Goals

Okay, so this isn't a sketch (though I should definitely start sketching more for the sake of this poor blog), but I realized that it's been almost a year since I moved to L.A., and I've been feeling a little bummed out. I didn't expect to be rolling in millions, but the unemployment is starting to get to me. So, I decided to make a list of my accomplishments this year to make myself feel better, and goals for next year. It's better if you publicly document it, according to some studies somewhere on some internets.

1. COMPLETED UCLA PROFESSIONAL SCREENWRITING PROGRAM. And in the process made some new friends and came out with some great notes. The biggest acquired skill: the technical art of fun, exciting screen direction. Also, just the sheer experience of finishing things and not having a drawer full of first acts.

2. WROTE 2 FEATURES. Well, one of them is in good condition, one isn't and needs a major rewrite. However, I moved here in October, so I figure I've got until October to shape that one up. If I don't, consider this goal not complete.

3. CREATED A WEB SERIES. Again, if you count the fact that I moved in October, this counts as an accomplishment. My animated series of 3 micro-shorts, MONSTER HOSPITAL, is in production and will be released on October 31st. Happy Halloween! Hopefully it will soon be followed by more, resulting in 5 micro-shorts total, or possibly a real web-series of shorts 2-3 minutes long.

4. INTERNED AT 2 L.A. PRODUCTION COMPANIES. A good accomplishment but as far as how many internships you can cram into a year I think I dropped the ball on this one. Still, a lot of important experiences learning how the business works and what producers are looking for. Good skills acquired for further internships and maybe now I can start applying for assistant jobs. If only they would reply to my e-mails.

5. WROTE 1 SPEC AND 1 PILOT. A How I Met Your Mother spec to apply to fellowships, and an animated comedy spec (Animal Band) for a writing sample, my first writing project together with Omar. We had a good time together, though I am starting to suspect I am quite stubborn. Or maybe he just brings it out in me.

I also moved to a new city and got situated, made new L.A. friends and connections, found some cool hang-outs, and got a LACMA membership. I moved in with Omar and got a job as a freelance reader for some extra cash flow (well, more like cash trickle). I also am having a blast taking classes at Upright Citizens Brigade, and recently completed my 201 class. So, all in all, not bad, but a year is a long time and a lot can happen, especially now that I'm done with class. So let's try for even more next year:

2012 GOALS

1. GET A SHORT FILM PRODUCED. Hopefully, there will be more episodes of Monster Hospital. But if not, I would like to have another of my short films produced, hopefully by some of my very talented friends.

2. COMPLETE UCB TRAINING / DO MORE IMPROV. I'm halfway through my UCB training, and it's safe to say that graduating from UCB is an easy goal to meet for 2012, even if the gaps between when I sign up between levels are fairly long. However, I'd also like to get on an improv team, either by auditioning for one of the Harold teams once I've graduated from 401, joining another team, or starting my own.

3. GET AN AGENT / MANAGER / FELLOWSHIP. Any of these things would be a game-changer, particularly a fellowship. If Nickelodeon or Disney swept into my life, I'd be forever grateful. But since fellowships are extremely competitive, I'd also be happy with an agent or manager. All of these things are just stepping up your game, taking it to the next level, and all that good stuff. If something like this were to happen, realistically it'd be towards the end of the year, but I still really want to set the goal.

4. WRITE ANOTHER FEATURE AND A PILOT. At LEAST, if not more. I need another feature as a sample, one that's not an animated kids movie or a children's comedy, since both of my scripts are in this genre. If I can't, I can't, and if I end up writing another family comedy, hey, that's what happens. But I just need another one. I also need a good original pilot, not that Animal Band's not good, but something a little more accessible.

5. GET A GOOD JOB. I need a job. A good one, with, you know, money. Either an entertainment job or a job that allows me to be creative and I'm happy in, while also giving me time to write. Basically, a "grown-up" job of some sort. Now that I've finished the UCLA program, the distraction of the impending doom of having no money is too high, but I also want to be in a position that I'm really happy in and doesn't make me miserable. If I got a non-entertainment related job, I'd also want to make a commitment of a year, but then I should probably start looking for work again so I don't get stuck in "the golden handcuffs."

I'd also really like to get paid for something (anything) writing related, possibly get published somewhere (anywhere), and put together a sketch portfolio. For some unrelated to film goals, I want to do 365 days of sketches and put them on this blog, and I want to finish writing my grandfather's play, the NYMPH OF THE RIVER CALUMPIT, and maybe clean up his draft of THE DIVINE WIND.

Phew! I'd better get started!