The Boomerang Effect

This week I went to a function at the Beverly Hills Hotel called The American Spirit Award that was organized by The Caucus for Producers, Writers and Directors.  The goal was to “honor a Democrat, Republican and Civilian that exhibits the American Spirit in supporting the Entertainment Industry.”  Senator Byron Dorgan, Lionel Chetwynd and LeVar Burton were the award recipients.

It was a small event, only about a hundred or so people.  Of them, the leaders of major industry unions such as the DGA, PGA, WGA, SAG and AFTRA were present.  I was invited because when I was a student The Caucus Foundation granted me a very generous award to finish my thesis film.  Their financial support was invaluable to my film.

But being invited to events such as this is very important as well.  These events allow me to get a different perspective, get me mingling with people I would not otherwise meet and give me insight to the inner workings of my industry.

There are lots of programs out there that support filmmakers.  Seek out the good ones and apply to whatever you can.  I apply to the same programs year after year, making a habit of it so it’s not personal.  I sink my heart into the application, apply, and then forget about it.  If it comes back to me it’s nothing but a wonderful surprise.

This dinner I was at, mingling with the old guard, learning about the new issues and challenges of our industry, was a great experience that I never would have had access to had I not filled out a simple application form available to tons of other students.  Hollywood is a crazy place.  You never know from day to day where you’re going to end up but if you don’t throw yourself in your options will definitely be more limited.