What Now?

I still have two more panels to do for The Film Panel Notetaker. I'm going to work on picking my memory for the Haynes/Linklater panel, but other than that, transcribing panels is taking a backseat this week. I'll be leaving for Binghamton Friday morning, and will be doing new interviews as well as their monthly "art walk". I am also working on a new interview for TFPN as well.

Lately I've been giving a lot of thought about relocating to New York to look for work. Right now, my main concern is working on the DVD. If I can score some type of temp work, that would be great, too. But I'd like to go somewhere else for awhile, and I'm not really keen on returning to Ithaca, especially not after SXSW. Also, it would be really nice to take another UCB class. If there's a time to make that sort of change, it's now, while I still have the safety net of unemployment.

Cease and Desist

When I was embarking on making Are You From Bingo? back in 2005, I established my production company. I chose the name "Polychrome Pictures" because I thought it recalled MGM and Sub Pop at the same time. I even had it registered officially as a business with the Tompkins County registrar (I was residing in Ithaca at the time). Last fall, when I decided to see if I could look for work as a designer, I decided to call my business Polychrome Design.

Yesterday, I recieved a "cease and desist" letter from a company called Polychrome Design in San Francisco. It seems that they have trade marked the name, and potential clients are getting confused. I spoke with the owner of the company over the phone yesterday afternoon. He was a kind gentleman who explained that he had legal troubles himself when taking the company name. He said that it wouldn't effect my production company name, Polychrome Pictures, except for one thing...

There's a Polychrome Pictures, a full fledged production company, based out of Los Angeles. Although my "Polychrome Pictures" name is registered with the Tompkins County registrar, it's a possibility that it could face serious legal boondoggle. I am faced with a serious decision. For now, I plan on calling my design company "Erin Scherer Design" until I can come up with something better, but I'm not actively pursuing design right now. (Though I will take a job if I'm approached.)

I am continuing to look for work. Yesterday, I made phone calls to Geneva General and Cayuga Medical Center. I think I'm ready to go back to work, though mainly a temp position. The trip allowed me to see a number of urban areas, and I wonder if I wouldn't be better off somewhere else. I continue to send resumes for permanent positions locally, but it's more half hearted than ever. I don't feel so grounded anymore. What I'd really like to do is travel around the country more for awhile. But we'll see. Given the economic climate, I'm very lucky that these are the worst of my worries.

Parallel Life

There's nothing like having your hands tied. On one hand, I have visions of a more exciting life ahead of me. Yesterday, I published the Ry Russo-Young interview, and next week, I'll be off to Austin for SXSW. Also, I have the Are You From Bingo? DVD project, and the other project I'm working on right now.

Today I was reading a memoir of the person I'm hoping to do a documentary on, where she talks about her experiences with her travels, and her relationships--romantic and friendly. I also peered through a travel guide on Costa Rica in preparation for another interview I'm hoping to do for The Film Panel Notetaker. When I was young, I wanted to travel the world, going this place and that place. Unfortunately, money and circumstance eventually tempered those ambitions, but now I'm entertaining those fantasies again. Costa Rica would be fun, but I'd love to visit Greece, Italy, the South of France, and Bali, among other places.

At the same time, I must contend with my current reality. I continue to look for work the way I always have--sending out resumes, going for interviews. It's never been particularly fun (unless I've gotten a job), but job hunting anywhere is becoming more and more out of place. With that being said, I'll be taking a test tomorrow with the possibility of working on the 2010 census. The job will start in April and last 6-8 weeks. If I get the job, I figured by the time it starts, I'll be ready for another job. It's only temporary, and it doesn't seem too dull, so why not?

Catching Up

I've been incredibly busy the last few days. Thursday and Friday were in the 50s, and I took advantage of that by doing a lot of walking. Thursday, I put some finishing touches on Are You From Bingo?, and yesterday I taped an introduction that will go on the on-demand and the video download of the movie.

This morning and in the early afternoon, I readied the Ry Russo-Young interview for The Film Panel Notetaker, and I plan on posting it Monday morning.

Last night, I watched a press screener of Modern Love is Automatic, which is premiering at SXSW this year. (I'll write more about it soon.) This afternoon, I saw The Wrestler, which was very good, but the wrestling scenes were pretty gruesome. Good to see Mickey Rourke back in the game, though. Tonight, I'm going to watch Luis Bunuel's Simon of the Desert, which looks really good.

When I found out that they were cutting all temps at Emerson, I was a little disappointed. Two months later, I realize that it may have been for the best. I've gotten a lot of stuff done that may have been very difficult to do otherwise, like Bingo, and the other projects I'm starting on now. The time off has given me a real chance to clear my head, and I'm in a much better place now.

Still Looking

I called Kelly Services Tuesday. They said that the only work around that they recruit for around here is for assembly line work. I don't consider myself to be above it, but I don't think I'm really skilled for it, either.

You know what? I could be happy with a part time job right here. I don't know how long I'd keep it, but at least it would allow me enough security to get what I want done. Yesterday, I sent out a bunch of resumes to the local hospital in response to some part time secretarial openings. Even if they don't find me qualified, maybe there'll be an opening for something else. Even if Binghamton is further away, I don't want to hassle with commuting right now.

Another thing I've been looking into lately is finding work as a virtual assistant. I could go into an explanation of what that is, but here's a video that does it for me. It's a little long, but it explains what a Virtual Assistant does:

Manpower (the temp agency that got me my last job) offers free online classes for their temps. I figured I might take a few classes and brush up my skills while I wait out the next thing. Also, if I decide to dive into Virtual Assistance, it would be incredibly helpful.

In other news, I've been contacting interviewees for the new interviews. I had planned to do the interviews the weekend of March 7th. Then I found out that one of my interviewees is expecting--she is due March 13th. I may have to do their interview early. Yikes!

I have another announcement coming soon...

What Now?

Earlier this afternoon, I went to H&R Block's Geneva Location to turn in a photocopy of my online application. They told me that the receptionists likely have been hired, but that they would forward my application anyway.

This time, even the old standby isn't pulling through for me. Since I didn't know until December 17th that I would be out of a job, I can't say it was me being lazy. At first, I felt like I was at a loss. Then I thought of a few things:

1.) I'm going to call the Kelly Office that serves Geneva. Also, I'll go to the temp office in Geneva that I applied to back in October, and I plan on updating my resume.


2.) Perhaps I shouldn't rule out returning to work in Ithaca, but perhaps find someone who commutes from here. Obviously, given that it's winter, it'll still be very touch and go. I'll probably have to get up extra early, but at least I won't be driving. Before Christmas, my Dad and I stopped at a card shop downtown, and the cashier lady has a regular job that has her commuting to Cornell. Maybe I should get ahold of her.

It seems in the past month, I've had the rug pulled out from under me three times: first getting kicked out, second, losing the temp job, and now, not being able to secure H&R Block.

Back to Work?

For the last week and a half, I've had a chance to chill out and enjoy the Holidays. But today is January 2nd, and the Holidays are officially over. It's time to face one cold, hard fact: I am without a job.

Another cold, hard fact: It's cold.

My search for a new job has been compounded by the weather. At least in the fall, I had the advantage to commute back and forth as I pleased. But it's January now, and so far, this winter has not been kind.

I filled out the application for H&R Block online a week ago today, and as soon as the local office is open, I plan on following up on it. I also looked into becoming a sales associate for Procard International, which sells health care discounts. While this might give me some real security, it's also based on commission. It may be worth a show, but with the economy being what it is, is anyone interested in buying these sorts of things right now?

Of course, there's also my unemployment hearing. The last time I heard from the Department of Labor was the day after Thanksgiving. I may try to follow up sometime next week, and put together some notes for my hearing...whenever that will be.

I'm not as worried as I sound, but I am concerned.

Neat Desk

My very recent job had me scanning archived designs dating back to right after WWI. When I spotted this at Staples, I was like, "I could make a whole business running a something like this!" You can scan receipts, invoices, bills, etc. I want this.

Too bad it costs $500.

Wrapping It Up

My last day of work at my temp job is tomorrow. What's most devastating for me about losing this was that I was really looking forward (once the housing situation was settled) to getting to work on the DVD. I'm still planning on working on it as much as I can in the coming days and weeks--at least what I can do, given where I will be. For now, I plan on trying to enjoy the holidays, since there isn't much I can do about looking for a new job until after New Year's, anyway.

I will be applying for a job at H&R Block in the meantime. I worked there before in 2004 and 2005, but should I be accepted (and I likely will be), this will be more of a stopgap that will allow me to take it easy and wait out winter. However, if I find a full-time job--even if it's a temp position--I'm out. I'm also hoping to put together a business plan so I can figure out what exactly it is I want to do, both in business and creative ventures, for next year. I figure that might help me in terms of what type of job I should try and go for next.

Remember that woman I was talking about last week who might be able to help me with housing situation. She can't really take me in, but has been trying to find people for me and will continue to do so.

Let Go

Once again I am out of work. The company I've been doing temp work for has had to make cut backs, which means that they have let all temps go. Apparently, this isn't the first time they've had to let temps go for money reasons. I told my supervisor that if they had the resources and were able to resume, I would be more than happy to come back. My last day will be next Tuesday (the 23rd).

Obviously I'm very sad about this, but at least this time it wasn't my fault. The tough part for me by and far is that it is now winter, making it a lot more difficult to commute. I really liked my job, but this is happening to a lot of people right now.

Last summer, I was approached for a certain type of work, and at the time, I declined. Now I'm considering it much more seriously.

Stay tuned.

You're Hired!

After six weeks of hustling, it has finally happened: I have a new job.

Wednesday, I went down to Ithaca, thinking either I would stay the day, and return before dusk, or stay overnight. I was going down there to put my laptop on the internet service of the woman I am currently working with. Around 4ish, I discovered that I had a voice mail from Manpower, asking if I could come in for an interview tomorrow. I'd prepared to stay overnight, but I wasn't packed for an interview. I went to Trader K's (a thrift store in the Commons), and bought clothes.

The interview went really well. The guy who interviewed me said I was more than qualified, and he was even asking me questions. Yesterday afternoon, I was offered the job. I will be returning to Ithaca on Monday to do a background check and drug screening, which I guess means that I'll have to cancel the crystal meth binge I was hoping to go on this weekend.

My new job will have me working on a long term project: I'll be scanning their designs into a computer (some of which go back to the early part of the 20th Century), and helping them create an archive and database. The job is full time, and it will last at least three months; the woman at Manpower talking to me over the phone even mentioned it could be as long as six months. That's all I wanted: something that will take care of me while I work on the DVD and get things straightened out.

Now that this is all over, I will finally have more time to focus on my own projects, and other things I've been meaning to focus on for awhile. Of course, there's the DVD I want to work on, as well as possibly a short film.

Ithaca Bakery

The interview I had today at Ithaca Bakery was really, really awkward. I don't think it went well for me at all.

Later on, I was having dinner with my mother, and she sensed over the phone (I'd talked to her earlier) that I really didn't want this job, and suggested that even if they offered it to me, I shouldn't take it.

"If you take this job and you don't like it, you don't stand a chance," she said.

With that coming from my mother, I breathed a sigh of relief. After my last job, I'm really not keen on getting back into customer service in general. In my case, it's "Been there, done that, don't want to go back there again." Unless, of course, I have no other choice.

Later on, I got a call from the local Manpower office for a temp job that might become permanent eventually. It's a receptionist job. I hope I get an interview. I also dropped by at Moving Box Studios, a video production company, and gave them my card, and put my YouTube page on it. I think it would be nice to get some work with them to add to my portfolio.