Fools by Martin Walker

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Persistence; Networking

Just came back from a symposium where a group of Vietnamese American filmmakers (among other artists) spoke on the "Biz".   The most important lesson, said Tim Bui (director of Green Dragon), is to be persistent.  Persistence is perhaps more important than talent.  Also speaking at the symposium was Ham Tran (Journey From the Fall) and Stephane Gauger (The Owl and the Sparrow, nominee at Independent Spirit Awards) (among others).  

While I was waiting for the symposium to start, I decided to be anti-social, so I just found a seat and started reading the schedule for the Visual Communications L.A. Asian Pacific Film Festival (www.vconline.org) in May.  A woman sat next to me and I decided to strike up a conversation (I decided not to be anti-social anymore).  I found out that she's a producer who is producing films in Vietnam.  How cool is that?!  She knows all these guys who are making films in Vietnam.  I asked her how she came to know these filmmakers, and she said she just met them at events such as this symposium.  So of course I got her contact info.  

One of my New Year's resolutions for this year is to network network network.  I would say that other than persistence, the other important key to success is learning how to establish and maintain relationships (i.e., business relationships, but I think personal relationships too, because I'm a big believer of the importance of having a support network of friends and family).  In fact, the very first piece of business advice ever given to me when I was starting out professionally is the importance of relationships.  Throughout the years, I've met so many successful people who have repeated this advice.

As part of my New Year's resolution to network, I renewed my memberships/started new memberships, with various film organizations and I'm trying to get out there to meet new people.   So far, I've met a number of truly amazing and passionate filmmakers, producers, artists, etc.  I feel incredibly fortunate to be among this community of creative people.   My sister told me about this saying, "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear."  (Sorry, I don't know the source of this quote, just that it isn't my sister's.)  I think it is also true that when you are committed to your dreams, you will meet those along the way who will help you (I'm going to give that one to Coelho, as that was a theme in The Alchemist).     
   

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About The Three Shorts

Christine Le wrote and directed the 1st story Love 10 to 1.
The first story explores the life of a 29-year-old virgin, Jenny, who desperately wants to lose her virginity before her 30th birthday. As she encounters one loser after another on dates, Jenny pines after her boss, Dustin. While at her grandmother’s retirement home, Jenny learns a powerful lesson from her grandmother about sex and the meaning of life.


Christine Le (right) directs Shireen Nomura Mui (Jenny) & Justin Klosky (Jim).

Lucy Rodriguez wrote and directed Love Song.
The second story revolves around Shane, the lead singer of the L.A. rock band, Dirty Virgin. Shane has her pick of admirers but it’s her roommate Dustin she wants to be with. Shane confesses her feelings on Jackie and Jared’s show but when Dustin meets Cali, Shane’s shot at love starts to dwindle. With Dirty Virgin about to embark on a world tour, will Dustin realize that he’s the object of Shane’s affections? Will they risk their friendship to give this Love Song a chance?


Lucy Rodriguez & David Villar (Dustin)

Laura Somers wrote and directed Diving Lessons.
The final story picks up where Love 10 to 1 left off, but from the perspective of Jim, the guitarist of Dirty Virgin. Jim sees Jenny at a swimming pool, trying desperately to overcome her fear of diving. In fact, he finds out that she’s making a list of everything that she’s afraid of and trying to overcome them, one by one. He is instantly smitten and tries to convince her that he’s not just a rock star who ‘loves ‘em and leaves ‘em’. Can a rock star find love with a virgin?


Shireen Nomura-Mui, Laura Somers & Justin Klosky




Leah Anova is the Director of Photography for Love 10 to 1 & Diving Lessons.

Additional Cinematography on Diving Lessons by Erik Forsell

Matthew Boyd is the Director of Photography for Love Song.