I finally received my check from Cryptozoic. Hopefully, we will be able to do more business soon. I only decided to do 50 cards just to get my feet wet. Next time, depending on the licensed property, I'll do 100 or more. Compared to the previous card company I worked for, it only took a few months to get paid rather than lifetimes. Honestly, I hope I can manage to get something Marvel or DC related. That's my bread and butter, so to speak. As much as I've grown to love the Walking Dead, I went in knowing very little about the characters. I watched the TV show, but the cards were solely based on the comics.
The sad part about finally getting paid is that I had to give up most of my check to the family because, well... things are falling apart around here. I'm not the only one in this house that's going through a rough financial patch. In the meantime, I'm looking into a security job, a front desk job, and a couple of other things. It's rough as shit out here, when it comes to getting employed. If you're working, especially if it's an office setting, be thankful for your current situation. It's a lot better than sitting by the phone, crossing your fingers for an interview. You know where your next check is coming from. Shit, I really miss direct depositing... I miss having a bank account... I miss not worrying about how I'm going to pay for things...
Jenn Doudney, a former blogger, encouraged me to look into couch-surfing. I'm sure most of you are familiar with the term, but it's pretty self-explanatory. Basically, you travel and spend the night in someone's home rather than a hotel. Sometimes, it's multiple homes, depending on the length of travel. Musicians, especially when first starting out, spend the night in a band mate's house---or a fan's apartment---whatever. It's a neat concept because it's a very temporary thing that can produce long term benefits. Jenn seems to think that it would blend in seamlessly with my artistic endeavors.
I've been wanting to move to California for a long time because it's the source of all the things I want to do. Movies, animation, and even television (Canada might be the new HQ for TV... I'll have to look into that). At the end of the day, it's the mecca of entertainment. It's easier to be a storyboard artist, character designer, or just a plain artist in California. There's more job opportunities, I think. Spending a few months on someone's couch to capitalize on those opportunities would certainly be worth it.
Right now, I'm looking into people I know, or at least have some inkling of who I am. Whether it's through a mutual acquaintance, a friend of a friend, or something... I'm not really that picky. All I need is a place to sleep, draw, and write. I'm pretty decent around the kitchen, too. On the other hand, there's a site called couchsurfing.org that's geared towards the vacation side of traveling, but I can tailor it to my needs.
Any of you have any experience with that sort of thing? Hell, an even better question: Do you live in California and want an extra pair of hands around the house? Hahaha...
No, I'm serious.
My plan is to move out there, find a job and do everything I can to get my work out there, whether it's the art or the screenplays. I want to find a manager for screenwriting and possibly and agent for my art. Maybe I can skip the agent thing and get work at one of the many studios in the area. We shall cross that bridge when it comes. I just know that it's hard trying to do this stuff when living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It's a alright city, but in order to fly, I need to jump from the nest. I don't mind going through a website to make arrangements, but if there's a chance to set something up outside that site, I'm game.
Of course, I'll need time to get things in order. One, I'll need the plane ticket. I never been on a plane before, so I'll need the whole passport sha-bang. Clothing is sort of an issue at the moment. I'm poorer than Joe's Turkey, you see? Investing in a laptop would be ideal because I doubt I can drag this PC with me. In any case, I need to save some money, which is a little impossible, seeing as I don't have much to my name. I'm working on it.
That's my goal. By age 30, which is just one year from now, I want to be out of this house and in California. In 2014, I want to kick ass and make the best out of all the opportunities that come my way.
-KG