Million Dollar Grandma

Interestingly enough, my grandmother won $1.4 million over the Memorial Day Weekend in Palm Springs. I thought I'd mention this because, after all, it's a semi-life changing event.

I have been working on a local television show which will air in Glendale and Burbank. I am the writer and producer for "The Agency" and we have already completed several episodes. I truly think it's an original comedy the Armenian community is missing.

I wrote my first short film which is titled "Deliver Me This" and entered it in a contest last month. The winners are supposed to be announced sometime in June but I took it as a learning process instead of a shot at winning. I am currently in the process of looking for producers who are interested in developing the project. I am also going to start writing for my next short film, which I will produce and direct myself, hopefully this summer.

On another note, I have officially made a list for a film watching marathon. I have over 100 film titles listed in which I plan on watching this summer. I think it's obvious why I chose to do this but it's going to be fun, nonetheless.

Oh, I also got straight A's for Spring semester at school!

Success is Painful

Pain is good. They say if you don't feel any pain, you wouldn't know when there's something wrong with you. Ah! So we've established there's something wrong with me!

I've been in pain and in bed since Monday afternoon. Familial Mediterranean Fever - if you don't know it by now, Goggle it. The hereditary disorder which cripples my soul and puts a pause on my life for a few days. Unfortunately, I missed Cinema class which was the greatest disappointment of all. If I had the energy to go, I would have, but I was battling inflammation in my abdomen and still am.

Now that I am bedridden, I believe I should make some announcements. I started working on a local television show through the people I work with. I am writing and producing a thirty minute comedy show for the Armenian channel. It's great experience; I co-direct and take action in the industry I only dreamt about months ago. I am also beginning to work on small projects for myself, mainly as experience for film school.

I'm trying not to let the application process get to me. Is it working? Well, I'm sick and the main cause; stress. I am starting to understand the fact that it is not about what school I go to. To be honest, I'm steering away from USC and have completely ignored UCLA. I think Chapman is the best fit for me but regardless where I go, I have to stand out. I shouldn't let the school make me who I want to be, I've got to make myself great using the school to my advantage. Film school should be a time for me to work on everything I have wanted to. It will be the opportunity to write and direct films I have been dreaming of. It will be the time to network, regardless of it's with USC or Los Angeles City College students.

May is minutes away and the summer is just around the corner. Applications will due soon and before I know it, it'll be spring. I'll be impatiently waiting in front of my mailbox but for what? An envelope with a letter granting me acceptance to their prestigious school? Every now and then I need to take a step back from these schools and say to them, "Hey! I don't need you, you need me."

Orange!

I stood there looking straight at the building almost trying to intimidate them. Once the doors were open, students ran from one end of the building to the other, I no longer felt scared or anxious. Chapman University's Dodge College of Media Arts and Televsion was the first film school I had the chance of visiting. Chapman is one of the six schools on my list and the only to offer such a tour. I rather not go into detail but it was pretty much as I had imagined. It has everything an aspiring student needs to succeed but it is I that will bring the motivation.

Shortly thereafter, I experienced an intense headache which lead to a fever and stomach pain. The pain developed into a stomach virus known as Gastroenteritis which is in the process of healing. Also, while eating dinner last night, I must have done something wrong in the oh-so-complicated process of chewing and swallowing because I feel something lodged in my throat. It is actually quite painful and at times I cannot breathe and my chest and back hurt when I try to. When I sit still, my face begins to slowly shake and it feels as if I am going to pass out.

Solve

I find it difficult to live without worry because of the many obvious obstacles in my path. I worry about my acceptance to film school, which ultimately leads to stress over my current school work. I can't seem to enjoy myself as much as I used to because of the constant pressure I put on myself. When I feel overwhelmed by an upcoming test, I slowly move away and think of a paper I must complete for another class.. then I detach myself from the current semester and think of the next few semesters I have left; and the tests, papers, and homework they will require. Finally, I face the hardship of completing a portfolio, which is the make-or-break as far as getting accepted is concerned.

Right now, I am finding an exit. I have a Math exam waiting for me at 9am this Saturday. Because of my anxiety and stress, I cannot concentrate and apply myself to understand how to do any of the problems. My desk is filled with more scribbled papers than an Immigration office and all I can think of is throwing them all away. Yet when all hope is lost and I look at a math probem and it tells me to solve; what comes to mind are my own problems which I am in pursuit of solving, and I smile at the irony.

Key Grip

I was determined and eager to get started with film production, and I believe I am finally getting there.

The interview at Coffee Bean must have gone well because I got hired. As you may have imagined, I did not take the job. I scheduled several other interviews, one of which was today, and am still waiting for a call back. One thing I have learned is every production company looking for an intern that I came across was very small, working from a house, and very unprofessional. I was unhappy with their working environment, therefore I declined the first job offer and will probably decline any others.

On Sunday, I was given the opportunity to work as a production assistant/key grip with Shervin Youssefian for a music video he was directing. I am a fan of his work and having the chance to work with his crew was a great experience. We also taped a behind-the-scenes documentary which is going to be shown with the music video on Armenian TV. Overall, it felt right, working with a team of creative people looking to capture the perfect moment on camera. This is the first step and from here on, I won't be waiting around for things to happen. I'm going take action.

The Starbuck & Tea Leaf

If you know me at all, you would know I do not support coffee houses. Toddlers in Beverly Hills drink more than two cups of coffee now; and I could swear, both Starbucks and Coffee Bean are the exact same store with a different name and logo. Oh, and if you know me at all, you probably would not believe I bought coffee at Starbucks tonight then walked right across the street to Coffee Bean twenty minutes later. All this took place in Brentwood.. and I burnt my tongue while drinking Earl Grey, which I threw away after two sips.

I had an interview at 7:30 tonight at the great Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf; which I should say is a creative name, but that's beside the point. I waited at Starbucks because I arrived an hour and half early. After arriving at Coffee Bean at 7:20, I sat and waited while I watched a group of young adults crowd together over folders full of paper. I knew it was them who would interview me, but I thought it would be more appropriate to wait for them to approach me. Well, it took them about twenty minutes to do so.. after I got up and left.

The position is as production assistant on a comedic web series. I rather not mention their names or the title of the project, because a simple Google search will open up this blog.. and there goes my chance! In all honestly, I could care less if I get hired. No need for details, but a 12-hour shoot for three straight weekends in Santa Monica are not exactly the ideal choice for me; a student.

In conclusion, I burnt my tongue and I spent valuable time at two coffee shops. Two hours later, we brainstorm for my next move.

Impossible is Nothing

After calling USC and being transfered from the Cinema department to the Admissions department, then back to the Director of Admissions for the Cinema department, I have concluded the following: It is impossible to transfer to USC Cinema with the help of USC counselors.

"We don't do any preliminary counseling."

And after I asked how I would know if I'm on the right track to transfer, she responded:

"You won't know until you apply for admission."

Well, that's fairly simple now, isn't it? I don't know too much about counseling or transfering students, but I'm guessing my four-year-old cousin would know that. USC doesn't do any counseling with students and their 'Transfer Day' isn't limited to students hoping to get into USC Cinema. So what does an eager student do? Call UCLA. Any luck there? Nope, I received the same information through a phone message.

"If you're calling to receive more information on admission and transfering, DO NOT leave a message. You can receive all that information on our website!"

Either I'm doing something very wrong or I'm just ahead of my time. My current college counselors recommend I go straight to the source, yet the source refers me to a website. A website which I have already mastered, no pun intended. My conclusion is this: If you want something done right, don't call around. Get up and do something!