On Tuesday, July 23rd, I received an email from the SAG-AFTRA Foundation about an upcoming TV show screening entitled, "Why Women Kill". The email also advertised an afterparty. I was sold. An afterparty in Beverly Hills will probably also have free food. Let's go! I was really looking forward to it. Fast forward to this week Monday. I got an email about an event entitled, An Evening with Jimmy Kimmel. It was further described as a Q&A with Jimmy Kimmel. This was a no brainer. I canceled the first event to attend Jimmy's event last night at the Roosevelt Hotel.
Coincidentally, last week I had a meeting with someone that works at Netflix and Jimmy Kimmel's name came up. Less than a week later, an opportunity to connect with him was brought to life. I started to align a game plan in my head. I had very little details about the event but that didn't stop me from developing a plot. All I knew is that there was going to be a Q&A with Jimmy and I anticipated the audience would get a chance to ask him questions. Immediately after confirming my attendance I started imagining my approach.
Wednesday arrived with a level of uneasiness. I wasn't nervous. I don't get nervous. I describe it as uneasy. I wanted to get some writing in for my screenplay but I figured in my best interest to relax and plan to leave early. Before I left, I played some Bob Marley and added his song Soul Rebel to my reggae worship playlist. My meditation strategy was in full effect. Just before departing, I recited, "Lord give me strength, Lord Give me Courage," multiple times from different angles rotating and pivoting.
On my way to the bus, I pulled out my note pad and started writing down my questions for Jimmy. I didn't want to directly solicit him so I developed a question in the form of asking for advice. It's a 3 part system.
Part 1: Thank the panel and thank Jimmy for being a voice for the people and his great work in late-night over the years.
Part 2: Brace my question as a request for advice.
Part 3: Then tell Jimmy how equally passionate I am about late-night. Mention my screenplay and ask how does a person like myself get the opportunity to share my story with him. I was even ready to provide an elevator pitch if necessary.
I arrived at the event 39mins early and there was already a line outside the Roosevelt. Finally, we got in and the set up was legit. Red carpet and media on one side and the event room on the other. Marla Gibbs and Tommy Davidson were present. The event started and Anthony Anderson was introduced as the host. Shortly afterward he introduced Jimmy Kimmel and interviewed him. The first half was all about Jimmy and the history of the show. Jimmy Kimmel Live is also celebrating it's 28 Emmy nomination and 17 years on television. Plus he just signed on for 3 more years. The second half of the event was celebrating Norman Lear's Live In Front of a Studio Audience (All In the Family and The Jefferson's) Norman was introduced and the 3 of them continued chatting.
The event passed and there was no audience Q&A. That was disappointing but I kept my eyes glued on Jimmy. While most people started making their way for free food, security began escorting Jimmy and a few VIP's somewhere else. I was near his line. As he passed me, I stepped right behind him and walked along with them. I thought someone was going to stop me but nobody did. We just kept on walking. It seemed like we walked forever until we ended up in a private VIP room.
Coincidentally, last week I had a meeting with someone that works at Netflix and Jimmy Kimmel's name came up. Less than a week later, an opportunity to connect with him was brought to life. I started to align a game plan in my head. I had very little details about the event but that didn't stop me from developing a plot. All I knew is that there was going to be a Q&A with Jimmy and I anticipated the audience would get a chance to ask him questions. Immediately after confirming my attendance I started imagining my approach.
Wednesday arrived with a level of uneasiness. I wasn't nervous. I don't get nervous. I describe it as uneasy. I wanted to get some writing in for my screenplay but I figured in my best interest to relax and plan to leave early. Before I left, I played some Bob Marley and added his song Soul Rebel to my reggae worship playlist. My meditation strategy was in full effect. Just before departing, I recited, "Lord give me strength, Lord Give me Courage," multiple times from different angles rotating and pivoting.
On my way to the bus, I pulled out my note pad and started writing down my questions for Jimmy. I didn't want to directly solicit him so I developed a question in the form of asking for advice. It's a 3 part system.
Part 1: Thank the panel and thank Jimmy for being a voice for the people and his great work in late-night over the years.
Part 2: Brace my question as a request for advice.
Part 3: Then tell Jimmy how equally passionate I am about late-night. Mention my screenplay and ask how does a person like myself get the opportunity to share my story with him. I was even ready to provide an elevator pitch if necessary.
I arrived at the event 39mins early and there was already a line outside the Roosevelt. Finally, we got in and the set up was legit. Red carpet and media on one side and the event room on the other. Marla Gibbs and Tommy Davidson were present. The event started and Anthony Anderson was introduced as the host. Shortly afterward he introduced Jimmy Kimmel and interviewed him. The first half was all about Jimmy and the history of the show. Jimmy Kimmel Live is also celebrating it's 28 Emmy nomination and 17 years on television. Plus he just signed on for 3 more years. The second half of the event was celebrating Norman Lear's Live In Front of a Studio Audience (All In the Family and The Jefferson's) Norman was introduced and the 3 of them continued chatting.
The event passed and there was no audience Q&A. That was disappointing but I kept my eyes glued on Jimmy. While most people started making their way for free food, security began escorting Jimmy and a few VIP's somewhere else. I was near his line. As he passed me, I stepped right behind him and walked along with them. I thought someone was going to stop me but nobody did. We just kept on walking. It seemed like we walked forever until we ended up in a private VIP room.
Now I'm in an exclusive area, a few feet away from Jimmy Kimmel. This is 100 times better than I imagined. I patiently waited for the opportunity to talk to him. I wasn't sure how at first. I really wanted someone to introduce me. I thought about asking Guillermo because we worked together last year but he looked like he was having too much fun. Anthony Anderson was in the room and I approached him. Unfortunately, he rubbed me off. He didn't provide me any contact info. He took my flier and tried to school me about not having a card with my email address on it. I told him my email address and he said, one of his peoples are going to contact me but I highly doubt that.
Getting introduced to Jimmy would've been cool, I was kind of leaning towards that. Quickly I shook that thought off. I'm in the room with the main source and so I got to make it happen. There's no excuse to miss out on a once in a lifetime opportunity like this. After Jimmy finished eating, he stood up and I approached. I waved my hand he said, "Hi." First I congratulated him and told him I was one of his students. He immediately turned to the person on his right and said, "Finally someone is one of my students." I told him that I worked with Guillermo on a shoot last year and showed him the photo of us. He looked at the photo and mentioned how much of a great time it looked like we were having. I saw this as an opportunity to go deeper. Next, I stepped in closer and said, "I know you're no here to listen to anyone's pitch but I have a very unique personal story I would like to share with you." I told him I have a screenplay that's essentially a love story to late-night television and he's the missing link. Energetically he responded, "I'm the missing link? Who else?" I mentioned Conan and Oprah, then I told him more about my story in Tampa. That reminded him of his radio days in that city, so he started sharing a Tampa story to me and a guy next to him. In my mind, I was hoping he wasn't telling me this story to rub me. When he was done, he asked how did I work with Guillermo. I told him through his casting director. He responded, "Send your stuff to the casting director, she'll get it to me and I'll take a look at it."
I emailed that casting director after my shoot last May and she never got a response back. I couldn't just rely on that person. I asked him, "Just in case I can't get a hold her the casting director, is there someone else I can contact." He immediately said yes and told his publicist right next to him to take my info. She actually gave me her phone and I put my email in. I wasn't sure what she was going to do with it. When I gave her back the phone she kept getting distracted by others. I made sure to check with her. She fiddled with her phone then got distracted again. I reminded her again, then she explained that she didn't understand why the email isn't going through. She was trying to send me a quick email but it needed a subject first. I told her and I got the email safely.
Getting introduced to Jimmy would've been cool, I was kind of leaning towards that. Quickly I shook that thought off. I'm in the room with the main source and so I got to make it happen. There's no excuse to miss out on a once in a lifetime opportunity like this. After Jimmy finished eating, he stood up and I approached. I waved my hand he said, "Hi." First I congratulated him and told him I was one of his students. He immediately turned to the person on his right and said, "Finally someone is one of my students." I told him that I worked with Guillermo on a shoot last year and showed him the photo of us. He looked at the photo and mentioned how much of a great time it looked like we were having. I saw this as an opportunity to go deeper. Next, I stepped in closer and said, "I know you're no here to listen to anyone's pitch but I have a very unique personal story I would like to share with you." I told him I have a screenplay that's essentially a love story to late-night television and he's the missing link. Energetically he responded, "I'm the missing link? Who else?" I mentioned Conan and Oprah, then I told him more about my story in Tampa. That reminded him of his radio days in that city, so he started sharing a Tampa story to me and a guy next to him. In my mind, I was hoping he wasn't telling me this story to rub me. When he was done, he asked how did I work with Guillermo. I told him through his casting director. He responded, "Send your stuff to the casting director, she'll get it to me and I'll take a look at it."
I emailed that casting director after my shoot last May and she never got a response back. I couldn't just rely on that person. I asked him, "Just in case I can't get a hold her the casting director, is there someone else I can contact." He immediately said yes and told his publicist right next to him to take my info. She actually gave me her phone and I put my email in. I wasn't sure what she was going to do with it. When I gave her back the phone she kept getting distracted by others. I made sure to check with her. She fiddled with her phone then got distracted again. I reminded her again, then she explained that she didn't understand why the email isn't going through. She was trying to send me a quick email but it needed a subject first. I told her and I got the email safely.
I was riding high at this point but I wasn't satisfied. I wanted to connect with more of Jimmy's people just in case they fell through. My eyes were peeled open for more possibilities. Rewind back to when the event ended, I crossed paths with his band director, Cleto. I congratulated him and his team. He said, "Thank you." I crossed paths with him again in VIP room and decided to initiate a friendly conversation with him. I asked if does any producing. He said no, but he's considering looking into producing when he's done with Jimmy's show. He walked away with a plate full of food and I looked on. A few mins later, I decided to go for it. I approached him very apologetically and said some of the same things I told Jimmy. The only difference is, I asked him to look at my project to possibly pass on to Jimmy if he likes it. Cleto was very open and welcoming to everything I said. He gave me his email address and told me, "No problem. You never know." He believed in looking out for each other.
Now, I have 3 email address but I still wanted more. Later I started paying attention to the people with Jimmy Kimmel Live badges around their necks. I approached his young man and we talked for a while. Turns out he's also on Jimmy Kimme's publicist team. I took his email just in case.
I ended up departing with the last group of people in that room. They told it was time to go. Only in my last two conversations is when I was asked, "Who invited you?" I told them the truth and they said, "Sometimes that'ss what you got to do."
Over a week later and I'm still really shocked and impressed with what I did. I shared the story with only a select few. Yet, this story is still incomplete. The upcoming weeks will truly determine the greatness of this Hollywood story.
Now, I have 3 email address but I still wanted more. Later I started paying attention to the people with Jimmy Kimmel Live badges around their necks. I approached his young man and we talked for a while. Turns out he's also on Jimmy Kimme's publicist team. I took his email just in case.
I ended up departing with the last group of people in that room. They told it was time to go. Only in my last two conversations is when I was asked, "Who invited you?" I told them the truth and they said, "Sometimes that'ss what you got to do."
Over a week later and I'm still really shocked and impressed with what I did. I shared the story with only a select few. Yet, this story is still incomplete. The upcoming weeks will truly determine the greatness of this Hollywood story.
Sunday, August 4, 2019
* Driving Elbert around...
* Watching 3Below and Pose...
Monday, August 5, 2019
* Attempted to watch a screening of Fleabag but we were late. We people-watched instead and sent to Lowe's
* Watching more 3Below
* Writing CLN...
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
* Recycling...
* Writing CLN...
Wednesday, August 7, 2019
* Writing CNL
* Reading my writing partner's script
* An Evening With Jimmy Kimmel
Thursday, August 8, 2019
* Audition...
* Kitten footage
* Blogging about Wednesday...
Friday, August 9, 2019
* Tennis...
* Writing CLN...
* Switch Time...Mario Tennis Aces
Saturday, August 10, 2019
* Soul of a Nation at The Board
* Coffee Bean...
* Playing Mario Tennis
* CLN brainstorming meeting
* Watching Kubo and the Two Strings
As the quest continues...
The future of Late Night
Motown Maurice
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