Embracing Uncertainty

I had a passion and I listened to my heart. I moved from SF to LA 5 years ago. Since then, I've produced, shot & edited nearly 1000 videos. I'm surprised my hands are still attached.

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Napeson

You think you know, but do you?

For those who don't know Napeson, check us out.  Let me know what you think

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That's me on right of the picture.  That's our good friend Jonah on the left (master makeup artist, check him out on Instagram @bluewhalemakeup)  And at the center of it all is Napeson Hyman III aka Philip Lawrence of the Smeezingtons. These are types of projects you don't plan for.  If anything, I've learned to just go with the flow.  It's such an honor and privelage to work with talents like these two.

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Study: Mobile Ad Spending to Hit $42 Billion in 2017, Eclipsing Radio

Mobile advertising will hit $42 billion in global revenues in 2017, making it bigger than radio advertising, according to Gartner.

When I first moved to LA, I wanted to be producing content for film & TV.  5 years later, I find myself in the middle of a startup company combining tech and video.  Mobile is the future.  Actually its arrived.  We're just skimming the surface here. 

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Commitment & A New Frontier

I can recall back in 2002 when I traveled to New York to attend the New York Film Academy.  I took it as a challenge upon myself to figure out if this was for me.   Our instructor held the shortest first day of class ever.  It was like 5 minutes long.  There were about 50 people in that class all eager to get this film program started.  It was going to be 4 weeks of greatness and fun!  That is until our instructor gave us the most discouraging introduction.  It went along the lines of "Welcome to the New York Film Academy.  I’m going to be honest with all of you.  I’m not going to tell you that its all glitz and glamour.  As a matter of fact, everything you see on TV or read in the magazines about how amazing it is to be a filmmaker and be a star, is far and few between.  If you do choose to commit to this path, expect ups and downs but more downs.  It is an extremely bumpy road that will test you and beat you to the ground.  I’ll see you tomorrow.  Class dismissed."  It went sort of along those lines.  I would say that was mildly put.  Nonetheless, the following day, there were only 7 students.  I guess that speech was intended to filter out those who were serious and those who weren’t.  The reason I bring up that memory 12 years ago is because 5 years being here in LA, that speech still echoes..and echoes loudly.  Everything that instructor had eluded to, he was dead on.  Not that it takes an instructor from the New York Film Academy to warn you and be aware of that possibility, but when you’re young, you think that you’re invincible.  And when you’re young, you lose focus easily.  

For those considering making the leap to Hollywood, the path to success starts with you committing and having tunnel vision.  By this I mean understanding your objective and your purpose.  Its about not letting anything divert you from your path even if it entails hardship, and believe me there will be times you experience many hardships.  Chasing your dream will test your will.  I’ve seen many people here give up, so its really about how mentally strong you can be and how badly you want it.  This town has a way of filtering out those who are serious and those who are not. Sound familiar?  Being here, you grow up fast.  You have to have the ability to be open minded.  I remember when I first moved down here, one of my neighbors was the lead editor of Grey's Anatomy.  His advice "Do everything and anything."  Ofcourse he didn't mean become a prostitue and sell your body.  By "everything and anything" he meant jobs pertaining to film and television.  If it was a crappy assistant job, take it.  If it wasn't paid, take it.  Anything.  Because the other thing he had told me which reigns so true here in Tinsletown, "Chris, I've been in this business as an editor for over 20 years and I don't know anyone who got a job through a resume."  Its all about building your network and working hard for those people.  If you're good enough to make an impression, that's how your name gets thrown around.  Its also the rule of 3.  Constantly you hear how people were at the right place and the right time.  But I take it a step further.  You have also have the be the right person.  If they don't get along with you, forget it.  

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The only thing we have control over is our choice to either react mindlessly or respond mindfully to “what is” in the current moment. Therefore, to practice the art of uncertainty is to get comfortable with being “out of control.” By this, I don’t mean being out of control of our actions and behavior, but rather letting go of the need to control the actions and behavior of other people, including their opinion of us. It also means understanding that we have no control over the future, what “should or shouldn’t” happen tomorrow, but at the same time, it means developing an inner knowing that everything will be all right.

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Its ok to be a dreamer, as long as you're willing to face the uphill battle. #Gravity

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First Blog Ever! - 2014

I've been hearing people say the past 5 years, "Hey Chris, you should write a blog!"  It never really dawned on how significant and possibly helpful it might be for others and myself until a recent coffee meeting with one of my best friends JJ.  (And my wife has actually been telling me this for years, so I guess I must give her credit once and for all or I'll never hear the end of it, thank you M. Loyola).  

So here I am, for what its worth.  And quite honestly, I do hope it is worthy for some who read.  I guess in short, my life has been a roller coaster since I made my move from the city by the bay to the city of LA or Toluca Lake to be more accurate (for those of you wondering, its the small town down the block from Universal Studios).  Looking back on my journey that started a little more than 6 years ago, I've experience so many highs and lows.  I've met and worked with a lot of interesting individuals from the world of YouTube, tv and music.  Living here definitely tests your will, and it actually has made me mentally stronger.  

In the days and weeks to come, I will be talking about my transition from SF to LA, give my perspective of the entertainment industry, and most importantly, be real.  What I hope to accomplish here are a few things:  I hope to possibly solve a problem for some people, relieve possible fears, maybe learn something new, and lastly and hopefully entertain.

Nonetheless, this is my first blog of 2014.  I did it!! Now hopefully, I can blog some captivating stuff for you all to enjoy.