today (c'mon do it now)
Today
Today
Today

mmmm life's gonna kick you, its gonna kick you around, its gonna kick you down

Brush yourself off no regrets
This is as good as it gets
Don't expect more or less
Just go out and give it your best (give it your best)

Today is your day
And nothing can stand in your way
Today is your day
Everything's goin' your way

Today
Today ( I said today is your day)
Today
Today
I said today
Today
Today is your day mmmmm

Movie Sets, COBA KATs and Realizations

This is one blog post that i've wanted to write since the day I got back from my first day of shooting the movie i'm helping with. Time wasn't in my favor, spring break intervened, but tonight after taking the coba kat, it reminded me of how much I now truly despise business and would love to be elsewhere...like back on set.

My first day on set was a week from last Saturday...so the third. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect since I hadn't really been on a movie set before, but I was very excited to find out. We have now already finished our second weekend of shooting and thankfully the experience hasn't let me down or not met up to my expectations...or hopeful expectations at least. Anyway, some of you might be wondering what it is that I exactly do on set, well I will tell you. My official title is PA, production assistant. I guess it really varies on which production and who you are working for as to what you do, but basically, whatever anyone on production needs you to do. I will start off with day one and kind of just run through some of my tasks as of yet: making sure props are on set and with the correct actors, for 2 of the 3 locations we were shooting in the first day I had to jump in as an extra, make sure the actors are either on set or notified to be on set, being an actor stand in while the cameras are setting up the scene with camera placement and lighting, in charge of the slate ((See picture above) I keep track of which scene/take we are doing and writing it on the little board that I hold in front of the camera before the scene is shot), holding up the lighting board for outside scenes (to reflect more sunlight on the actors for better lighting), and just whatever anyone else needs in general. I know this might sound like an odd job aspiration for some people, but I am honestly loving it. (And when I say job aspiration, this would just be entry level, post-graduation, most feasible job i'm looking for.) It's true there are long hours and the long running joke on film sets is "ready, set, wait" since there is a lot of sitting around and waiting, but I really don't mind. To be honest I quite like the long hours. I know it is mainly because of the company I keep during these long hours, so I am fortunate I like everyone else helping out with the movie. Both the crew and the cast have great attitudes and work ethics and we actually have been working ahead of schedule most days, which is always nice. I really hate to go back to Glee here because i'm sure you are sick of me mentioning it, but it just popped in my head. On the pilot episode Rachel told/asked her teacher, "Being part of something special making you special, right?" And I kind of feel that. I like the feeling again of being part of a team, working with other people to produce this project that we can be proud of, that we know took time and attention, but together we made it happen. I think I will always remember one day after lunch I was sitting in the classroom and Tommy, the director of photography, and Eric, the other camera guy walked out of the room and I was still just sitting at the table listening in on another conversation and Tommy asks if I was coming...I didn't know that he wanted me to, and he said yeah, we're a team now! So Tommy, Eric and I went outside to set up the scene and it is just little things like that that make me want to do this so badly. After that first weekend I knew for sure that this was what I wanted to do. Leaving set, although yeah, I was a little tired, but I was happy. I had a day full of laughing, feeling somewhat productive, being a part of creating this movie, and just hanging out with fun people. I actually couldn't believe some people did this for a living. Now, I know you can't really make a living off being a PA because since they are at the bottom of the totem poll on any film set, they don't get paid great, but i'm ok with that and I am also ok with getting by with very little and even picking up a part-time job to keep it going. Well, I was going to mention the COBA KAT tonight and my business classes and how I honestly could care less, but given the fact of what I have just written about my experience on set so far, I guess it all could go without saying. I know this whole business thing has been something I've been feeling for a while now, so it is not new, but it just makes me more and more thankful with every class and test I take that I was able to find and latch onto something that I truly care and am passionate about. Whenever I had to sit through those finance, marketing, and now strategic management classes almost all I could really think about was, I honestly didn't care. I had/have no interest in finance and I don't think I could even tell you what in the world was on that COBA KAT I just took. I can't. I just can't get into business. But what I can is film, and i'm so glad it finally made its way to me. I can't wait again still filming again on Saturday, but then again, the sooner and more we film the sooner it will be done! ...hmm, maybe someone is making something in April I can out with! :)