Week 8 Photo Challenge: You as the Professional

      This photo was taken in the home office.  I dressed up in a sweater and dress and sat on a stool and had my sister take this photo. After a few snapshots, I settled on this image. I think it is very professional-looking. I would give me a large sum of money and trust that I would do only honest and honorable things with it.

     I had originally planned to Photoshop myself out of this photo and into another more expensive chair. In fact, it was one of the candidates for the director’s chair challenge. I still love that chair and want it for my living room! But, after taking a second look, I thought it was much more authentic looking since the book case was right behind me. I thought the point came across very well.

     Behind me is the bookcase. I often do my work here. This is where I plan to base the post-production side of the business. Anything post will take place here. Also, this is where the equipment will be stored. This is the place of business for me. My office away from office (home away from home), so to speak. I do think it is important that when you own a business, you should look like a business professional. Since the nature of my industry my require a little grunt work, I think casual Friday attire is acceptable. No messy-rool out of the bed- look here at JZM Media Group LLC.

Week 8 EOC: The Producer’s Most Important Role

When it comes down to the role of the producer, which producer are you speaking of. There can be several on any given project of a decent size production. There can be executive producers, producers, line producers, and associate producers. They all have there own roles.

• An executive producer is at the top of the production chain. They are usually in charge of handling the film’s financing and all the top decisions having to do with the actual production of the film, for example hiring the director, actors etc.
  

• A producer supervises and controls the project from conception to completion. The responsibilities range from hiring the cast and crew for all the technical aspects to the financial aspects.
  

• The line producer is more of a link between the set and the production office. This person deals with cast and crew and handles all the little issues in the film.

• Lastly, there is the associate producer. This is one of those titles that are just given to someone to get him or her to be a part of the project.
  

There are many elements to a producer’s role, all of which should be clearly defined. This is where the producer services agreement comes in. It should in detail explain what controls the production company maintains and what controls the producers are able to have. Maybe the producer needs verify that they are able to financially produce the film before they are hired and if they are hired, their work is contingent among the finances to support the film. Perhaps they are required to fulfill and types of engagements for the film. The role of the producer can be whatever it is crafted out to be in the agreement.

Week 7 Photo Challenge: Screenplay Cover

Politik is a screenplay that I have been thinking about doing. It is about the millions of Americans who are without insurance and are unable to get any kind of help anywhere. This story resonates with me personally because my mother is one of those Americans who are ill without health insurance.

When I was in my last couple of years of high school, my mother's health started to decline rapidly. She was missing work because she literally lost control of her entire body. Her muscles would spasm uncontrollably. One minute she would be fine, and then the next, she would be struggling to walk, pick up a glass, etc. My worst fear was that she would fall down the stairs when I was at school.

She has seen multiple doctors and still no diagnosis. She has tried to work since but ended losing her job because of her illness. She has since started a new job, in hopes that she will make it to get insurance again. It saddens me. I know that there are millions of people in similar situations and wanted to shine a light on the seriousness of the problem.

Politik will be an adaptation of the stories of the millions dying on some of the richest soil in the world.

Week 7 EOC: Keeping it Real

Having a legitimate office front is important. I have chosen the Watermark Executive Suites. They have several locations around the Las Vegas Valley. I have chosen an office at the Rainbow location. They offer an array of amenities. If you are unsure what amenities you need, they offer them a la carte, so you only pay for what you need. If you do not an actual physical office, you can go the virtual office route and select the services that you need. There office spaces start at $500 and can go up if you want to add more services. These are the services that are included in the actual physical office package.

• License Hang
• Mail Receiving & Forwarding
• Call Answering
• Call Screenings
• Receptionist Services
• Break Room and Kitchen
  
• Training Room seats up to 20
• Small Conference Room
• Unfurnished Offices from 120 sq ft - 600 sq ft

It might be a good idea to start out with a virtual office since I can do a lot of the grunt work from my home office. It is nice to be able to customize the amenities. Below are the services that you can choose from.

$15- Use of address for only License Hang
$50- Mail Service and License Hang
$120- Phone Number (1) , Voicemail Box (1) with 24 hours access, Mail Service and License Hang
$150- Call Answering,(100 Calls), Phone Number (1) , Voicemail Box (1) with 24 hours access, Mail Service and License Hang,
$220-Virtual Standard, 8 Hours of Office Time, Call Answering,(100 Calls), Mail Service, License Hang, Phone Number (1), Voicemail Box (1) with 24 hours access
$280- Virtual w/Conference Room 4 hours and 8 Hours of Office Time, Call Answering,(100 Calls), Mail Service, License Hang, Phone Number (1) , Voicemail Box (1) with 24 hours access

*These prices are based on a 12 month agreement*

Additional Services

$15 Lobby Directory Sign monthly fee
$60 Call Screening
$35 Secretarial Services
$5 411 Listing
$25 Office time per hour
$35-$45 Conference room per hour
$60 Training room per hour

There is a lot of flexibility with this location. I think starting out with a virtual office, maybe with some additional amenities, is the best route starting out. Eventually, transitioning to a physical office will be necessary.

Week 6 Photo Challenge: Special Effects

Special effects in audio is something I like learning about. I did a project recently that required the use of some effects. It was for an cut scene to the video game, “Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee.” It was basically about how this sea creature’s race just up and disappears one day and he is the only one left. He goes on a search to find them but what he thought was the call of one his people was actually a trap set by the aliens that had captured everyone else.

The task for this project was to replace all the sound with new original sounds. This scene tasks place in the ocean and in the forest. The creature, Munch, is what I perceived to be part alien and part sea animal. I manipulated his voice so that he sounded somewhat human and somewhat like an alien using various plug-ins and sound effects.

Replacing the natural-sounding elements of the scene like the ocean and land sounds was quite fun. I was to do this by using everyday items to create the sound of water and rolling waves. After added some cool effects like a dull drum and underwater effect, it sounded beyond real. It was pretty cool.

Lastly were the sounds of the spacecrafts. I had some sounds that I had never used for a previous project that made the perfect noise for a spaceship, of course after some processing. I added some synthesizer sounds for the power up and power downs and some alien effects and voila…it was complete. I am really proud of how it turned out.

Week 6 EOC: How do I see my role starting in the industry?

When I think about breaking into the industry, the path that will get me there will most certainly be built on relationships and exposure. No one will see you in the dark, unless you shine a light, or unless you were born with incredible night vision.

As I plan ahead in my mind, I see myself working the independent business owner circuit providing digital media services to help expand their businesses. On my own time, I would like to produce a few shorts of different genres. Ideally, I would have complete creative control and use all my skills to create the projects.

It would be amazing to gain exposure through an original work and become famous overnight. But, realistically, I think that I will have to stay in touch with the technology, fellow creators, and social networking sites to get my work out there.

I think that it is fair to say that I will have to take some chances. It is easier to do it now as a no name industry professional than to be a famous somebody and risk that that chance you took may not come out in your favor.

Lastly, I also have come to the conclusion that I have to be an active part in my media creations. I need to maintain dignity about my work and pride. Now that I am ending my school days and stepping into my days as an industry professional, I want nothing more than to produce the kind of work that I can be proud of.

Week 5 Photo Challenge: Directors Chair

This was an interesting challenge. I would consider myself a pretty knowledgeable user when it comes to Photoshop. I spent a long time looking for the right chair to use. I wasn’t sure what I was going for but I went through about 50 chairs until I came across five that I liked. Two of them had watermarks so that narrowed it down to three.

One was all white and very modern looking. That was my favorite but it technically was not a director’s chair. It was just a part of an ultra sleek furniture collection but if I was picking out a directors chair… that would be the one I would pick. I would definitely buy that for the house if it weren’t so expensive.

The final two were your average wood frame and canvas back material chairs. One was blue and the other was black. They were almost identical. I went with the blue one since it happens to be my favorite color.

Next was the photo. I had a friend take a few close-ups of me and a few full body shots. I decided to use one of the close-ups because the way I was sitting in the other two posed a problem when cutting out the pictures.

I used the magnetic lasso tool to cut myself out of the background and cut it to a new layer. Then I was simply able to just hide the background. Luckily, the chair I used was on a white background but it wasn’t tall enough, so I just made a new layer that was taller and dropped the chair layer on top of it. Next, I dropped my self on top of the chair layer. After some resizing, cropping, and image finishing, I was done.

Week 5 EOC: Progress towards my Four Professional Contacts and Progress on Networking.

I never use to network. I did not realize how important it was and how often opportunities are handed out by it. I just thought it was a schmooze and booze fest. That may be true to some extent, but it actually is fun. Last summer, I was doing an event for my job and ended up talking to one of the Catering Directors at the venue. She told me that our company has been on the preferred vendors list at their resort for years and it was clear why. She said we always do a good job and are professional.

Right then and there, I realized something. It was not about schmoozing, in the grand scheme of things, but more about creating a connection to establish a relationship. I knew that if I wanted to be successful that I had to start building these relationships within the industry. So, whenever I was out with some friends and we talked to people, I tried to make a connection. I have made a few good ones. I met a few people who were interested in doing some commercials for the web and for presentations. I also met a few contacts in the hotels through friends that work in the casinos. I like to strategically show up when they are getting off and have them introduce me. So I am getting there. I have faith that I will have my contacts.

My father is opening up a restaurant in few weeks. This has been over a year’s time in progress. I decided that I wanted to be a part of the journey. I went with him on meetings and met some of his contacts. That is how I met three of the four required contacts for this class. I met his CPA, lawyer, and insurance agent. I briefly chatted with them about what I was going to school for and what my plans were after graduation. They told me to call them when I needed their services and I said I would. That last contact I needed was a banker and I did not have to look farther than my house. My roommate work at a bank and there you have it.

Week 4 Photo Challenge: Movie Poster

My sister is a graphic design artist. Her last year of college, she was inspired by mannequins. As she was driving home, if she a stray mannequin laying in the trash, she would rescue it. By the time graduation rolled around she had a whole extended family of them. It was quite bizarre. If you would open any door in her condo, there would be a mannequin staring at you. I jokingly said, "We're being attacked!"


The funniest thing was that we all (my sisters and I) waited for my mother to go to sleep and when she did, we planted the scariest one, the one in this poster, in the hallway. Figuring she would get up at some point to maybe go to the bathroom or get a drink of water, she would not have any indication of what was lying ahead of her as she rounded the corner in the hall.


Well, she did get up, and let me tell you…the shrillest scream I ever heard! She assaulted that mannequin like it stole her pocketbook! Hence, I said we have to do something with all these mannequins. They were just merely existing as decorations in her condo.


I snapped a few photos the last day I was in North Carolina and an idea occurred to me, a stop-motion film on people being attacked by mannequins. Short, simple and sweet. In between some dramatic cut scenes would take place to further the story-line along. I like the idea of taking something so ridiculous and having fun with it.

Week 4 EOC: Executive Summary

My concept for my business is to provide affordable Audio and Visual services. You do not need a million dollar budget to produce great, memorable, and professional media. A great testament to that is a new, innovative show titled, “Rhett and Link Commercial Kings.” They have a huge YouTube following and at the same time produce professional, creative, and entertaining videos.

It is true that the level of technology that is out there and available to the mass consumer market has created the buzz of becoming an industry pro with consumer products. The difference is knowing when and how to use them.

There is a market for my video and audio services throughout Las Vegas. There are a lot of independently owned businesses and there will always be a need for commercial production. This is a town that thrives on entertainment and events. That alone is another market. Videographers and audio technicians are in demand but for the right price. That is where I come in. I can provide some of the same services as the competing production companies using less expensive but equally functional equipment and at a better rate since the cost of me to start will be a lot lower comparatively to my competitors.

My immediate financial gain would be to turn a profit and be able to invest back into my business to meet my long-term goals, which would be to have several independent contractors and be able to provide full audio and visual services and be able to compete with my competitors on a more commercial level.