Going the Extra Mile…

My Foray Into Production

How Being Proactive Changed My Movie Career

People often ask how I made the transition from Makeup Artist for motion pictures to the production side of things. My answer is this: While working as a Second Unit Makeup Artist on the film, The Chase (starring Charlie Sheen), I learned of another movie that was beginning to hire crew. After landing an appointment, I arrived at the production office to find two people, a woman and a man, in different parts of the office, engaged in separate, and intense, phone conversations. The woman motioned for me to have a seat. In less than a minute, another phone started ringing and, when I motioned that I could answer it, she gave me the go-ahead.

Twenty minutes later, I had answered several calls, taken notes, picked through a file to give someone information and poured coffee. When the man (who turned out to be the producer) finished his call, he interviewed and hired me to head the makeup and hair department. Principal photography on his movie, House on Todville Road would begin in seven weeks, so I had time to complete my final week in makeup on The Chase. 
When I arrived home the phone was ringing. It was the woman from the office who told me that the producer wanted to know if I would be interested in being trained to be the production coordinator for House on Todville Road. She told me that they were so impressed with my initiative and willingness to just jump in.  I said, “yes” and asked if I could still head the makeup and hair department once production began. He agreed. I completed my work on The Chase and after one day off, began work as Production Coordinator (though in training) on the new project. My new skills included casting (principals and extras), preparing strip-boards and schedules, call sheets, communicating with and sending documents to the Screen Actors Guild, preparing crew lists, hiring crew, sourcing meals, learning the all-important paperwork and so much more.
The following year, after much more makeup and progressively responsible production work under my belt, the same producer called and hired me as production manager on his next film, The Dark Dancer (starring Shannon Tweed and Francesco Quinn. I actually got to pick Gene Simmons up at the airport and drive him to the production office.) This marked the beginning of my road to becoming a producer (in addition to my work as an industry Makeup Artist). 
The moral: Be proactive (answer the phone(!)… even if it’s not yours)…  Go the extra mile and more….  Soon after, I began teaching the Getting Into the Movies, Production Assistant Workshop to help others break into the business with a solid understanding of the industry, adding other courses along the way. Two years later, I launched Dominion Films as a vehicle for producing my own projects and those of future clients. My workshops are still conducted today and have jump-started the careers of many television and film industry professionals.

NOTE:

This article won an Award for Professional Writing and Communication (Full Sail University). 

Lemon Shoes

The Case of the Broken Soles

Replacement Please!

Shoes that broke
Source: Abiiba Howell

Upon buying my Bruno Valenti strappy sandals a few years ago, I was elated that they were so comfortable. The shoes were just the right height for casual days and they matched a few outfits and purses really well. I can easily recall the three times I’ve worn them.

While planning a trip and deciding what to take along, It was only natural that these shoes would be great to pack for walking around all day. The soles are soft and the leather straps would allow my feet to breathe without getting hot. After selecting a few outfits, on went the shoes. They fit as perfectly as when I’d bought them.

Then, as I walked into the other room to look in the full length mirror, I heard “pop”… “Oops, what was that?,” I wondered. Looking around and seeing nothing out of the ordinary, I continued to the mirror. Another noise, this one from the bottom of my left shoe. I lifted my foot thinking I’d stepped on something, but nothing was on the floor.

My broken Bruno Valenti shoe
Source: Abiiba Howell

As I took the final steps towards the mirror, the rear half of my left shoe did not quite move with the front of the shoe. I stopped, lifted my foot and looked at the bottom of the shoe. To my surprise, the shoe sole had separated in half with a piece of metal sticking out of it. “WTH?!?” (What the heck?…)

I quickly removed the shoes to discover that, not only did the left shoe break apart, the wrapping around the lower side of the heel was breaking off.

Metal in broken shoeAlso, what I thought was wood under the heel covering, was some sort of soft material that appeared to disintegrate when touched; it was even sticky. The sole on the right shoe was a little better, though it had cracked across the width of the shoe.

Now I’m thoroughly disgusted and want to scream at the top of my lungs, “BRUNO VALENTI, I WANT A REFUND!”  Wait, let me change that. “BRUNO VALENTI, I WANT MY STRAPPY SANDALS, (Number 14127137, Size 10 – US Size, Made in Brazil) REPLACED!” “NOW!”

Replace my broken shoes please
Source: Abiiba Howell

I’m on a mission now to get my shoes replaced. I need your help. Please send me your thoughts on how I can make this happen. I refuse to buy another pair when these were clearly defective.  I don’t remember where I bought them, just that they are extremely comfortable. Any shoe companies out there with a line on Bruno Valenti shoes? My research starts now!

Oh yes, for those of you who may think that I broke them, not a chance… listen, I really don’t weigh that much. Yes, I’m almost six feet tall, but my frame is small and I don’t eat enough meat in a year to cause my shoes to break.

On with the research and the help of my friends. After all, a girl’s got to have comfortable shoes… strappy ones at that.