The Cutting Edge: 5.33

I'm delighted to report that the meeting went quite well, thank you very much. I still have at least one more meeting to pass-- and it's tomorrow for sure-- before I get a definitive step closer to what I want.

So after that, there may be a major shift in duties for your faithful Assistant/Atlas. Don't worry though. I won't let it get to my head. I still know where I stand on the Hollywood food chain. And it still ain't nowhere near the top.

As assistant types, we strive to be cutting-edge, do we not? Not the "Cutting Edge" I'm referencing there on the left, but cutting-edge in the sense of knowing what's going on, what's next, what's new, and (we'd never say this, but we know it's true) what's just plain cool. Also because we're young and we're black and have our hats pulled low.

So we gotta be in the know, ya know?
Pic from: www.skatedvd.net
You see, what I'm saying is: keep on top of them newfangled internets if you want to get ahead.

And doing that is also a handy excuse for overzealous bosses who closely monitor Internet usage. "It was part of my research, boss," you can say when questioned about why you're reading all manner of things online, from MySpace (gotta background check the interns somehow) to Defamer (industry info, of course).

Really...pimpslapping the Man is just that simple as long as you're prepared for all contingencies. But if you're an assistant, that's already part of your job. Please note these excuses work especially if you have any sort of research or analysis or creating-type position. But really, part of entertainment is doing something new and fresh, and you need to be all modern-y for that.

Being young is nice, but it's not enough. And so I ask you, my dear readers, for open source enlightenment. Help me help recommend advice to the huddled masses.

But really also, in the interests of keeping you (and me) on top of the game, let's all share where we're finding our hot new projects. I just feel like there's all these websites out there I don't know about. . .

And we are all still using Studio System to track projects (with an IMDB supplement, of course)? Or am I missing some site?

Also, which video-sharing sites are well-put-together? Yes, YouTube is fun. Which means it won't last forever. It's totally video's Napster. It is the canary in the hole that will emerge, like a hamster from a fetishy dude's nether-regions, as a corporatized monkey ready to be exploited for whatever 'brand loyalty' still remains in its ever-more-cybersquattish existence.

Or maybe that's just me. Maybe it will free us all.

So, please, use the comments to share your thoughts on places on the ole net you find useful as an industry insider. Because, really, if you're reading this blog, you probably are.

TECHNORATI TAGS: Technology, Screenwriting, Development, Scripts, YouTube, New Media