First Act Break
Insights on finding success in the film industry — by young filmmakers, for young filmmakers. Hosted by USC film directors Jiayang Liu and Richard Li.
First Act Break
Producing and Working at Disney and Jubilee | Cece Mou
Welcome to episode 11 of The First Act Break podcast, the show where we dive into the art, business, and hustle of breaking into the film industry, and help you build a career doing what you love.
Today, we bring on Cece Mou a USC film producer who worked at Disney and camera operates for Jubilee. We talk about the how to step foot into the industry, her experience working on set and for Zach King, and philosophies about producing and filmmaking.
and she was a EVP of production at Warner Brothers. And then they ultimately placed me as a production management internship at Disney. At Disney, because it is such a large corporation, everything is very specialized is what I saw. At Disney, everyone has one single hat and they do that job very efficiently. When I'm networking with somebody, I just wanna see how I can fit into their life and how I can potentially serve them.
Speaker 01:How is working for Jubilee? What is that like and how did you get that
Speaker 02:job? I literally met the DP at a birthday party And he hired me on the spot. Whose
Speaker 01:birthday party was it?
Speaker 02:It was one of the directors for Jubilee. And I met her at another, like, birthday party event. They do games. Like, they do, like, the odd one out. Oh, that's right. I've done, like, the dating shows. Like, that is so fun. That's, like, one of my favorite things to shoot because it's just, like, people having fun. And, like, it's just watching, like, a video in real life. And, like, you kind of know, like, who's going to win and, like,
Speaker 01:who's who. Cece, welcome to the podcast.
Speaker 02:Thank you guys for having me. Oh my goodness.
Speaker 01:How would you describe yourself?
Speaker 02:Well, you guys know me. I'm Cece. I'm currently a third year at USC studying film and television production. And like, I think from a very young age, I was always very much involved in the arts. I did like dance, I did art and everything. And I did music. I was very involved in anything and everything to do with art. But I think at the center of it all was like film and video production. And And since then, at school, I've developed a really strong foundation in producing, production management, and both, I would say, on set, on the ground, and also in a more corporate studio environment. So yeah, that's kind of where I am today, and I love to produce, write, and direct, and just be helpful to people and uplift creatives.
Speaker 01:Awesome. Well, we're so excited to talk about you and your art and stuff. So, you know, in film school, I feel like there's two types of people. One type is people who aren't really sure what they want to do with their film and people who are just kind of trying to see what the film school brings them. And then there's other people who know exactly what they want out of film school and is kind of like a go-getter. And I feel like seeing a lot of the people I've met at film... uh, USC film school, you're one of the people who, I don't know, have very strong goals. And like, I feel like even since freshman year, you were on site, like, you know, you were on three tents crewing, um, you were interning in the summer and you were just like making a lot of connections, you know? And one of them was when you started working at like Disney and stuff. And I want to hear more about how you got that and how that experience was.
Speaker 02:Yeah. So, um, specifically talking about um disney and like kind of my experience at film school um i think like i won't say i had a very unique approach to film school but like it was kind of a thing where i knew like it is something that you get what you put in is what you get out of it
Speaker 03:um
Speaker 02:i came i'm from orange county and like i'm sure you guys have talked to a lot of people from orange county and you guys probably know that there's like randomly a very Specific niche of like very talented filmmakers that come from their business one program So I had already had a quite a bit of like filmmaking experience when I got to film school That being said I knew that the real value of USC came from the people and like the connections that it could offer me basically looking at an industry week event there was like a speaker Tamara Glover Park and she was a EVP of production at Warner Brothers and I reached out to her after, and we just hopped on a call, and she was the one that recommended me the Television Academy internship. Took that information, applied to the internship, mentioned that she was the one that referred me and went through that whole process. If you don't know the Television Academy internship, it's kind of like a long process. I remember I took eight hours to film my five-minute interview video. I really tried hard. So yeah, and then they ultimately placed me as a production management internship at Disney. And that's kind of a little bit about how I... got there in the first place, but my experience there, I learned a ton. Everyone was very welcoming. I have nothing but good things to say about that program.
Speaker 00:What would you say is the biggest difference between working at a space like Disney or Television Academy versus like student sets what would you say is the biggest other than like just pure scale because obviously
Speaker 02:yeah yeah I think like at Disney because it is such a large a large corporation everything is very specialized is what I saw like you would I think like on a student set or like at a smaller production company people wear a lot of different hats but at Disney everyone has one single hat and they do that job very efficiently and that's the biggest thing I noticed I will also say like I had a really interesting experience because when I was at Disney, it was actually during the writer's strikes. So nothing was really being made in full swing. And so I think it was a great time because everyone was down to chat because they had nothing to do. And I just really talked to everybody there and everyone was really nice. And I think I just really got to see what how that kind of process, the scheduling, like post-production management, asset management, how that looks on a larger scale.
Speaker 01:What was your role on this internship?
Speaker 02:So my exact, my official title was like production management internship, but the specific department that I was in was kind of like production and post and acquisitions. It was kind of like my direct supervisor was kind of like the head of a lot of different teams. So I'm really grateful for that because I was able to like shadow and like get an idea of everything. And like also like I, like I was able to like get an idea of everything. Yeah, that was my exact title. Yeah.
Speaker 01:What did you do in that
Speaker 02:role? So like I mentioned, it was like during the writer's strike. So often I actually would just like network and talk to a lot of people, honestly, because they were very open to anyways. And people would stop by my cubicle and just chat with me a lot. But I think the biggest project that they assigned me, it's something I was doing like on the regular, was like editing like disney's production handbooks basically like every time they have a show they have like this set of protocols it's like this document that's like like like 50 60 pages long and um kind of details like who a lot of lists of contacts like who to reach out to how to book a soundstage like very similar to like what i think like you like 310 might teach us you know but like on a larger scale so going through that they had me basically update everything so i was talking i would set up meetings with like legal team to make sure this was up to date um and like just kind of like and i'll just kind of like go through very step by step about how a new show might be set up um aside from that like a lot of like inventory and tracking schedules a lot of shadowing sitting in on meetings um and yeah
Speaker 03:That's
Speaker 02:sick. It was kind of a little bit ago. Like, it was maybe a year ago today. So, like, it is a little bit further back.
Speaker 01:It looks sick from your Instagram posts and stuff. Thank you. It looks like a cool internship. So, I mean, you talked about networking at your internship. Like, what's your approach to networking in general and, like, or even, like, at film school?
Speaker 02:Yeah. I think, like, I think networking... I just like to make friends, honestly, and I don't look at it as something like, what can I get out of this person? And I think one of the reasons why I do like producing is helping other people. So when I'm networking with somebody, I just want to see how I can fit into their life and how I can potentially serve them. So I know it sounds corny, but I don't know. I just feel slimy approaching it any other way.
Speaker 01:No, that's a good answer. That's how you're supposed to, really. Yeah. i
Speaker 00:feel like the feeling you get yeah the feeling you get of like from being able to help someone yeah what they want to do
Speaker 02:definitely
Speaker 00:it's such a great feeling
Speaker 02:yeah
Speaker 01:and now you have a job that is very different than networking and producing which is camera operator for jubilee yeah how is working for jubilee like what is that like and how did you get that job
Speaker 02:um guys i wish i could tell you a funny story but bad but i literally met the DP at a birthday party like the main guy who managed all the camera ops at a birthday party and he hired me on the spot so
Speaker 01:whose birthday party
Speaker 02:was it? it was one of the directors for Jubilee and I met her at another like birthday party event so like I don't know whose
Speaker 03:birthday
Speaker 02:was that? like I don't know it was like that's how I got it he was like oh I'm looking for people are you down? and he was like you look like high end from New Jeans and I was like okay
Speaker 00:like who?
Speaker 02:like this girl from New Jeans I
Speaker 00:don't see it was New Jeans was New Jeans
Speaker 02:I think it's like, it's like a K-pop group.
Speaker 00:Oh, okay. Do you know
Speaker 02:what I'm talking about? Maybe I'm getting it wrong. I don't know. But like, he was just like, yeah, like, are you free this weekend? And I was like, wait, yeah. Wow, that's cool. So that's, but also like, to provide context, like I already knew a few, I was friends with a few of the other camera ops too. Oh, wow. So like, they were, they're like, oh, I'll introduce you to Pat. And that's his name. And yeah, he was great. hi if you're watching this hi but like that's essentially how I got on and um it's really cool like being a camera operator for them because they do they're so they they they have such like huge production and very high impact but they do so very efficiently and with a very small team I don't think I've ever seen more than eight people on set for any of their videos and that's including myself
Speaker 01:wow so that's sick
Speaker 02:yeah it's like it's very like um And I won't even say... It's very amazing to see what they can do with such... a small team everyone there is like very very talented very creative and very hardworking so i just feel like i'm very lucky to be a part of that and to be surrounded by like that group of people
Speaker 00:yeah do you see yourself more as like a hands-on person or like camera op or more like a producorial managing i
Speaker 02:will say like um i i do like both and i'm and i'm trying to find like a balance between the two because as much as i do like producing and kind of like doing that behind scenes work like I love to be on set like I was on set quite a lot and I still am on set quite a lot and I really love it so I don't know that's just something I'm gonna have to keep like figuring out as time goes on
Speaker 01:what's your favorite part about being on set
Speaker 02:I think the people um
Speaker 01:I
Speaker 02:love meeting people I love helping people and like I've always said like if I'm not producing directing or like ADing I guess um my favorite role is to be a PA because you can just help so many people. And I don't know, I have a lot of fun doing that.
Speaker 01:And I think, you know, it's because of that, like love for helping people that, you know, makes you so popular too. I feel like that's why the living room was full when I went to your birthday party. Back to Jubilee, because I feel like every time I see you, that's what I talk about because really that's so sick. Like, I don't know. I haven't met anyone who, you know, shot Ben Shapiro or the camera, sorry. That
Speaker 02:was funny,
Speaker 01:yeah. But what is like something that you guys see that the viewers usually don't see?
Speaker 02:I will say that like, What you see that is recorded is very... What I see as a camera op is very similar to what people might see on YouTube. It's not cut that much. I think they do a great job of trying to create an unbiased, straightforward... platform for people to say and like to share their opinions and stuff and that's like their whole goal is like to offer spaces where people can interact and share their different diverse perspectives and I think um I think people think it's a lot more edited and dramatized than it is, but usually it's very honest, and I appreciate that.
Speaker 00:What would you say is the most fun part of being in that world?
Speaker 02:I don't know, because they do games. They do the odd one out. Oh, that's right. I've done the dating shows. That is so fun. That's one of my favorite things to shoot because... it's just like people having fun and like it's just watching like a video in real life and like you kind of know like who's gonna win and like who's who so like I think I that's my favorite part and also meeting people there like so often like the cast will like have little conversations but they're just curious about like what we do and I'm always open to answer questions and like point them to the right person and yeah everyone is very nice and everyone's very talented so yeah I love the people meeting them
Speaker 01:yeah That's sick. I would love to crash another birthday party. Yeah. Outside of Jubilee and working at Disney, you also do a lot of freelance producing gigs for different production companies. Talk about how that...
Speaker 02:I guess the one I'm working on right now, I'll talk about, is I just finished holding rehearsals for it, is Awake. It's a short film directed by Angela Kim, and she's just finishing out her senior year at UCLA's film school. Um, we're like about to shoot this month with, um, Elliot and he's a grad from AFI. So it's going to be, it's like kind of like a crazy collab of like all of our schools. So I'm very excited for that. Um, and like, I, I, I think I'm really drawn to producing. Cause like I said, like it really is fulfilling for me to uplift creatives. And especially when like, I believe that they're going to do a great job. And like, I believe that the story matters to them. Um, like I, I, just want you be able to like hand them the resources and be like okay go make it and um how I kind of got connected with that project is I went to it also is just like I went to high school with Angela and she went to UCLA I went to USC she's a year older than me and she just reached back out she said like hey like I seen your work and I like I think we would be like great to work with each other because we've known each other since high school so that's kind of how that started and most of like the producing stuff I do comes from a very similar spot where people just like they need someone and I'm open and available and I say yes so like yeah I will say like there's never been an application process or like a resume or an interview thing like for like these side projects so yeah
Speaker 01:yeah I mean but You know, your time is limited. How do you, like, pick the best project, do you think? You know, what makes you choose one project over another project if you had to?
Speaker 02:A big factor is, like, the team. Do I think the director is, like, committed and, like, will be able to pull something like this off? And, like, do they love it? Like, are they just, you know what I'm saying? Like,
Speaker 03:it
Speaker 02:should come from a place of, like, passion, especially at the student level. Like, you know what I mean? And then B, like, the content itself. Like, do I resonate with it? Do I, like, like it?
Speaker 03:Yeah.
Speaker 02:And also, do I have time for it? So that's another consideration to say because I think I've learned, like... one of the biggest things I've learned is to set boundaries with what I take on. Um, because I've been in situations where I've taken on too much and that's like, it's a, it's the worst feeling ever to disappoint someone when you are not able to like handle, right. And give a hundred percent.
Speaker 00:What are some overworking through these different projects? What would you say is like the number one or number two quality that a good director has that really makes you feel like they're getting the work done
Speaker 02:um i think like the first thing that comes to mind is just like passion for the project um i think like if the director does not like the project like what is like the whole point you know i mean not not to be like not to say that there's not projects where like that it shouldn't be made because the director's not into it but i think like the director is meant to be like setting the tone, setting their vision. And so it's always the best feeling when You can tell the director really is putting a lot of effort into it. They may not have to love it. They may not have to love the content material, but I think as long as they show up and put in the effort, I think that's the most important thing to me.
Speaker 00:That's awesome.
Speaker 01:And you've been on a lot of sets, and you've worked with a lot of people, and some people include Zach King. Love to hear what that was like.
Speaker 02:Yeah. So like I said, a lot of the freelance stuff I do truly is just through people I know and stuff. So that was... How I got connected to them was... I'm trying to remember because it's been a long time. Oh, I was following this person and she's from Orange County as well. And she was like, she posted on her story, I need someone to do wardrobe. And I think I was like in high school or something. And I was like, wait, I can do it. And I'd never done wardrobe before in my life. And she was like, she DM'd me back. She was like, can I FaceTime you? And I was like, oh my God. Okay. So like... I mean, and then she like just gave me a rundown and I was just like, yeah, yeah, yeah. Like I can do it. I can do it. And I had no idea what I was doing. I'd never done wardrobe or been on like a professional set at that point. Yeah. So like. But I just tried my best. I remember I took my dance competition duffel bag, which had a little wardrobe rack, and I brought it to the set. And I brought my own clothes. I went shopping. I just did my best, I think. And I really took it seriously. And that just... put me in a position where they kept calling me back and she introduced me to other people at the team and they keep calling me back so I won't say like I am a I'm definitely like a freelancer. If they need someone, they'll call me. But like, I think I've developed a pretty good relationship with that team. And like, um, and I, and I always try to do my best every time I work with them. So yeah. And they're great. Like they're, they're so amazing too. Like they very much inspire me.
Speaker 01:And how is Zach? Like, what is he like?
Speaker 02:Oh, he's so kind. He is so kind. I think, um, he's such a great leader he really cares about everything that he does and you can really tell like despite having such a huge following on across all his social media platforms like it is he cares about what he's making at the end of the day even if you know he doesn't he already has such a huge platform like he really puts a lot of effort into everything
Speaker 01:that's great and Now, kind of pivoting to some of your own work, right? You made this film called Margot last year, probably around this time. No, you did it in the summer, actually. But last year around this time, you started doing pre-production for a film called Margot. And you guys went, like, all out with, like, the fundraising and everything. Yes. And I want to hear, like, how did you guys raise all that capital for your project?
Speaker 02:Well, I'm sure you can talk about your capital, too. Because we were at the same time, and we were going to do a collab. We were. Well, I'm sure, like, you know, like, kind of what it was like then. Just, like, a ton of work. I think, like, I honestly, like, I never thought I would be able to raise, like, 10 13k by myself but like you kind of just put you have to put yourself in that situation and just put yourself out there and like see what you're capable of i think like i i don't know like when i when i launched the the kickstarter i wasn't like yeah i'm gonna make it like i didn't have a plan i was just like i guess i have to make it now like you know what i mean like
Speaker 03:i
Speaker 02:set a deadline and everybody i posted on my instagram and everybody's gonna know if i failed so like i kind of i feel like just putting yourself out there and like releasing your work or sharing what you're doing was a way for me to hold myself accountable.
Speaker 01:Right. Yeah. What was something you learned from, you know, afterwards looking back?
Speaker 02:My entrepreneurship professor said this once and he was like, your network is your net worth. So I think just like being mindful and like mindful of the people that you know and like not being afraid to call on your community for help I think is one thing I learned because they definitely, everyone definitely showed up for me in ways that I'd never anticipated. So, yeah
Speaker 00:what was it like uh working as a director now that you have producers on the project because the roles are kind of flipped because you usually produce and now you're the one who's setting the vision writing the story and you have this incredible team who's lifting you up what was that like um
Speaker 02:yeah i i will say like i think one thing i appreciate about producing is that it is so actionable um like if you get a project like you can just set it up like immediately start going you know but i think as a director one thing i struggled with was kind of like okay i don't have to do anything right now like i don't have to not do anything but it's like i don't have to like call people right now or like i don't have to like i just need to focus on myself and i think that's one thing i struggled with because um i appreciate like impact and i find a lot of solace and structure and and and like just taking action and having the work be tangible. So that's one thing I think I struggled with a little bit. And something I learned is just to be able to trust your producers and let them know that they are competent and gonna work very hard, which also, shout out C, did a wonderful job. she's so talented and Sona and Michaela and Kyler and my whole team like they really pulled through for me and I think the biggest thing I learned is just like you can trust other people to do that and they will show up for you
Speaker 01:yeah that's great and also talking about other projects you've done you recently well not that recent anymore but directed the nomination video
Speaker 02:oh
Speaker 01:yes for the film festival
Speaker 02:I wonder what Ryan said about it what did he say about it
Speaker 01:well he said you know he liked the process of working with such a big team and it kind of prove that he can do bigger projects but I mean you guys had vastly different projects so we'd love to hear your thoughts on the pirate movie
Speaker 02:oh yeah the pirate movie yeah I mean I think like with every project it was a huge learning experience because I'm sure like as Ryan said it's that that team is just huge and like it has a lot of resources and a lot of like a lot of I'm incredibly grateful to Phil Med and everyone over there for just trusting alex and i with that whole team and i think it was also a unique experience too because i was able to co-direct and um i never really done that before and i'm sure i don't think alex has really done that before either but it honestly ended up working out very efficiently because both of us were on the same page and like when things got like because as a director you're always just fielding questions from every department and when things got kind of like a lot from one person, we could easily just split off and be like, okay, you do this, I do this, and delegate. And that was very, very, like, rewarding. But, again, it is a huge project. I learned a ton from that, and, like, it was, like, probably, like, one of the most, like, sleepless, like, stressful days that I've yet to experience. It was on, like, this boat in San Diego. We had an Airbnb. The it was so fun it was so fun it was so intense but like i loved every moment of it yeah so yeah
Speaker 01:i mean i saw like a like a few stills from it and it looked incredible oh yes jake
Speaker 02:jake shot it and yeah um jake is so kind and a great dp he was chapman so san jaco dp on instagram
Speaker 01:yeah i'm gonna plug everybody here he's alex's go-to right yeah so i'd love to meet him one day too. Yes. Well, you know, I have met him because he was first AC on Hermit Crab, right? Yes,
Speaker 02:yes, yes,
Speaker 01:yes. Oh, really? He's very kind. He was.
Speaker 02:Shout out everybody. Shout out Daisy who did PD for that. That's right, yeah. Juto on Instagram. Yeah. Shout out everybody. Shout out.
Speaker 00:That's it. Yeah, small world. I mean, yeah, Juto was just on the show
Speaker 02:last
Speaker 00:week. Last week?
Speaker 01:No, her episode was so fun. Like, she's great. Oh, she's great. And, well, you know, it's on Alex's website, so I'm going to watch that nomination video. Oh, man, it's
Speaker 02:40 minutes long. I don't know if you
Speaker 01:want to do that. 40 minutes? Yes. Which is crazy. Like, how many days did it take you to shoot that?
Speaker 02:Three, I think. But it did, like, we ended up, like... we ended up splitting into two units which is why I mentioned the co-directing thing because it was like it was just like okay like we're running out of time that's what we need to do Alex this I do this and it was just like so easy and I have like nothing but good things to say about Alex too so yeah I'm very grateful to have him as my co-director
Speaker 01:yeah shout out Alex at Alex Glow what's your favorite crafty
Speaker 02:applesauce
Speaker 01:Really? That's crazy. Because I said the same thing for Darren's set. He was like, what do you want for crafty? And I said, applesauce. Unfortunately, bro got the cup ones. And they didn't have spoons on set.
Speaker 02:Bro, that's OD. That's, like, stupid, bro.
Speaker 01:I'm sorry. I was, like, trying to lick that.
Speaker 02:Oh, my God. No, applesauce is the best. I think it's, like, you can just squeeze it and it's yummy. And it doesn't make you feel, like, terrible.
Speaker 00:Yeah, I agree. What's your view on, like, fruit snacks?
Speaker 02:They're fine. Welch's, it's Welch's. I don't like Mott's.
Speaker 01:I don't like Mott's either. I
Speaker 02:think Welch's
Speaker 01:is, like,
Speaker 02:the way to go.
Speaker 01:Mott's always gets stuck in my teeth. I know. And I'm, like, licking on it for the next 30 minutes. I'm, like, who likes it?
Speaker 02:Like, literally, who likes Mott's?
Speaker 01:You know what? Someone does. Because I had a conversation, and they were, like, I love Mott's. I'm okay with both. Who is it, though? I don't know.
Speaker 00:What about, uh, what about Wang Wang Xue Bing or Wang Wang Xian Bei? Do you not know what that is? No way. What is that? It's, like, the Chinese snack, the rice cake that's circular, or, like...
Speaker 01:it's like a rice crispy
Speaker 00:rice crispy cracker no way wait I think you
Speaker 02:should show me a photo I know what it is but I don't know it's
Speaker 00:like yellow there's like yellow version that's long and then there's like a white version that's a circular you just bite on it
Speaker 02:you need to send me a photo oh oh it's like a cracker
Speaker 00:yeah yeah yeah
Speaker 02:rice cracker yeah yeah yeah
Speaker 00:yeah
Speaker 02:i know i know the one that's like circuit like an oval
Speaker 00:yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah i don't know
Speaker 02:what they're called though
Speaker 00:i think right oh my god i
Speaker 02:don't
Speaker 00:remember i
Speaker 02:look you just call them like rice crackers
Speaker 01:yeah no they are they're so good yeah wait so seriously how often do you go on set usually um
Speaker 02:Probably as often as, like, you do. Like, I mean, we had 310, bro. And then, like, 480,
Speaker 01:and, like... But, because you were... I just asked this because you were talking about how you really like being on set.
Speaker 02:Oh. Well, it depends on the time. Like, nowadays, like, sometimes I have... Like, no set November. Like, that was... Because I just need to, like, chill. Like,
Speaker 01:I need to, like, have a weekend and, like, go home. Totally. You were on set in November, though.
Speaker 02:I was. I know. I didn't really keep with it. But, like, I guess, like, if you were to say, like, freshman year, like, I was doing a lot of 310s. So maybe, like, every weekend. And obviously, 310 and 480 just happened. So that was, like, another... every weekend situation but I don't know like if I had to put it maybe like an average month and there's like four weekends in a month I would say maybe two
Speaker 01:and you were AP on just friends or frogs
Speaker 02:frogs
Speaker 01:how is APing that
Speaker 02:oh so great the team is very lovely and like everyone
Speaker 01:yeah
Speaker 02:I have nothing I have nothing good but good things to say about everybody I worked with so yeah
Speaker 01:that's respectable yeah
Speaker 02:yeah I mean and I'm not even saying that like like to be like not messy or whatever like No, everyone is great. I don't have any complaints.
Speaker 00:I think at some point, like, if you're on set a lot, like, you just understand what's needed to be done. And if that's the environment you're in, like, it's really easy to work with each other. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You kind of understand that there's going to be. You can anticipate. Yeah, like, anticipate problems that might arise. Yeah. And if they do arise, like, you just have to know that everyone's just putting their best foot forward to get it done. And, yeah, a lot of, like, positivity can come out of that. And that's kind of what you need on set. So, yeah.
Speaker 01:So we're almost going to be seniors. Well, Looking back, did you think the film school was worth it?
Speaker 02:Oh, interesting. I mean, I don't regret any of my experiences here. I had a great time. I will say it's worth it in my personal growth, but I won't say film school serves everybody. Yeah. I think it served me really well and the type of person I am and how I like to work, though.
Speaker 01:Yeah. What's your favorite part about the film school besides the people?
Speaker 02:Um... well it is the people though like i don't know if i like anything else about it like i think and also like the equipment and like the resources and like the faculty like um but it really was just about the people and like it just creating environment where it's so easy to be like hey can you be on set and like you know who to call on set because i can't imagine like not having that um like team of people like that are just willing to help you
Speaker 01:and so talking about that right as a producer you're constantly getting people to be on set or like coordinating building teams and stuff and obviously you need to know a lot of people but when you know all these people it's like a lot of times your mind can't remember everyone do you have like a system or like a strategy to you know organize these people um
Speaker 02:uh not really I feel like if I like someone I'll remember them or like I try to like if I won't say I try to like meet everybody and like say hi to everybody
Speaker 01:no database I mean but it also is like
Speaker 02:12 hours a day like that you're spending with you know what I mean it's like it's like and like also Instagram I guess it's like a big thing so I don't know I wouldn't say I have a database or anything like that
Speaker 01:cool no that's like who's your favorite like professors at USC you think
Speaker 02:um Albert Napoli um he teaches the entrepreneurship class actually
Speaker 01:oh you've been talking about that a lot yeah his
Speaker 02:one bro his one class like beat out a lot of SCA classes wow um what was the class it was it was fundamentals of entrepreneurship
Speaker 00:I've heard a lot of good things about that class yeah with
Speaker 02:Albert yeah Napoli specifically because he's an amazing teacher and like genuinely that life I mean that class like very much impacted my life in in in a lot of different ways I met a lot of people new people um that were kind of, like, like-minded because I do think, like, film and entertainment and art is very entrepreneurial.
Speaker 00:Oh,
Speaker 02:yeah. So, like, I really resonated with a lot of the topics they were talking about. Like, it's, like, it's as opposed to, like, how to make a film good. It's just, like, how to... I feel like that class really taught me about how to like start something, you know, and I think like screenwriting classes just kind of hone in the craft and entrepreneurship really teaches you how to even begin the craft and like get it
Speaker 00:up on its feet. Yeah. What are like the top three takeaways you would say?
Speaker 02:I think like, to be fair, that class is very much oriented towards business majors. So, but like a lot of things was like knowing like your audience, like finding a niche, like and delivering like, finding a problem and finding a way to solve that pain. And I think a lot of these concepts are just very transferable. So yeah, I found a lot of great insight in that. And also I just think seeing a class... approach like a topic like you know even though it was like i said it was a business class i just took a lot of what the lessons and went to film and i think like a business class just gives you a different perspective oh yeah than what se can offer
Speaker 00:yeah going off of that like film can be really overwhelming sometimes and that's that in certain times that's all you can think about so other than business like what are some ways you explore you as a creative or as a professional outside of the like SCA or filmmaking community
Speaker 02:well like I have to like remind everybody I like to remind everybody that we're still in LA and I think like there's a huge network of filmmakers out there that are not in film school that just packed up their stuff and moved here when they were 18 and like I have really really like loved just reaching out to those people and talking to them because I think like with film school like there's a structure and like they teach you how to do a certain way and like yes it's like it is like USC's way right but like I think just I find a lot of joy in meeting just talking with people that are not in USC because they just approach creativity and like filmmaking such a completely like different way than I'm used to so hearing that perspective is really like illuminating I think so yeah
Speaker 00:that's wonderful news we had a a friend of mine that I met freshman year who didn't go to film school and who's like a freelancer now and he definitely has some like really fresh and interesting yeah yeah yeah
Speaker 02:I love it so much
Speaker 00:yeah
Speaker 01:what made you like become such a person. Growing up, what was the influence for you?
Speaker 02:I don't know, guys. I don't even consider myself that much of a people person. I just enjoy what I enjoy. So I can't say there was something that made me learn to be this way. I think I just find happiness in that.
Speaker 01:Is there a reason why you like telling stories?
Speaker 02:I don't know. I think it's one of those things I've always done. You know what I mean? And I'm sure if I asked you guys, what would you like about film? There would be things I like about it, but I'm like, why? Then you'd... It's just kind of very natural and inherent.
Speaker 00:Is that from a young age?
Speaker 02:Yeah, I low-key would do this. I guess the start of it all was when my 6th grade teacher wrote a grant to start teaching videography. That's so nice. Yeah, we won the lottery randomly, and so they painted our classroom wall green, and that just kind of started when I was in 6th grade.
Speaker 01:6th grade?
Speaker 02:Yeah.
Speaker 01:this is a question from our class for 50 but is there a certain time frame that if you weren't able to achieve what you want to achieve that you would pivot as a career
Speaker 02:i don't know i don't think i have an answer for that because i don't think there should be like i don't know like i just i don't think it's right to set deadlines on accomplishments because i think accomplishments are and success for me at least is so much more based in how i feel as opposed to what i've actually done on a resume so if i'm at a place where i feel like i accomplished and i feel good about that no matter what it is um i don't think i don't know does that make sense i just don't think like putting a
Speaker 01:deadline for the rest of your life
Speaker 02:yeah like i think yeah exactly putting a deadline on accomplishments when i view success as such an intangible intangible concept
Speaker 00:that's a totally valid answer i feel like i struggle with that a lot personally or
Speaker 02:like
Speaker 00:what, like, what is the idea of, like, making it? What is the mark? Because, like, do I stop when I, you know, achieve? It's so hard to, like, totally quantify, you know?
Speaker 02:Yeah, I think for me, like, I think, like, it's hard. Everyone defines success in different ways, but for me, it's more of a feeling.
Speaker 01:What is that feeling? Is there a description? It's
Speaker 02:just when you feel happy and fulfilled. If I'm consistently feeling that way with my work and the people that I'm surrounding myself by and what I'm doing, then I think that's success for me. I don't really need anything else.
Speaker 00:What are some other mediums that you enjoy? Either it's reading or... painting, like some medium other than film. I
Speaker 02:love to dance. I mean, I grew up dancing, so. What kind of dance? I just think it's hella fun. Anything. Like, I don't know. Anything? I'll take my sister's, like, my sister is a really big dancer. She's, like, a competitive team at UCLA. Oh. So over the summer, we'll, like, take classes together. That's cool. So, yeah, it's just fun. Like, I, and I, like I said, I've done a lot of art, like, since I was little. So, still enjoy piano. Yeah. yeah i love i love listening to music a lot so
Speaker 01:music yeah that's a huge thing i remember that one time when you hijacked my tv during the party oh yeah i was so confused for 10 minutes and i'm so glad you did because i'm like i don't know what people listen to
Speaker 02:yes i like how you're matching is that purposeful oh
Speaker 00:no we are i
Speaker 01:actually didn't realize that we are in sync you
Speaker 02:know
Speaker 01:yeah cc something we do on this podcast is um the previous guest would leave the current guest a question
Speaker 02:oh very interesting okay go on
Speaker 01:and previous guest asked what is your current iphone wallpaper
Speaker 02:oh i'm dead okay okay well okay i'm on dnd so let me turn it off it's like it's it's an apple juice
Speaker 01:oh why i love
Speaker 02:apple juice doesn't this look like liquid gold it's so good like i took this photo i was like this is like the most beautiful like crisp delicious looking drink ever yeah like don't you want to just drink it what's
Speaker 01:in your what's on the inside oh
Speaker 02:it's still apple juice
Speaker 00:wow dedicated fan of apple juice what do you think of orange juice
Speaker 02:orange juice is like fine but martinelli specifically like i love martinelli's
Speaker 01:it's like liquid gold there's that apple juice where you can bite on it and it makes yeah that's what i'm talking about that's the same brand that's the same brand
Speaker 02:but it just looks so beautiful in that moment i think i took this in like seattle or something yeah i was in seattle it was so
Speaker 00:beautiful you should make a short film about that
Speaker 02:look i have another i have another apple juice
Speaker 01:oh that's the biting one right
Speaker 02:yeah it's a biting one and then i have like yeah I don't need to reveal all of them but like bro like I have like a like I have a shooting schedule hey this is a good tip
Speaker 01:yeah
Speaker 02:like it's like it's helpful honestly yeah yeah so then you can just be like what time is it and see if it matches up if you have a shooting schedule
Speaker 01:oh yeah this is look
Speaker 02:Jenna, Cece, and Rin arrive at Jenna's house to load in like
Speaker 01:that is really smart
Speaker 02:yeah
Speaker 01:yeah wait speaking of like organizing as a producer because that's very important right because you're always on projects
Speaker 02:yes
Speaker 01:How do you organize and stay organized?
Speaker 02:Google Calendar. I was telling you. I was like, if it's not in the Gcal, it's not real.
Speaker 01:Why Gcal and not Apple?
Speaker 00:Yeah, I'm thinking the same thing. I love
Speaker 02:Google Calendar. I don't know. I just never got into Apple Calendar. Also, I appreciate how you can share your calendar with other people on Google Calendar.
Speaker 00:It might just be... personal preference yeah just have it you just get used to it
Speaker 02:yeah
Speaker 01:yeah maybe i should because i feel
Speaker 00:like you can like
Speaker 02:invite people they can say yes or no versus via their email right yeah yeah that's what i also appreciate about it
Speaker 01:that is smart hmm maybe that's something to look into do you have a to-do list
Speaker 02:uh yeah kind of i have like a notebook that i like write everything in oh so yeah
Speaker 01:do you journal
Speaker 02:i do a lot
Speaker 01:About what usually?
Speaker 02:Everything. Just like your emotions? I've kept one since I was like five or six actually.
Speaker 00:Wow, that's dedication. I started when I was like 19 or 18. No, it's
Speaker 02:like this. It's like the stack is like huge.
Speaker 00:I wish I started doing that because like when you're in your 30s and 40s, you look back to when you were like a six-year-old or a seven-year-old and you see just how much you've
Speaker 02:grown. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I wish I did that. It's really interesting to see.
Speaker 01:wait so back to on set because you know a lot of times when i'm on set i'm so drained you know like i just i don't know how people who love being on set do it sometimes and i'm just curious like what do you do to stay motivated and just like fresh on set because it's 12 hour days
Speaker 02:well i will say it's not that i don't get drained like i will get i'll get so tired too like yeah but like i mean like with every good thing like comes with a cost so like i don't know i i won't say like I don't get tired at all I won't say I'm like loving every single second of it of course there's going to be like challenging parts but I think like just knowing that everyone's with you and doing it like you're not the only one going through it like just means a lot you know
Speaker 01:yeah that's true and to the people who are aspiring freelance producers what advice do you have for them
Speaker 02:um treat every like opportunity as the interview for your next
Speaker 01:that's a great philosophy yeah That's sick.
Speaker 02:Someone told me that once. I forget who, but it's really stuck with me.
Speaker 01:See, even the fact that you're willing to credit them, I would have just thought that was a CC original. No, it's not me, guys.
Speaker 02:Someone told me that on set, and every time you're on set, every time you're meeting someone, it's a job interview. And it feels like, well, not necessarily, and I feel like that gives a lot of pressure, but it is true. Just do your best. Show up, and... See what happens. So yeah.
Speaker 00:If you had the attention of the whole world for one minute, what would you say or show?
Speaker 02:I would show them just something like happy and funny to brighten up everybody's day. I don't, yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 01:That's sick. What
Speaker 02:have other people said?
Speaker 00:What have people said? I think a lot of them are very abstract because it's hard to like actually concrete and find like the one thing. Cause not
Speaker 02:everyone would be able to understand me. Like I'm speaking English. I'd be like, what are you talking about? You know, like,
Speaker 01:no, that makes sense.
Speaker 02:So I would, I would show them a little, like, I would be like, And I would show them a video.
Speaker 01:That's the craziest ad for an apple juice. I
Speaker 02:know. No, I wouldn't show them apple juice. I would just show them like a video or something like visual and universally understandable to like make just brighten everybody's day. That's it. That's
Speaker 01:cool. Cece, what do you want your audience of your work to take out from your work? Like what do you want them to get from your work?
Speaker 02:The fact that like filmmaking and creating is very, is a miracle in itself. And the fact that anything gets done is very, it's crazy. I hope people understand how wonderful it is that a group of people came together to make something. Yeah.
Speaker 01:Great. Well, Cece, thank you so much for coming on our podcast. It was so great talking to you. Of course. And excited to see where you go next on your projects.
Speaker 02:Thank you, thank you, thank
Speaker 01:you. Thank you for coming
Speaker 02:on. Great. Of course. Thanks for listening.