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.