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.