Let's Create a Generation of Gratitude

            Last night I had the pleasure of attending the opening night of Pop 2 Action, a collection of original artwork inspired by pop culture and mass media influences. The event took place at the Hero Complex Gallery in Los Angeles and was organized by Dana Ashmore (Mob City) and Laura Bousman (The Devil’s Carnival).

            These amazing ladies are the founders of Gratitude Collaborative, an organization with the mission to generate art that serves a purpose. The goal of this weekend’s exhibit is to raise money to teach art classes to kids, purchase school supplies, feed the hungry, sponsor after-school programs, and support young playwrights.

            I found out about the event on Twitter through Darren Lynn Bousman. The director of Saw II, Saw III, and Saw IV is a fellow alumnus from my alma mater, so I figured it would be great to support his wife and this great cause.

            There were several pieces that really struck my attention. One in particular by artist Tou Vue. His painting portrays a couple laying on the ground with their backs to each other and holding a cell phone. The artist used this as a way to express how technology and social media is a double-edged sword; it brings us together but at the same time it separates us.

            There was art inspired by Kill Bill, The Wizard of Oz, Pokemon, and much more, but I ended up acquiring an amazing painting of Morpheus from The Matrix. It’s basically Morpheus’s face wearing a set of 3D glasses, which represent the red and blue pill that he presents to Neo. The artwork is titled Red Pill, Blue Pill and was created by Lord Byron Bradley.

            If you are in the Los Angeles area make sure you swing by the gallery this weekend, check out some art, and support this great cause. They are located on 2020 South Robertson Blvd. In the words of Dana and Laura, “Let’s create a generation of gratitude.”

Sharing a moment with Laura, Dana, and her husband Shawn Ashmore

My Experience Working on La Voz Kids

            Hello everyone, I hope you all have a great week! I’m taking this time to share with you my experience working on La Voz Kids. Even though the second season of this Spanish/Kid version of The Voice started a few weeks ago, I waited until today to write about it because I worked on the “Battles” portion of the show, which concluded last night. The show, which airs on Telemundo Sunday nights, had three episodes (April 27, May 4, and May 11) of “las batallas” where 18 out 54 kids made it through to the live portion of the show which starts next week.

            I worked as an assistant on the contestant management department, so I dealt directly with the kids and their families. Throughout the week before rehearsals and the tapings began, I made sure they were on time for their meals, their tutoring hours, voice or dance practice, etc. Once rehearsals for the tapings began, I was in the soundstage coordinating they’re arrival to the holding area before it was their turn to go up and perform. At the same time, I also managed to assist the audio department micing lavs on contestants and two family members. Once the actual tapings began, it was pretty much the same drill, except it got crazier but more exciting, since it’s shot as if it was live. The kids were divided in groups of three, totaling eighteen groups. Only one kid per group made it through, so it got pretty intense. It was pretty much “Hunger Games,” as I like calling it.

            I must say this has been one of the best, if not the best, work experience so far. One of my dreams came true, which was to work on a singing competition show. I got to be back in Orlando for almost two weeks, which meant I had the opportunity to catch up and work with friends and colleagues, I swinged by my favorite local spots, and I visited my alma mater and spoke to students about life after college and LA. I got to work on a new department and I learned a lot from both the people above me and even the contestants. It was also nice seeing these three episodes on TV after going through that process with my colleagues, the contestants and their families. I wish the best of luck to everyone on the live portion of the show.

Reflection on Los Angeles

            Hello friends and visitors, I’d like to begin with an apology for taking such an extensive leave of absence! I graduated with my masters on August 9^th, left Orlando two days later, spent a week in my hometown(s) (Juarez, Mexico and El Paso, Texas), and finally relocated to the city of angels!

            I’ve been here about a month and a half and it is hard to believe I still have no Internet; however, that’s not the only reason why I haven’t blogged, I’ve been quite busy. I’ve had the chance to catch up with many of my friends from college and I have worked on several projects.

            I worked a few days as a production assistant on a short indie titled Modern Problems. This took place in the flower and fashion districts of LA. The story is about a Los Angeles couple and their relationship issues.

I also ran some errands for Toby, my boss in Orlando, and had the opportunity to catch up and meet some amazing people.

Another project I worked on was a three-part music video for legendary 80s rock band Queensryche. I was a production coordinator and I feel blessed to have met producer Marco De Molina from Veva Entertainment Co. He has been a mentor for me and I’ve learned a lot about production from him during my time here. The final cut is locked, but now they’re working on color correction and sound. It’s scheduled to be released next week, so keep an eye for a blogpost on that along with a Q&A with the director.

Last but not least, I worked as a stand-in and extra on season two of ABC’s The Taste. That was a fun gig because we shot at the "The Voice" soundstage in Universal Studios. I met a bunch of wonderful people.

            This blogpost is a reflection on Los Angeles, a city that definitely makes you tougher and smarter in a way. I love the vibe, the sunsets, and the fact that there’s always something fun to do. I visited the GRAMMY museum, went to the Griffith Observatory, attended a live taping of Chelsea Lately, among other things. It reminds me of this blogpost I wrote last year where I debate if I should move here or not. I’m glad I did.

            To end this note, I think I was meant to fall in love with movies, television, and entertainment in general before I was born. They’ve always captivated me, they inspire and influence me in various ways, and they are what I want to be a part of for the rest of my life. A friend of mine recently wrote a quote on her Facebook account that goes like this: “Does this mean that you can be anything you want to be when you grow up? Well, that's certainly the American dream. But it's also the American myth! It's democratic and reflects our national character to say that anyone can become the next president or CEO or movie star. But the truth is you can become only a highly developed version of who you already are -- you can only grow into your own potential. You've been wired from early in life, perhaps even from birth, to love certain things, to see the world a certain way, to blossom in particular environments, and to respond naturally and easily to specific opportunities.” I was wired from early in life to love art in the form of film.

Ricardo Ramos Copyright 2013  

Q&A With Supervising Producer Troy DeVolld

             Troy DeVolld is an Emmy nominated Supervising Producer of reality television. Some of his credits include The Osbournes, The Surreal Life, Dancing With the Stars, Basketball Wives, among many more. Also a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Nonfiction Writers Caucus of the WGA West, DeVolld has shared his experience by lecturing on the genre around different schools and seminars, and is also the author of Reality TV: An Insider’s Guide to TV’s Hottest Market.

            If you visit my blog consistently, you probably know by now that I enjoy researching trends on this rapidly growing genre and writing about some of the shows I watch. As someone who aspires to someday be a part of great shows, it was my pleasure to read Troy’s book and learn from his experience. The book does an outstanding job giving detailed information on the three stages of production, the genres among the genre, history, and advices for getting out there.

            I reached out to Troy and I feel honored to include a Q&A on this blogpost. I hope you find it interesting and don’t forget to get your copy of the book by clicking here. It is eye opening in a humorous way, and if you’re considering working in this field, it gets you even more excited to do so. Beth Bohn, a talent and literary agent from Bohn Management says it is “A ‘must read’ tool for anyone considering a career in this genre.”

What motivated you to write the book and what was your biggest learning experience while working on it?  

I WAS TIRED OF GOING INTO BOOKSTORES AND FINDING 50 BOOKS ON SCREENWRITING AND NOTHING ON REALITY TV PRODUCTION.  IT'S A HUGE MARKET, AND MUCH EASIER TO CRACK THAN SCREENWRITING, SO I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE A SORT OF HANDBOOK FOR THE GIG.

THANKFULLY, MY PAL RIC VIERS (AUTHOR OF “THE SOUND EFFECTS BIBLE”) AGREED, AND INTRODUCED ME TO MY PUBLISHER, MICHAEL WIESE, AND HIS RIGHT HAND GUY, THE AWESOME KEN LEE.

Which shows do you prefer watching and working on? Competition or docu-series?  

IT REALLY DEPENDS ON THE SHOW.  I'VE HAD LOADS OF FUN ON BOTH SIDES OF THAT DIVIDE, AS WELL AS SOME PRETTY STRESSFUL FLOP EFFORTS. DOCU-SERIES, WHEN IT'S GOOD, IS THE GREATEST.

What is the biggest mistake you see being made by people who are barely starting in the industry? How can this be avoided?  

EVERYBODY WANTS TO COME IN AS A CREATOR.  WHEN YOU'RE JUST STARTING OUT AND HAVE NO CREDITS, IT'S REALLY TOUGH TO GET PEOPLE ENROLLED IN YOUR IDEAS.  NOT THAT IT DOESN'T HAPPEN, BUT IF YOU PUT IN THE TIME, IT'S MUCH EASIER TO GET MEETINGS FIVE OR TEN YEARS INTO A CAREER WHEN YOUR RESUME IS PACKED OUT.  LIKE ANYTHING ELSE, "START AT THE BOTTOM" IS SOUND ADVICE.  AGAIN, ANYTHING'S POSSIBLE.  I'LL NEVER SAY YOU CAN'T DO SOMETHING.

What is your biggest accomplishment or highlight of your career?

I'M VERY PROUD OF THE TV WRITERS SUMMIT LECTURES I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.  VERY FEW PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT OR TEACHING REALITY TV PRODUCTION, AND WE'VE BEEN VERY WELL RECEIVED SO FAR.

You've been working on reality television for a little over a decade. How has the genre changed these past ten years with the addition of social media and advances in technology?

IT'S FUNNY IN THAT THERE'S SO MUCH EXTRA STUFF TO DELIVER.  “BASKETBALL WIVES” HAS AT LEAST TWO EXTRA SCENES OR ADDITIONAL CONTENT POSTED AT VH1.COM FOR EVERY SINGLE EPISODE.  OUR SHOW WAS ACTUALLY THE FIRST REALITY TO BE RANKED THE MOST SOCIALLY ACTIVE IN THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER.  ONLY “FAMILY GUY” WAS AHEAD OF US OVERALL IN TERMS OF SOCIAL MEDIA VOLUME (DERIVED FROM AGGREGATE NUMBER OF TWEETS, POSTS, AND OTHER MEASURING METHODS).  YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT SHOWS AS A LARGER EXPERIENCE.  VH1'S MARKETING PEOPLE ARE TREMENDOUSLY GOOD AT PROMOTING THEIR PRODUCT.

Where do you see reality television going in the next decade?  

WE'RE ALREADY STEERING AWAY FROM THE MEAN-SPIRITED SHOWS WE SAW SO MUCH OF IN THE PAST DECADE, I THINK.  I HOPE WE HAVE MORE SHOWS THAT REALLY PROMOTE CURIOSITY ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE AND CULTURES. “ ANTHONY BOURDAIN: NO RESERVATIONS” IS A TRAILBLAZER... GIVE ME MORE STUFF LIKE THAT, PLEASE.

Where do you see yourself ten years from now? Are you curious about exploring other areas of the industry such as documentaries or film?

I'VE ALWAYS LOVED MOVIES, BUT I THINK IT'LL BE A LATER-IN-LIFE THING FOR ME AND THAT I'LL DO IT AS A PRODUCER RATHER THAN A WRITER, AS I'D ALWAYS THOUGHT I WOULD WHEN I WAS YOUNGER.  I'M IN THE PREPRODUCTION PROCESS WITH MY FIRST DOCUMENTARY FILM, “REMEMBER, WE'RE NOT HERE,” EVEN AS I WRITE THIS.

I've been writing a lot about singing competitions recently and how they're losing their essence and audience. What do you think is a key ingredient(s) to keep these shows fresh and give them more originality without getting too distant from their roots?

STOP ENCOURAGING BLAND POWERHOUSE PERFORMANCES WITH NO RESPECT FOR LYRICS OR EMOTION.  GO FIND SOME SOUL.  GET ALLEE WILLIS OUT THERE LOOKING FOR THE BEST UNDISCOVERED SOUL SINGERS, I SAY!