So its been far too long since I posted…

First of all, I would like to say I am sorry that I have no been posting on this more often.  Last month was incredibly stressful and this month has been fun but insanely busy.

Updates:  Month two classes were History of Culture and Digital Video Production.  History of Culture was cool, but I had already taken courses just like it prior– Humanities classes at Roanoke College were the same thing essentially.  Digital Video Production taught me a lot but was frustrating because my teachers were not organized, personable or helpful at all.

In Digital Video Production, we made our first real short films:  We were assigned groups and told to make a film.  The assignment called for “an intimate window” character study.  My group’s script (which I, the screenwriter had no involvment in, as a way of seeing what my classmates ideas were like) was a horror/comedy and had in depth character work– at first.  However, thanks to the disorganization of the class we didn’t have time to do our script as originally written, so we had to make modifications and instead we created a film that was a suspensful and cheesy b-movie horror gorefest which a raunchy comedic punch-line.  It’s called There’s Something in My Closet.  I will have a copy of it soon… and am planning on bringing DVDs of my works to date with me when I come to VA for christmas.

For There’s Something in My Closet I worked as Director of Photography, or Cinematographer– which is a lot of fun.  I basically listen to what the director wants, decide how to light– tell my Gaffer (lighting guy) how to light it, pick the lenses, shutter speed, etc… I controlled the look of the film.  Felt really good when we premiered the film in the school’s theatre because everyone had a lot of really great things to say about the camera work!

I’ve also been writing a lot.  Working on two different feature length scripts at the moment.  Also working on drafts for my thesis short.  And I have been asked to write my friend Katherine’s thesis, my friend Jess’ thesis, write two shorts for my friend Chris and I am currently writing a political-thriller short for my friend Sila.

At the end of month two, I was invited to work on crew for a Webisode series called Groupitity.  I worked as a Second Assistant Camera (called 2nd A.C. by people here) which means I helped the cinematographer with camera stuff, did the clap board, kept up with all of our coverage, helped as a stand-in and much much more.  It was a lot of fun and I met a lot of cool people.  Also, I recently found out that once the series is completed and begins to post online, I might get IMDB.com credit for it!

Month three at LAfilmSchool is Production Cycle.  The school understands that when we graduated most of us will not immediately get our dream job, so month 3 is didicated to teaching us to work in the positions we will likely get… something no other film school does.  Really cool.  The first half of the month I filmed an episode of the series Fawlty Towers, and am currently filming a Twilight Zone episode.  For Fawlty Towers I worked as a Stand-In/Grip for the first part, then Asst. Art Director for the second part.  For Twilight Zone I have been 2nd AC for the first part and starting tomorrow I will be a grip.

I met with my career development advisor last month as well.  I am officially listed in the school under three job positions: 1)Screenwriter/Director, 2)Screenwriter, 3)Cinematographer.  Also, he recommended an awesome book for me to read to help me with my writing.  And suggested I get business cards–which I now have so I can begin to network. “In Hollywood its not who you know, but who knows you!”

Speaking of networking, I was at the bar a week or so ago and saw Dane Cook.  Then the next day saw Larry David at the movies!

I have been seeing a lot of films in screenings, that are not out yet back in Virginia.  First, I saw Syndoche, New York with a Q&A following by director/writer Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation., Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) for free– Amazing film go see it!.  Then I saw RocknRolla directed by Guy Ritchie (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, Revolver) which was great and you should see it too!  After that I got to see Role Models with a Q&A with director/writer David Wain (The State, Wet Hot American Summer, The Ten) which was hilarious, you should see it!  Then I saw W. directed by Oliver Stone (Platoon, Nixon, JFK, Alexander, Natural Born Killers, many more) which was amazing to the point where I forgot I was watching actors.

And then tonight… tonight I got to go to the premiere for Kevin Smith’s (Chasing Amy, Dogma, Clerks, Mallrats, etc.) new film Zack and Miri Make a Porno.  I was sitting in the same room as Kevin Smith, Justin Long, Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks, Jason Mewes and even Traci Lords of all people… it was unreal and FREE!  I met Jason Mewes (Jay from most of Kevin’s movies) afterwards.  I also met Jeff Anderson (Randal from the Clerks films).  Finally, I met and talked with Harvey Weinstein– former Studio Exec. for Miramax now co-owner of Weinstein Company.  Weinstein Company makes most of my favorite films… I nearly had a heart attack!!! Zack and Miri Make a Porno by the way everyone needs to see when it comes out on Halloween.  Its Kevin’s masterpiece.  Its his Schindler’s List, or There Will Be Blood, or 2001: A Space Odyssey, or Goodfellas… Amazing film.  Its classic comedy meets gross-out humor meets dark comedy meets romantic comedy.  It was incredibly moving and made me miss Amanda a lot.  It’s very raunchy and has some rather crude things, but the film is full of heart.  Totally worth it!

So that’s my incredibly busy life– I am sorry I haven’t been good at keeping up with people– Mom, I’ll be calling you soon, I promise.  You too Vern!  And Mina!… and many others…

Hope all is well!

-Trey.