Ekaterina works as an assistant producer (ACME ROCKET FUEL).
Works for Dimitri Logothetis (https:// dimitrilogothetis.com).
Lives in Los Angeles, USA
Meeting Ekaterina and the educational company "Paradise" happened in 2012, when she went to study English in Salisbury (UK) with one of summer children's groups, then continued in 2013 with an individual trip to language courses in the USA.
English has always been a part of Katya’s life, which is why in 2014 she graduated from the three-year International Baccalaureate program at the gymnasium in Krasnoyarsk and set off to conquer America. We talked with Katya about her admission, training, work, plans for the future and what she wants share with you a real success story.
«It’s great that I graduated from the International Baccalaureate program and had experience in language travel. This helped me a lot at the beginning of my studies. Typically, international students require a year of language training, but I WAS ABLE TO START TRAINING IMMEDIATELY in my specialty. Without a language barrier and time spent learning English.
In May 2018, I graduated from Woodbury University's undergraduate program with a degree in Film. It's all together: directing, scripts, sound, lighting, production. It is difficult for me to compare the teaching system with the system in Russian universities, but I can say that it is more flexible. You choose the subjects to study (of course, except for the 25% required), create your own schedule, specifying the time and teacher; You can even study subjects at other universities or online!
I usually tried to occupy the first half of the week as much as possible, so that in the second there would be time for preparing homework and some kind of practice. To obtain a diploma you need to recruit about 120 units. You choose how to do it. THERE IS A VERY CREATIVE APPROACH, A LOT OF PRACTICAL CLASSES, during which you learn a profession, meet people, build connections, and gain real experience. For example, in one of the classes, some time at the beginning of the lesson is devoted to theory, and then immediately filming: setting up the camera, setting the light, adjusting the sound, using special equipment.
My favorite subjects were seminars on the art of producing and the art of directing. At the first, we learned to sell an idea. From the beginning to the end. The result of the work – BIG CONFERENCE WITH FAMOUS PRODUCERS. The presentation in which I talked about the idea of the film, plot, casting, budget, etc., became the best of the course! That is, I managed to sell my idea! Subsequently, this project became my final work.
On “The Art of Directing” we studied the features of the work of great directors. Exam – shooting a film using the artistic style of one of the directors. I chose Tarantino. 120 hours of practice – another prerequisite for obtaining a diploma. Again, it doesn’t matter when or where. The main thing – experience.
MUST COMPLETE PRACTICE. You can do it anywhere and any time, the main thing is to get 120 hours of practice. I was a production assistant for a company that makes films using drones, where the drone – hero of the film. She worked in pre-production (looked for locations, money, asked the city for permission to film, created scenery).
My final work was a SHORT FILM. From and to. Script, directing, filming, editing. It turned out well.
Then I had to look for a job and get a work visa. These were probably the hardest few months, but I knew that EVERYTHING WOULD BE GOOD IF YOU ARE READY TO GO TO YOUR GOAL. And so it happened.
Currently I work as an assistant to the famous producer Dimitri Logothetis (https://dimitrilogothetis.com) . Very often I work not as an assistant, but as a producer. In his absence I – He! And I often think that I AM IN MY PLACE. One of the last works that you can see in the spring – movie "Jiu Jitsu" (https://www.kinopoisk.ru/film/1248515/ ) with Nicolas Cage. The plans – become a great producer yourself.
Emotional support from my parents played a very important role, but what helped me the most was my great desire. I couldn't accept the idea that it wouldn't work out. I couldn’t even think that I wouldn’t work in this industry. And I didn’t want to prove anything to anyone with my success. I WANTED TO PROVE TO MYSELF THAT I CAN! And she proved it. And I always said “yes” opportunities: any job! The more experience you get, the more interested you become.”