Videography463

Monday, November 29, 2010

Interview with Corey Weisz

My 2nd interview was with Corey Weisz. He has worked on some big projects like NASCAR commercials, Nurse Jackie opening and the Bride Wars opening, just to name a few. Corey was short on time so he asked if the interview could be done via email. Below are his answers.

1. Can you briefly define your job?

As a video editor at a design/production company, my main responsibility is editing spots that our in-house director shoots (recently that includes a bunch of spots for Cooking Channel and Dancing with the Stars) and also create spots from pre-existing footage (like our Nascar on Speed series of spots). In addition, my job often includes color correction, pieces for pitches, generating ideas for pitches, sound design, and preparing spots and elements for delivery (ie. checking video levels for legality, final quality check).

2. How did you get started in the business?

I started at a company called Imaginary Forces as an office production assistant, answering phones, running errands, assisting producers, and whatever else was needed. Then, I got an opportunity to assistant edit there and ultimately edit.

3. How do you tell someone over you, like your boss, that you can't accomplish an assigned task?

There's normally a discussion with producers when a schedule is set to make sure it is doable in that time frame with the resources involved. If any issues arise during the project, I will generally talk to the project's producer to make sure that everything is covered. Normally, if there's an issue, whether it's time-related or skill-related, it's best to address it as early as possible.

4. Do you have any advice for a media student starting out like myself?

My main advice would be to figure out what you want to do and focus on getting into a company that does what you want to do in any capacity possible, even if it's just a lowly PA position or intern. Just getting that foot in the door can give you an opportunity to show how hard you are willing to work and also to gain skills. However, it's also good to keep an open mind and get to know people in different roles to see if that's something you would be interested in.

Interview with Chris Billig

I interviewed Chris Billig, who is the executive producer at TCG Studio. The director and founder of TCG is Thomas Cobb (hints the name: TCG = Thomas Cobb Group). TCG is responsible for the opening credits of Lost, Lie to Me (which was Emmy nominated), Grey's Anatomy, NCIS, 90210, 24, Friday Night Lights and the list goes on and on. Visit their website (the link is above) to check out everything they've done. It is really impressive.

Here's the interview:

1. Can you briefly define your job?
Chris explained to me that he is the executive producer. His job is to find clients, meet with them, talk to them about what they want and develop creative briefs. There are a lot of things to consider, including budget, time, scheduling, overages, etc. After he's hooked the client, the creative director and Chris get together with the client to understand what they are looking for. Chris oversees the job and gives his creative input. He makes sure the client is taken care of.

2. How did you get started in the business?
Chris told me that he majored in history and government in college and moved to LA to go to law school, when he stumbled upon Hollywood. His grandparents wanted him to pursue a trade, like becoming a lawyer or doctor, but he went against that and went into the film/television business. His first job in LA was working as a Production Assistant on Cold Case.

3. Have you ever had to tell someone over you (like your boss) that you can't accomplish an assigned task? How did you do that?
Chris said that if this question is concerning competence - the answer is no. But, if the question is have you had to tell a client no because of the restraints they've put on him, then yes. He gave me an example concerning budget. If a commercial is going to cost $500,000 to make, but the client only wants to spend $50,000 because they could go to India and get a commercial produced for that amount, then he would tell them no, he couldn't do it for $50,000 and to go to India.

4. Do you have any advice for a media student starting?
Chris told me to stay single (he said "I'm joking....kinda") because establishing yourself is a very selfish thing. You have to put in long hours and work harder and longer than anyone else. You won't have time for anyone else. He told me to define and strategize my life/goals, to be realistic but don't compromise and if I have a vision, to go for it. Chris also told me to ask people for help, because no one is going to give me anything. He seemed impressed that I emailed a "dummy" (generic) email address at TCG and contacted me back because he wanted to help. He also told me that you have to find mentors and to stay hungry. If I don't know something, it's okay to say I don't know but I will find out.

Chris was super nice and incredibly helpful. I know I've made a great contact and he will be willing to help me in the future.