It has not escaped my attention that finding a job these days is tough for just about everyone save those who don't really need jobs except to make payments on their third house (and if you're saying to yourself "Ha! That's me!", then send me a grant. I take cash, check, money orders and Paypal.) For the rest of us, we'll take work where we can get it. I would advise caution to the young people (read: high schoolers.) Be careful where you get your first job.
I'm not that old; I'll be 26 this year. I'm old enough to know how the job market works and young enough to remember my first job quite vividly. I worked at a local drug store in Sammamish, WA. It was a pretty good job, as far as first jobs go. I wouldn't want to do it forever, but I don't regret the time I spent there. HOWEVER...having a first job in retail has had repercussions for me.
The economy was in the shitter as I was exiting college (even before people were throwing the word "recession" around, we had a feeling of what was on the horizon,) and I found myself unable to get a decent job. I went to the career center at the university and asked for help. I met with a recruiter for a job who's description was horribly convoluted, then the career counselor happened upon my retail experience. This led to a phone call, an interview, and my first stint at a prominent office supply store, which lasted 14 months, until I moved down to California.
Two and a half years later, I have been compelled to return to the same office supply chain (albeit a different store) for financial reasons. I still maintain my status as a freelance writer, but I'll be honest and say I'd rather be doing something else. And it wasn't for lack of trying. I had applied for hundreds, perhaps even thousands (I shit you not) of jobs before I put my application back into the retail market. I got next to no callbacks in hundreds of applications and eight months of job hunting. Not a week after I put my app in at the store, I get a call. I go in for an interview and a fortnight later, I have a job.
Now don't get me wrong; I do not begrudge my job, and I fully intend to keep doing it until something better comes along. I do not resent my return to retail: I do what I must to feed my family. What I am pointing out here is that I have observed a strong correlation between the first job you get and a lot of future jobs you will have. I know most young people don't have a clear idea of what they want to do after high school (I know I sure didn't) but I strongly urge you to at least consider a job that you would find enjoyable BEFORE you leave high school. Even if you don't start down that career path, at least shadow someone in your industry of interest or take part in an internship.
This phenomenon has also made it's way into my freelancing life. My first gig was writing game guides. I still do this today and the majority of my writing work (read: all of it) has been of a very similar nature to the guides I began writing. I pride myself on being able to write anything, given a style guide and a deadline. I needn't limit myself to writing about video games and as a matter of fact, at this point, I'd prefer not to. But that's all the work I can seem to get. Why? Because that's where my experience lies. It doesn't seem to matter that I have a BA with an emphasis in other fields and that I can provide samples that prove my ability to write something other than a video game strategy guide. All that seems to matter is experience.
That's why, young people, you should think long and hard about your first job before you automatically start working. Sure, it'll pay for your car insurance, your new iPhone or whatever it is you're after. But believe me when I say that your first job may well stay with you a lot longer than you intend it to.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
Take it with a Grain of Salt
When you tell someone you're a writer, a screenwriter or nearly any other profession that involves creating something, almost invariably, you will hear the phrase "Have you seen/read/heard (insert media here.)" In order to maintain your sanity in the face of this constant bombardment, it is imperative that you learn to take these comments with a grain of salt.
I initially went to college thinking I was going to study film and become a professional screenwriter. While that goal hasn't changed, it did take a significant sidetrack (long story.) Whenever I told someone I was a film student, I almost always heard the dreaded "Have you seen (movie that speaker believes to be the best movie ever)?" At first I let it go, but it started to grate on me after a while. Something akin to "who the f*beep* do you think you are, telling me what movies to see? Like you know everything there is to know about film criticism!" It drove me nuts.
But as with most things, you do wise up as you get older. The questions stopped coming when I got defensive, but after a while, I came to realize that when people ask you something like that, they're usually not trying to tell you your business. Rather, they're simply trying to connect with you in some kind of meaningful way, as is human nature to do. Let's face it, not everyone is content with small talk ALL of the time. It gets us by, but eventually we want to get to know someone better, and I like to think I'm the kind of person who merits more than a few words with.
That being the case, just try and remember that people who ask you if you've encountered something are not trying to be mean; they're simply trying to learn more about you and your experiences. And while you will probably be bombarded with these questions at family reunions and other gatherings which involve more than three people, just remember to take them all with a grain of salt.
Of course, if someone comes up to you and proceeds to rant and rave that "you've just got to see In the Army Now, it's the best movie EVAR," you can tell them what they can do with that.
I initially went to college thinking I was going to study film and become a professional screenwriter. While that goal hasn't changed, it did take a significant sidetrack (long story.) Whenever I told someone I was a film student, I almost always heard the dreaded "Have you seen (movie that speaker believes to be the best movie ever)?" At first I let it go, but it started to grate on me after a while. Something akin to "who the f*beep* do you think you are, telling me what movies to see? Like you know everything there is to know about film criticism!" It drove me nuts.
But as with most things, you do wise up as you get older. The questions stopped coming when I got defensive, but after a while, I came to realize that when people ask you something like that, they're usually not trying to tell you your business. Rather, they're simply trying to connect with you in some kind of meaningful way, as is human nature to do. Let's face it, not everyone is content with small talk ALL of the time. It gets us by, but eventually we want to get to know someone better, and I like to think I'm the kind of person who merits more than a few words with.
That being the case, just try and remember that people who ask you if you've encountered something are not trying to be mean; they're simply trying to learn more about you and your experiences. And while you will probably be bombarded with these questions at family reunions and other gatherings which involve more than three people, just remember to take them all with a grain of salt.
Of course, if someone comes up to you and proceeds to rant and rave that "you've just got to see In the Army Now, it's the best movie EVAR," you can tell them what they can do with that.
Tips for Successful Freelancing #13: Music
Many artists have commented that music is a huge part of their lives. I recently flipped through a collection of artwork by Keith Parkinson called Knightsbridge (an excellent book, full of really cool art and amusing commentary by a commercial artist.) At the end, he has a Q&A in which he is asked if he listens to music while he works; he does, and his taste is quite varied. It runs from Red Hot Chili Peppers to Metallica, to classic and books on tape. Quite a variety.
Several people have asked me what I listen to while I work. It's hard to say; I tailor my playlist to the task at hand. When I'm doing "work work", I generally prefer something upbeat to keep me going. Dance and 80's work well for this. When I'm working on a script or a story, one of the first things I do is sit down and decide on a playlist. Music has a tremendous effect on me and holds a lot of power to make me feel one way or the other.
For example: if I listen to Orbital - Halcyon+on+on, I'll feel like everything is right with the world. If I put on The Boomtang Boys - Pictures, I'll feel like I'm in high school again. If I put on Talking Heads - (Nothing But) Flowers, I'll feel like it's time to go to work (thank you Kevin Smith.)
With that in mind, my taste in music is extremely varied. I could say "I like everything but rap and country," but that's the half-assed generic way of saying "I am agreeable to most any musical selection that does not originate in the American southwest or the contemporary American urban landscape." But again, my musical selection varies depending on what I'm going to do.
When I'm working on a noir story, I listen to predominantly Jazz. I like anything that has a sax and a piano, I don't care who plays it. Yoko Kanno did some great jazz for the animes "Macross Plus" and "Cowboy Bebop."
When I'm working on an action story, I like to have battle music from video games; the Final Fantasy series works well (specifically, FFVII: Advent Children.) Paul Oakenfold and the animes "Fullmetal Alchemist," "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex" and "Otogizoushi" all have excellent battle music.
For my current project, Muse, I have quite an interesting selection. Because the story has an undercurrent of "East meets west" and "Japanese punk rock meets Seattle Grunge", I have both grunge and J-punk. Malfunkshun, Pearl Jam, 7 Year Bitch, Hi-Standard, Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, The SS, The Stalin and Soundgarden. For variety, I like to throw a little Shoegazer in too, mostly The Jesus and Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine (funny, I seem to have a thing for picking up trends about 20 years too late...oh well.) Yeah, I did my homework.
Bottom line: don't take what I listen to as "inspirational music" to be the definitive soundtrack of inspiration. While I may find A Flock of Seagulls - Space Age Love Story to be inspirational, you may not. You may think "shit dude, what's with the 80's kick? Didn't Mike Score's hair go out of style like 20 years ago?" While I could counter with "at least A Flock of Seagulls has garnered critical acclaim in the last twenty years. How many of your teeny-bopper-wanna-be-rock-star bands will still be talked about twenty years from now?" that would be missing the point entirely.
The point is this: find the music that inspires you and play it as often as you need to. If Gwar gets your creative juices going, then go find some Gwar albums (just remember that you have neighbors when you play it and they probably know the landlord's phone number.) Don't let anyone tell you that something is the best music out there for inspiration. As much as I'm going to get blasted for this, not all of us find The Beatles to be inspiring. And on that note, bring on the flames.
Several people have asked me what I listen to while I work. It's hard to say; I tailor my playlist to the task at hand. When I'm doing "work work", I generally prefer something upbeat to keep me going. Dance and 80's work well for this. When I'm working on a script or a story, one of the first things I do is sit down and decide on a playlist. Music has a tremendous effect on me and holds a lot of power to make me feel one way or the other.
For example: if I listen to Orbital - Halcyon+on+on, I'll feel like everything is right with the world. If I put on The Boomtang Boys - Pictures, I'll feel like I'm in high school again. If I put on Talking Heads - (Nothing But) Flowers, I'll feel like it's time to go to work (thank you Kevin Smith.)
With that in mind, my taste in music is extremely varied. I could say "I like everything but rap and country," but that's the half-assed generic way of saying "I am agreeable to most any musical selection that does not originate in the American southwest or the contemporary American urban landscape." But again, my musical selection varies depending on what I'm going to do.
When I'm working on a noir story, I listen to predominantly Jazz. I like anything that has a sax and a piano, I don't care who plays it. Yoko Kanno did some great jazz for the animes "Macross Plus" and "Cowboy Bebop."
When I'm working on an action story, I like to have battle music from video games; the Final Fantasy series works well (specifically, FFVII: Advent Children.) Paul Oakenfold and the animes "Fullmetal Alchemist," "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex" and "Otogizoushi" all have excellent battle music.
For my current project, Muse, I have quite an interesting selection. Because the story has an undercurrent of "East meets west" and "Japanese punk rock meets Seattle Grunge", I have both grunge and J-punk. Malfunkshun, Pearl Jam, 7 Year Bitch, Hi-Standard, Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, The SS, The Stalin and Soundgarden. For variety, I like to throw a little Shoegazer in too, mostly The Jesus and Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine (funny, I seem to have a thing for picking up trends about 20 years too late...oh well.) Yeah, I did my homework.
Bottom line: don't take what I listen to as "inspirational music" to be the definitive soundtrack of inspiration. While I may find A Flock of Seagulls - Space Age Love Story to be inspirational, you may not. You may think "shit dude, what's with the 80's kick? Didn't Mike Score's hair go out of style like 20 years ago?" While I could counter with "at least A Flock of Seagulls has garnered critical acclaim in the last twenty years. How many of your teeny-bopper-wanna-be-rock-star bands will still be talked about twenty years from now?" that would be missing the point entirely.
The point is this: find the music that inspires you and play it as often as you need to. If Gwar gets your creative juices going, then go find some Gwar albums (just remember that you have neighbors when you play it and they probably know the landlord's phone number.) Don't let anyone tell you that something is the best music out there for inspiration. As much as I'm going to get blasted for this, not all of us find The Beatles to be inspiring. And on that note, bring on the flames.
The Right Film at the Right Time
For better or worse, the movies I watch irrevocably shape who I am. Ever since E.T. scared the crap out of me as a kid, I've had a phobia of aliens (with no small irony that the Aliens series is one of my favorites.) Ever since I first saw The X-Files, I've been paranoid about being along in a house at night. When I first laid eyes on Macross for the first time, I fell in love with giant robots. Now one might make the argument that not all the things I just mentioned were feature films, but that's beside the point. The point is that the right film at the right time can change your life and who we are is indellibly altered by the most meaningful films we see.
For example: I recently saw Almost Famous again, and was utterly delighted. I love it for it's story, it's humor, it's drama and the music. But more than anything else, I love it because it defies boundaries. It does not follow the typical "boy meets girl..." formula. At first, this was a big turn-off for me. I remember seeing the film a long time ago (presumably around the time of it's release) and being really pissed off that William didn't wind up with Penny. But when I watched it recently, I realized that he didn't have to; that's not the kind of story it was. And that was ok. Not every story needs to end with the hero and the love interest walking off into the sunset together.
One of the most influential films I have ever seen only walked into my life in the last year: Lost in Translation. I had meant to see it when it first came out, since I've always been a fan of Bill Murray films, but for whatever reason, I didn't get round to it. In hindsight, if ever there was an event that proved the existence of God for me, this was it. Me not seeing this movie when I intended to turned out to be one of the greatest events of my life.
Fast forward to mid 2008. I've got a full Netflix queue and somehow, Lost in Translation slips in under the guise of "movies I meant to see but didn't." It arrives, I watch it, and to quote another one of my favorites, "the cosmic tumblers click into place and the universe opens for just a minute to show you what's possible" (five points if you can tell me what that's from. Hint: it has something to do with a corn field and a major American sport.) I was inspired, more so than I have ever been, and I've had some pretty inspirational moments. I decide in a heartbeat that I want to get back into screenwriting, after a four year hiatus. I sit down and eleven days later, I have a complete draft of a 117-page screenplay in front of me.
For me, Lost in Translation was, in every way, the right film at the right time. It has taken it's place beside Blade Runner as my favorite movie of all-time (and those of you who know me know I'm a HARDCORE Blade Runner fan.) If I had seen it earlier in my life, I honestly don't think I would've "gotten it." It isn't a film that appeals to all, and it takes a certain kind of person to enjoy it. While the hooker falling over Bob is raucously funny ("Please! Don't lip my stockings, Mr. Bob Harris!") it gives way to a much more serious story about two people who are utterly alienated by their home situations and have been throw together in very strange circumstances, but somehow find that they are the missing piece in each other's lives. The best part is that their relationship isn't wholly romantic. If I'd have seen that earlier in my life, I wouldn't have understood.
Bottom line: keep an open mind. You never know when something is going to click into place for you.
For example: I recently saw Almost Famous again, and was utterly delighted. I love it for it's story, it's humor, it's drama and the music. But more than anything else, I love it because it defies boundaries. It does not follow the typical "boy meets girl..." formula. At first, this was a big turn-off for me. I remember seeing the film a long time ago (presumably around the time of it's release) and being really pissed off that William didn't wind up with Penny. But when I watched it recently, I realized that he didn't have to; that's not the kind of story it was. And that was ok. Not every story needs to end with the hero and the love interest walking off into the sunset together.
One of the most influential films I have ever seen only walked into my life in the last year: Lost in Translation. I had meant to see it when it first came out, since I've always been a fan of Bill Murray films, but for whatever reason, I didn't get round to it. In hindsight, if ever there was an event that proved the existence of God for me, this was it. Me not seeing this movie when I intended to turned out to be one of the greatest events of my life.
Fast forward to mid 2008. I've got a full Netflix queue and somehow, Lost in Translation slips in under the guise of "movies I meant to see but didn't." It arrives, I watch it, and to quote another one of my favorites, "the cosmic tumblers click into place and the universe opens for just a minute to show you what's possible" (five points if you can tell me what that's from. Hint: it has something to do with a corn field and a major American sport.) I was inspired, more so than I have ever been, and I've had some pretty inspirational moments. I decide in a heartbeat that I want to get back into screenwriting, after a four year hiatus. I sit down and eleven days later, I have a complete draft of a 117-page screenplay in front of me.
For me, Lost in Translation was, in every way, the right film at the right time. It has taken it's place beside Blade Runner as my favorite movie of all-time (and those of you who know me know I'm a HARDCORE Blade Runner fan.) If I had seen it earlier in my life, I honestly don't think I would've "gotten it." It isn't a film that appeals to all, and it takes a certain kind of person to enjoy it. While the hooker falling over Bob is raucously funny ("Please! Don't lip my stockings, Mr. Bob Harris!") it gives way to a much more serious story about two people who are utterly alienated by their home situations and have been throw together in very strange circumstances, but somehow find that they are the missing piece in each other's lives. The best part is that their relationship isn't wholly romantic. If I'd have seen that earlier in my life, I wouldn't have understood.
Bottom line: keep an open mind. You never know when something is going to click into place for you.
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