Viewing entries tagged
film

MEET TYLER RUMPH

1 Comment

MEET TYLER RUMPH

Name: Tyler Rumph 

Industry: Film and TV // Cinematographer and Editor

Location: Los Angeles, California

ME: How many years have you been working in this industry?

TYLER: I was 20 years old when I landed my first paid job in the industry at a post production house in Burbank. The owner of the company was a friend of my parents. I'm now 32, so it's been 12 years. I can't believe it's been that long.
I learned editing in high school and I loved making skate videos with friends. I fell in love with editing and loved how you could take pretty ordinary content and turn it into something fun to watch.  At that point I didn't know I could make this my career, but when I realized this, I didn't want to do anything else.

 

ME: How many people are currently on your team?

TYLER: I’m currently freelancing and end up wearing many hats.  I do my own accounting and management for projects. This is pretty common for freelance cinematographers and editors. I am currently searching for an agent for cinematography work.  

 

ME: When you feel like giving up what keeps you going?

TYLER: There are many times throughout my journey in this industry where I have felt like I'm not getting anywhere, like I'm at a standstill or it doesn't seem like doors are opening for me and work is really slow. 
Early on I thought my career would progress much quicker. I had set goals of where I would want to be at what age. Those ages would come and go and I would not be anywhere close to what I had imagined. I would look at other famous young directors and cinematographers as well and feel completely behind for my age. I realized quickly comparing myself with others doesn't make any logical sense.  Everyone's path and background are so different. I realized I had to change my way of thinking, to make an adjustment inside myself. I started to look back over the whole course of the 12 years I've been doing this and where I was when I started. I thought wow, I was such a youngin' and I have learned and experienced so much since then.  Even though the day to day seems like I wasn't learning or progressing, I was. I realized I have come so far. I also realize, there is a long way to go still and much more to learn, experience and accomplish. 12 years from now where will I be? This gets me encouraged and excited. 
A film director friend of mine who I've worked with for over 10 years was just telling me he never thinks he will get his break.  He feels he's been hustling for so long and no big fish are biting.  He has made 3 great Indie films that were successful financially and just got a doc financed he is currently making.  In my mind, he is doing so well! I'm excited to see where he is in 10 years. 
 

ME: What is one thing people didn’t warn you about?

TYLER: People will try to take advantage of you. I think it's best to go into every job believing that this won't happen, BUT take the necessary precautions to cover yourself if it does. A written agreement is great to have for every job, even a small ones. Make sure that pay and all that is expected of you in the project, and the job is thoroughly discussed before beginning any project. Don't be afraid to ask questions up front so you fully know what you are getting yourself into.  Also, it's okay to say "no". This is so hard for me. But when you sense someone is trying to take advantage of you, flee! Just say "no thanks". 
 

ME: Who or what inspires you?

TYLER: I’m inspired by other directors;  Alejandro Innaritu, Paul Thomas Anderson, Terrence Malick.  Cinematographers; Chivo, Robert Elswit.  I'm inspired by photographs, paintings, design interiors.  I'm inspired by seeing new countries, places and lifestyles around the world.

ME: What has been one hard knock moment?

TYLER: There are a lot of personalities on the jobs I work on. There isn't one glaring moment I can think of, just lots of little ones where producers or directors on shoots are extremely condescending. It's something you have to learn to ignore. This happens too much.

 

ME: How do you stay organized as a freelance artists?

TYLER: Organization is important to me and helps me stay focused and productive.  I use google docs religiously for invoicing and proposals which helps me keep everything in one place and easily accessible from anywhere. I try not to let things pile up and become overwhelming.  There are so many things to stay on top of, so it's best to be consistent with the paperwork side of things. 

 

ME: How would you define success?

TYLER: I think if you can balance work so that you have enough time for your family that is success.  I love my job, but I would way rather be spending time with my wife and kid. 

1 Comment

MEET KELLY ALLEN

Comment

MEET KELLY ALLEN

Name:  Kelly Allen

Industry:  Dancer & Choreographer in the television, film, theater industry.

Location: Based in Los Angeles, California

ME: How many years have you been working in this industry?  

KELLY: 10 years professionally.  I grew up dancing & training in all styles of dance from ages 3-17 in San Luis Obispo, California.  Began teaching & choreographing at the age of 15. Made the move to Los Angeles when I was 17 years old and have been working professionally since.

 

ME: How many people are currently on your team?

KELLY: I have agency representation (BLOC talent agency), there are about 4-5 agents there that I communicate with. But I work independently. Sometimes it depends on the job, with how many are in a creative team or cast for particular project.

 

ME: When you are feeling like giving up what keeps you going?  

KELLY: One of my mentors, Marguerite, said this years ago and it always sticks with me... “When you're feeling like giving up or losing your confidence you should wake up every morning, look yourself straight in the mirror, and say to yourself ‘Damn...I am FEIRCE’.”

Thinking of that always brings a smile to my face. I began doing something along those lines a few years back when I first heard Marguerite say that...and IT WORKS. It's a great reminder to speak the truth about yourself even on days you have doubts about yourself or your abilities. The words you say and think about yourself daily are powerful.  I work to keep believing "I am a STRONG, CAPABLE BAD ASS DANCER & CREATOR. Watch out world."

There are so many ups and downs in an artist's career. Not always, but in most cases, as an artist you go from job to job to job...auditioning or interviewing for the next opportunity, several times throughout the year.  It's easy to feel down when being "rejected" from jobs. But the reality is, it's competitive, you will get rejected at some point, and its part of the job....how you handle rejection is all about your perspective.  

I try to think, OK, maybe I didn't get this particular job because the timing for that in my life right now is just not right. Or maybe this means there's another opportunity that will present itself and it may be even better than if I had got the other job. I do my best to TRUST that the projects that are meant to be, will be.

Another tactic when I'm feeling low, is pulling up my resume, and reading it thoroughly. Pulling up my reel and watching it. Or look through old notebooks of lists of goals I dreamed of doing one day.... and look what I have checked off so far. 

There's a lot I have not accomplished in my career as dancer and choreographer.  But there's also a lot that I have done that I should be proud of. I didn't give up then. I'm not willing to give up ever.  Anything is possible.  

 

ME: What is one thing people didn’t warn you about? 

KELLY: OH BOY :) Especially when you begin your career, and in a new city, NETWORKING is a huge part of the industry. A great deal of how I got my first few jobs was through choreographers I've got to meet, know and created relationships with. Of course you've got to have the goods when you step up to the plate to perform. But It's important, when starting off, for people to be able to connect a name with a face. Then it’s really your consistent with your talent, hard work, and dedication to your craft to KEEP those relationships. 

I wasn't aware when I first moved to LA, just how important the initial networking would be, and continue to be throughout my career. It does get a bit easier as you establish your work, your portfolio and when you've been around for some time BUT the industry keeps growing, evolving, shifting. I will ALWAYS need to continue creating new business relationships. 

 

ME: Who or what inspires you? 

KELLY: Bob Fosse, never fails! Cyd Charisse, Fred Astaire, Alvin Ailey. When creating, I look to some of my favorite iconic directors and choreographers for inspiration. 

My dance teachers that trained me growing up...that's where it all began. And my mentors here in LA. They all put so much time, energy, support and love into making me the best dancer & choreographer I can be. 

They have so much belief in me...their support inspires my work.

 

ME: What has been one hard knock moment?

KELLY: A few years back, I was offered a job with a choreographer (personal connection) I had worked with several times before. The contract sent over by producers looked like it had a strange way of wording the legal points. But the main points I was looking at all seemed correct....I signed, returned and completed the job. I missed having them correct an important point on that contract. I thought I had understood everything correctly, but missed something!

Almost ALL of my jobs go through my agency so they can look at the contract, make sure everything legally looks OK before signing. And they can clarify anything so I am 100% clear.  That's what they're there for.

I did not send this one in particular contract through my agents since it was a job I booked directly through a personal connection.  I should have sent it to them anyways! If I was questioning points being made or anything looked different, I know now, it's better to bring them the contract, have them review, and give them the 10% agency fee.  

It's better to be safe and legally protected, than sorry.

 

ME: How do you stay organized as a freelance artists?

KELLY: I have notebooks, planners, binders for my work to keep me on on track. I'm constantly creating lists and setting goals for myself. Typically every 2-3 months.

Here are some examples of my lists and goals:

-Who are the choreographers or directors I'm dying to work with or have yet to work with in my career.

-Who are some veterans in the biz I can connect with to shadow & learn from/assist.

-Who are the other dancers I'd love to work with &/or continue working with.

-What are the jobs I've got my eye on at this time... which jobs am I dying to do.

    *I post this on my refrigerator, put it in my planner, or any place I often look.

And the most important list : HOW AM I GOING TO ACCOMPLISH THE GOALS ABOVE?

-What/who's classes will I hop into to make this happen.

-Who can I reach out to about my aspirations.

-Keep my website, resume, social media up to date and current with what I'm working on.

-What events or workshops can I make it to now, to make a connection & relationship with new people (or people haven't seen in awhile).

I'm also a big advocate of VOCALIZING my goals to others. Whether its to the choreographers/dancers I'm looking to work with, friends, family. It's helpful for me to hear myself talk about the things that I want. And saying "I'm planning to do this." Putting it out into the universe.  The universe talks back.

 

ME: How would you define success?  

KELLY: When you can go about your day, doing what you are passionate about.... can look at what you have going on and feel excited & challenged.  You are not "working" because you love what you do.

www.kellyallendance.com

dance resume

choreo resume

Instagram: kellyallen88 Twitter: @kellyallen

Comment

MEET JARED CALLAHAN

Comment

MEET JARED CALLAHAN

Name: Jared Callahan

Industry: Film

LOCATION: Atlanta, Georgia 

ME: How many years have you been working in this industry? 

JARED: I’ve been involved in making movies for 15 years or so. I made the move to be a full-time filmmaker two years ago. 

 

ME: How many people are currently on your team? 

JARED: The team fluctuates based on what stage of production we are in. Most of the time it is just sitting alone writing or editing in my home office. Right now the count is high because we are releasing one feature film while simultaneously filming another one. I have a couple lawyers, sales agent, distributor, boutique publicist team, investors, another production company with their crew, and four interns. 

 

ME: When you feeling like giving up what keeps you going? 

JARED: Staying committed to multiple projects keeps me from giving up on any one of them. I think of it like a river with different currents. Your hope with multiple projects is that the momentum will always be moving rapidly on at least one of them. When that projects slows down or hits a dead end, you can easily shift your efforts to another worthy project on your plate. Many irons in the fire, if you will. 

 

ME: What is the one thing people didn’t warn you about? 

JARED: Rejection. Filmmaking is an exercise in rejection. When trying to fund my last film I sent out the business plan and a sample clip to fifty people whom I thought would invest. I got a couple of nibbles, but in the end, I got nothing. 0 for 50. I meet people all the time that like to talk about being a filmmaker, but in the end they don't actually push through the rejection to put out any work. In order to actually make films I've learned that you have to be able to put your head down, find some grit, and get the work done no matter the circumstances. 

 

ME: Who or what inspires you? 

JARED: Wes Bruce's art. Music from Joel. P. West and Bryan Bangerter. Most recently it was having soul-feeding conversation at a BBQ with fellow thrivers Andrew Gumm and Sean Sand. I love when people work hard, question everything, and are not afraid to take risks. My favorite thing is learning something new which readjusts what I thought about the world. I try and tell stories that can do the same for others. Learning someone's story has the ability to transport us into new levels of empathy and compassion not previously accessible. 

 

ME: What has been one hard knock moment? 

JARED: During post-production on my first feature film, we had two editors quit. They took the money we gave them, strung me along like they were doing the work, and in the end turned back in nothing at all. Not a single edited scene. I felt really betrayed. They had torpedoed my ability to afford another editor. I worked very hard to forgive them. In the end, everything worked out exactly as it needed to. The delay caused the editor I truly wanted to be freed up. The need to find more money led me to my eventual executive producer who funded the rest of the whole film. In the moment the clouds looked really dark, but if I can survive that betrayal then I can move forward confidently into whatever the next storm might be. 

 

ME: How do you stay organized as a freelance and self-employed artists? 

JARED: I write tons of notes to myself and turn everything into lists. I work really late into the night, most often doing emails and writing before bed. Then I sleep until I wake up naturally, and try to do editing and writing during the day until a late dinner. I have learned to not let my desktop or workspace get too messy. I keep emails and all my work files organized in files by corresponding projects. If those get out of control, then the little things start to suck away my ability to accomplish big things. 

 

ME: How would you define success?

JARED: Success for me would mean being able to make the projects I choose to make; to tell the stories I want to tell. I don't want to have to make commercial work for a paycheck. I also love the idea that I could make a meager living by creating things. My wife and I live very simply. I want to be able to tell stories that push me to the limits of my knowledge and force me to engage humanity or the earth in a new way. 

Comment