Sunday Synopsis: Gratitude, Moving Objects and What It’s Like to Be Involved in Cool Shit

A production crew member at work on the Rocky Balboa spinoff 'CREED' filming on Temple University's campus.After much procrastination on a growing to-do list for the A to Z Challenge (we're at 1,000 participants and counting! Yay!), I'm supposed to be catching up on editing videos for an upcoming surprise you'll see soon enough. So how did I find myself on here blogging today? For starters, I know it's about time since there hasn't been a new post in a few days.

So I figured this is a good day to discuss how much we take our jobs for granted, or rather, how we sometimes fail to recognize the perks of whatever field we find ourselves working in. Sure there are stressful times and annoyances that are part of a job we don't particularly care for, but who can name any field that doesn't come with its own set of challenges, right?! Unfortunately, filmmaking hasn’t contributed to the bulk of any money I earn.

Making less than $400 in the last year alone, which turns out to be around -700 or so, at minimum, when factoring in the expenses I racked up (in other words, no profit equals no revenue, but I digress…) tells me I have a lot of work to do in the motion picture arena if this thing is going to pan out for me. So anyone able to make a comfortable living – or even enough to pay a bill or buy groceries for the month -- by landing jobs on productions with some kind of budget that makes these things possible, are lucky to work in an environment where there is no stringent dress code and you can be anyone or do anything that you wouldn’t normally do in the real world.

This weekend I was watching an actress's vlog where she and the crew of an action webseries, about espionage, were on set wrapping a 20-day shoot. As she filmed her last scenes as a femme fatalle, teased the cinematographer and exchanged jokes with the sound guy during lunch breaks, it dawned on me how much of a blessing it is to be able to work in an industry where you get to play make believe all day.

Sylvester Stallone's Rocky franchise continues with 'CREED' starring Michael B. Jordan (Fruitvale Station).Depending on what role or position you're in on any given production, you can dress up, perform stunts, travel, play with gadgets and basically run around town acting like a fool while meeting new people and forming relationships (albeit brief) with these strangers -- many of whom you may never run into again. It’s like a never-ending celebration of Halloween, Mardi Gras and the Fourth of July on steroids.

Making movies, television, commercials, music videos, or other content in the audiovisual medium brings with it a set of crazy responsibilities while also putting you through a roller coaster of emotions. When you step away from it for a minute and view it from another side, however, it's kinda awesome.

The stress for, say, a production sound guy is different than that of someone working on an assembly line at an automobile manufacturing plant, or even a doctor performing open heart surgery. Each person involved in the assembling of cars has challenges of making sure all the parts on the finished product is working. If there is a recall or people stop purchasing them, then the company doesn't make money, people start getting laid off and then there is no fun in a situation like that. In the surgeon's case, his (or her) stress and challenges carry a whole other level of importance because it's a life or death situation with the patient's future literally in his hands.

Heart surgeon's get to be heroes who make it possible for people to have a chance at a better, and longer, quality of life. Those working on airplanes, trains, automobiles, bicycles, etc. are helping other people get to their jobs -- or to the hospital for that surgery -- faster than they would on foot. All in all, this stuff makes the world go 'round in the sense that they aid, in one way or another, our ability to carry on with our day-to-day existence as efficiently as possible. These things are awesome, making the medical and manufacturing industries just as cool as many other fields.

Since I'm no expert engineer and would probably faint at the mere thought of rearranging a person's internal organs, I think I'll stay in my lane for now and remember to appreciate the privilege of playing pretend, when and where I can.

No matter whether YOU work full-time, part-time or seasonally, what are some awesome aspects of YOUR industry (or industries)?

*Note: Just a quick heads up…the Monday Movie Meme will likely go up late tomorrow now that I’m going to have to make up for lost time on those video editing tasks ;)

Why Your Selfie Won't Lead to a Screen Test

Despite all the casting calls I’ve done so far, it never ceases to surprise me how often men and women vying for roles in front of the camera will submit selfies when trying to schedule an audition.

My recent experience sorting through these informal snapshots while developing an independent television show that calls for an anchor, or two, indicates that this practice probably isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Many of the candidates are attractive, seemingly capable (their resume game is on point…sorta) people I would otherwise consider hiring. Yet, I find myself doubting whether those who send selfies (captured in the bathroom mirror, of all places) can be taken seriously as the potential anchor for an educational TV program.

When I put out casting calls for someone to appear in a television program about teaching citizens how to improve their life skills in areas such as agriculture, for example, that cute-and-playful-in-bathrooms vibe is clearly not up my alley; at least, not for a production of this nature. I generally have nothing against selfies, having snapped dozens of them myself during a few unsuccessful attempts at Project 365. What I have a problem with is when men, women and teenagers submit their talent resumes enclosed with casual, everyday photos, to my film & TV productions.

Submitting selfies to a casting call or any job opening for that matter looks like you obviously don’t have any professional, or passable, headshots. In some circumstances, lacking work experience and photos is understandable but that all still depends on the production. Maybe you’re new to the entertainment field and are just trying to get your feet wet while building up some on-camera experience, complete with screen credits. Still, sending images that look like they’re ripe for an Instagram feed is just plain out unprofessional.

Fitness enthusiast snaps a selfie following a workout at the gym. © DooneySmithThere are instances where I can see the selfie working during a casting call such as when a production calls for roles that may not require much dialogue, including but not limited to:

1. Extras

2. Day Players

3. Body Double/Stand-in

4. Stunt Performer

At no point in my casting notice did I mention any of the roles above. Yet, people still submitted a selfie to the job listing for a spot as TV show host.

You may have the best intentions on trying to just offer up something to help casting directors, producers, etc. match your name to your face, and that’s understandable.

The impression I get from these casual self-portraits that accompany your resume, however, may be different than you expected.

What Your Selfie Says to the Producer Casting an Anchor

You didn’t bother to read the details of my casting call. Or, maybe you read it but didn’t fully comprehend the information. Either way, it’s a red flag waving in the air to signal how much you don’t pay attention when it counts.

You don’t have any professional headshots. Again, this is not a huge deal breaker for me. I know it is for some film and casting directors, producers and other people involved in assembling teams for media projects. The lack of a headshot just is not (always) on my list of must-have requirements when trying to assemble all of the pieces of a television, film or new media production puzzle.

What I find most annoying about submitting selfies in place of professional headshots, however, is the utter lack of effort in trying to get someone to take a photo of you that could at least pass as a substitute for the industry standard. Hell, there are photography students, fashion students and art students – not to mention DMV employees, U.S. Postal Service workers and Police Officers – who snap photos all day, every day. So, you expect me to believe you couldn’t ask anyone to snap a nice, professional looking photo of you on a 35mm, point-and-shoot digital, or DSLR camera?!

You have no experience whatsoever in the position that is described in the casting call. Again, being a newbie isn’t a bad thing. But responding to casting calls with a selfie indicates the possibility that you don’t know what you’re doing. It screams amateur, like you were just browsing the internet on your lunch break, saw a job opening and thought “Ooooh, it would be fun to be on TV!” so you send me one of the most recent – and best looking – images in the camera roll on your iPhone. Thanks, but no thanks.

The thing that gets me about some of the men and women who sent selfies to the casting calls I’ve posted over the years, is that their resumes are filled with previous work experience. It isn’t hard to find some that possess special talents and/or skills, did training at acting schools or other educational facilities, programs, etc. or have all of the standard qualities one would look for when casting a film, television show, music video, TV commercial, or some other type of production. Unlike newbies, people switching careers and regular everyday folk putting a bid in for their fifteen minutes of fame, those with the hefty resumes do know better. So, that only leaves me wondering what in the world convinced them that a selfie was not only acceptable, but also going to get them an audition for the project.

There is a time and a place for self-portraits and the type of projects I work on usually don’t fall within that realm. Where my most recent project is concerned, selfies and educational programs don’t mix. When responding to casting calls, job offers, interview requests or anything that involves you sending a photo that best represents you in the space you’re operating in, remember it’s all about context. Are you trying to channel Brian Williams or are you going for that Snooki, Jersey Shore vibe? Keeping this in mind will mean all the difference between whether the person on the receiving end is likely to give you a call or move on to the next application in the pile. 

When was the last time YOU sent someone a selfie or posted one online?

What was the response to YOUR selfie?

Why I Support Women in the Navy

Aviation Machinist's Mate Airman Alexandria King signals for an aircraft to test it's flaps aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kenneth Abbate/Released)How many women do you know, either personally or professionally, who are members of the U.S. Armed Forces? Over the last decade or so, I’ve been introduced to a mere few including Veterans from the Army, Navy and Marines. Before then, my knowledge of women in the military was limited to those portrayed in movies starring actresses Demi Moore (G.I. Jane), Meg Ryan (Courage Under Fire), Leslie Stefanson (The General’s Daughter) and Joy Bryant (Antwone Fisher).

No matter how much the rest of us civilians enjoy the comforts that come with being Americans, let’s not forget that these luxuries do not come for free. There are many sacrifices being made, by service members of the Armed Forces across the world, on everyone else’s behalf. Since New Year’s Day, I’ve been learning about some Navy units comprised of women who are actively deployed overseas. Some of these soldiers are miles away from home with little to zero contact from friends or family. Yet, they perform tough (not to mention…dangerous) jobs that the average citizen – male or female -- probably wouldn’t dare to embark upon.

Sailors move tubs of ice cream into storerooms aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) during a replenishment-at-sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Armando Gonzales/Released)Do you know what it’s like to live in cramped, hot (or cold in some conditions), smelly quarters with up to one dozen or more other people on a ship -- all while lacking the basic resources you need to stay in relatively healthy shape such as socks, deodorant, tampons, lotion and related everyday necessities? If you’re reading this, I know you’re well aware that this doesn’t sound like an ideal way to spend your time, given the already high-stress nature of a workplace like the military.

No matter how you feel about your job, many of us civilians have it easy compared to women serving in the Armed Forces who are -- like our male soldiers -- working 12-hour days (or longer) with very little respite. They don’t get to clock out at 5pm on weekdays, and then head home where “Game of Thrones” or “Mad Men” is waiting for them on the DVR. It will be several months before a lot of soldiers anticipate returning to U.S. Soil, let alone their homes. So my new mission of giving for 2015 (or at the very least, this month) is to boost the morale of our women in uniform.

Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Laticia Watson was recognized as "Sailor of the Week" on base for showing exemplary skill and work ethic within her shop and rate.Motivated by an actor from Chicago named Carlo Garcia, whose commitment to support a different cause every day strenghthened his Living Philanthropic mission; I understand how you can do so much to impact someone’s life, even when you have very little. Bearing this in mind, I am pledging $1 a day for the month of January 2015 to Women in the U.S. Navy.

That’s a total of $31 being used to send them items they need such as hygiene and comfort items. If, like me, you believe in women being seen as heroes, join me in this month’s pledge by sending a letter or card to a soldier or volunteering at hospitals or centers caring for female veterans in your community. Or, support a cause that means something to you. From education, healthcare and homelessness to environmental protection and animal welfare, there are many causes that affect the world we live in today. I encourage everyone to be the change they want to see by doing their part in making this world a better place.

Which branch of the U.S. Military stands out most to YOU?