CREW AND CASTING CALLS THIS OCTOBER

This October, we have several openings for our students.

HIP-HOP MUSIC VIDEO
ACTOR & CREW CASTING CALL
Audition Date: Oct. 16, 2007
Shooting Date: Oct. 27, 2007
Location: Detroit, MI
Hip-hop music video in the city of Detroit. Seeking non-paid positions for crew and actors. Seeking actors to play roles of police officers, gangsters, party goers, waitresses, bartenders, security guards and more. Seeking crew positions including grips, make-up artists, wardrobe, set decorators, and audio playback. If you are interested, contact Oren Goldenberg at ogoldenberg@gmail.com or call K. Frazier at (313) 598-0408.

HORROR MOVIE CASTING CALL
Shooting Date: Oct. 18, 2007
Location: Milford, MI
The Skeleton Factory is seeking extras for their upcoming film shooting in Michigan. The scenese will be shot outdoors in downtown Milford at night. Extras are being asked to wear warm outdoor clothing. Jeans, tennis shoes, and everyday make-up are appropriate. The scene requires extras to run, fall, and stumble as they escape a movie monster. Wear only clothes that can get dirty! If you're interested, send an email with the subject line "extras for chaos night" to Monique at monique@mondayrose.com.

AN OPEN MIND BRINGS SUCCESS

Fallon Jamil is a recent Specs Howard graduate that has not only overcome her fears of the future, but has also exceeded her own expectations by keeping an open mind. We’ve recently had a chance to meet up with Fallon and talked about how she went from being a hair stylist to interviewing celebrities on the red carpet. Her unique and realistic perspective on the broadcast industry has allowed her to take on a variety of roles and jobs, resulting in an active career in front of and behind the camera.

Fallon at the mic at during a Specs Howard School photo shoot.

What projects have you worked on as both a student & a grad?
While I was a student, I was a participant in a P/A Bootcamp workshop and modeled at a Specs Howard photo shoot. I also had a variety of experiences, including working as a P/A on an independent film, apprenticing at SWOCC Oakland Cable Commission Center, and conducting interviews on the red carpet as a citizen journalist at the 2007 Grammy Awards. Additionally, I was able to use my skills in hair and make-up to work as a make-up artist for a Greater Media shoot and for a CW50 commercial shoot. Most recently I’m working as an on-air host and marketer for series of product spots titled Shop Smart. It will air on Detroit TV20, almost 20 times a day!

Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself successfully working within the broadcast field and loving my job. I cannot determine what exactly I'll be doing 5 years from, but I believe whatever opportunities come my way, are meant for me to take. I enjoy many different aspects of the broadcast field including commercial production, news anchoring, becoming an entertainment host, editing, producing, directing, and more.

This opens the door to more opportunities. There's nothing wrong with setting your heart on one thing. That means you have a passion for it, but when you open your mind to other opportunities as well, it just broadens my horizon. I am one of those people that would rather take in things day by day, and I try not to worry too much about the future. I know God has something in store for me. It's just a matter of time. You must crawl before you can walk.

What would be your dream job?
To find a position that would allow me to gain respect; to earn enough money to be financially independent. I want to do something that I enjoy and love waking up for in the morning for it. A quote I heard from one of the instructors at Specs Howard, "You'll never work a day in your life if you love what you do."

I think one day, if I could make it to the position Oprah is in, I would become overjoyed with content ness. I have so much respect for her, and genuinely look up to her as an individual. All the money and fame she has...and she still has a heart of gold. To be in her footsteps, would certainly be my dream job.

Fallon and KT, from WCSX, together after doing make-up at the Greater Media shoot.

Has working on one project led you to another?
Definitely! Anytime you get involved with something, you're always meeting new people and making new contacts. The person hat helps you find another job is almost always from the person you least expect.. I signed up for "P/A BOOTCAMP" introduced at Specs Howard's back in October of 2006, which then lead me into a role/production assistant position in a small budget film. The movie then aired at the Royal Oak Music Art Theatre where I reunited with one of the production assistants I had worked with on the set of the film. She explained to me that she was presently working on a commercial production that would be airing on Comcast television twice per day. They were looking for a host/speaker for the commercial and when asked if I was interested for the lead. I jumped on it like a racing horse. You have to be willing to quickly commit to upcoming projects in this business. You can’t wait that extra day or hour tothink about it because you'll be replaced.

The following morning, I met with the producer and was informed within the first 10 minutes of the meeting that the job was mine. I'm really looking forward to this next project and can’t wait to get started!

What kinds of things are you doing to find a permanent job?
Attending job fairs, sending resumes online, making as many contacts as I can, and keeping an open mind to whatever comes my way. It's also good to keep in touch with the job placement department at Specs Howard. If they receive a job opening, you'll be the first person they’ll call.

Fallon spritzes Will Wood's "do" while working as a hair and make-up artist at a CW50 shoot.

How have you applied your previous skills (hair & make-up) to your present career goals?
Well, for one...If I ever landed a "talent" position, the company would never have to dish out any money on primping me up! Having a cosmetology license comes in handy. Working at a salon has given me the experience and skills I need to put myself out there. Had I not learned the application of make-up or how to style hair, I would not have landed the positions for CW50 and Greater Media as I mentioned earlier.

This goes back to one opportunity leading to another. It never hurts to have added skills within your background. However, my education does not stop here. I am looking into signing up for drama courses, English classes, and anything else that would strengthen my personality or better me as an individual. Even if these skills are not used in the future, it never hurts to have them.

Who would you say are your role models?
My mother for is my role model. I am very close with her. She is my best friend and provides encouragement when I need it. Her advice is priceless and I couldn't imagine life without her.

How did the opportunity to work at the Grammy Awards come about?
I was approached Charese Monroe, a former Specs Howard student. She asked me if I was interested in submitting a video to a web site called "IGotShotGun.com" for a chance to win a trip to the 2007 Grammy event and become a citizen journalist on the red carpet. I've never been a believer in contests, but something within me told me to go for it. What would I have to loose? And with that, Charese and I won! Before we knew it, we were off on a plane to Los Angelo's, California working side by side with MTV'S host Daimien Fahey on the set. What a great gig to get right out of school! Definitely an experience I will never forget!

What is the most important thing you learned from your experience at the Grammy Awards Show?
I learned that anything could happen if you just try. Had I thought to myself, "this is just another silly contest that nobody probably wins anyway," then I would not have attended the Grammy event. People just have to put forth effort. Nobody is just going to "discover" you. You have to put yourself out there to get attention. If you have the attitude that it will never happen, then it won’t. Believing in yourself and having confidence, results with people believing in you too.

Growing up, I myself had a hard time with confidence. It is one of the most important skills a human can develop. Confidence can gain and get you many things in life. If I were not confident enough in the contest video I submitted, then they wouldn't have chosen me or put me out on the red carpet to interview celebrities. Confidence is not something you are born with. It is a skill you acquire within time. Once that confidence is built up, people don't doubt you, and that is when anything could happen. 

Who would you most like to interview?
I think the stories of tragedy survivors would be interesting and inspirational. I think God gives everybody a second chance in life, some more than others. I would want to know every detail from as to how the experience affected their lives. It is true that most people take what they have for granted until it is taken out of the palm of our hands. Usually it takes a loss before a person becomes a bit more humble and thankful for what they have.

Interning for Specs Howard grad, Ross Marroso (right), on the set of his original project, "Oasma Bin Latte".

What is the most important thing you learned at Specs Howard?
Most important would be learning how to operate a teleprompter. Ha Ha. I’m kidding. The most important thing I learned at Specs Howard was definitely being independent. Not so much within the class work, but feeling independent and confident when starting to work in the industry. I've always been a little dependant on my parents and it has taken its toll along the way. I think between the instructors’ lectures and seeing other students struggle too, I really got a grasp on reality. I had no idea how hard it is to make on your. Soon I will be facing my own battle, and with the right mindset, I know I am ready to take it on.

The lectures prepared me for rejection. They not only prepared me, but they insured that it would happen, often. It wasn’t done to be mean, but to rather show me how tough it can be while searching for a job. It has mentally strengthened me and made me realize that I’ll have to face rejection many times before I have success. With all the different positions and diverse people that carry them, not every pea fits in each pod. Specs Howard really strengthened me as an individual, and I’m continuing to work on myself in the process.

What do you do to boost your confidence on-camera?
Practice. Everyone gets camera shy, but the more you practice the easier it becomes. I still get the jitters when I walk in front of the camera, but I now look at it as a challenge. Until I get my time in, I just take deep breaths. Going out and being social and involving yourself in activities also have a lot to do with your on-camera confidence.

Do you have any advice for recent grads?
It's VERY easy to become discouraged. It's easy to just give up because it's too hard. It's easy to assume there's too much competition and the odds are against you. It can be hard to watch an opportunity pass you by while someone else gets it. Take every opportunity that comes your way, with or without pay. Building up your resume and getting experience is what matters to a new graduate. Don't miss out.