Doing Time In Planet Hollywood
This is a picture taken with my blackberry at the Kodak theater. Unlike the partying and celebration of the Presidential inauguration for which I was able to take a front row seat, this is as close as I would get to any Hollywood magic - at least for this year anyway. No exclusive invitations, no tuxedo, no star-studded parties for me...although I did actually get to sit in a limo on Oscar day (and the story behind that is not a big deal at all. Really). This year, as I have done for the past couple of years, I played peon for production in Hollywood's biggest night. In actuality, my clearance wasn't high enough to be a direct part of production for the Oscars ceremonial red carpet walk or the show itself. A guy could only be so lucky. Instead, my role in the Oscars was a much more vicarious one - one in which it felt as if I was a third string quarterback for the New England Patriots. I'm at the Super Bowl, but my duties have far less of a direct impact than the higher paid leader of our team. This past weekend, I actually worked for Good Morning America covering the Oscars as a highly regarded runner. This is just a fancy way of saying taxi - a taxi for people, equipment or unedited media.
I saw my weekend working as a runner for Good Morning America as doing time of sorts. Though I would never step foot inside the Kodak theater or traverse the red carpet as production staff or media, I would go down this weekend as an unknown that helped bring the magic of Hollywood to those who could only experience this night through television...doing my time, until one day, I have reason to be one of many to sit amongst the audience of Hollywood elite on one Oscar Sunday. Or to one day host an Academy Awards show. Or to one day present at an Academy Awards show. Not to say that I definitely expect either one of these to happen one day, but none of these is out of reach of my capacity to dream. If three six mafia can receive an Oscar, for which I'm sure they could never expect to win even in their wildest of dreams, then at the very least, I can dream as well.
There is no doubt that Hollywood with all of its glitz and glamour and its 'perfect' royalty, have some kind of intoxication for most people. This 'intoxication' exists in different forms for different people. For some, it is as simple as seeing a movie, television show, or live performance of their favorite celebrity, and then they can leave this world and return to their own. For some, it is having an autograph or picture taken with their favorite celebrity, and then they can leave this world and return to their own. And then some let their fixation, whatever it may be, totally and dangerously consume their lives - enter Octo-mom. Come on! She looked NOTHING like Angelina Jolie ten years ago! But I digress...
I came to Los Angeles nine years ago to be in industry - to become industry. Ever since I was a child, there was always some feeling that I was meant to do something great. There was always something in me that wanted me become an inspiration to many others. And then there was of course the fascination with Hollywood. Of course, doing something great and being an inspiration to many, does not necessarily have to mean doing anything associated with entertainment at all. But life is entirely too short to not yield to come what may...Having the feeling of one day doing something great however, is unexplainable. For me it is best explained through a statement Chris Rock once made with an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Oprah Winfrey would essentially ask him if he ever thought he would become who he was. Chris Rock would reply by stating that he as an unknown, would look at magazines filled with celebrities and question, "Why am I not in this?" Of course, Oprah herself has even stated, that even she knew she was meant to do something great before she became who she was.
That is some insight into me and what drives me partially. This for me, is doing time in Hollywood or paying dues as we say - in addition to the preparation of whatever gifts God has given me. This weekend, I shuttled around producers and production crew for Good Morning America and I opened doors for PA's and directors of the show. Not exactly the glitz and glamour that sells so many magazines at the grocery checkout line. Who knows though? Maybe one day, someone will be opening the door of a limousine for me...I guess for me, the thirty second ride in the elevator and conversation about President Obama with the very youthful spirited, and co-anchor of Good Morning America, Robin Roberts, will have to suffice as all the glitz and glamour I would receive this time around...not bad.
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