The Producer and the 'Bitch'

Wednesday saw a couple of new developments. I finally was able to meet up with a local producer over here in the city. We have been in contact for a couple months now, and circumstances were always limiting our ability to meet up and talk about film and work and whatever else. So I went over to his office in the morning. Turns out he just started his own production company, called The SoFa. When I first called him back in late October, he was just starting out, literally. So it makes sense that we could not meet until now, what with his trying to figure managing a business and flying back and forth to the States (I think for financing, and probably shoots I would think). His offices are in the same apartment as a larger production company, called Sebel. I havent heard of it, nor have I really looked it up yet. But it seems that they were gracious enough to let them set up house in the same area as Sebel.

So the producer, Fady Salame, turned out to be a really down to earth and nice guy. Almost immediately he told me he would help me with whatever I needed, and that whenever a shoot came up he would call me up to be a runner or PA or whatever. Basically the lowliest job in the business, but everyone starts somewhere. Usually at the bottom. It caught me off guard because most people around here are not that honest, nor gracious to people whom they've only just met. He wondered about Brian Carmody (my contact who provided me with Fady's name and number) and our meeting up. Who knew a trip to Australia 5 years ago would provide a contact now. Anyway he was cool and balked at my current wages at Anagram, and told me he had a friend who owned a business. It's called Culinaria, which is basically a store/cafe with an assortment of foods. Its hard to describe, because its not a restaurant, but it has food. It has wine and alcoholic beverages, but it is not a bar. But the best part about it is that it basically imports all their items from the States. It has Ben and Jerry's ice cream. Ben and Jerry's! Holy crap! That's nuts.

So he gave me the name and email of this woman, who he described outright as "She's a bitch, but she's my friend. Just remember, she's a bitch. But I'm sure you will be fine." Great, I thought. Four minutes after I emailed her she called me to set up an interview. I dont know about bitchiness, but this woman is prompt.

So I go in for the interview in about a half hour, and I am excited to see what comes of it. Especially since he seemed to think I would get much higher wages working for this woman, Sylvia, than slaving away at Anagram. And besides, I'm being let go anyway, so it really doesnt matter. So we shall see what becomes of it. Fady told me he has a shoot coming up, and that he would call me. But it's not finalized, so its still up in the air. But that is still good news.