Diversify!

Happy Holidays! The time of year when dreams come true, people put aside their differences and come together...oh wait. That's not really how it happens is it?

I've never been one for holidays. I guess, after having spent so many holidays away from home in foreign countries and combat zones, I've seen how important holidays actually are. Even though I grew up in a house where we celebrated Hanukah and Christmas. Look at me now, and as atheist as they come! Whoo! Happy Holidays!

No no no, there's more. Don't worry. Like the title of this blog says "Diversify." The people that I consider to be successful at this level of the game, have their fingers in a lot of pies. A writer who pays the bills as a grip, electrician, and carpenter. Or a camera guy who shoots independent stuff who also works at a camera rental house.
It's partially to pay the bills, but it's also to stay busy. It's hard to always have something to do in this business. If you ONLY want to do production sound, and refuse to do anything else, it's going to be incredibly difficult to have enough work to live on. So learn how to do post production sound also, and while you're at it, learn how to edit. That way when you meet a potential client, you can be their one stop shop for sound and post production. You're increasing your value with every skill you pick up.

When I was trying to get into stunt work, I was taking jobs doing grip and electric work, as well as military advisor, armorer, and acting gigs.

I actually just watched "Hugo" last night, didn't love it, but I certainly appreciate it as a great film. The whole premise was about the film maker Georges Melies. His film "A trip to the Moon" is the logo of the Visual Effects Society, VES. Their award is the moon with the ship in the eye, which we have about six of in the Stargate office. I never really realized what they were, now I know the story. So thanks, Marty Scorsese!
In 4 1/2 years I'll be eligible to apply for membership into the VES. I heard some of the guys in the office, talking about their "Hobbit" screeners. I need to see that movie. It would be nice to have it delivered to my apartment.

So one of the things that I was going to do to diversify, was to host an internet radio show. That's been put on hold, because the school that was sponsoring it has fallen through for now. They still want to do it, but it's taking a back seat for a little while. I'm still confident that it will go on, but it's shelved for the immediate future.
Next, I've started a YouTube channel. I sit down and interview popular content creators and talk about their lives. I want to give it a personal touch, and help their audiences really get a feel for who are they are. I'm really excited about our launch, which was tonight. Check it out, and if you like it, subscribe:

Mr. Third Side

That's my big announcement. I'm very excited. Next stop, partner!

Happy Holidays, stay sharp, and stay tuned. 

Social media kick!

Whoa! Two blog posts in as many days?? This is unheard of. I just thought I'd share quickly, that I was told by half of the Freddie W YouTube channel, that I should use social media more. And I'm such a tool, that I took his advice.

Haha, no I'm not a tool, I'm fully capable of making my own decisions, but he is right. I should branch out and diversify.
So I started tweeting. We'll see how that goes. I do use Instagram, but it's mostly cigar pics that I've tweeked on my iPad. But I put up some cool things now and then. If you're on Instagram, look me up. My user name there and on twitter is halfflash. So come find me and let's socially do media things together.

The importance of "NO"

This week was so amazing. I think that sounds cliche, but that's really the only way to explain it.
My company, Stargate Studios, was brought on board for the grand opening of the new YouTube studios in La Playa California. We were contracted to use our Previzion System to put on a live show for Lindsey Sterling, the hip hop violinist on YouTube. She's incredibly popular, getting millions of hits on her videos, and was surprisingly down to earth and sweet. As were all of the YoutTubers that I met this week.

So the team at Stargate began building an incredible 3D world based on a final fantasy like request from Lindsey. It took three weeks to build the world, and test it in my previzion system. I learned so much about the system in the process of testing the world. It was a big world, with 8 high definition videos playing, real time green screen keying, and 3D rendering all at once. Too many videos, and the system crashes, wrong settings on my machine and it crashes, so many things could (and did) go wrong.
But we ironed out the bugs and got to where we were comfortable.

Then we moved into the stage at the YouTube studio, called YouTube space LA, and started putting up our tracking markers and green screen. This is where the fun starts, orienting the virtual world, lighting, final testing of videos, and walking through the scene. It really is like magic when you see it all come together and work. It still amazes me.

When Lindsey came in, she was obviously blown away by the world we created, and were able to have her interact with. We practiced a few times, got her marks, and recorded a few takes for use later on. She's quite a talented performer. She hit her marks all the time, played very consistently, and really just trooped her way through the whole thing. I was impressed, I thought she'd be a diva.

The following night, we went live. The top YouTubers were invited to the event, and were outside waiting and watching. We were being broadcast to a jumbo screen outside, and I think being streamed live online. So we couldn't have any mistakes. I wasn't given much info on where it was going to be streamed. And I still haven't seen it. Everything on our end went according to plan, and we wound up being the stars of the show. Every one was excited to see what we could do and play in our world. From 8-11:30 we had a constant flow of intrigued content creators asking us questions and trying to find out how they can get a hold of us for their channels. It was very exhilarating.


Meeting some of my YouTube heros was so cool. Among the impressed crowd was Freddie W and Brandon Laatsch, Joe Penna (Mystery Guitar Man), Corridor Digital, Sam Tsui and Kurt Schneider, and Tony Hawk.
Funny thing about Tony Hawk, that's who he is. It's not just Tony, or Mr. Hawk. It's only ever Tony Hawk. But he's a really nice guy for a super star.

The point of this post is to talk about the event a little, and also it talk about NO.

During the set up process, working with the talent, directors, and our own VFX supervisors, I never heard the word "no." There were definitely requests for things that could be be delivered. But no one ever said no. They gave political answers, like "Hmmm. Let me check on that and get back to you." Or,"The way that we have our system configured right now, that's not possible. But if we break it down, we can reconfigure in two hours. Is that something you want to do?"

Very crafty, and it reminds me of a lesson that I learned in high school, when I was the coach of the school's improv team. never say no, because nothing kills creativity faster. No eliminates options. Just like Sam Jackson's speech in "The Negotiator." He's talking the new negotiator through how to talk down a hostage taker. "Can I see a priest?" Answer: "I'll see what I can do."

Saying no also makes you sound like a dick. Like you don't care enough to even explore their creativity as an option.

I need to work on this. My first thought is to say no, when I know that something can't be done. Or at least can't be done easily. I need to be more open to trying. I don't know why my first reaction is to say no, but it has been lately. I really need to take my own advice, and be more political. 

Picking up speed

Well, at a whopping 20 (average) views a day for the last week, I feel pretty accomplished.
Some days, I feel like I have nothing to write, but I still put my thoughts down, then I erase them and either start over and think of something new, or don't write anything. I don't want this blog to become a bitch fest. Believe me, I have plenty of things to bitch about. Like the woman behind me in traffic last week. She was tail gating me, with both iPhone ear buds in. The problem that I saw, was not that she was talking on the phone while using a hands free device, BUT STILL HOLDING THE PHONE IN HER HAND! It's not hands free if you use a hand to operate it! Same with speaker phone, you don't use speaker phone and hold it! It defeats the purpose of hands free. LA drivers...
That's not what I want this blog to be about, though it's tempting some times. I can rant! The upcoming internet radio show that I'll be hosting will probably have a lot more ranting than I want, but that's just how I host shows. When I get to talking, I can go and go and go. A two hour radio show? Sweet. Maybe I'll get more than 20 listeners.
The show had to be put on hold, because we needed more time to get our ducks in a row. January should be our first show. The school that is sponsoring the show had an event that needed attention. And I must say that the Los Angeles Film School's Annual Salute was a blast! I met some fun people, got some swag, and heard some very inspiring presentations.
Which is what I want to talk about today, motivation and inspiration. I've been pretty lazy lately. Not going to the gym, crashing on my couch instead of writing, sleeping in to the last minute instead of reading the news in the morning. But today I think I reached that breaking point, where I just got so fed up with myself, I got off my ass and did something. I started cleaning my apartment, started writing the script that I've had in my head, and I went for a jog. I haven't been to the gym for months, and when I went today, it was closed. So I opted for a short run and an apartment work out instead.

They say that you should do at least one hour of work for your career every day. I say this in response: There are people out there spending two hours on theirs, so how are you going to keep up?

As a wrestler in high school, I learned that every minute you spend not training, there's a guy out there who IS training. And when you meet him, you'll know it.

So what ever it takes, find your motivation. It might take a while, but don't get down on yourself because of that. It just takes time. But don't waste that time. 

Getting a job is a job.

I'm involved with several different online film making communities, and something that I've been seeing from newer members lately, has been bugging me. I don't want to address it there and make people feel foolish, so hopefully they will find their way here and see this.

Making posts online like "I need a job" and "who's hiring" isn't helping any one. The other one I see is, "I'm a _____, and I'm looking for work." Damn! Come one guys, you are supposed to be professionals. 

I'll address these one at a time. 

Just saying that you need a job is not helpful to any one. If I were in a position where I needed to hire someone, the first people that I go to are the people that I know and trust. People that I have worked with and know first hand that I can rely on. Secondly, I will talk to people who bear the seal of approval of those people that I trust. If I'm desperate, and the recommendation carries enough weight, I might bring that person on with out a second thought, or maybe do a brief and informal interview.
Lastly, hiring people I don't know. Taking resumes, interviews, and calling people that I have met at events. 

If you just say that you need a job, you actually say to me "I don't have enough experience or a large enough network to get a job on my own. I don't even have a reel or resume to share." 

Being a novice is not a fault, but it is something that you need to fight against. 

I heard it said this weekend, "You can't do it until you've done it." Meaning that no one wants to hire you until you have the experience of that job. Its counter intuitive, but still kind of makes sense. Would YOU hire a plumber who had never piped a house? So how does he get the experience of piping a full house? 

One answer given yesterday was lie. Make sure that you don't let them down, or get caught in the lie. So make sure you bring your A game. 

The Second line that pisses me off, "I'm an editor/make up artist/what ever."

You need to post some kind of reel or portfolio, especially when it's a creative position like an editor. You can not hire an artistic position based on talk. I've done that, and it was a mistake. Though...even having a reel and portfolio can't tell you what a person is truly capable of. You can be fooled.  

One last thought, people talk about how much time they spend looking for jobs. Getting frustrated is natural, just remember one thing: you only need to talk to one person. The person who has the job for you. You may need to talk to 1000 people before you get to that person. I was extremely lucky, and found him very quickly. 

Just because you talked to that 1000 people doesn't earn you any extra kudos, but hopefully you don't think of those 1000 people in such black and white terms. That's 1000 potential employers down the road once you have a little more experience. 

If you practice hitting a baseball for 1000 hours, but practice wrong, you haven't improved. So bragging about it makes you sound stupid!

Quantity of time spent on an endeavor is not proportional to it's return. 

That's all I have for now. Stay sharp, and stay tuned. 

Changes Changes Changes

So, to my loyal reader, I'm sorry it's been so long since I posted. I played with the idea of quitting the blog all together, but my strange need for the approval of others won out. I just like the world to know what I'm doing. I think I have a pretty interesting life, and maybe somewhere out there, people are interested.
I don't remember exactly where I left off with the blog (ya, I know I could load a new window and read my last post. Don't be such a smart ass), so I'll recap the last few months. After graduating from the LA Film School, I went on a 10 day trip to Israel, and had a blast. It wasn't life changing or anything, but it was fun and eye opening. I still don't believe in god, but it was good to see that part of the world. Especially after having seen parts of the Muslim region, to see the Jewish part was...educational.
Just before I started the trip, I got a call from my father, who told me to call his friend about a job at a visual effects company. I called and left a message saying that I was very excited for the opportunity, and I'd love to come in for an interview. That was all, then I went on my trip. When I got home, I found that I had got the job, and was going to start in three days. My parents took the liberty of changing my flight from New York to LA from Monday to Friday. Very smart, because I started work on Sunday.
Long story short, I now am employed full time by Stargate Studios in Pasadena CA. I am the Previzion operator. Previzion is a technology that attaches to a movie camera and records it's movement in a 3D space AND replaces green screen in real time. It's an incredibly powerful tool for directors and producers on set. The director and cinematographer can line up shots and see what the composed image will look like. We can also finish the shot in camera and give that to the producers, to put straight into the editor's sweet, then right onto television.
There are so few people that can operate this system, you could probably count them on your fingers and toes. So this really is ground breaking stuff. I can't believe how fortunate I am to have this job. A month out of film school, and I have a full time job that can take me all the way to the top. Incredible!
So no more stunts for me.

I need to be very careful what I put on this blog, I have signed several NDAs (Non Disclosure Agreements). I could get fired or sued if I say the wrong thing. So if I seem vague in the future, I'm sorry. I'll tell you what I can, when I can.

I'll be keeping the "stuntdan" title. I still love that.
Since I have a real job now, I have my VA disability money coming in, and I have my car paid off now. So I can afford to go out and have a good time. So I signed up with the USPSA, the United States Practical Shooting Association. I have two pistol competitions under my belt, I took 2nd and 1st place! Of course I was shooting against only three people. If I change classes, I can shoot against more people, but this is nice to not have pressure, I can continue to learn and get better. Which I will. I'll link some videos as I get some that make me look cool.

So like always, continue to stay sharp, and stay tuned.

Nothing ventured nothing gained

So after 10 very hectic days in Israel, with a lot of time to reflect, I've come to a decision. Some back ground first though...
Just before leaving for my 10 day adventure in Israel, I had to turn down 3 exciting stunt gigs, nothing that would make or break my career, but frustrating none the less. The day before I flew out, my father called me and told me that a friend of his was looking for a recent film school graduate to join his company as a green screen tech. I'm not sure what the official job title is, and I don't really even know much about the job. What I know is that it's a real time green screen replacement system for use on set. So the director can see roughly what his green screen environments will look like. Its a very new technology that isn't readily available or even known about.

If I get the job, I'll be in the ground floor of this new and powerful tool. There would be a lot of travel and a lot of time on set involved.

I wasn't able to get a hold of my dads friend before I left. So I left a message or two expressing how interested I was in the position.

Taking this would mean I'd have to put stunt work on the back burner. I love stunts, and I've wanted to do it for so long. I feel like going in another direction with my career would be like selling myself out. I doubt that I could make both happen at once, because the green thing is full time, and stunts can come up last minute.

So I had a choice to make. New career move with high high potential. Or following what I've wanted to do for years. Today I was able to check my email, I got the job and I start on Monday. I can't wait :)

Old habits

How sad is this? Before I joined the Army, I was trying to get into stunts. There really was only so much that I could do at age 17, as far as networking and traveling. But every single time that I got a call for a gig, I was unable to take it for some reason or another. Usually out of town for the day, or had an event that could not be rescheduled. No matter what, I couldn't take the job.
So after a year of telling stunt coordinators that I can't take their job, while really wanting to, I decided to take a sabbatical from trying, and enlisted in the Army.
Now that I've graduated film school (yes I graduated, and thank you). I'm attacking stunts full bore. Except for this one short trip to New York and Israel. I'll be back in LA at the end of the month, but since I scheduled this trip I've had to turn down and pull out of several projects. I'm so bummed that this time is starting out just like before. I'm a little mad, but not too worried. If I've had this many offers this soon, I should be doing just fine.

Though, it's still an exciting time for me. Every new email or phone call is a potential new job.

Looming

With graduation looming just around the corner, things are starting to pick up. The Graduation ceremony is on Friday, today was the rehearsal and cap and gown hand out.

All day my head has been swimming with ideas and possibilities. There is a production meeting later tonight for a group of stunt men and I who want to add footage to our reels. We plan on shooting a short scene that looks like it would be in a movie. The project is growing quickly and gaining speed. Tonight is the first official meeting. I've been lucky enough to bring a few of my school buddies into the project to be part of the crew. Being involved will help their reels as well.

If any I e doesn't know, a reel is a compilation of work you've done, to showcase your talents. Mine is pretty lacking. Most it's scenes that I've stunt coordinated. Which I can't show to another stunt coordinator, because it doesn't show how I perform.

This group is also a great way to network. 2 of the members are performers in the water world stunt show at universal studios. Maybe in the future, I'll audition there and have a good word put in for me. That would be really nice.

A started the never ending process of "hustling" again. Which is always a drag. I sent out about 20 headshot/resumes To major productions. Hopefully some one will bite and at least call me back. I would call that a success.

Directing is not showing up on set and calling "Action."

Directing is not showing up on set and calling "Action." There is so much work that goes into directing, before you set foot on a set. So much, that people are hired to help the director. These people are called department heads, they SHOULD be more knowledgeable (in their fields) than the director. In fact a good director knows to surround themselves with people that are smarter than they are.
The shooting of thesis films this month really taught me a lot. If you're reading this and I worked with you this past month, I'm not trying to single any one out. A lot of good things did happen.

To direct a film you need to have a vision, and be able to communicate that vision to the people working with you. You need to be able to put every one on the same page, so you are all making the same film. This is one of the things that a strong Assistant Director will do. As far as non creative positions go, the 1st AD is the most important person on set, they can make or break your movie.

If you want to be a director, there are times when you need to STFU and listen to the people that you have around you. They are there for a reason, and YOU probable put them there for a reason! Your idea is not always the best, while you do have the final say, learn to swallow your pride and compromise. It's hard to know what things to compromise on, and it comes from experience, but a director with no willingness to compromise will fail.

Me (1st AD): You're not going to get all your shots today what do you want to cut?
Director: No it's ok, we can get them all.
Me: No you can't. The speed we've been going at is too slow, and you're running out of time. You have one hour left, and can not get three more shots.
Director: Yes I can, we're shooting them all, we'll just go really really fast.

I get very nervous when some one tells me not to worry. Unless there is sustenance behind their "Don't worry" such as, "Don't worry, I know a guy who has a steadycam rig, and he's already agreed to help out, I just need to iron out the dates." That puts my mind at ease. But saying, "Don't worry, it'll work out." Doesn't do it for me.

There is a theory in film making, the triangle if you will. You can have things either; Fast, Good, and Cheap, Pick two. I prefer always keep good, then depending on the circumstances, fast or cheap.

This weekend I spent Cinco De Mayo in one of California's beautiful Los Padres national forest, shooting guns with friends. What a great way to celebrate...what ever it is that happened on the 5th of May in what ever year it happened on. I got a little creative with my Contour HD camera.

It was a fun day, I did a lot of shotgun, so my shoulder is a little sore, but everything else was great.

Forgive my disjointed rantings today, I felt like it was a good time, after I had collected my thoughts to put them down on internet.

So do your homework if you want to direct. If your production calls for money, and you don't have it, either change the production, or GET SOME MONEY. I hate being on a shoot where no one gets paid, craft services (food) is a joke, and the director won't shell out for anything extra. If you want your film to have a low budget feel, stay low budget, but if you have a grandiose vision you will probably have to pay for it. There are plenty of ways to raise money today, Indygogo.com and kickstarter.com are great.

There is a lot more to being a director than calling action and cut. Things that you wouldn't even think about, try to get on set and just watch, take notes, ask questions, and learn that you have so much more to learn.

So in conclusion, get money, respect the people that work for you, stay true to the story, stay sharp, and stay tuned. 

Blogging and radio show

Hey every one! Since my last blog post, I've been busy. This month at school was our final project month. I've shot and wrapped three thesis films already, as the stunt coordinator, or assistant director. I like AD-ing, because I get to solve problems, and be in the middle of everything. Nothing happens on set with out the AD being part of it. "When's lunch?" - Ask the AD "What's our next shot?" - Ask the AD.

Here's the site to one of the films we wrapped. I was an extra, and armorer. http://www.ontogenesis.info/

I have one two more projects coming up before I'm done with this crazy period. This weekend, I'm coordinating a fight for a short film, that will be hitting the festival circuit. I'm excited, because it will probably be the first stunt coordinator credit I'll have on IMDB.

In other news, I've been co-hosting an internet radio blog show on Wednesday night. We talk about movies, how to make them, opinions about what's new or old. I had my first caller call in last night, it was very cool. He corrected me, I had referred to the show "Game of Thrones" as league of thrones or something like that. My co-host is the AD for the project that I'm shooting this weekend. We worked about a year ago on another short, called "Last Wish". I was just a grip and assistant camera. I learned a lot, but didn't really believe in the project. I still don't think it's very good.
I'm not a good editor, but I know bad editing when I see it. My father is a professional editor, and what he has always told me is, "Make it shorter." Most student films that I see, should be about half as long as they are. If you're a small time film maker, and you want to make your films better. CUT IT DOWN! Cutting out the smallest number of frames can be the difference in pacing of a scene, and for Christ's sake, if you wrote and directed it, DON'T be the editor.

In two months I'll graduate from film school, and I'll be out on my own. I'll be working full time (or as much as I can), trying to get my SAG card, so I can work on big budget films. Doing what ever I can to make ends meet. It's the scary transitional period, a few days ago, an Army recruiter went to my parents house to try to get me back in. I thought about it...I haven't called or talked to any one about it. But it's on my mind as a fall back. I hope I don't get desperate enough for that.

So like always stay sharp and stay tuned.

I feel like I need to write something. Even though nothing new has really come up for me as far as stunts work goes. There are a lot of things pending, and a lot of things coming up. I'll start there, then who knows, maybe I'll get philosophical.

We are coming up on the last few months of school, which means...THESIS! It's a big deal for a film student. The entire time you spend in school leads up to this one short moment. You get to direct a short student film that encompasses everything you've learned. Yep, careers have been launched because of student thesis films. While a good film can start a career, I doubt a bad one could kill one. Because you have an excuse, "I was young, what did I really know about making a movie?"
But if you do one well, you're instantly a visionary. Which is of course what every one wants, to BE that visionary film maker right off the bat; the next George Lucas. But not every one can be that, and trying to force yourself into that mold can hurt your film.
Breaking the rules before you fully understand them is detrimental to any art form. Picaso didn't start off drawing his special brand of art. He learned the classical way, and then found it in himself to do things differently.

But all this is coming from a guy who isn't directing a thesis film. The truth of it is, that I didn't want to deal with all the business that comes with producing a short. The hours and hours spent negotiating deals with rental houses, getting location permits, finding affordable catering, searching for funding, having SAG contracts to do. This is why I couldn't be a producer. As far as directing goes, in a few years of being on set, and working with actors, I think I would have my chops. But right now, I don't want the producing side of the house's hassle.
I'm not lazy, it's just not a head ache that I want right now. Maybe when I've matured as a film maker. Stunt work and ADing works find for me now.

Tomorrow I'm also going back to Mike Cassidy's Stunt Kids class to help him out with the class. It's a class of falls and Russian swing. That's the one thing that I missed when I was in his class years and years ago. So now I get to learn it, and put it on my resume. It's like a giant swinging platform, with poles that attach to the A-Frame structure. You power the platform like a swing in a play ground. When you reach the right height, you launch yourself off (like on the playground), to simulate explosions and being throw around.
I haven't seen many behind the scenes of action films using these swings.I think they are kind of dated. There are newer more efficient devices like air rams. Mike dosn't teach air rams, because they are expensive and dangerous. I hope I can play with them one day.

It's late and I need to get some sleep before the class tomorrow. So wish me luck, in thesis month. I'll be working on about 8 separate films in one capacity or another. I'll be busy.

Stay tuned and stay sharp

So close and yet so far

In my past, before I joined the US Army, I was trained in and pursued a career in stunt work. Unfortunately, I never actually got a gig. Every time I was offered a job, something would come up that would take precedence. I would be out of town and physically not able to make it, or had no way to get to the location. It was very frustrating, and seemed as if the fates were conspiring to keep me out of the industry. I don't believe in fate, but for lack of a better phrase, that's how I think of it.

So this weekend, I was brought onto another thesis film for school, as the armorer. I wound up as one of the military advisers as well, which was fun. The set was run very professionally, and I really enjoyed working on it. The same set that Scenes from Iron Man and Transformers, which was so cool. I love working in this town. 

I was a little put off for one reason, which brings me back to my old stunt days. I was not brought on to be the stunt coordinator, that job went to the director's cousin. He had more experience than me, but was friendly. I introduced myself, and gave him my background, a expressed that I wanted to be a stuntman, and that I'd like to help him any way I could. 

When it came to the stunt work, which was only a fight, and a wire pull, he decided to go with the actor that I brought with me. Who is not really an actor, and not a stuntman. But he fit the physical profile of what the director wanted. I know that's how the game is played, and I accept that. BUT it's hard to swallow, when you're an aspiring stuntman, you get onto a set that has stunts that need to be done, and you aren't involved. It's just disheartening. I'll get there though, and I'll be do it right when I do. 

All in all it was still a great day. I made some good contacts, I got some screen time as a Taliban war fighter, and I did some good training for the actors playing Marines. Damn, we had those poor guys on edge, they were in character all day, and my other mil adviser would just screw with them and run them through scenarios. It was a very good exercise for me in working with actors. 

Though I didn't get much for my stunt reel, I still call the day a huge success. 

More to follow soon, 

Stay tuned, and stay sharp.

Thoughts late at night

It's late and I can't sleep. I have an appointment with my VA disability people in the morning. I guess I'll just be exhausted when I get there. I've got a zero calorie monster in the fridge so I'll be alright. By the way, those things are awesome! They really get me jacked in the morning! Like power thirst!!! I'll go fight a tiger...

Any way, through the VA folks at my school I got into a group for veterans in film and television. It's a very legit group that I think will be a real benefit to my career. However, something came of it, that I was not expecting, but should have.

I've let my ego get a little too big. For the last few months, I've had big fish in a little pond syndrome. Since I'm the only guy that I know of at my school that is interested in stunt work, I've had a lot of demand. I've started calling myself a stunt coordinator, for lack of a better term and it's gone to my head.

On my facebook, my occupation read stunt coordinator as well. When I signed up with this group for vets, I introduced myself as a stunt coordinator. Almost immediately I got a message from a real stunt coordinator that I actually know if and admire a great deal. He advised that I not call myself a stunt coordinator, because I will probably piss off the people who have devoted years and years to actually earn the credit of stunt coordinator. Especially when I have no real credits even as a stuntman. I immediately heeded his advice and amended the introduction and my profile; to aspiring stuntman.

It was a reminder that I really truly am starting at the bottom if the ladder. At 26 years old, I'm starting over at something. I thought six years ago that I would be at least decent at a job and be working my way to the top. It's a little disheartening to think about. But I guess there is no choice, since I don't want to go back to the Army. I'll just attack this new venture and make it my bitch.

I know that not any one can do anything. Those stories that parents tell their kids are a bunch if crap. You either don't have the intelligence, the genes, or the means. But stunts is something that I AM good at, and definitely see myself excelling at.

For a while I thought that I would make my living as a magician. But I never really saw myself doing that seriously. Maybe as a side job instead if waiting tables or tending bars, but not full time. If you see me bringing food to your table, I've hit Rock bottom. Bit that I'm hating on waiters, it's just not something I could do and smile. Unless I worked at a rude restaurant like Dicks. But they would just be too wearied to say I work in dicks, or I'm a dick waiter.

So until next time, stay tuned and stay sharp.

Head shots!

There it is! My head shot, that's going to be the money maker. The one below is nice, but doesn't give enough feeling, but it's still a nice picture.

A lot of things are going on now! Thesis month is coming up at school, and I've booked seven gigs. I'll be second unit directing a Vietnam battle scene, stunt coordinating for five, and being a 2nd AD for another. So April is going to be a very busy month for me. So I'll have a lot of material for my reel.

I also had a meeting with the leaders of "Urban Fist" stunt team. The team manager was a student at the same school as me, so I decided to drop them an email. We met in Santa Monica and talked about bringing me onto the team as a military consultant and armorer. They are a great group of guys, and I'm very excited to work with them. We are looking for a day to set up a small weapons manipulation course for the team, so I can show case my skills.Very exciting.
Also Check out my website www.danielrathaus.com and look at the new additions to the arsenal. I picked up two new AK 47s and a new chrome 1911.  They are going to be popular in he short films that I'm going to be involved with. Things are starting to pick up!

The roots of it all

Today was a great day, I got back in touch with my roots.
I helped my mentor teach his stunt class: www.stuntkids.com. Mike Cassidy is a great man, he taught me everything I know about performing stunts and how to get into the industry. I went through stunt kids in 1999, and have recalled bits and pieces of that training ever since, not necessarily while performing.

So today I went back to see Mike, to assist him while teaching a new class of stunt kids; today's class was falls. Mike has a tower set up in his yard, you climb the ladder, and jump into an airbag. These kids climb the tower, up to 28 feet and leap. Brave for some of these little ones. I did the class when I was 17, and it was scary. But then again, when I went through the class there were two higher levels, so I've jumped from 38 feet. which was quite exhilarating. Today I got to play around on the tower a little too.

It felt so good to touch base with Mike again, an added treat was seeing an old stunt kids class mate of mine, Matthew Kennedy. Matthew's been doing well while I've been gone. He just wrapped the new Spider Man movie on the stunt stunt team. He's making his living as a stunt man, and living the dream. I can't wait till I can pay the bills solely by performing.

I also was asked to coordinate a short shoot out for a thesis film for a Los Angeles Film School student. I do these thesis films for free, for several reasons. I'm still a student, and I would want some one to help me out if I were shooting a thesis, I still need the experience and things to add to my resume.

Finally, I saw my headshot. It looks great, it's getting re touched, and I should have the final product by Monday. I'll post it up here once I get it.


So stay tuned, and stay sharp.
Daniel

It has begun!

Today things got real. I had an appointment to get my first professional head shots done. It's official now, I am where I belong. 

Please allow myself to introduce myself (Austin Power's reference FTW). I am Daniel Rathaus, a stuntman, a stunt coordinator, a military consultant, an actor, an armorer, and film student. I think that's all I am... oh yea, AWESOME! 

I am a student at the Los Angeles Film School in Hollywood CA. I'm a California boy by nature, though I was born in New York city, I have adopted CA as my home. I served 6 1/2 years in the US Army as a communication Sergeant, collecting two combat deployments, and a handful of great experiences. 

Now that I'm out, I'm making my way through Hollywood, on my way to being a professional stuntman.

I am very fortunate that I have contacts in the film industry that do not come from my school. Being that I come from a film family, I'll be able to utilize the network that seems to have been tailored for me. My father is an feature film editor, mother is a story board artist, and my grandfather received an academy award in 1971 for his best picture "The French Connection." 

I know that just having connections is not enough. It takes hard work, determination, and skills. All of which I have!

So back to my day, I have about 400 pictures taken of my face, which I've never been too keen on staring at. And still, some came out really nice. Tonight they get touched up, and I'll get them tomorrow. Then I can start hustling and getting my face out there to coordinators. 

While I work on getting gigs, I'll continue to concentrate on working with my fellow students, as the stunt coordinator on their short films. So I have something to put on a reel and my resume. 

It's going to be a fun ride, and I'll keep you all updated as things develop. So stay tuned.