Learning by Doing (The TCF in LA Story)

I would say that TCF in LA has been one of the greatest experiences that I have had in college, but it’s the main event I think of that will impact my career the most before I return for my last year at UA. Before I got to LA, I really wanted to call a bunch of production designers and art directors and ask to intern or apprentice with them for free. At the time, I didn’t technically have an internship, but I did have an interview at Coffee 101. That interview with Red 14 Films got me my first internship in Los Angeles. Before this internship, I basically as got jobs how Steve Hollander, the stage manager at Conan, did "I never got a job off of a resume."

The first person I meet that worked in the art department in Los Angeles was Emi Rios on The Perfect World set. He was the first person that gave me a look into what life would be like for a production designer. Furthermore, he recommended everything from books to what I should have in my kit. One the same set, I met Ian McClellan, who ended up being the DP on the Streets of Antioch set. This made me really realize how small the entertainment industry is and understand people wanting to work with people they know because they know that person’s work ethic and that they like them. It kind of relates to what I said in something I posted on my Facebook page, “Every set is kind of like a family in that way. We constantly want to find ways to make their lives easier, while at the same time learning more about them as people.”

One of my favorite experiences in Los Angeles is when I finally got up the nerve to email 25 production designers and art director. I ended up meeting two of them for coffee, Sharmila Ray and Sarah Pott. I asking them questions about how they got to where they are, what I needed for my kit, rates, art department budgets, and etc. One important thing that I learned from Sharmila was “don't let money discourage you- Mo money mo problems.  Money will always be an issue, don't look at what you don't have currently, but think about you want to have in the near future.  Set a goal and stick to it.” 

The final Sunday Los Angeles was when I really realized that I can do this. I’m the only non-TCF major in the class, so I felt that I was a little behind in the experience area. I got a lot of my initial experience with equipment at Cinegear and with set from student undergrad and thesis films, but I had yet to be on a professional set working as crew. Working on After the Woods, I learned how important a production assistant’s job really is. Production assistants help the cast’s and crews’ day go faster and be less stressful while they are filming.

Kevin Ryan Williams: The Master and other short stories

My time with TCF in LA has been an eventful experience, an experience in which I will always remember, because it has prepared me so much for my career and life as well. Arriving in Los Angeles was nerve-racking at first. The traffic, people, and fast paced environment were enough to scare this Alabama boy back on the plane, but after the first day I fell in love with Los Angeles. As a class, we toured and got the full experience to some major film studios, some being my favorite studios as a kid. My favorite experiences at these studios were the VIP experience of Universal Studios. At Universal Studios, we were given the full VIP experience to some of the recognizable film and TV sets as well as some 3D rides that the public doesn’t always get the chance to see. Touring FOX Studios was an amazing experience as well; we met with some top executives of the studio and got tour the whole lot, seeing Academy Awards, memorable film locations, different landmarks on the lot were pretty mind blowing. It amazed me to see what went into making films and how close and intimate the soundstages were, where most of my favorite films were made. The studios were filled with history of directors, actors, films, cinematographers and other famous people that gave up the life to making these studios great.

            Secondly, being apart of a studio audience was awesome! I learned how much work goes into making a live to tape television show. Watching the producer and show runner collaborate with the director was probably the most informative process I took from the show along with watching the writers rewrite something quickly when the actor couldn’t get the line right or when the joke didn’t land. Most importantly I experienced how a studio audience works and how important an audience is to the show. When I came to Los Angeles I had never had an internship, but when I was hire by two major companies, I was in for a wild ride. I worked at Idea Talent Agency, which is a leading business of agents that represent actors, writers, and directors. I was a small fish in a big pond when I walked into the office my first day of work, but the team welcomed me as one of their own. While at the agency, I learned how important an actor’s reputation is as well as the agent’s. I was placed in an environment where I would submit actors for different shows and feature films in the development process. My boss even helped me out with my own acting career when I was asked to submit a self-tape for the hit show The Walking Dead after the studio saw my credit list. Unfortunately I haven’t received a call for the show, but it was an awesome experience. My favorite memory from this class was when started working at Crystal Sky Pictures as an editing intern assisting the lead editor. I helped out on editing a major feature film which is scheduled to release next summer, but that’s not even the exciting part. One day I was sitting at my desk filing documents for the editor when I heard a voice say, “You look bored?” when I looked up it was none other than Academy Award Winner Jon Voight. I was speechless when the actor spoke to me, but I managed to get out a “Yep!” Mr. Voight told me to come to his office and we ended up talking for hours on end about acting and life in general. He urged me to follow my acting path and my film career at the same time, because he was convinced the industry needed more actor/directors. Jon Voight said the industry needed ME. 

           

            In conclusion, if I wouldn’t have taken this class I would have never gotten the contacts nor experiences that I received in Los Angeles. Dr. Raimist pushed me to the limit for me to do my absolute best to attend this class and I will be the first to say that the class paid off and it was worth every penny. I urge everyone to take this class not because of the credits you receive, but for the lifelong connections you receive that will help your career out in the future, not to mention the knowledge you receive about the industry. All of my thanks go to the experiences of my internships and this class, if it were not for this class I wouldn’t be prepared and wouldn’t have gotten the connections I do now that will pave the way for my career.

                                                                                                            Kevin Ryan Williams
Graduate 2015
Voted most likely to be cooler than you 2009

The City of Angels: Reflecting on the Best Summer of my Life

 

We made it.  We're here.  It feels so good to finally arrive at the city of Angels after so much anticipation.  What's the first thing on the agenda once we arrive?  Do you even have to ask?  Of course we've gotta visit the Hollywood sign.  This iconic sight has been etched into my mind since infancy, and now I'm standing right in front of it.  I have chills when I consider the significance of this moment.  This is just the first leg of a journey that is sure to change my life.  

 

Next stop: Universal Pictures.  Our first visit to a film studio was, in my opinion, the best one.  Sure it was directed more towards tourists than filmmakers, but we were introduced to so many new facets of the industry, all in one day.  Walking through the prop rooms and the wardrobe department had me mesmerized.  These are rooms that I have been seeing on behind-the-scenes featurettes ever since I started falling in love with cinema.  And then there are the intricately detailed fake cities that are designed to capture the essence of several different locales. Seeing such iconic buildings as the clock tower from Back to the Future blew.me.away. 

On to the next studio: Warner Brothers.  Now, this is a studio that I have always felt a strong connection to.  They have produced some of my favorite films of all time (Harry Potter, The Hobbit, The Matrix, Batman, etc.), so I was slightly excited to visit their lot.  I wasn't disappointed... Trust me.  It was amazing to be able to walk around inside the studio that they film Conan and many other shows in.  But the thing that really sold the trip to WB for me was the Harry Potter museum.  These films were my childhood, so being able to walk amongst some of my favorite props of all time was a surreal experience... Plus, at least I finally know I'm not a Slytherin (Gryffindor for life).

Now, there's one filmmaker who I would not be here without.  Peter Jackson is the reason I'm in Los Angeles.  He made what I consider to be the best trilogy of films that this universe has ever seen, and if it weren't for the special features attached to the extended edition of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, I would not have decided to pursue filmmaking. 

The moment I just happened to stumble across his star on the Hollywood walk of fame felt like destiny.  I connect to this director more than any other filmmaker in the world, and his path to becoming one of the only directors in Hollywood with a blank check has inspired me to be a better filmmaker more than anything.  Finding his screenplays at the Writer's Guild library made that class trip even more special for me.  The trip to the Writer's Guild was one of the most rewarding experiences I had in LA.  Screenwriting is my career goal.  I live and breath scripts.  Not just good ones, either.  For my internship, I read many horrible, horrible scripts.  And guess what?  I loved it!  My experience with reading and analyzing scripts has taught me one important lesson.  You can learn just as much--if not more--about the craft of screenwriting from reading a bad script as you can learn from reading a great one.  And this is a lesson that, in their eagerness to criticize, I think many people miss.  It's just one of many lessons that my internship taught me.

One of my favorite aspects of this city has been the recognition that many places give to feats of significant filmmaking.  Seeing Academy awards line the walls of buildings in Warner Brothers, Fox, and the Dolby theater was awesome, because who doesn't want to receive an Oscar?  I think that most, if not all, of this class have an earnest desire to hold that little gold man onstage at the Dolby theater.

And while we're on the subject of getting recognition for filmmaking, I have only one word that can adequately describe my experience at Campus Moviefest... Wow.  Being able to see my work on the big screen was one of the most gratifying experiences I've ever had.  Sure, my film wasn't great, but this was a major milestone for me.  And hopefully, this won't be the last time that I get to enjoy a film by Richard Giles on the big screen.

My short film, "Stolen Moments", wasn't even my favorite screening, though.  We went to several screenings of upcoming movies and popular television shows.  Going to the Community screening and getting to see and hear from the cast and crew of that show was awesome.

But there was one screening that just can't be topped.  That was the Terminator Genisys premiere at the Dolby Theater.  This was not only the best night of the trip, it was also one of the most fun nights of my life.  It all started with us waiting in the hot sun, not even knowing if we'd be able to get into the movie.  Next thing we know, we're standing next to the red (or silver) carpet, watching some of my personal favorite actors walk by.  Pretty cool, huh?  Well we find our seats and watch the movie.  It's a neat film.  Nothing special, but enjoyable nevertheless.  At this point, you may be thinking, "That sounds fun and all, but 'Best night of the trip?'...  I think not."  Well, my friend, by the time the movie ended, the night had not even begun.  We walked out of the theater, and, as I attempted to find out which way my car was, I looked down and noticed that I had stumbled onto the red carpet.  Our group just kept following it until we ended up in what seemed to be the happening place to be in LA.  Turns out that we trounced into the Terminator Genisys after party on accident.  We spent the next few hours schmoozing it up with such celebrities as Emilia Clarke, Jason Clarke, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, and WWE Superstar Shad Gaspard!  Definitely one of the most memorable nights of my life.

However, I think that the part of this trip that made it all worth it was getting to meet my own personal hero... Tommy Wiseau: writer, director, producer, and star of the instant classic, The Room.  I've never been so fascinated by a human being, so getting to meet the man who I've built up such an iconic image of in my mind over the past 3 years was overwhelmingly satisfying.  And believe me, my expectations were not only met.  They were exceeded to an infinite degree.  I only wish we had become best friends and started hanging out every weekend... But hey!  It could still happen!

In conclusion, I'd just like to say that this summer has been the most rewarding experience of my life, and I've grown very close to almost everyone I've met in this class.  I'm lucky to have met such great aspiring filmmakers, and I hope to stay connected with them for many years to come.

Lui Galletto: The First Steps to a New Chapter

If you told me a few years ago I would be on the cusp of moving across the country to begin working in the entertainment industry, I would have laughed at your high expectations. I was bedridden in pain after an accident, and my future looked bleak. But after years of hard work, here I am, about to start living my dreams, in no small part from the help of this program.

More specifically this TCF in LA program. After having the opportunity to work on the “front lines” of the industry for even just a few months, and getting opportunities to network with individuals and alumni already established across the industry, I have been given an opportunity that will set me down the path that would be the envy of nearly anyone moving to LA for the first time to start out.

Unlike most college courses, which teach you the creative and practical knowledge of an industry you are pursuing, this class gives you professional knowledge and experience. In fact, one of the requirements for even heading out to LA was a crash course in resume and cover letter building. As I was quick to pick up on, there are many diverse subtleties within the industry that are unlike any other professional environment. You have to prepare, learn this new language, and most importantly learn to sell yourself.

Coming from a family of lawyers and businessmen, this was the biggest indication that things were about to change, and I had to prepare myself if I wanted to make it. It was sink or swim, and I had never seen an ocean before.

Initially I was worried, this program was taking on some the most talented and creative students in the TCF department, and I felt a little disheartened at my peers successes landing internships, while I was struggling to even hear back from any. So the day of our departure comes, and I land at LAX with no job lined up. Despite my excitement to finally be on the West Coast, I was nervous and scared that I was going to miss this incredible opportunity because no one would give me a chance. But soon, any worry I was harboring dissipated as I was caught up in a whirlwind of adventure and travel to various studios and venues around LA during our first week.

We were going to studio lots, visiting prop houses, and meeting people who had already made a name for themselves out there. Simply, I was inspired, and it was truly a kick in the butt I needed. And best of all during this first week, the heavens opened and delivered me two interviews from nowhere. I was accepted to both jobs, and thus my learning experience truly began.

The two places I interned at were The Robb Company, a literary and talent management boutique on the outskirts of Korea Town, and Blindlight, a company that specializes in Voice Overs for video games and was located right on Sunset boulevard. Each were unique experiences, with little to no overlap aside from me different reading scripts, so I believed this presented me with a very special learning experience. The ability to see two very different sides of the industry, and learn how all the gears move to make everything tick. Both had their own challenges that I met with an eagerness I have not experienced since...well, ever!

This trip, the internships, the people I met, my own classmates, truly lit the fire under my rear end. I think for me, this trip was initially a gut check, a way for me to know for sure that this is something I even wanted to continue doing aside from my initial passion for entertainment. Though the accumulation of experiences would been enough to sway me, I believe getting a chance to spend time in the Writers Guild Foundation Library is what truly pushed my decision over the edge.

Getting a chance to sit down and pour over Bibles of television shows, read writer's notes used while creating episodes, and even reading the scripts of films, television shows, and even video games had me giddy like a kid in a candy store. I am actually underselling exactly how excited I was to be sitting and reading over my favorite shows, not only from a writer's perspective, but seeing how some of my favorite actors translated what they read on the page to the screen. I was so excited I was literally shaking at points, prompting weird stares from some of my classmates.

That's the unbridled passion that made me know: this is where my future is, this is what I want to be doing for the rest of my life. And of course, it is not going to be easy, but I think this class in particular has set me up for success more than any classroom in Alabama could even hope to do. Again, this class teaches the knowledge of the industry by putting you in the heart of a professional environment. I've received so much guidance and advice from my superiors over the past few months, its hard to pick out the most relevant or important one to share. But I think two specific ideas stick out to me most, and they are something everyone starting out needs to remember, and could be useful even if I was reminded of these 10 years down the road.

The first is, always say yes to any opportunity. Heck, this could even be applied to things outside of a professional career, but something that struck me as I met and networked with people around the city is that many of them got their start doing something other than they intended. They wanted their path to go one way, but an opportunity came up for them and they took it, setting up a series of decisions that landed them where they are today. And the best part? Every single one of them has found their true passion by saying yes, and taking on challenges they never fathomed to even try. You need to be adaptable in this industry, as sticking to a specific with bull headed stubbornness will only set yourself up for failure. This is not to say, don't follow your passions (after all that's the reason anyone goes to LA right?), instead I am saying that the story of our life has no set ending, and as we our in the process of writing it, any twist can lead to a happy ending.

The other piece, I think, is more important for anyone already in the industry, but can still be applied to someone just starting out. It's to remember through all you do, all your struggles, successes, highs, and lows the reason you came out here: the passion that drives you. It's all to easy to simply let the pressures and stresses of life jade you; to let life wear out that sparkle in your eye that each of us has as we step into the LA sun for the first time. It's easy to not appreciate what you are creating on a day to day basis and let the tedium overtake you. As I sat in recording sessions for some of my favorite video game franchises, my eyes wide with excitement, I look over the room of audio engineers, directors, and coordinators, and can see that the passion has become a grind. Not out of any fault of their own choosing, but rather because they forget the joy in what they have created. You cannot let this happen. You have to remind yourself that if you are doing what you love, it is not truly work. You have to never let go of those dreams, passions, and creative spark that push you forward and inspire you for the future.

This is my final assignment as a student at the University of Alabama. One chapter of my life is ending, and another is about to begin. Over my time as a TCF student and during this trip, I've met so many people (peers, teachers, alumni) that have touched me in some way, and little do they know how much they have shaped the road I am about to take. They might not know it, but I want to thank each and every one for what they have done for me, and what they have taught me, perhaps without even knowing it. This trip in particular has changed not only my outlook, but my future as well. I've learned and experienced so much in these past few months, and made some true friends along the way. This was the best possible way to end my journey in Alabama, and I would recommend it to anyone who is willing to put in the effort to achieve their goals, and is not afraid to follow their dreams. I know I have, and I will apply it to everything I do in the future. This is Lui Galletto, saying goodbye for now, but keep an eye out for me in the future. I know I will find success in no small part to what I have experienced this summer.

Michael May- Final Reflection

Hoped off the plane at L.A.X. with my dream and cardigan. Welcome to the land of fame, excess, and I thought to myself "Am I gonna fit in?". Jumped in a cab, here I am for the first time. Look to my right and I see the Hollywood sign. This is all so crazy. Everything seems like a Miley Cyrus song. Well, now at the end of this program, I can confidently say that I, indeed, fit in. It's always strange going to a new city for an extended period of time, living with complete strangers, and making a new place your home, but for all the times I felt uncomfortable or like a stranger in a strange land, it was well worth it in the end. 

For example, the first time I met Patrick Maddox was when we took the picture to the left. It's not every day that you meet someone for the first time by sitting on his or her shoulders and taking crazy pictures of the Hollywood sign. And now about 10 weeks later, Patrick and I have become really good friends, along with the rest of my fellow students on this trip. It is just one of the many ways this trip can prove how much can change in ten weeks (besides skin tone).

As the first week of getting acquainted to the city rolled out with awesome tours of Universal and Warner Brothers, (where I got sorted into a Hogwarts house picture right), it did not really hit me that I was in the Los Angeles, Hollywood, the birthplace of all my favorite things, etc. It was all too surreal, casually living Hollywood, working across the street from The Dolby Theater (the home of the frickin' Oscars!!!), and simply being in LA. I did not feel like home yet. The big highway with infinite amounts of traffic, all the starving artists lurking every corner of the city, and fantastic weather were not enough to excite the little kid in me that has always dreamed of Hollywoodland. The first hit of excitement and craziness came when our class attended an FYC (for your consideration for the Emmy's) event for my favorite comedy on TV (well, technically it's only online), Community. There inside the Arclight Sherman Oaks, it hit me that this all actually happening; that I'm in Los Angeles, and I'm about to have the best summer ever. It also did not hurt that I met the creator of the show and a few of the actors as pictured below. 

Alright, so now it is hitting me that I am in LA, and I'm on the verge of having the greatest summer ever. Come week two it was time to start the whole reason I'm out here in the first place: my internship. I'm confident in saying that my internship was extremely different in everyone else's in the program in that it was not in production, and that I have already been with this company for a year. I had many expectations as to what I would be doing shot down completely on the first day, but looking back I’m glad I was wrong. Through my internship I was able to attend many screenings, meet many people in the industry (some of whom will be helpful in getting a job once I graduate), and I worked the red carpet premieres for Vacation and Terminator: Genesys. For Terminator, it was especially fun due to me being able to bring my fellow students with me to the after party where we mingled with A-list celebrities and had one of the best nights of out entire lives (as pictured right).

In 24 hours I’ll be at the airport dreading my flight home back to Atlanta. In 24 hours I would have said goodbye to what I am happy to call my new best friends. It is really bittersweet leaving and going home, but as to quote the first Harry Potter “I’m not going home, not really.” This summer changed me for the better, and I really cannot express how great of a time I have had. A lot of people (including myself) have said that maybe this program is a waste of money, being that I could have easily found my own place out here, and simply interned all summer, but now at the conclusion I see how this program is such a unique experience and I would not trade it for anything in the world. I hope. I wish. I KNOW I’ll be back in Los Angeles one day, and well, yaaaaaaaaa it’s a party in the U.S.A.