In the next week or so I’m launching a new project – my first book. It’s been such a big process and I’m very fortunate to have so many wonderful people around me to help make it happen.
But I need your help…
You know me because we’ve worked together, collaborated or just had a moonlit stroll. (Thanks Gator, you’re the best!!) I’m terrible for capturing social proof and I’m looking for some quotes about your thoughts about me or the work I do.
These don’t have to be super serious just genuine!
So if you could write a sentence or two about your opinion of me and:
Post it as a Linked In recommendation or
leave it in the comments below.
Thank you in advance!
I don’t know how to start this… The following story is paraphrased.
So I’m having a drink with 2 buds at my house. The guys head out at 10:45 and I start the nightly ritual of locking doors, drawing curtains, etc. Check my email one last time and head to bed. I’ve recently just purchased some bedding and let me tell you the experience is glorious!
Just before I sleep I usually try to avoid being schooled by the vocabulary conscious contacts on Word with Friends. I check the phone clock, it’s 11:22. My housing scenario is not common. I live on the top floor of a business complex. The running joke among friends is that if the zombie apocalypse happens – they’re running to my house. It can be a fortress. There are rumors that the building was once a tuberculosis sanitarium and that it was multiple buildings before an architect blended them. If you take the stairs to my place, it’s closer to an MC Escher painting.
I hear some walking on the 3rd floor which is also not uncommon. The office of Chronicle Project are right underneath me and it’s not a strange thing to hear post production work happening or the collaboration of minds as I drift off. So as the walking keeps moving up to my level my ears perk. The only reason to come to the top floor is to see me. So much so, that most days when I’m home, the doors are wide open and I’m enjoying the breeze and the gorgeous Pasadena weather.
Amidst trying to solve word problems I see a light around my office door. My office is next to my bedroom and there’s a gap around the door jam due to the older construction. At first I think someone must be lost, I try to think the best of people so a break in the last outcome is what I’m imagining.
…and that’s when they started messing with the windows.
Even now I’m curious as to what’s happening but I’m in disbelief that someone is trying to enter my residence.
…and then a hand came in through the window and flipped the deadbolt.
Now I’ve had a Louisville Slugger next to my bed for most of my life. Originally because I love baseball and then later because I’m not a fan of guns but thought if personal protection were ever an issue, I’d be covered. The current iteration was a small 3 ft wooden bat with a flat end and it’s designed to do some damage. Growing up, I’d rehearse scenarios of what I’d do if certain things happen. Every time I moved to a new place I’d go over what I’d do if there was a fire in the house, a grease fire on the stove, an earthquake, and home invasion was of course one of the scenarios I would run through. So once I heard the deadbolt flip I was out of bed and the bat was in hand.
He jacked the window in about 10 seconds and swung the door open and took two steps inside. I had to assess the situation.
Did he have a weapon? How big was he? Is this how I’m going out?
The man looked around my office (which was in some desperate need of organization) and I finally got a good look at him. About 5’9″, medium build.. and I thought to myself, “Blitz him!”
I turned on the light and yelled in as deep a voice I could muster, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” as I closed the gap between us and was ready to crush a 400ft fastball over the centerfield wall.
I expected surprise, I expected him to run but what happened freaked me out much more.
He turned calmly and backed out of my office, hands raised, while saying, “I’m sorry, I thought this was my home. I’m in the wrong place.”
(yeah, it’s crazy, right?)
That didn’t compute. I got closer and kept on yelling, “Who are you? What do you want?”
He grabbed his bag and walked down the stairs all while apologizing.
(huh?)
I closed the door and locked it and immediately thought of the conversation I’d be having with my landlord about these windows. The thought about if I should call the cops or not. Grabbed my phone and dialed 911.
“911, what’s your emergency?”
“I’ve just had my place broken into.” Immediately my thoughts of the ample amounts of cop drama shows I’ve watched way too much of raced through my mind. I rattled off a description including any noticeable tattoos and what he’s wearing.
Pasadena Police were at my door within 3 minutes. I hang up with 911 and start to give the run down of the scenario. They get a call, additional Pasadena PD have made an arrest to man bearing that description 2 blocks away. the officer asks if I could ID the man. I agree and jump in the back of the squad car.
It’s wild that they officers were so quick to protect who I was and talked me through all the steps.
Positive ID made. They caught the right guy and loaded him in another cruiser.
We head back to my house and that’s when the forensics team shows up. Sadly it was not Marg Helgenberger but a guy to print my door. They police finish up with taking my statement, some photos and making a sketch of my place.
In the midst of all the action I text my buddy Derek. He had just left an hour prior and got back in his car and stuck with me while the hive of activity happened at my house.
It wasn’t until the police left that I started thinking about how many ways that could’ve gone.
Big thanks to the Pasadena Police Department for the quick response and to Derek for sticking around.
As of this AM, a good conversation with my landlord about getting some different windows. Not sure what they’ll be doing but I’m upgrading my bat.
Usually the Friday Morning Meeting is a filmmaker term used for the meetings that take place the Morning that your movie comes out. It’s important for cast and Crew to have good meeting because it ensures a good showing for their next project regardless of the box office take. This is also the pinnacle of buzz surrounding a movie.
I have a Friday Morning Meeting too.. and it’s one of my favorite things to do in Los Angeles.
Each Friday that a big blockbuster is coming out my good friends and I head to our local cinema and take it in. The group is diverse, from producers to writers and cinematographers to the an enthusiast like myself. It’s a great time because LA movie theaters open at 10 and we can usually beat the rush and the hype to the box office while making our own opinions about that weeks movie.
There something about getting a cup of coffee and sitting in a mostly empty theater with other enthusiasts taking in the big film of the week. The movie is usually followed by a conversation over lunch about the movie and it’s a real treat to hear about it from the different perspectives from the true film auteur to the ‘splosions guy.
We kicked off this season of fun this past weekend with Iron Man 2 and it was a great time. It’s hard to not be a fan of guys like Jon Favreau and Robert Downey Jr. in this movie. A great continuations
Soon we’ll be checking out the highly anticipated lineup of the summer with films like Inception, The A-Team, The Other Guys, Predators, Toy Story 3 and pretty much everything in between. I love the guys I get to experience these films with and it’s usually a lot of laughing.
Do you have any film rituals?
Yesterday marked the Two year mark for me in Los Angeles – my most recent adventure in life. Over the past few weeks I’ve been spending a fair amount of time thinking about the community I’m a part of, the church I go to and the work I’m doing. On each of those areas I thought I’d share what I’m thankful for and what I’m blessed with.
From Human Trafficking to Those Experiencing Homelessness
I moved to LA with a desire to lend my talents by impacting the awareness and education side of human slavery. The past two years I’ve had an opportunity to work with multiple different organizations that are looking to change the global landscape. And in the last year and a half the issue of poverty and homelessness has become such an important issue to me. Consistent inspiring stories from Andy Bales and Mark Horvath of people on the street and the efforts of those to fill the gaps in complex housing systems. The common ground with both issues is how complex they are and how many intelligent people are working on these issues – the best part is that there’s room for you too! Please let me encourage you to get involved with either one and make it local – influence your network!
My Family
What a year! The older I get, the more I appreciate these relationships. Cute kids, hilarious people and great conversation – it doesn’t get any better. Recently we’ve had a lot of very real communication and I’m super excited about where that’s leading. I love you all!
He’s a great friend, not afraid to disagree with me and tell me what’s going on and he’s also an incredible problem solver. Professionally, he gets work done and leads an amazing team that I’ve yet to be able to stump. Personally, Tim has been a great guy to kick me in the ribs and encourage me to greater things. Thank you Tim!
Chronicle Project – Dave Mahanes and Brent Gudgel
Without these two guys my life would be much less. I got to be next to them as they launched Deidox – a 2 year journey realized and now impacting thousands of people. From “Portnoy Bombs” to trips to San Diego and getting to hear about what they’re working on.
So excited for what happens this week. I feel really privileged to be near Gregg Helvey as he goes through this process. His film is up for Best Short in the Academy Awards and I’ve never rootd so hard for a film. If you haven’t see it – check it out! Or host a home screening and buy the movie direct from Gregg at www.KaviTheMovie.com
June started with Barbecues and September started with regular meetings. We’re just 4 weeks away from officially launching and it’s been a great pleasure to be a part of.
The guy is just plain genius! He’s a writer that I’m dying to share some of his work with you very soon. Derek’s a great guy, an easy collaborator and we keep great pace on bad movies, nerd trivia and what’s happening around town.
All in all, I feel so blessed to have connected with so many and there are no signs of it slowing anytime soon. HUSSAH!
If you like this post you might also dig – My first Year in LA
This week I found out that I hadn’t updated my bio in 3 years.
This was totally unacceptable on several different levels because:
- My life has changed (as I’m sure yours has)
- I don’t feel the same way about bio’s approach – the tone was all wrong.
- It was the party line of 3rd party bios.
- It relied heavily on trying to impress the reader with accomplishments.
- It may have genuine at the time but that time has since passed.
- It didn’t draw a line between what I do and who I am. (We are not our work)
So, check out your bio. Is it representing you the way you want?
