Comments | ddelapp: The 12 Month Plan: Write and Design, or PA and the No-promises Production Ladder

ddelapp

The 12 Month Plan: Write and Design, or PA and the No-promises Production Ladder

Jun 21, 2007 14:39

I'm at a turning point. Here's the situation, in brief ( Read more... )

the industry, los angeles, writing, design

Comments 12

My 200 cents eightoclock June 22 2007, 02:35:32 UTC

Before you even mentioned the starting-your-own-business thing I was thinking, "God, that PA job sounds like hell, the ultimate in getting the corporate ladder run-around ( ... )

Re: My 200 cents ddelapp June 22 2007, 18:39:17 UTC

This is all great advice, thanks man. Particularly the parts about building a clientèle. I appreciate you taking the time.

I am so very tempted to dive in, but I want to give the writers assistant thing a fair chance. You may receive a panicked email from me in two weeks, though, as the cold reality of actually "doing it" settles in.

bringing the pessimism for the reality check b/c i'm a downer like that:D brisrealm June 22 2007, 04:49:23 UTC

the 200 cents are something to consider wholeheartedly ( ... )

Re: bringing the pessimism for the reality check b/c i'm a downer like that:D ddelapp June 22 2007, 19:16:31 UTC

"so ultimately we come back to the original question - what do YOU want? what do YOU think YOU need to do to achieve YOUR goals. tv writing doesn't give you many options. you go the design route, you need to seek out representation in order to staff yourself b/c you aren't making the sacrifices to get in that writers room."You hit the nail on the head. That is the question I've been wrestling with. Here's my logic, boiled down ( ... )

Re: bringing the pessimism for the reality check b/c i'm a downer like that:D brisrealm June 22 2007, 19:43:30 UTC

but needing to be a better writer to compete is not going to be your "in" necessarily. there is no surefire way ANY way you look at it. lemme give you a few examples of friends i know ( ... )

yep shortypoke June 22 2007, 17:03:29 UTC

I've been supporting myself for a while now, too. I recommend it to anyone that feels up to the challenge of taking charge of their own income.

ps I'm currently starting a side business that could totally use some design work.. let me know!

Re: yep ddelapp June 22 2007, 17:08:34 UTC

I imagine the freedom is priceless. What do you do for medical insurance?

And thanks for keeping me in mind for your design work! Besides pining away the days, thinking melancholy thoughts about my future, I'm free now and for the next few weeks. Shoot me an email with what you have in mind, and we can discuss.

joshc June 22 2007, 19:13:28 UTC

you've convinced me that Option #2 is the way for you to go! I've seen some of your design work and it is consistently great; making money from that while preserving time to write seems like an infinitely better choice compared to long stifling days as a PA. It will be hard work, but the creativity, flexibility, and control of doing your own thing should make up for it.

Good luck!

ddelapp June 22 2007, 19:29:46 UTC

Thanks, Josh. And you know if I go that way, you'll all hear about it here.

(The comment has been removed)

brisrealm June 26 2007, 19:59:52 UTC

these points are incredibly valid. thank you for stating this!

devon, you keep complaining about 18 months and nothing, but 18 months IS nothing. i think that's the point i'm trying to make that you are missing.

it takes years to make a mark. only the very few get as lucky as to make it so fast so soon, and a majority of those are thru nepotism and lots of dough. dan was a lucky one in our circle, but it took him 4 years to get there. the success rate is low, and that's the unfortunate truth.

good luck with option #2 - i know you have a lot of "influences" that are non-industry related so they don't understand what it takes. let's see if it works in your favor.

ddelapp June 26 2007, 23:02:09 UTC

The points are valid, and we've both seen them in action. I have concerns that stepping away from the bustle of production will lead to a decay in what few contacts I've developed in my short time here. We've discussed how the "luck" of Hollywood is to a certain extent a numbers game: the more people you know, the greater your "luck". And there is also the very real possibility that time away from the regular energy and camaraderie of production may lead to an drifting away from entertainment. These are concerns I mulled over while make my decision, and I take them all seriously ( ... )

brisrealm June 26 2007, 23:16:36 UTC

like i said, good luck and hope it works in your favor.