back on the grind.

In November 2010, I had applied for a receptionist position at this advertising agency called "bpg" (Big Picture Group). I went in for an interview and they loved me and I got called back for a second interview. I was super excited because I was finally going to be able to quit my restaurant job and finally work full time at a job that is related to the industry. It may not have been exactly what I was looking for but it was full time, consistent pay, benefits and best of all, I would be able to go home for Christmas for 2 weeks, paid! What more could I ask for? I'd finally have my nights and weekends off for the first time in a very long time. And in the meantime I'd be able to focus on my own projects and film on the weekends! It was the perfect opportunity for the time being...

So I go in to this second interview and the president of the company is interviewing me. He reviews my resume, reads my short films that I had made and asks to see one. I say sure. We hop online and we watch my latest short, BRICK. After watching he says, "Well, you are definitely creative. Where do you see yourself in five years?" I said, "I will be directing feature films." He looks at me with this discerning look and says, "Listen, you don't wanna be a receptionist, you need to be on sets, being a PA, etc." I knew right at that moment that I was no longer considered for the position. And sure enough I never got called back. I was so bummed, I felt like I had such a good opportunity right in the palm of my hand and all I had to do was tell a white lie, but alas, I'm glad I didn't and frankly, I didn't even think about lying. I could never deny the fact that directing is all I ever want to do.

 So I go back to searching and searching and searching. After a long, sad two weeks, I finally just admitted to myself that it wasn't going to happen so I had to just let it go. I hopped on craigslist that night and what do I find...? An intern PA position for a feature film beginning shooting the following week. Holy hell I hit JACKPOT! It was surreal the timing. I sent in my cover letter and resume and in the email I practically begged to be on set and to hire me for the position. The producer emailed me back setting up a phone interview. We set it for a Tuesday.

Monday, the day before I was searching for other jobs and I had sent in my resume for another company called Ostrow and Company and was set for a group interview that same Tuesday at 11am. I go to this group interview and basically I was applying to be a film scout which basically entails that they send me to film festivals all around the world to scope out indie features so that we can find them distribution. It's crazy that I just fell into that because I want to go to every single film festival ever. Oh, and all expenses paid. So instead of telling us who has the position or not, they gave us an assignment to research 2 festivals completely they way the want and within 36 hours. I did the assignment within the allotted time they gave us, properly and I got hired on as a film scout by that following Monday. Sweet, industry job number one.

A few hours after I came home from that group interview, I get a phone call from the producer of the feature, her name is Anna. We begin the interview. She asks me questions, I answer and she immediately senses my passion. We discuss a bit more, I ask some questions and then she said it. "Well Pamela, you sound great and I think you'd be a great addition to our team, I'd like to offer you the position." YESSSSSSSS. Holy smokes I can't believe I just booked my first PA job on a feature film. A FEATURE FILM! I was not expecting this to happen so fast. Did I really just book two awesome jobs in one day? I was on cloud nine all the way until the feature was over.

And then the feature was over. Done. It was only a twelve day shoot, longest twelve days of my life. I was working four jobs for those two weeks. Two restaurant jobs and two industry jobs. I was wearing myself thin and dry. I would wake up at 5 or 6am, get on set by 7 or 8am, be on set all day and then leave around 6 to go to one of my restaurant jobs at night. I'd usually be out late around 2 am and then go to sleep as soon as I get home to do it again the next day. It was brutal, but I had no option. When I'm chasing the dream, there are no limits for me. If that means I get nine hours of sleep in three days, then so be it. It was so worth it.

So now the feature is over and Sundance is right around the corner so now Ostrow and Company comes into play! I have a meeting tomorrow with them and chances are there's going to be huge discussion and planning for Sundance. I'm already going with my best friend Michelle but I haven't bought my flight yet and I'm kinda crossing my fingers that not only will they send me to Sundance bc I'm already going but they'll also buy my flight! I mean, they did say all expenses paid. So we'll see what happens tomorrow. If not, I hope in the future they send me to SXSW and to Cannes! Oh man that would be AWESOME! I'll keep y'all posted!

Nevertheless, I'm still on the grind trying to find some more set work! And also setting up meetings with numerous people for numerous projects, we'll see who walks the walk and not just talks the talk.

Stay tuned!

Director Pamela Matew