BBQ, Beer and (hopefully) Sunshine!

It's great that so many countries were founded and liberated in the middle of summer. It certainly makes a perfect day for all of us celebrating citizens. And while I haven't quite figured out what it means to be American or how I should proudly acknowledge my second residency, our 2015 July 4th was cliche and perfect at the same time. We certainly lived the american dream with lunch at a billionaires ranch where we did indeed listen to classic rock, ate smoked and barbecued meats, drank local Californian wine then sat on hay bales and watched kids boat in a lake while the late afternoon summer sun toasted my nose. Yay, America! 

'Get up and get outside!'

That's what my alarm reads when it goes off at 7.30am every morning.

Many months ago I set it up to inspire me to get up and go for a run before work. Inevitably, I've never been for that run as the snooze button wins every time.

Mornings are hard and from the time I get up to the time the bus leaves I have about 48 minutes. Most mornings as I'm speed walking down the sidewalk I have a moment of panic and have to check to see if I put mascara on.

Get your shit together!

It’s been a reeeeally long time between posts with no other excuse other than I’ve been busy settling into yet another new city but this one just happens to be my ‘I’m going to live here one day’ dream city of San Francisco. And yes, I’ll brag about the perfect weather and the fact I can wear boots and a leather jacket every day and that I have Pacific Ocean views from my apartment and that I’m spoiled with the thousands of dining and outdoor activity options to choose from and that I work with an amazing team of people and am excited to go to work every day... but that's just an excuse and today was the day I chose to get my blogging shit together and write something.

And I write because it's one of my creative outlets that I sometimes neglect and when I don't write I get sad and angry that I'm not writing anything. I'm also writing because its a long time dream of mine to work in editing and publishing and I'm not going to get very far if I have nothing to show which leads me to the topic of my rant today.

Everybody has a job, hobby, project that they daydream about working on and it possibly becoming successful. You see it all the time, especially these days with people coming up with apps and business ideas that are so simple and smart and loaded with cash that you think, 'I could come up with something like that!'. So why don't we? Because we're lazy and lack the driving passion required to see an idea through to the end.

I can't be a writer if I don't write and I have to make the time for it. The excuse that I'm tired or doing laundry isn't good enough. And you see it every day at work or in your circle of friends, the people that say they want to do something and go for it and the big talkers that do nothing. 

Kick-starting an idea into motion is a risk. But one that for the most part, is probably worth it. Thinking positive and taking a risk is what pushes you through life and makes you successful. I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't put all negative thoughts aside and taken a leap of faith but I'm still not satisfied and I don't want to just become comfortable. I strive to push myself and I treat myself to the pleasure of writing in the hopes that it might lead to an opportunity down the road.

You can't be a songwriter if you don't feel emotions and write down your thoughts. You cant be an actor if you don't get on a stage. You cant be a painter if you don't pick up a paintbrush and try something that at first might just look like an oil-spill in the Pacific.

I'm fortunate enough to have a very supportive and driven husband who inspires me to indulge in my dreams and goals and a great family who celebrates our creativity and successes. 

So the message to this post is to stop whining, get a notebook for your back pocket and write down any idea; big or small and see where it might lead. Indulge in your hobbies because you could probably turn it into a successful idea if you get your shit together.

Singapore just named Lonely Planets #1 Travel Destination for 2015!

Pretty exciting stuff when the city you live in is awarded the very prestigious title of  #1 Travel Destination for 2015 by Lonely Planet. Also exciting because it means I get a visit from my cousin who is their Marketing Director for Asia Pacific, (shameless family plug). Check out the article and the video here. Channel News Asia - Singapore #1 Destination

Here's my top 5 reasons why you should visit Singapore!

Enrichment - Travel broadens the mind and inspires the soul and one thing traveling to Singapore will do is open your mind to a different way of living and a different set of values.

(google image)

Food - So many tasty delights. Chilli crab, pepper crab, Kaya toast, best raman I've ever had, fresh sugar cane juice, Chinese sweet buns. The list goes on, you may need a size up in jeans once you're through.

 Chilli crab, want to eat this now!

Island hopping - Singapore is central and so close to a lot of other destinations. Thailand, Bali, Borneo, the Philippines are only a few hours away and return flights are a few hundred dollars on a good day.

 We went to India in June, amazing!

Soak up the sun - Singapore is on the equator so it's true when people say it's hot all the time. The warmth of the sun is a glorious feeling and hanging by the pool when you know your friends and family are shoveling snow is a deviously fun feeling. 

 Tanjong Beach Club, Sentosa (google image)

Evolving industry - Singapore's professional industry is quickly growing with lots of new and existing businesses setting up shop here. This means there's a lot of opportunity to travel to Singapore for work which is great because you are going to need some cash for all the eating and jet-setting you're going to want to do. In fact, you should check out ILM's job opportunities right now, Lucasfilm Singapore Job Page

City lights (google image)

And here's a Lonely Planet link to the Best in Travel, Singapore write up. Plus details on the Best in Travel 2015 book.  Best in Travel, Singapore

5 things you learn when you travel the world for work...

It is so fun to be able to travel the world and be employed in an industry I love working in. I'd always dreamed of being able to do this but when I was living in a small town in Australia with a part time recruiting job it seemed like just a dream. And while it is a beautiful privilege to be earning money in exotic places working for 'best in the industry' companies who value your skills, you can't help but miss the comforts and stabilities of 'home' but I wouldn't change anything I've done or anywhere I've been and I always look forward to the next adventure.

(pinterest)

Only from the experience of living and working in a mix of cities and cultures could I have ever learnt the following...

Appreciation - for trivial things like casual diners that serve all day $8 breakfasts to more meaningful things like having a beer with my Dad in the backyard. I miss these activities and when I'm in the situation, I make the most of it and never take such moments for granted.

Prioritization - living the nomad life really does help you focus on what you want out of life and what is most important to you. It helps you set long term goals and not just live Friday night to Friday night. 

Materialism Monster - bouncing from city to city means you can only take with you what will fit in your suitcase. Gone are the days of floundering my money on impulse buys and feeling the need to spend money just because it's there. I've learnt to save money and splurge on worthwhile items that have value, purpose and can be a staple in my wardrobe :). 

Culture is key - growing up in Australia and not having traveled outside of its walls, I didn't understand what people meant about 'Australian culture', I thought 'that's just how it is'. Then on the cusp of moving to North America, I thought the people, food, fashion and language would just be the same. Wrongo! It is so fun learn about culture, language and food in other countries, the smallest variation of these basic things that can make a whole city unique. 

Listen and Share - I'm so blessed to have met and worked with some amazing people along my path thus far. Every person has a different story to tell and experience to share and you can't help but learn something from that. In the workplace especially I've learnt about work culture, development, communication and motivation by just listening to people speak and watching how they work. Lessons that you can't buy and that are inspiring and motivating.

(pinterest)

(pinterest)

TGIF Tips - what would Phil do...

The job application process can be tough. You're trying to write the perfect cover email, make sure your grammar is perfect and make sure your reel is dynamite.

You may feel discouraged when you don't hear anything back. You're not alone, Phil knows your pain and he's telling you to not give up!

Is anybody listening.. Oh ohhh... there's no reply at all.....

Interpretive VFX Recruiting Timeline

I’d like to present my very interpretive timeline for the visual effects recruiting process. This is a basic example and may differ between studios.

 

As somewhat of a disclaimer, the role of the Recruiter is to bridge the gap between yourself and Production. They are the middle man that is trying to match Productions needs with you, the right candidate. 

Timeline goes a little something like this:

• You apply for a specific job via email or studio website.

• Recruiters shortlist the candidates, adding them to an internal database.

• If the Recruiter feels you fit the role requirements they will reach out to discuss availability, rates etc

• If you fit the timing, budget and role specifics, Recruiters then send your reel to department Leads for feedback.

• Once Recruiters have positive feedback from the Leads they will reach out to set up an interview.

• After the interview the Recruiter gathers feedback from yourself and the Leads who interviewed you. 

• If you’re successful and receive an offer from the Recruiter then there may be things to negotiate such as salary, start dates, relocations etc.

• Once you’ve accepted the offer you need to sign a contract and submit a visa application, if necessary.

(sidenote) Every one of these steps takes time, scheduling and planning which is why the process is sometimes lengthy and why calls and interviews are sometimes delayed or rescheduled.

 (google image)