Interview Series: Zach Nelligan
Posted: 3/09/2010 Filed under: Austin, Career, Inspiration, Interviews | Tags: Austin, Career, Inspiration, Interviews, Life, Zach Nelligan 2 Comments »
DCM Photography
Pursuing your passion and turning it into a career is the American dream. In this interview, Zach Nellian, tattoo artist and businessman, shares his life and what drives him.
Could you fill readers in on your background?
My name is Zach Nelligan. I’m 26 years old and a life-long resident of Austin, TX. I’m a tattooer and I work at Triple Crown Tattoo Parlour. I have a BFA in Studio Art from the University of Texas at Austin. Note of interest for people that might care: AJ and I have been friends since the 3rd grade, and he’s always been a top notch dude. Thank you so much for taking me into consideration for this.
When did you realize you wanted to be an artist as a profession?
It was at some point later in college. I had been getting tattooed since I was 18, and they steadily got bigger and better. I began researching the art and profession more and more.
Austin has a huge tattoo scene. Just about everybody here is tattooed and we have one of the highest per capita counts of shops. Some of the world’s finest tattooers work here and there are more and more everyday. It’s very tough and competitive, but unlike other cities, there isn’t too much drama between shops. As far as breaking in and making a name for myself, I’ve just done what I always do: be as nice and genuine of a person as I can be, while working as hard as I can and constantly keeping up with my clients as far as communication and updates of my online and physical portfolios.
I prefer to do primarily old school, traditional designs or subjects that evoke a vintage nostalgia. I do bright, clean, bold tattoos that will hold up over time instead of super delicate, rendered, soft tattoos that will blur and fade quickly.
If that’s what you really want, I will gladly do it!
Dolphins?
Bring ‘em on! I’m also here to get paid, haha.
Weirdest?
I do a lot of weird tattoos. It’s a niche I’ve broken into. See the answer above, and I also did a skull eating a @#$%&# in this dude’s armpit. That was an interesting challenge.
Anything vintage or nostalgic, and also my clients’ ideas. Old clip art, ads, tattoo designs, objects, etc. I have a lot of reference material.
What’s your approach to attracting customers? Any networking involved?
My business is primarily word of mouth. If I’m kind and attentive to my customers and give them a nice tattoo worthy of being proud of, then they will pass my information along. Besides that, the internet is huge. I have a web site, Myspace, and Facebook for that.
It’s a huge part of it. I’d say half of my business comes from the internet, especially with Myspace, Facebook, and Yelp. That’s where everybody turns to for everything now, so you have to participate and take advantage of its possibilities. I try to keep all my stuff online as up to date as possible.
I’ve had my site and profiles since I was an apprentice. I guess about five years now.
There’s no place to stop advancing. It’s a natural thing to just want to get better at your craft, and it happens exponentially. Especially now that tattooers and artists are getting better and better at younger and younger ages, it’s really important to always be on your toes.
Personal growth primarily. I don’t want to short change my potential or my customers with work that isn’t striving to be the best I can possibly strive to produce.
But, I Paid My Dues!
Posted: 3/09/2010 Filed under: Career, Inspiration | Tags: Ari Gold, Career, Dues, Entourage, Life, Paid My Dues, Persistance Leave a comment »Photo Credit
This man (Lloyd, assistant with a Stanford MBA) can quote from the entire stack [of movie scripts], that is what he is willing to put in for his own success. He’s paying his dues. When have you paid yours?- Ari Gold, Entourage
I don’t think often we are aware of when we are “paying our dues.” When people make the claim that they’ve paid their dues, it smacks of self-entitlement.
As if something is owed to them because they did something they felt warranted whatever reward/promotion they sought.
No one owes you anything.
True, one should be aware of the value and contributions you bring to an organization, and not be afraid, tactfully to bring those to the attention of the powers that be, but generally, if your good, if you’ve got “it”, you will be recognized and elevated.
But not before someone believes you are.
Get that. You present through actions, someone else decides that you have paid your dues (though you could decide to quit, I guess).
I like analogies, so here’s one. You want to make varsity on your ______ team/squad, so you train, hard. You miss out on dates, you miss out on family time, you have only one thing on your mind. And when the time comes, you don’t make varsity. You may think “But I did everything I was supposed to, I paid my dues!”
It doesn’t matter. The coach, for whatever reason, didn’t believe you were ready. You don’t decide when enough is enough (if you are choosing to work in an organization or firm). You do evaluate your past moves, adjust where necessary, and persist towards your goal (this is fundamental in life, and in your career).
At 26 years old, I’m still in that “verge zone.” And I enjoy it. Along the way I’ve accumulated some great (at least learning) experiences. Have I paid my dues? I don’t know. I do know I have made hard decisions concerning my career goals. Where they the right ones? Only time will tell.
Remember this: It’s not a matter of dues being paid, but of you becoming someone who is worthy of that next step.
//A.J.
Five Points on Persistence (Mine)
Posted: 3/09/2010 Filed under: Career, Inspiration | Tags: Persistence 1 Comment »
“Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘Press On’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” -Calvin Coolidge
Five Points on Persistence:
1. Action
- Persistence requires action. You don’t think about being persistent, you ARE persistent. So you go knocking on doors. You make the phone calls and emails. You cultivate a network. DO something.
2. Create wins
- We all get down when set backs occur. What helps is to re-frame your goal from all or nothing and into parts. Imagine it broken down into pieces of a puzzle. Each piece you gather and lock into place is a small victory. A victory could be getting a five minute phone call with a potential mentor, or it can come by way of a “defeat”, like not getting THE job. But say you made it to the second or final round. And that had never happened before. That’s a win.
3. Be realistic
- Don’t be lofty. OK, be lofty, but reasonable. Being realistic can prevent you from burning out, or becoming disheartened when things are not going the way you imagined they would. While one should “go big” in achieving their goal, it is easy to get caught up in the emotion of the idea of the goal. For example, I can be as persistent as I want, but I will most likely not NEVER ever, play in the NBA and NFL. Just out of the realm of possibility. Conversely, completing a triathlon would not be. However, I’m not going to be able to complete one tomorrow.
4. Have enablers
- There’s the saying that you are the company you keep. The collective traits of your friends and associates can rub off on you for good or bad. In the context of persistence, having peers with this trait can be helpful for days when you aren’t feeling as motivated or just plain down about the whole process in achieving your goal.
5. Follow-through
- Persistence means taking 1,000 steps if necessary, not just one or two.
Hope these help!
//A.J.
Back and RISE
Posted: 3/09/2010 Filed under: Austin, Career, Networking | Tags: Knowledge, Networking, RISE, Texas Bar Leave a comment »
Credit
BACK
Greetings! To say I’m glad and relieved to be through (hopefully) with the Texas bar *knock on wood* is an understatement. Controlled fugue state comes mind. The two and half days of testing intense flashed so fast. In any event, it’s out of my life for the time being.
So what now?
Filling the void left by the export of so much (alleged) legal knowledge from my mind is a high task. But a few goals surfaced this weekend that had been shelved for bar preparations. A major one, and an endeavor that has been on going since coming back to Austin is community involvement. There’s still so much about my town (since the 3rd grade) that I’ve yet to take part in. Which brings me to RISE.
RISE
RISE is a week long series of “free conference[s] for entrepreneurs of all types, providing a forum where you can connect and exchange ideas that inspire the entrepreneurial spirit.” I heard about this coincidentally at my first post-bar event at Goodwill of Central Texas’s Hall of Honor.
While not an entrepreneur, yet, there is still a lot to be gleamed from attending a conference or two. First, you expose yourself to new ideas. Second, you have the opportunity to NETWORK with like minded individuals (or not-so-likeminded individuals). And lastly, because the cost of attending any of the RISE conferences FREE.
Yes, FREE.
You will have to put down on $20 deposit when you register, but you only lose it if you fail to attend. A fair deal. Conferences are hosted all over Austin, and you can view them by numerous categories but key are location (mine are all downtown) and time (all of mine are first thing in the morning, 8 am).
I’ll be attending three, “Gaining Momentum Through Public Relations,” “Design Your Value Proposition To Separate Yourself From Competitors,” and “Bootstrap 101.”
I believe in these uncertain times, for everyone, but especially for Gen-Y, knowledge, along with your networks, is the most powerful tools in your employment arsenal. But not just a certain knowledge and specific networks, but those that are cross-blended among many fields; better suited to optimally receive opportunities presented, and contribute value to others in your networks (along with yourself).
So, check out RISE, find something your interested in, and check it out. For FREE!
Glad to be a part of the world again.
//A.J.
The Bar Grind
Posted: 3/09/2010 Filed under: Austin, Career | Tags: Priorities, Texas Bar 3 Comments »
Hello all! If you’ve noticed a slight break in my somewhat reliable posting frequency, it’s because I’m stuffing my brain studying for the very important Texas bar exam. In the midst of this I’m also attempting to follow through on another high priority goal.
Between these, trying to stay in decent shape at Life Time Fitness, and a quick nap here and there; I have little time to contemplate new posts, let alone draft them. That being said, I will be posting infrequently (hopefully twice weekly).
Thankfully, this will all be over at the end of next month.
In conclusion, thanks to you all for visiting my blog, reading and leaving comments. Please continue to do so. I will be back to normalcy soon!
Prayers for my success on the bar, and most importantly donations to my post-bar fund (non-deductible) are welcome!
//A.J.
Interview Series: Jonathan Allen
Posted: 3/09/2010 Filed under: Austin, Career, Inspiration, Interviews | Tags: Interview, Jonathan Allen, Photography, Public School 2 Comments »“Being in the mindset of a freelancer, you have to hustle constantly, and being around others becomes infectious.”
The other day I spoke with a friend from high school (Go Jags), Jonathan Allen. A freelance photographer, Jonathan is steadily increasing his body of work on the local and national level. In this first interview of 2010, Jonathan talks about the joys of freelancing, Craigslist ads, networking, skill-building, career uncertainty and staying focused.
Bio: Jonathan Allen
I was born and raised here in Austin. I’ve actually never left. I guess I’m part of a rare breed now, as people constantly point out to me. After graduating high school here in 2001, I went to UT for a couple years studying various things, and ended up taking photography courses at ACC. I studied there for almost four years before breaking off into the field in 2006.
When did you first know you were interested in photography as a profession?
When I took my first photography class at UT, it really was just a minor interest for me, and my primary motivation for taking the class was to use my camera and compare the quality of my work against others. I did pretty well in the class and really enjoyed the act of using my camera. I was also really bored with my other studies and kind of fed up with the big university mentality. That style of learning just wasn’t for me.
I learned that ACC had a great photography program, and I had been tinkering with the idea of leaving UT; so I quit and enrolled in classes at ACC, which I thought at the time would be temporary. I spent the next three and a half years immersed in classes in the photography department. I took every class I could sign up for, and worked on every area of my technical skills that I could. It was through my many great teachers that I learned exactly what could be achieved with photography as a profession. By the time I was done with school there, I had a really good idea of what steps I would need to take to achieve my goals.
What was the process you took to arrive where you are today?
The first step was the academic part. Again, I took every class I could and tried to make the absolute most out of the education I was provided. After that, I decided I wanted to assist other photographers in the field, which is generally one of the steps to becoming a photographer. It pays pretty well, and you learn a ton of skills not provided in a formal education. It’s very much a trade, and a lot of the craft is learned from someone who is a working professional. In order to start assisting, I emailed every photographer I could in Austin to see if they had any work available. I got a few hits and worked some one off jobs.
I had two good friends who were working assistants at the time, and they referred lots of work to me. One of those referrals landed me as a regular assisting with someone I still work with today. I also responded to one Craigslist ad I saw with my resume, which turned out to be an absolutely lucky find, because it’s turned into friendships with two great people who’ve helped me out in many ways and taught me a lot. That ad eventually turned into an extremely profitable client which allows me to this day to travel to Chicago and a few other great cities regularly. For the record, I generally loathe craigslist for jobs postings because people offer way too little compensation, and it’s also very clogged up with people responding. But, I did get very lucky with that one find, so I guess it’s not all bad.
Did you have any mentors along the way?
Several of them. A couple of my friends, Brandon Barron and Lance Holt, who I went to school with, and who helped me become a good assistant. Casey Dunn, an architectural photographer who’s become a good friend and the person I still work with regularly. He’s taught me a lot about technique and attention to detail, loaned me his equipment when I needed it, and helped with the retouching and business side of the field.
He’s also hooked me up with some local clients that I still shoot with on occasion. Angie West, who was one of the girls I met through the Craigslist connection. I worked with her briefly in Austin, and then she moved to Chicago to take over as marketing director for an upscale furniture company. I helped her with retouching a giant catalogue for them, which transitioned into me helping her with photo shoots, which turned into me taking over as photographer for a portion of them when she moved into another department. We still work together regularly, and help each other out.
How did you arrive at Public School?
At the end of 2007, Casey was sharing a studio with a friend who was running an art gallery out of it. His friend decided to leave, so Casey wanted to find others to move into the studio with him to share rent. I was doing a ton of retouching at the time, and I loathed working from home. So I moved in along with a couple others. Eventually we expanded, others came in and left, we consolidated, it finally got to the correct number of people who were all interested in working together in a kind of shared space. We tinkered with the idea of being a co-op, and eventually the name Public School was thrown out earlier this year.
The branding came shortly after, we setup a blog, and it really took off. Now it’s a pretty well known collective, and we get thousands of hits on the web site each month. We moved into a new studio space last June, which has become a really great work environment.
Y’all are located on Austin’s Eastside, right? That seems to be the creative hub in town.
It’s a great place to be — I love working out of a studio in such a great location. I’m able to walk to lunch or to pick up coffee. And it’s a great place to have clients over. We throw networking parties fairly regularly at our place, and the turn out is always really great.
Can you describe how the collective is set up? (Ex. Formalized agreement)
We really have no formal agreements. It’s just a space where a bunch of friends can work together, collaborate on occasion, and help each other out with their work. Bounce ideas around. It’s also a really cheap way to have office space. We are trying to become more formal with the way we work, and we’re starting to have regular meetings to come up with ideas for ways to push and promote our collective better.
What kind of support and expectations does Public School have?
We really want everyone to be working on their own projects regularly and be working a freelance career. Being in the mindset of a freelancer, you have to hustle constantly, and being around others becomes infectious. When other people I’m working side by side with are doing things like networking, promoting themselves, updating their web site with new work, blogging, etc., it makes me want to do all that stuff as well as I don’t want to get left behind.
What’s been one of the most rewarding experiences you’ve had as a photographer?
I’ve love being able to travel for work. I get to go to Chicago pretty regularly to shoot, and have met some great friends up there and experienced one of the most amazing cities. At times it feels like I’ve lived there. I’ve also been to Miami, New York, Aspen, Ruidoso, Omaha, and some smaller places close by. It can be really hard work and stressful at times, but it’s still the best! I was also really excited the first time I saw photographs I shot printed in a magazine. And the first cover I got… what a rush! Lastly, hanging my work on a wall. So much of my work is viewed on a screen these days, that when I actually get a chance to print it, frame it and hang it, it’s really amazing.
Can you describe a moment of uncertainty in the path you had chosen?
Right after school, I got a job as a retoucher in a local photographer’s studio. I became extremely bored with it and quit after six months, deciding I wanted to start assisting. It was really slow at first, and I was really broke for awhile. I was having a hard time getting by living at my parents house, so I was worried about how things were going to pan out. But, things picked up slowly and I started making money regularly and it was starting to work out. Nevertheless, to this day I still become uncertain about my future every once in awhile. Working a freelance career is always uncertain, especially in a field that is so competitive, and sometimes you worry about where your next check will come from. Still, I got over it, as there is no way I could go back to having a regular job!
Alternatively what about a moment when you felt you were moving in the right direction?
When I started doing my first gigs as a photographer. I often got really bored on photo shoots as an assistant, but when I’m the working photographer, time races by, and I get in the zone and work really, really hard. It’s such a great feeling. Plus the paycheck are much larger, so it’s much more of a confidence booster. It’s really nice not to have scrape by.
How important has networking been for you?
Easily the most important part of the work, in my experience. Unfortunately, I’m not the best at it, but I’m trying more and more each day, and becoming much better. Every job I’ve done that I can think of has been through some connection, at least the first opportunity to work with someone. The repeat work comes with being good and delivering according to their expectations. I’m currently in the midst of trying to retool myself and tie up loose ends to, hopefully, hit the pavement hard in the coming months. I’m simultaneously terrified and excited at the possibilities.
Where do you see yourself in 5, 10, and 20 years?
I’d like to be at the top of the Austin market in the next five years. I’m really banking on the fact that Austin’s growth will provide a much better photo market over time. Right now, it’s not the greatest city to be in to be shooting great work. But I love living here, and would be happy enough shooting smaller jobs if I could live comfortably. Within the next 10 years, I want to be shooting on a national level, higher profile stuff — possibly be living in a larger city. Twenty years is pretty far off, but I’d love to have a well established name. Have my work carried throughout various galleries. And to still be making money off photography.
What keeps you hungry?
The thought of being the best. That’s my ultimate goal, I believe. I want to produce work of the same caliber as the great photographers of our time! Also the thought of failing and having to get a real job. I just don’t see myself as being able to work on a regular schedule that I don’t make. I love having my time be my time, and the ability to use it for whatever I want.
Definitely. Thanks for sharing. Best of luck in 2010!
Contact Jonathan:
W. jonathanallenstudio.com
P. 512. 785.8341
E. chromaticstyle@gmail.com
//A.J.
 Reply |
Forward |
Invite Jonathan Allen to chat |
Reply
|
show details Jan 11 (3 days ago)
|
Awesome, thanks! We’ll have to catch up at Thunderbird this month.
Peace.
//A.J. Bingham
Connect with me on…
Blog: readaj.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/aj_bingham
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ajbingham
Hey man,Sorry this took so long. I had it 90% done, then got busy, and I guess I just forgot about it. But here it is, nicely completed. Let me know if you think the wording on anything sounds spotty. Thanks for the opportunity!All the best,Jonathan—–First off, can you give me a brief bio?I was born and raised here in Austin. I’ve actually never left. I guess I’m part of a rare breed now, as people constantly point out to me. After graduating high school here in 2001, I went to UT for a couple years studying various things, and ended up taking photography courses at ACC. I studied there for almost four years before breaking off into the field in 2006.When did you first know you were interested in photography as a profession?When I took my first photography class at UT, it really was just a minor interest for me, and my primary motivation for taking the class was to use my camera and compare the quality of my work against others. I did pretty well in the class and really enjoyed the act of using my camera. I was also really bored with my other studies and kind of fed up with the big university mentality. That style of learning just wasn’t for me. I learned that ACC had a really good photography program, and had been tinkering with the idea of leaving UT, so I quit UT and enrolled in classes at ACC, which I thought at the time would be temporarily. I spent the next three and a half years immersed in classes in the photography department. I took every class I could sign up for, and worked on every area of my technical skills that I could. It was through my many great teachers that I learned exactly what could be achieved with photography as a profession. By the time I was done with school there, I had a really good idea of what steps I would need to take to achieve my goals.What was the process you took to arrive where you are today?The first step was the academic part. Again, I took every class I could and tried to make the absolute most out of the education I was provided. After that, I decided I wanted to assist other photographers in the field, which is generally one of the steps to becoming a photographer. It pays pretty well, and you learn a ton of skills not provided in a formal education. It’s very much a trade, and a lot of the craft is learned from someone who is a working professional. In order to start assisting, I emailed every photographer I could in Austin to see if they had any work available. I got a few hits and worked some one off jobs. I also had two good friends who were working assistants at the time, and they referred lots of work to me. One of those referrals landed me as a regular assisting with someone I still work with today. I also responded to one craigslist ad I saw with my resume, which turned out to be an absolutely lucky find, because it’s turned into friendships with two great people who’ve helped me out in many ways and taught me a lot. It also eventually turned into an extremely profitable client which allows me to this day to travel to Chicago and a few other great cities regularly. For the record, I generally loathe craigslist for jobs postings because people offer way to little as compensation and it’s also very clogged up with people responding. But I did get very lucky with that one find, so I guess it’s not all bad.Did you have any mentors along the way?Several of them. A couple of my friends, Brandon Barron and Lance Holt, who I went to school with and who helped me become a good assistant. Casey Dunn, an architectural photographer who’s become a good friend and the person I still work with regularly. He’s taught me a lot about technique and attention to detail, loaned me his equipment when I needed it, and helped with the retouching and business side of the field. He’s also hooked me up with some local clients that I still shoot with on occasion. Angie West, who was one of the girls I met through the craigslist connection. I worked with her briefly in Austin, and then she moved to Chicago to take over as marketing director for an upscale furniture company. I helped her with retouching a giant catalogue for them, which transitioned into me helping her with photoshoots, which turned into me taking over as photographer for a portion of them when she moved into another department. We still work together regularly, and help each other out.How did you arrive at Public School?At the end of 2007, Casey was sharing a studio with a friend who was running an art gallery out of it. His friend decided to leave, so Casey wanted to find others to move into the studio with him to share rent. I was doing a ton of retouching at the time, and I loathed working from home. So I moved in along with a couple others. Eventually we expanded, others came in and left, we consolidated, it finally got to the correct number of people who were all interested in working together in a kind of shared space. We tinkered with the idea of being a coop, and eventually the name Public School was thrown out earlier this year. The branding came shortly after, we setup a blog, and it really took off. Now it’s a pretty well known collective, and we get thousands of hits on the web site each month. We moved into a new studio space last June, which has become a really great work environment.Can you describe how your collective is set up? (Ex. Formalized agreement)We really have no formal agreements. It’s just a space where a bunch of friends can work together, collaborate on occasion, and help each other out with their work. Bounce ideas around. It’s also a really cheap way to have office space. We are trying to become more formal with the way we work, and we’re starting to have regular meetings to come up with ideas for ways to push and promote our collective better.What, if any, are the expectations of Public School members?We really want everyone to be working on their own projects regularly and be working a freelance career. Being in the mindset of a freelancer, you have to hustle constantly, and being around others becomes infectious. When other people I’m working side by side with are doing things like networking, promoting themselves, updating their web site with new work, blogging, etc., it makes me want to do all that stuff as well as I don’t want to get left behind.What’s been one of the most rewarding experiences you’ve had as a photographer?I’ve love being able to travel for work. I get to go to Chicago pretty regularly to shoot, and have met some great friends up there and experienced one of the most amazing cities. At times it feels like I’ve lived there. I’ve also been to Miami, New York, Aspen, Ruidoso, Omaha, and some smaller places close by. I can be really hard work and stressful at times, but it’s still the best!I was also really excited the first time I saw photographs I shot printed in a magazine. And the first cover I got… what a rush!Lastly, hanging my work on a wall. So much of my work is viewed on a screen these days, that when I actually get a chance to print it, frame it and hang it, it’s really amazing.Can you describe a moment of uncertainty in the path you had chosen?Right after school, I got a job as a retoucher in a local photographer’s studio. I became extremely bored with it and quit after six months, deciding I wanted to start assisting. It was really slow at first, and I was really broke for awhile. I was having a hard time getting by living at my parents house, so I was worried about how things were going to pan out. But, things picked up slowly and I started making money regularly and it was starting to work out. Nevertheless, to this day I still become uncertain about my future every once in awhile. Working a freelance career is always uncertain, especially in a field that is so competitive, and sometimes you worry about where your next check will come from. Still, I get over it, as there is no way I could go back to having a regular job!Alternatively what about a moment when you felt you were moving in the right direction?When I started doing my first gigs as a photographer. I often got really bored on photo shoots as an assistant, but when I’m the working photographer, time races by, and I get in the zone and work really, really hard. It’s such a great feeling. Plus the paycheck are much larger, so it’s much more of a confidence booster. It’s really nice not to have scrape by.How important has networking been for you?Easily the most important part of the work, in my experience. Unfortunately, I’m not the best at it, but I’m trying more and more each day, and becoming much better. Every job I’ve done that I can think of has been through some connection, at least the first opportunity to work with someone. The repeat work comes with being good and delivering according to their expectations. I’m currently in the midst of trying to retool myself and tie up the loose ends I need to, to hopefully hit the pavement hard in the coming months. I’m simultaneously terrified and excited at the possibilities.What has been your experience in current downtown?It’s a great place to be — I love working out of a studio in such a great location. I’m able to walk to lunch or to pick up coffee. And it’s a great place to have clients over. We throw networking parties fairly regularly at our place, and the turn out is always really great.Where do you see yourself in 5, 10, and 20 years?I’d like to be at the top of the Austin market in the next five years. I’m really banking on the fact that Austin’s growth will provide a much better photo market over time. Right now, it’s not the greatest city to be in to be shooting great work. But I love living here, and would be happy enough shooting smaller jobs if I could live comfortably. Within the next 10 years, I want to be shooting on a national level, higher profile stuff — possibly be living in a larger city. 20 years is pretty far off, but I’d love to have a well established name. Have my work carried throughout various galleries. And to still be making money off photography.What keeps you hungry?The thought of being the best. That’s my ultimate goal I believe. I want to produce work of the same caliber as the great photographers of our time! Also the thought of failing and having to get a real job. I just don’t see myself as being able to work on a regular schedule that I don’t make. I love having my time be my time, and the ability to use it for whatever I want.
|
Reply |
Forward |
Nietzche on boredom, work, and rewards.
Posted: 3/09/2010 Filed under: Career | Tags: boredom, Hustle, Nietzche, Rewards, Work 1 Comment »Now there are . . . Individuals who would rather perish than work without taking pleasure in their work; they are choosy . . . and have no use for ample rewards if the work is not itself the reward of rewards. . . . They do not fear boredom as much as work without pleasure; indeed, they need a lot of boredom if their work is to succeed. For . . . All inventive spirits, boredom is that disagreeable ‘lull’ of the soul that proceeds a happy voyage and cheerful winds.
–Friedrich Nietzsche
Just some food for thought on a Monday morning. I’ve been re-reading Robert Greene (and 50 Cents) The 50th Law. This quote is at the end of Chapter 8, Respect the Process–Mastery. Here’s a slideshare overview of the book. I highly recommend it.
Have a great week!
//A.J.
Plus Ultra, or What A.J. and Spain have in common.
Posted: 3/09/2010 Filed under: Career, Networking | Tags: mantra, motto, Plus ultra, Spain 3 Comments »
Plus Ultra
This was my motto for the last half of 2009, and will be on into 2010 and beyond (at least one of the top ones).
Plus ultra is Latin for, “further beyond, further yet, more beyond or yet beyond,” and is an accurate description of my mindset each day. It is the bedrock of everything I try, this blog for example; and keeps me in the zone when I’m losing focus.
Expansion and Authentic Influence
It is open-ended to the extreme. No boundaries. It was also motto of Spain (hence the title) at the height of the Holy Roman Empire (Under Charles V and still is to this day), used to encourage the Emperor to take risks in expanding the Empire to the New World.
We are all trying to create our own empires. Only instead of conquering new lands and convert the “natives,” we’re trying expand ourselves, ideas and influence beyond what is was the day before.
By expanding ourselves, I’m talking about the new blogs you read, networks you join, or presentations you watch (like TED’s). Real purposeful growth, each day. For me it’s also an inward quest to conquer myself daily. To zone out the din of self-doubt, fear, procrastination, fatigue, amongst other feelings and emotions.
I’m not talking about being stoic, just not get in my own way when I need to move forward.
By influence I mean connecting with the many-spheres (of influence) out there and planting your flag. Authentic influence, through trust, and not “do as I say because you are heathens” of the colonial powers. Essentially two-way communication and transparency, which in social media so argue, like here, is the only way to go (I agree, within acceptable boundaries).
Influence, though. That was goal of every colonial power, and that root motivation remains in the Internet age. Case in point, Chris Brogan calls for us to set-up “outposts” on social networks. Anyone with a semi-serious blog probably has links to their other social media accounts (check mine under A.J. Elsewhere).
Asking, “How?”
If plus ultra, “further beyond,” is the daily focus; each night the question becomes, “how far?” That is the ebb and flow. The bit of dissatisfaction that keeps driving you forward, over the hump. And then again asking, “how will I got further still?” Whether it is emailing one new, or old contact, each day; having a conversation (networking or just a chat) with three new faces daily; guest posting; or writing longer posts. I’ve used it in thinking up ideas for new content on this blog (ex. interviews).
Plus ultra works as mantra as well in an unfamiliar networking event, or any social situation where you are alone (REMEMBER, fear is not an excuse) and need that confidence step into the fray. Keep in mind, you should have something to say or be somewhat interesting and not awkward, but repeating plus ultra should at least get you threw the doors.
No Racing
Plus ultra today, again differing from the old colonial powers, is not about a race to the top. It is a personal reflective tool on your endeavors and accomplishments. We all, hopefully, have a unique view of success and how we conduct ourselves to get there. Again, just to be clear, life is not a race. Plus ultra is about reaching beyond your normal range, when you would stop.
Thus, that is plus ultra, my motto (and Spain’s).
What is your motto for 2010 and beyond?
//A.J.
Interview Series: Jade Holmes
Posted: 3/09/2010 Filed under: Career, Interviews, Networking | Tags: Boston University, Film, Jade Holmes, Wake Forest Leave a comment »
I’ve been on Jade about this interview for a while. She’s an ambitious individual, and like many of us trying to rise-up. I didn’t know her at Wake Forest too well, and only reconnected over the last two years. Since then though, she has continuously impressed and inspired me.
I present Jade Holmes.
Background.
My parents always stressed the value and importance of a work-life balance. They worked hard while seeing us off to school everyday, attending all of our extracurricular activities, and eating family dinner every night. Not a day went by where I wasn’t told that I was loved and capable of achieving anything. My family is my biggest support system, and it’s huge!
I grew up very close to most of my family in Prince George’s County, MD, which in addition to being a suburb of Washington, DC, is also the home of a large concentration of upper middle to upper class black families. Because of this, from an early age, I was always very in tune with the diversity within the Black community.
I saw the spectrum of careers and incomes and complexions, so I didn’t allow the media to define for me what black was; I saw it firsthand. I’ve also lived in Philadelphia, Winston-Salem, Atlanta and Boston.
While I didn’t appreciate going to private schools at the time; looking back, my mix of public and private school education was a rich experience that allowed me to befriend people from different backgrounds while also developing a greater appreciation for my culture. I remember actually teaching black history to my middle school classmates, and in high school choreographing dances and writing plays for Black History month. I loved expressing this aspect of myself artistically.
I think it goes without say that being black is a major part of my identity, but I don’t see this as something that limits me. Instead it motivates me to portray in the media, the multi- facetedness that I know exists.
I’m a believer in God, love, service, optimism and change.
When did you become interested in film?
I’ve always been an artist. From dancing to piano to photography, almost every hobby of mine did, and still does involve art.
When I first went to Wake Forest, I wanted to get into advertising field, specifically commercials. I think somewhere between the exciting lifestyle portrayed in movies and the lack of varied images I witnessed on TV, I thought I could find a career there.
During junior year, Eric Watts, my advisor, suggested that I think about a film studies minor so I could learn all of the aspects behind making commercials. I took one class and immediately fell in love.
There was something special about stories and events that could be captured, lived and retold through the medium of film and that attracted me. Making films, which is essentially storytelling, for me is very similar to choreography. In both I weave different aspects together which come out as one varied experience for each viewer— my idea of universal.
What led you to Boston University’s Film School?
After graduating from Wake Forest with a new passion for film, I wanted to learn everything I could about the film-making industry. I moved to Atlanta to intern at Rainforest Films (Stomp The Yard, This Christmas, Obsessed). Throughout my time at the company, I was able to work closely with everyone at the company which taught me everything about the creative side of film.
During my year in Atlanta I applied to multiple programs, but most wanted me to make more films before accepting me. I needed to learn, not hone and BU embraced my infancy. I wanted to go to a school that taught me how to make films so I could learn trial and error with the support and resources to immediately pick up and try again.
I really liked the freedom their Master of Fine Arts program, its community atmosphere and Alumni base at the College of Communication, and Boston. There were so many places to photograph! Also, with one of its nicknames being the ”City of Academia, ” I knew the city would provide opportunities to learn from, and network and with a lot of brilliant minds.
How was working for Tyler Perry?
Working at Tyler Perry Studios was a great learning experience. I was in Atlanta, which is now a mecca for black film. I worked with a lot of creative media makers and I learned the technical aspects of how a major studio ran.
Working at both Tyler Perry Studios, and Rainforest Films, I learned that film-making is 75% passion. Both companies began from the ground up and devoted to telling stories involving underrepresented groups.
I would later learn that the other is 25% is who you know. (Some may argue this percentage).
It’s difficult, even in a good economy, to break into the film industry. What has been your experience in current economic downtown?
Well film-making is definitely not for the weak at heart, so as an emerging filmmaker, I can’t really tell if it’s the recession or the hazing process that is making funding so difficult!
For my thesis (most recent) film, I sent out a fundraising letter to EVERYONE I knew and asked for a minimum donation. The love poured! Being a student with 501c(3) status didn’t hurt.
For my next film, I don’t think I will be so lucky. Everyday I look for investors, you really have to be creative with how you seek funding. While a lot of organizations have suspended their programs there are still a ton out there looking for a project to support.
And you want direct?
Yes. I just finished my thesis film, required for the Master of Fine Arts degree designed to demonstrate my professional competence as a filmmaker.
Tell me about the film you just wrapped.
My short film (it’s about 25 minutes long), Three Blind Mice, is an original story I wrote, set in Washington, DC. The story is about three Black men who literally and figuratively travel the same path during the course of one day and deals with individuality in the midst of stereotypes.
I always wanted to tell this story so I really enjoyed watching it come to life. I love working with actors and the leads, Dorian Missick, Al Thompson and Gavin-Keith Umeh made my job so much fun. It premieres this February in DC and will hopefully screen nationally at different festivals.
I like the creative aspect of writing and directing and the technical aspect of producing. I always considered myself a producer-director, but making this film made me realize that I cannot devote myself 100% to each position. So for now, while I’m still open development and producing opportunities, I’ve decided to focus on directing.
How important has networking been for you? Can you elaborate on specific moments?
Networking is incredibly important in film-making. As I mentioned earlier, the industry is at least 25% who you know. Each stepping stone in my career has been because of networking. My last film was entirely built on networking. However, because I move around so much, networking has been difficult. Film-making is sort of out of sight/out of mind, so if you don’t keep up, you will be left out.
My goal for 2010, now that the film is done, is reconnecting with school contacts that I have neglected.
Who inspires you?
Being a woman inspires me. Being a young adult inspires me. Being from DC inspires me. The faith others have in me inspires me. The faith I have in myself inspires me. In terms of who, other than my family, my inspiration is constantly changing. Recently, I was inspired by all of the little girls in tiaras and dresses at Disney’s premiere of “The Princess and The Frog”. This film experience, like the films I hope to make, was a simple story, with a simple message, but what it meant/represented was priceless. Some of those little girls left dreaming bigger because they saw someone who looked like them in a positive major role, similar to the Obama effect, and it reminded me of why I make films. I just watched “March of the Penguins”, so who knows how I will be inspired tomorrow!
Where do you see yourself in 5, 10, and 20 years?
I always fear this question because for me things usually happen at a different time than what I plan, so here are my goals.
In 5 years, being married with at least one child would be a blessing! I would also love to have made two feature films, one narrative and one documentary, and have a major role in both a recognizable non-profit and production company.
In 10 years, an (any) award for filmmaking, more movies, more causes, more kids.
20: I’m not sure if I will ever retire but I would love to go back and teach filmmaking at Wake, Howard and BU. I also plan to never stop dancing.
What keeps you hungry to get there?
”The love of the game!” I really enjoy what I do and knowing that I am a few steps away makes me want to get to a level of national recognition so my stories can be told.
Also, I would really like to give back to my parents in some form for everything they do for me. They never questioned my dream or my talent, but always worked we me to figure out how to get where I wanted to be. They are always proud but I know they would love to go on a few all expense paid vacations and an awards show or two!
Lastly, what is the Jade Holmes Brand? What is the authentic Jade?
Authentic Jade tells stories that are diverse, socially relevant and content driven. I’m not married to a specific type of media, but I want to teach, inspire and/or foster dialogue with every film. A Jade Holmes project is one that takes creative risks to tell simple stories in a different way: vital stories, artfully told. After studying film in Sydney, Australia, I learned that film is a universal bridge among cultures and I would love for my work to be apart of that bridge.
Thanks for sharing!
Read more about what Jade’s up to here.
//A.J.
Re, The Follow Up: J. Cole.
Posted: 3/09/2010 Filed under: Career, Interviews | Tags: Hip-hop, Interview, J. Cole, Let Us Eat Cheese, Roc Nation 2 Comments »
J. Cole, a 24-year-old North Carolina native (Fayetteville), is the first artist (hip-hop) signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label.
I first heard his music on Imeem MySpace in October when some his second mix tape, The Warm Up, got posted. He also came on stage for half-a-song when Jay-Z came through Austin in November.
Last night, one of my current reads, Let’s Just Eat Cheese, posted an interview with J. Cole where he talks about his struggles in coming up and in staying there.
While many of us probably aren’t aspiring hip-hop artists, you can definitely relate to his underlying drive to rise in his field.
Here are a few excerpts:
The Roc Nation Deal.
It gets tougher. Some artists get a deal and put their feet up thinking they’ve made it. But that’s how you get caught up. A deal was never the goal for me, it was just a step. A hard step to get to, but never the end result. My end result is still much greater. I’m trying to be the fucking best. This isn’t the time to chill. It’s the time to go harder. Now the benefits of going harder seem so much easier than before when you were fighting for it. The word achievement hasn’t come to my mind. I still have so far to go.Did you ever doubt your career as an artist because of hard-hitting times?
Things got hard but I knew. You couldn’t tell me shit. Yeah I’m broke, true. I have a degree, true. All my friends have jobs and I don’t. But I still know where I’m going to be. This is what kept me going: In my mind, I was always just one step away. Always so close even though I was actually really far. For the past three years, I’ve been thinking it was a month away. Every month. There never came a point where I thought it wasn’t. I never looked at it like I was failing. I was struggling for something I knew was coming. When you know you’re going to make it, when you know you’re destined for something and you believe in yourself, you have to keep telling yourself its coming. Or else you’ll start to doubt.
Warm Up!
I always told myself that you didn’t have to have a strong buzz to get a deal. I’m relying strictly on my talent. The Warm Up is a chance for people who are basically going to be like “Who the fuck is this kid?” “Who did Jay-Z sign?” I’m using the mixtape as a tool for them to get the story, so they’ll know about all the work I put in. It’s the story about the kid that got cut from the team, never made it, but he doesn’t quit. He goes out the next year, maybe he gets cut again. But he doesn’t quit. He goes out the final year and he makes it. That’s what happened to me.
Racing.
I always felt like I should have been signed from when I was really young. When it didn’t happen by 18, I started looking at my watch. When it didn’t happen by 21, I’m looking at my watch like, “Ok no later than 23”. I’m 24 now. I use to look at Tupac’s life and all he accomplished before he died at 25. I was 22 and wasn’t signed, 23 and wasn’t signed. When I finally realized there was no catching up to him it made me step back and say, “Yo, why would you want to catch up to him?” He lived his life and did what he was sent here to do; he did what he was destined to. I had to realize that I’m going to do what I’m destined to – there’s no time limit. Now I believe that everything truly happens at its right speed. There’s no longer a race.
A thing about fear.
My favorite basketball player, Penny Hardaway, came in the game as an incredible athlete. He was supposed to be the next Michael Jordan. He had a great career his first 4 or 5 years. I watched an interview two years ago where somebody asked him in maybe what was the second year of his career, “What’s your biggest fear?” He answered something along the lines of, my two biggest fears are that I’ll never win an NBA Championship and sometimes I have dreams where I have a career ending injury and I’m never the same player. Both those things happened to him. He basically spoke his fears into existence. Of course I have fears but I wouldn’t put them out like that or concentrate on them.
Your thoughts about his music (I’m half-way through the mix-tape now) and the interview are welcome. Racing and A thing about fear really spoke to me.
Checkout the full interview at Let’s Just Eat Cheese (here’s J. Cole’s first interview on the blog).
ALSO, check out this track , Just Begun, by Reflection Eternal, ft. Jay Electronica, J. Cole & Mos Def.
//A.J.
