Filmmaker — How To Find Dream Job
Written by Michael on August 27, 2006 – 3:58 am -
In the tenth of my new Ask-A-Pro series, I’d like to present you with Rita Cook, independent filmmaker, producer, and writer.
In the Ask-A-Pro format, I’ll tell you a little about the author and how-to-find-your-dream-job expert . . . then via the Comments section to this post, please feel free to ask a specific question about the career or job in question.
Anyone (expert or not) is free to post responses to your query, and I or the author/how-to-find-your-dream-job pro may chime in as well.
This is your chance to get unbiased advice from a real, honest-to-goodness-been-there-done-that dream job professional.
So, here goes . . . Rita Cook on the dream job of working in independent film production.
Rita Cook is a writer and producer with over a decade of diversified experience. She was an associate producer on the horror/action feature film Route 666 with Trimark Pictures.
She is also the associate producer on Naomi’s Web and she recently produced the feature-length film, Marty & Virginia, for Cicero Productions.
In 2000, Rita was a production manager on the television pilot, Norm Crosby’s Celebrity Golf Challenge, and in 1999 she was production manager on Two American Idiots.
Rita has worked on several television pilots including All About the Money and produced an award-winning short called The Limited, as well as a short called In Due Time.
When moving to Los Angeles, she worked with action-adventure screenwriter Neill Hicks, worked a short stint in development, and took a month to work with an executive producer/director on a cable special. Before moving to Los Angeles, Rita did an internship in Chicago with the co-head writer of The Young and the Restless.
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Rita works as a freelance script consultant and is co-writing a book called Screenwriters: From Inspiration to Action. She is vice-president of Cinewomen, an LA-based organization, Vice President of Reviews for the Film Advisory Board, and is President Emeritus of Women in Film and Television/Chicago.
For four years in Chicago, Rita was on the board of directors of the nationally known organization, Women in Film and Television and she served as President for two years. She is also well-known in the city of Chicago for her development of the WIFT mentor program.
Dream Jobs To Go Title
How To Get Started As An Independent Filmmaker
Current Profession
Filmmaker and Writer
Websites or Blogs You’d Like Us To Know About
Rita Cook’s new novel, Angel’s Destiny, can be found at Publish America.
What Would You Be Doing If You Weren’t An Independent Producer?
I am doing it – not only have I had the chance to produce films, but I have been travel writing and I wrote a novel called Angel’s Destiny that was published in November 2005.
Life Philosophy
So Mote it Be!
Favorite Food
Tex Mex (but, when in Italy the Italian food is to die for).
Favorite Read
The Game of Life and How to Play It by Florence Scovel Shinn
Favorite Authors
Florence Scovel Shinn and Raven Grimassi
Favorite Travel Destination
Toss up between Sweden’s Ice Hotel and Cayo Espanto in Belize.
Favorite Music
Depends on my mood, but I love electronic stuff and anything with wolves howling in the background
Favorite Sports Team
I haven’t watched sports in years – does horseracing count?
Favorite Movie
Another hard one, this week it is “The Illusionist,†but last week it was “Little Miss Sunshine.â€Â Of course, there is always “Apocalypse Now†and “Garden State.â€
Favorite City
Don’t make me decide – awe….. how about Morconne, Italy – my getaway.
Favorite Country
Repetitively – Italy!
Favorite Animal
Wolf, cat, raven (not necessarily in that order).
Your Hobbies
Traveling, writing, and gardening.
Favorite Websites (Other Than Your Own)
Independent Movie Database
Favorite Quotation
It is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye. The Little Prince
Favorite Drink
Any kind of Martini – except dirty.
Why Do You Live Where You Do?
I just got married and my husband won’t leave – but I also live in Los Angeles so I am bi-coastal – whew!
If You Could Live Anywhere You Wanted, Where Would It Be? Why?
I would live in Scotland – Edinburgh, I feel really connected to that country.
The Greatest Things About Being an Independent Producer
The independence. I don’t have to do it all the time and I can pursue my other dreams.Â
The Worst Thing About Being an Independent Producer
Finding money to make the next film.Â
If A Young Person Approached You About Getting Into Independent Producing, What Would You Say?
Go make a movie right now with any camera you can find and have a good time doing it!
If An Older, Career-Changer Approach You About Getting Into Independent Producing, What Would You Say?
Go make a movie right now with any camera you can find and have a good time doing it!
The Most Important Piece Of Advice Anyone Ever Gave You About Life?
When you become President of Women in Film (I was president in Chicago), surround yourself with your friends and likeminded people – you don’t need the extra baggage otherwise.
Any Other Advice You’d Like To Share With People Who’re Thinking About Getting Into Independent Producing?
There aren’t really any rules so make them up as you go and don’t let anyone know you don’t know what you are doing.
How Would You Define Success?
Success to me is defined by a person’s happiness and if they love what they are doing, no matter what that might be. If I wake up every day with a smile on my face, then I have found success.
Any Other Comments About the World Of Work You’d Like To Share?
It’s not rocket science, so have a good time.
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Posted in Ask-A-Pro, Film/Theatre/Public |
August 28th, 2006 at 7:53 am
It’s great to have the opportunity to follow the career of your dreams. Where I come from, the film production industry is still in its infancy. There’s only one TV station. There aren’t many options for the creative.
Being in the right place at the right time is such a blessing. For those who aren’t so fortunate, don’t let that stop you. If you seek with all your heart, you will find what you’re looking for. You may have to leave your comfort zone, though. Have courage!
October 15th, 2006 at 1:58 pm
It’s nice to hear that there are successful professional filmmakers who can sometimes feel like thier in over their heads. I find myself wondering if I’m doing everything right. But now I’m finding it isn’t so much about what’s right or proper, it’s more about doing whatever works. Thanks for sharing the encouraging words.
February 7th, 2008 at 12:12 am
I did freelance video and motion picture work in the late 80s up through the mid 90s, and found the process of getting work very mercenary, which seemed to lend itself to a larger hyper-competitiveness among people vying for jobs on all levels. I loved being able to be on a set and see the shoot, but it didn’t seem to be worth the time and effort it took to get the job for a small cheque. The crux of the matter is that I still love good media; i.e. movies, and would go back and give it my all if I could work for one company instead of having to constantly network all the time for a few hundred dollars here, and a few hundred dollars there. Maybe the industry has changed since. I don’t really know, but when I was in it I was lied to everyday I was working on a shoot, or witnessed someone lying to a lay-person about some aspect of the project. That kind of deceptive ethos permeated the media job market and work environment at a certain level. And, from what I’ve read about film industries in other countries, this is unique among the U.S. motion picture industry (some European countries have small forms of what I just described). To me this speaks of the state of the motion picture industry as it was, and as it may still be. Again, I don’t know, but it’s one of the primary reasons I left.