His Perseverance and Geeky Enthusiasm Landed Him Two Web Series You MUST Watch (VIDEOS)

Those who succeed in Hollywood, are those that are in it for the long haul.

Case in point: Jonathan London (C'01, WQHS Radio, The Hollywood Club)

After film school, Jonathan stuck to his guns, got to know the right people and created really well produced films you'll want to see. Pay attention to this guy Hollywood alumni...he's doing some really good films...

CLICK HERE to learn how did Jonathan got his start, what led to his success and watch two professionally produced short films of his you will love. (hint: if you love stories having to do with being single and/or love Ninja comedies, then you'll love these!)

How did Jonathan get his start?

Per Jonathan,

"After graduating from Penn in 2001 I entered the Film MFA program at Columbia. I had been accepted to Columbia and USC but ultimately chose Columbia for their approach to self-financing your film, the faculty they had on staff and their support for owning your own film. I was a fan of the directors coming out of the school and I don't think other schools could compete with recent grads like James Mangold, Kimberley Pierce and Greg Mottola (to name a few). A lot of other schools had more storied reputations but I was excited for what was currently going on at the school.

I left in 2003, moved to L.A. and shot a film for school called Gay By Dawn (featured in Pennfest 2006 - program HERE, photos HERE). It was a comedy horror short and it played really well at festivals for about two years. I knew it played well with festival audiences because it was weird, but just kept sending it to any festival that would take it and was shocked that it lived so long.

At the same time, I was working as a PA runner for a few different film companies. One of the companies was Fox Television Studios and I made friends with the assistants and gave them copies of my movie. About two years after THAT, the assistants had moved up the ranks and were now executives and needed to bring in projects of their own to develop. Luckily, any DVD that reads "Gay By Dawn" in big letters really stands out on a shelf so I got some calls and pitched my series ideas.

The one that really struck a chord was "Singledom", which I think is pretty relatable for people a few years out of college who are lost in the post-grad limbo.

I wrote and directed a presentation for "Singledom" and while that went through sales pitches and further development the studio asked me to take a look at a project they had called "When Ninjas Attack". My geeky enthusiasm and ridiculous knowledge of old ninja and kung fu movies made it a pretty good fit and a few weeks later the scripts were written and I was directing the six episodes that are being released this summer."

Stay tuned this fall when DT announces another big endeavor Jonathan has been working on!

HOT TIP!: Get some of Jonathan's great tips HERE and learn about a great free screenwriting tool he's using that I didn't even know about until he mentioned it!



More posts from my "Penn's REEL deals" series

More of my Funny Friday posts

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READ MORE - His Perseverance and Geeky Enthusiasm Landed Him Two Web Series You MUST Watch (VIDEOS)

Aspiring "Entertainment" Undergrads and Grads Want To Know the Answer to This Question

I recently got an email from Rachel Pearlman (C'07) a recent Penn grad (with a Masters in Film and Television Producing) who is looking for assistant positions in the Entertainment industry.

As you may have suspected, this has been a question I continue to get from aspiring undergrads and alumni anxious to get into the biz.

Click here to check out my advice to Rachel ...and all of you.

More of my Tuesday Tips here

New to DT? 14 easy suggestions to get started!

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See which Penn undergrads and alumni are registered on DuelingTampons.com

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She's Leading a Double Life as a High School Principal and Novelist

Since her days as an undergrad, it seems that Rachel Skerritt (C'99, GSE '99) likes to be involved in as much as possible.

This author ...and High School Principal(!) just published her third novel (her other books here) this year, entitled WHEN THE LIGHTS GO DOWN (Kensington - Dafina Books).

Rachel's books are contemporary fiction and per Rachel can be branded African American fiction, because most of the characters are African American, or as "chick lit," because the central characters are female.

Per Rachel,

"My books tend to address the age group of the main characters, and the issues that people of that particular age group face.  TRUTH BE TOLD is about coming of age on a college campus, very much inspired by my time at penn.  NO MORE LIES captures that time when you're out of school and living on your own and trying to figure yourself out.  WHEN THE LIGHTS GO DOWN focuses on folks who are turning thirty and making those major life decisions about career, family, and lifestyle.

Rachel tells me that she was originally C'99 but graduated a year early to spend the extra year getting a masters.) In addition to this she was involved in the following activites: Admissions Tour Guide, Service Learning through the Center for Commnunity Partnerships, Writer for The Vision (Penn's African American Student Newspaper), Graduate Advisor for DuBois College House, Writing Advisor in Writer's House )

What inspired Rachel to start writing? ...Which famous Penn alumni have been mentors to her? ...And what are her tips to YOU? The answers got me chuckling... Find out more here!

Click here to read a quick synopsis and the first chapter to WHEN THE LIGHTS GO DOWN ...+/-

ONCE YOU BECOME A VIP ... IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO GO BACK.

Kahlila Bradford keeps a written record of all of the qualities she wants in her mate. With hundreds of items on her list and counting, it's no wonder that she's still single. Realizing that she could stand to cut loose a little, Kahli decides to leave Boston for a spell and spend a sizzling summer in Harlem - no lists and no limits.

Once in New York, Kahli meets the one man who can actually exceed her expectations. Darius Wilson is the hottest thing in R&B, with charisma to spare and a genuine interest in what Kahli thinks of his music. It isn't long before Kahli is dying to give him more than just her opinion, and she suddenly she is center stage at the side of a celebrity.

But autumn's arrival means returning home and getting back to reality. Now it's time for Kahli to ask herself some serious questions about how much she's willing to give up to keep living in the spotlight, and what's really important ... when the lights go down.


First Chapter:

Rachel Skerritt's (C'99) "When the Lights Go Down" Excerpt - Upload a Document to Scribd

Read this document on Scribd: Rachel Skerritt's (C'99) "When the Lights Go Down" Excerpt

Rachel's website here

Get WHEN THE LIGHTS GO DOWN

More Penn authors!

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His Entertainment Job Sucked So He Took Matters Into His Own Hands

Every Penn success story in Hollywood has an interesting beginning and the following is another must-read for ambitious undergrads and alumni looking to stand out and charter the entertainment waters.

Get the details on how Sonny Lee (C'03) became a TV staff writer for a popular show premiering this week!

Two years ago Sonny Lee’s (C'03, PennSix, Full Measure, Penn Admissions) job “sucked” so he took matters into his own hands which jump started his Hollywood writing career and soon began writing as a staff writer for It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia. (he also acted in an episode called "Mac and Charlie Die: Part Two," where he played Quan, Danny DeVito's new potential roommate -see image below.)

Season Four premieres this Thursday, Sept. 18th on FX with Sonny's episode airing in the second back-to-back episode (10:30 pm) titled "The Gang Solves The Gas Crisis":

"Charlie, Mac and Dennis decide that since gas prices have doubled over the last year, why not buy up a bunch of gas now, store it in the bar for a year, and then sell it back for a huge profit? Meanwhile, Dee and Frank are convinced that Dee's biological father, Bruce Mathis, is funding terrorists when he donates to a local Muslim community center."

Click here to find out how Sonny took his career into his own hands!

...Then get Sonny's tips on being a TV writer here!
and more of my Tuesday Tips here!

Other Penn writers here!

Sonny's blog here

Catch up on all 3 seasons available for free here

New to DT? 14 easy suggestions to get started!

See which Penn undergrads and alumni are registered on DuelingTampons.com

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Tuesday Tips: Advice on Becoming a Published Novelist

Earlier today, I posted about Allison Winn Scotch’s (C’95) novel The Department of Lost and Found.

While the book’s story was intriguing, an even more intriguing story is how Allison actually became a published novelist. Like many creative careers, it's a story of perseverance.

I've been speaking with Allison over the past few weeks and she has shared valuable, specific tips with us on the following topics:

• How to get published
• How to land an agent
• What classes to take
• What books an aspiring author should read
• Writing programs to use
• Events for networking
• Groups to Join

Read Allison's very valuable insider's advice!

In coming weeks, watch this space for advice from 6 additional published Penn novelists!

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Alumni & Undergrad Advice to Prospects: Why We Chose Penn

One of my reasons above

After I posted my Now and Then Thursdays: Accepted at Penn article, I got the following email from high school senior Carissa Clark:

"Hi again - so I was just watching the video you posted and saw underneath that you were accepted into both Cornell and Penn. I have the same dilemma. I'm almost positive I will be attending Penn. What were some of the things that shaped your decision?"

So what shaped my decision?

Click here to find out what shaped my decision and the decisions of a ton of our undergrads & alumni!
(be sure to add your story as well!)

If you do decide to go, check out these videos of all the places you can live on campus! (but you want to try to live here your freshman year!)

More Tuesday Tips here

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Tuesday Tips: For the Actor Looking to Create a Demo Reel

Back in February I posted a Tuesday Tip article with "Advice for the actor who wants to move out to LA".

As a follow-up to that article, one important marketing tip that an actor should consider these days is to create a reel of his/her work. That reel should be posted on your facebook account as well as for other Penn alumni to see!

On this note, talented video editor David Chalfin (C'96) is offering up his editing services (at a good rate!) to Penn undergrads and alumni looking to create their demo reel.

Click here to check out his work and get more information!

My posts about Penn Actors on TV and in Movies

Check out my Headshot Hotties section here!

More Tuesday Tips here

Join the DuelingTampons Facebook Group!

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Tuesday Tips: Advice for an Undergrad Looking for a Job in Entertainment Marketing (Los Angeles)

(l to r:) Melisa Kirkup (C'01) & Ashley Berger (C'06)

The other day I got an email from undergrad senior Ryan Townsend (C'08) who was interested in moving out to Los Angeles to pursue a career in Entertainment Marketing and/or Publicity.

Penn alumni Melisa Kirkup (C'01, Universal Marketing) and Ashley Berger (C'06, Warner Brothers Marketing) chimed in with some good tips regarding job searching and answering the #1 question most LA bound undergrads have: "Can I secure a job in Los Angeles before moving out there?"

Click here to read their helpful advice to Ryan! (and/or submit your own!)

Be sure to check out my other Entertainment related Tuesday Tips!

Three days left to enter our March contest: My Mugs for Yours!

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READ MORE - Tuesday Tips: Advice for an Undergrad Looking for a Job in Entertainment Marketing (Los Angeles)

Tuesday Tips: A Successful Screenwriting Career NOT Living in LA??

After I posted my Tuesday Tip on advice for the undergrad who wants to move out to LA to become a writer, Matt Lintner (C'00) asked "Is it possible to have a successful screenwriting career and not live in LA??

Some of our writer alumni chimed in with their take...

Check out their responses here! (and add yours!)

My other "Tuesday Tips"

Get the scoop on other Penn Writers

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Tuesday Tips: Advice for the Writer who Wants to Move Out to LA

Penn writers Phyllis Zimbler Miller (WG'80), Eric Barker (C'94), Hadley Davis (C'93), Josh Heald (C'00)

In this week's Tuesday Tips series, I have enlisted the help of my Penn alumni writer friends out here in Los Angeles to offer advice to the Penn undergrad or alum who has decided to move out to Los Angeles to pursue a writing career.

Between the four of them (Phyllis Zimbler Miller (WG'80), Eric Barker (C'94), Hadley Davis (C'93), and Josh Heald (C'00)), they have written for books, TV and Film and have offered up some great advice to all of you including answers to the following questions:

-What classes should you take?
-Writing programs to use?
-Registering your work
-Events for networking
-Groups to join?
-Best place in LA to write?
-Any other advice?

I too have chimed in based on my years being a writer in Los Angeles and all the lessons I have learned.

Click here to find out what our alumni writer panel has to say and/or add your own advice!

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Tuesday Tips: Advice for the actor who wants to move out to LA

Penn actors Roy Vongtama (C'96), Lesley Wolff (C'93) and Alex Petrovitch (C'01)

In this week's Tuesday Tips series, I have enlisted the help of my Penn alumni actor friends out here in Los Angeles to offer advice to the Penn undergrad or alum who has decided to move out to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.

Between the three of them, Roy Vongtama (C'96), Lesley Wolff (C'93), and Alex Petrovich (C'01) have done TV, Film and stagework and have offered up some great advice to all of you including answers to the following questions:

Who are the best acting coaches?
Who are some good photographers to take my headshots?
Where should I get my headshots done?

Click here to find out what our alumni panel has to say and/or add your own advice!

My posts about Penn Actors on TV and in Movies

Check out my Headshot Hotties section here!

Sign up for the latest updates from DuelingTampons.com

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Check out our 700+ Penn videos

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Tuesday Tips: Using DuelingTampons.com to help me with my career in 8 easy steps

I recently got an email from Eric Barker (C'94) a former feature writer who is currently in Boston getting his MBA and wants to leverage his entertainment/media experience in the business world.

"First semester's over so I need to start internship hunting," says Eric. "I'm trying to reconnect with some Penn people and meet some new folks. What's the best way to go about building on my Penn network?"

Great question.

As the former Penn Club President here in Los Angeles and Executive Producer of Pennfest (our now 6th annual emerging film and music festival), this has been a question I continue to get from aspiring undergrads and alumni anxious to get into the biz.

Click here check out my advice in 8 steps to Eric ...and all of you.

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Tuesday Tips: Best (Paid) Internship in Entertainment

Two weeks ago I talked about a great internship Penn was offering undergrads. This week, I want to share the best internship out there which actually brought me out to Los Angeles when I was a Junior at Penn.

This #1 competitive internship pays $4000 for the summer and gets you connected to the right players in Hollywood quickly...

Undergrads, click here to find out more about this great internship

Check out my other "Tuesday Tips"

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Tuesday Tips: "I'm on facebook but how do I get into the "Penn" network?"

Okay, you've registered for Facebook.

You even added the DuelingTampons.com facebook widget to your profile.

Heck, you're probably in the "New York", "Los Angeles" or "Philadelphia" network. And if you're an undergrad, you may even still be part of your high school's network.

But you still haven't figured out how to officially add yourself into the 37,980+ person (as of 1/15/08) "Penn" (college) network on facebook.

Click here to find out why you should do this and what you need to do in 7 easy steps!

Click here for my other Tips

What other networks are you in on facebook? Comment below!

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Tuesday Tips: Top 2 Internships in Entertainment: #2

I'm often asked by many undergrads and alumni, "How do I get to Hollywood?" or "How do I start a career in entertainment?" You've seen the emerging talent on this site. You've seen the success stories. But how do you get in on the action?

So far I have been posting some great individual's paths to success here, but starting today, Im going to start up a "Tuesday Tips" series which will go deeper into pursuing a career in entertainment and help answer the following questions:
1) What should I do to have a career in entertainment?
2) What internships should I be seeking out?
3) What resources are available to me?
4) Which Penn alumni should I be speaking with?
5) What do I do to pursue a job when I get to Los Angeles?

These tips come from my personal journey out here in Los Angeles over the past 10+ years pursuing a career in acting and writing. I will also have alumni in other entertainment verticals out here (agents, assistants, film & TV producers, filmmakers) offer some tips within my posts.

I encourage everyone to comment below with:
-your additional tips to my weekly stories
-suggestions for future "Tuesday Tips" stories.

Click here to check out my first Tuesday Tip: "Top 2 Internships in Entertainment (1/2)"

Check out which alumni and undergrads are registered on DuelingTampons.com

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