FILM MENTOR

 























COMPLETE APPRENTICE AUTOBIOGRAPHIES & PROGRESS


Jon Togashi

My goal of entering the television and film industry began when I was in high school. I would always wonder how all the special effects, pyrotechnics, cameras, and sound were put together to create a television show or film. I knew sometime in my freshman year in high school, television and film production was what I wanted to do. I would register for classes like electronics and photography to be steppingstones to my career.

After I graduated high school, I was determined to get into the television production or "TVPRO" program at Leeward Community College. I had a very hard and frustrating time at LCC. The program had level one in the fall, level two in the spring, and level three in the summer. To get into this program you had to start in the fall, but the program only accepted twenty students a semester. So everyone who registered for the program was put into a lottery and the first twenty names selected would be put into the program. I tried for a good three to five years in a row to get in and I got nowhere. During all that time I got very frustrated with the program and almost gave up on it. My mother was even telling me maybe I should try something else because to her, time was being wasted having to wait so long. This made me more mad and frustrated, yet it motivated me even more to get into this field.

To please my mother I told her I would look into another career or major. What I really did was try to get an entry level job at a news station. I applied to all the different news stations. This is where I learned about the "catch 22". I would think: "how can you get experience unless someone is willing to give you a chance?" During the waiting process of hopefully getting an interview, I took some classes at this other station called "OLELO". I took only one or two classes because I only had a part time job and I couldn't afford a lot. They were interesting classes, but they were just classes. There was no certificate of completion if you passed and completed the course. The good part about it is that I learned a few things about my major.

I went on the net a day or two later after talking to a friend. I looked up schools, internships, apprenticeships, trade schools, television, and film. After searching a while, I saw this site called getamentor.com. I read everything and thought this is the answer to my prayers. So, I showed it to my parents as soon as they got home. They had to think about it, but I am really glad they agreed to help and let me do this. I am very excited and anxious to get started.

As you can see, I have had a long and difficult path to get to where I am now and I haven't even started yet. This path I took should tell you that I am a hard worker who is serious about doing this for my career. It also shows that when I am determined to do something, nothing can stop me from doing it. I also currently have two jobs and live on my own now.

I am very punctual and have good work habits. I realize when it is time to work and when it is time to play. I know when you start in this industry you may have to volunteer and work for free, and I am more than willing to do this.

I honestly do feel that if a mentor does take me on as an apprentice, he or she will feel that they made a good choice. I am also a good team player and get along with my co-workers. If the mentor does decide to pay me, he or she will see through my work that I do deserve the incentive or bonus of being paid.

Thank you very much.

Jon H. Togashi




Oct 30, 2003

Aloha Phillip!

Jon has been doing great since he started with us from our initial meeting! He has bravely dived into "hands on training" with setting up the tripod cam as well as operating the roam cam for our indoor "live" wrestling events.

He has also been introduced to basic outdoor ENG shoots with an event we covered last Sunday at Honolulu's Bishop Museum. Some of his work will be aired next Saturday on TV! We will also add his name to the credit roll accordingly.

Because of his willingness to try all aspects of production, we have decided to put him on the crew as production assistant/intern to be trained as camera operator first. We will tackle computer editing in the next phase,
but for now he has been assigned to the weekly shoots at Pinko's Hawaii, and monthly shoots at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kahuna's Ballroom where he will partake in shooting interviews as well as being a part of a multicam setup.

So far, Jon is doing great!

Thank you!

Linda Bade
HCW - Hawaii Championship Wrestling
Honolulu, Hawaii 96825


Nov 3, 2003

To Mr. Philip Trout,

This is my first update for the month of October. So far my time working with Hawaii Championship Wrestling (Linda Bade) has been fun and a good learning experience. I have learned about the cameras that they use and how to operate them. The technical person or video person Ms. Bade uses for her show is very friendly and helpful. I have done some operating of the camera at the show they put on at the Bishop Museum. It was fun, yet I learned it is not easy to get good shots when the action is fast paced.

This so far has been a great experience for me as far as I'm concerned. I really like the fact that the people I work with are easygoing and friendly.

Thank you for finding me a great place to do my intern, it makes things a lot easier on me and makes doing the work that much more fun. Thank you so much!!!

Sincerely,

Jon Togashi


Nov 15, 2003

Jon is now assigned to the weekly and monthly shows.

Thanks!

Linda


January was a tough month for Jon with the rainy weather and shoot schedules being changed here and there, but he continues to show great enthusiasm and cooperation. His footages continue to be aired, although his training for editing had to be postponed on account of family emergency on his side. We will resume the training with Final Cut Pro in February!

Thanks, Phillip!

Aloha,

Linda




Apr 1, 2004

Hi Phillip!

How are you?

Jon had actually missed a couple of shoots on account of family emergency, but he slipped right back into action and is currently already training on the Final Cut Pro at the TV station. His edit bay is shared by KIKU-TV's chief editor as well as his trainer Anthony (who is our top graphics man). Anthony will also train Jon with graphics and flash animation in the future. First things first though. Jon is practicing working with timeline and audio sync. He is also doing just straights cuts and simple transitions.

Thank you, Phillip! Have a great day!

Linda Bade


May 2, 2004

Aloha Phillip!

We hope all is going well! Jon has been training under Anthony for a few weeks now, and his trainer, Anthony tells me that he's picking things up at a good pace. Although his editing skills still need polishing for "on air" work, he should be ready by the end of the month for simple edits and minimal effects. He has also shown interest in learning the subtitling bay for bilingual programming. If he can master the subtitle bay, this position can easily turn into a hired (paid) position, as there is nobody else on the list before him as a trainee. The software is a bit difficult, but I think Jon's got what it takes to nail it! This will come in handy as we have a solid affiliation with the two biggest Pro Wrestling federations in Japan, and we have started airing matches from Japan with wrestlers from Hawaii!

Thank you!

Linda


May 18, 2004

Jon Togashi is continuing the edit sessions with Anthony Hahn, and I hear he's doing it very steadily. He has yet to tackle the subtitling bay! He will be starting on that this month. Once he gets that down, Jon will be up for a hired position.

Thank you, Phillip!

Linda


Jun 7, 2004

Aloha Phillip!

This month we will start another program called "Keiki Fitness," with Hawaii's superstar of the Super Brawl fame, Egan Inouye, and his kids! It will be a fitness show that Jon is scheduled to be on standby for. Depending on how he progresses on the subtitling. If things go well, he should be hired in a short time.

Thank you, once again for Jon!

Linda