Help Hattiesburg Rebuild: Ways to Donate
To help residents affected by the January 21st, 2017 tornado, here is Petal’s Facebook page. On February 10th, 2013, Hattiesburg was hit by a massive EF-4 tornado. There were no deaths, thankfully — but it devastated several neighborhoods and businesses. Being here for the cleanup has been amazing; several local businesses have organized volunteer efforts, social media has helped coordinate donation centers. The community has really come together and massive progress has been made in just over a week. However, there is still so much work to do. Several neighborhoods around town were hit; numerous homes were completely destroyed. Hattiesburg needs your help as they continue to clean up and start rebuilding. If you can’t make it down here, here’s a list of charitable organizations and relief funds that will utilize your donations to the max and help those who need it most. Charitable Organizations Here’s a list of places, some of which are based in Hattiesburg, that are rebuilding the community and accepting online donations. ExtraTable.org – Based in Hattiesburg, Extra Table was started last year to help combat hunger. 100% of donations go towards purchasing food bought in bulk, all administrative costs are paid separately. They’re helping keep shelves stocked for the displaced residents of Hattiesburg in need of a meal. You can donate online or mail a check. Christian Services – Christian Services has been at the forefront of assisting tornado victims, organizing volunteer efforts and distributing donated goods. Visit their website to learn more about the organization along with information regarding how to submit a donation via check or PayPal. Also, check out their Facebook page to track all of the ways they’re helping the community. Salvation Army – The Salvation Army has also been heavily involved in assisting Hattiesburg residents. While they accept online donations, to be certain your money is going towards Hattiesburg’s tornado relief, you can write them a check and designate “Hattiesburg Tornado” on the memo line. According to their Facebook page, checks can be mailed directly to their Hattiesburg office: 5670 U.S. 49 Hattiesburg, MS 39401. Red Cross – The Red Cross’s local office in Hattiesburg was destroyed by the tornado, but they’ve still been able to help take care of the community. You can’t specifically donate towards Tornado Relief in Hattiesburg, but you can give a broad donation towards Disaster Relief. Specific Relief Funds A few local churches have organized relief funds to assist specific families in need. St. Thomas Disaster Fund: St. Thomas Acquinas Catholic Church of Hattiesburg knows of at least 9 families in the Hattiesburg community that lost everything, and set up a fund to help them rebuild. Read more on their Facebook page. Donations can be sent to: St. Thomas Disaster...
On Production Assistants That Are “Usually Producers/Directors”
The Setting It was a fast-paced, high-profile commercial shoot; one of those .com companies that fly in entire teams of people from Los Angeles and New York. As a result, you’re usually working alongside the most talented producers, ADs, and crew members in town. While your days are filled with long hours and taking an obscene amount of Starbucks orders, it is a great opportunity to showcase your work ethic, get noticed, and get hired for future gigs. The Main Character: The Deluded Production Assistant For these large projects, you need an army of production assistants, and maybe you try out a few new people. I was working alongside a girl who’d obviously never PA’ed a day in her life. She was bewildered easily, and wasn’t grasping that 90% of a PA’s job is anticipation. About halfway through the second day of filming, this PA did have enough sense to tell that the production team was getting frustrated with her. During some down time on the shoot, the girl clarified to the commercial’s producer, Brittany, why she was having a hard time living up to the PA standard. “I don’t usually PA,” the girl explained. Brittany nodded knowingly, but in sympathy. Like any good producer, she wanted this girl to be in the department where she felt most comfortable. “That’s fine. What do you normally do?” “I usually produce,” the girl said, without missing a beat. Brittany blinked in surprise, and almost laughed out loud. The girl didn’t know the back end of a grip truck from a honeywagon, and she wouldn’t know a sandbag if she tripped over it. “Uh…okay. What have you produced?” “Well, I just did a music video, at Watkins,” she bragged. WATKINS! THE FILM SCHOOL. AND SHE WAS SERIOUS. Apologies for the use of caps, but I had to convey how absolutely absurd that is. I don’t mean to belittle experiences gained by going to film school, but film school projects do not equate to real world projects, period. I never saw that girl on a film set again. The Antithesis There’s a flipside to this Watkins music video story: The director of that student music video. He’s a good work comrade of mine, and we got into the business at the same time and PA’ed together for a couple of years. He is a film snob, and has seen every movie ever made and is quick to offer his professional opinion… but it’s because he’s passionate and he knows his stuff. The difference is, even though he was more than capable and was often frustrated by the menial tasks – he did his time as a production assistant. And never in the two years...
Mardi Gras 2013: Let’s Get This Party Started
HAPPY MARDI GRAS!!! Okay… technically, it is the Friday before Mardi Gras, but the party is alive and well in New Orleans! It’s my favorite holiday. It’s superior to Halloween, and it’s a shame the rest of the country is in the dark about what a festive time they’re missing. Free stuff, parades, costumes, masks, music, having a drink at 9am… what’s not to love?! If the rest of the country knew what a wonderful week of celebration this was, they’d be planning their parade routes for next Carnival season. I’m heading back to New Orleans today with good friends to enjoy the festivities over the next four days, and I can’t wait! I didn’t get to go last year, and there’s nothing like the thrill of the first parade and that first catch of beads. To celebrate, here are photos from previous Mardi Gras celebrations in 2009 and 2011. 2009: Laryssa’s First Mardi Gras 2011: Bringing the Friends In putting this post together, I realize these photos are on the tame side – something I vow to fix on my trip to Mardi Gras this year. Laissez les bon temps rouler!...
Sunshine from Around the World (in photos)
“Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories…” -An Affair to Remember It’s been pretty bleak in Nashville, and around this time of year, a walk through my neighborhood isn’t very appealing: gray skies, bare trees, brown grass, and a chilling wind. Instead, I’m staying curled up in my blanket with a cup of coffee, looking up flight prices to the Yucatan Peninsula. I’m ready for springtime and some sun! But, alas, since it’s only just February, and to keep myself from getting even more sad that the prospect of spring is still many weeks away, I’m turning to memories of balmier days. (As I went through my pictures, I realized how lucky I’ve been to have a little good weather and blue skies.) Sydney, Australia Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Athens, Greece Colonia del Sacremento, Uruguay Tauranga, New Zealand Tigre, Argentina Como, Italy Coolangatta, Australia Do you feel the...
5 Things to Do In Memphis (If You’re Not an Elvis Fan)
Memphis never has been a city that intrigued me. For some reason, I held this begrudging view that Elvis was the best thing that happened to an otherwise terrible place. You see, we Nashvillians and Memphis(ites?) have a pretty good Tennessee city rivalry going. Nashville has superior neighborhoods, shopping, food, professional sports, and obviously better music (this is Music City after all), so what’s the point in wasting gas to visit an inferior, crime-ridden place like Memphis? Kidding, obviously. Despite my passionate disinterest, when Gunner’s massive Southeast US road trip took him through Memphis for a weekend, I couldn’t balk at the opportunity to see him and explore a new city, even if it was Memphis. After eating the food, walking the streets, and hearing the music, my perspective began to change. This list is responsible for the small part of my heart that was captured by a nearby place that took me several years to visit. It’s what changed my mind about Memphis – and it had nothing to do with Elvis. The Barbecue Nachos at Central BBQ. It sounds a little strange – my expectations were low – but the barbecue nachos were so decadent and tasty! Barbecue steeped in a mild sweet barbecue sauce, topped with cheese and jalapenos…it’s the first time since New Orleans that I’ve had a real food epiphany. What do I mean by that? I mean I will definitely return to Memphis – if only for the barbecue nachos. Visit the Lorraine Motel. Just across the street from Central BBQ’s downtown location is the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968. The museum was under renovation when we were there, but even still, seeing that motel balcony in person was just as moving. It’s hard to believe the racist society MLK fought against was within my parents’ lifetime, and even more unfathomable is that the assassination happened less than 20 years before I was born. If you’re in Memphis, it’s definitely worth a stop to pay respects to one of the greatest American spirits to have lived in modern history. Within the Lorraine Motel is the National Civil Rights Museum, which does charge an admission fee. ($10 for adults, $9 for students.) Explore Mud Island. I raised my eyebrow when Gunner suggested we go to Mud Island, a neighborhood just outside of Memphis. It is an island situated right on (in?) the Mississippi River, and contrary to what its name suggests and my initial mental image, it’s not a gross or dirty place at all – it’s actually quite pleasant! There’s a nice waterfront park, perfect for a quiet afternoon spent reading,...
How I Got Started in Production
As I said in my previous post about not having all the answers, networking wasn’t my strong suit. The hardest part about getting into the film industry – especially a smaller, concentrated one like Nashville – was making the initial contacts. I knew I didn’t have any experience. How do you convince someone to hire you over someone else when you don’t know anything about the industry you’re trying to get into? I didn’t know anything about film. Or cameras. Or lighting. All I knew was I wanted to be on a set and see whatever I did on TV. Internships, yay! In the summer before my senior year of college, I landed an internship with a chill music video production company. Unlike my music business internships, I was thrilled! My first day on the job broke down like this: Started at the office at 10am. Ran errands (which consisted of picking up police lights). The music video* shoot began that afternoon at 3:30pm and lasted until 4am the next morning. During that time, I babysat extras (who can get into trouble if left unsupervised, I quickly learned), helped with set dec (which consisted of removing dozens of old, dusty fourth of July decorations from bannisters in the background), and made two separate runs to Wal-Mart at 2am for zip ties to re-tie the dirty decorations. It was crappy work, but I didn’t notice – I immediately fell in love with the energy, and how thirty normal people can create something seen by thousands. I didn’t get home until 6:30am and then had to turn around and go to an 8am class. I’d worked a 20 hour day, didn’t make any money, but it didn’t matter. I knew I’d found what I wanted to do. Want to get into the film industry? Work for free. You don’t have to commit to a semester-long internship in order to get your foot in the door, although it was helpful for me since I didn’t know anything about the way a set flows, and it allowed me to see a little bit of how the office worked in preparation for the shoots. Interning on independent movies can be a good way to get your foot in the door. Call the film commission in your state, ask them what’s going on. You probably won’t get on Tom Hanks latest feature (or maybe you will!), but you might be able to get a few days on an indie movie. It’ll introduce you to people who normally work in the biz, and they may be able to help you secure future gigs. Film School Disclaimer: Having never...
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I'm Laryssa, and when I'm not working in film or television, I'm attempting to travel -- or I'm here, providing resources for working in film or travel. Read more Elsewhere on the internets
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