COMPLETE APPRENTICE AUTOBIOGRAPHIES & PROGRESS

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Mickey Agarwal My name is Mikhil (Mickey) Agarwal. I am 24 years old and have decided that I want to work in the film industry. Although I've known that I wanted to work on films for a long time, I am only now attempting to take the steps in that direction. Before I explain why it has taken so long for me to get to this point, I feel as though I should share with you some information regarding my life's history. I realize that we all have our stories, and that to many of us, those stories are followed, preceded, and most often intertwined with more stories that seem endless in detail and length. So, with this in mind, I will try to be as cohesive and yet punctual as I can be. I was born in Bombay, India on January 6, 1980. My father is (East) Indian, and my mother is Russian but was born and raised in India. My sister was born on December 26, 1981. I lived there until 1983, at which point we moved to Boston, Massachusetts so that my dad could pursue his medical career after medical school. In 1985, we moved to Brooklyn, New York, but lived there for only several months and then moved back to Massachusetts, but to a small town on the outskirts of Boston named Framingham. A year later, we moved to another town in Massachusetts named Natick. Then, in June of 1989, we moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. While in Albuquerque, we moved once within the city, which meant I had to change school districts. In August of 1998, I moved to Orange, California after having been accepted to Chapman University. In 2001, I moved to Fountain Valley, California. The reason why I've provided you all this information is to shadow what I considered complexities during these times. One such issue was that I never really had a place where I could be comfortably situated very long. I never had a group or single friend with whom I could grow up with. However, throughout all those years, one thing remained a constant. One thing held my attention and enthusiasm more than anything else: movies. Ever since I can remember, I've wanted to play a part in creating, or at least be a part of making films. The first movie I ever fully watched from start to finish was "Nightmare on Elm Street". I remember so vividly, the night I watched it on HBO how terrified I was, but how much I still enjoyed that feeling. Even now, while writing this, I'm fighting the urge to provide more specific examples of movies that are so memorable to me for reasons of their own at risk of going off on a tangent. Although I had such an appreciation for films, I pursued a career in law. My father, being a successful doctor, always told me that I could be whatever I wanted as long as I was in a position to choose. Even though he would never say it, I always believed that he would have preferred that I chose a professional career. And until recently I followed that path (reluctantly). This is the reason why, for the last two years, I have been one semester away from graduating with a degree in political science and an emphasis in law. Another thing that deterred me from pursuing a career in film, after coming to college in California and getting to know numerous student filmmakers, actors and actresses, was the instability involved regarding all its positions (all of them made it sound as though they were going to have to struggle to find work in the field they intended to pursue). One specific incident that helped create this perception occurred during my freshman year in college when I accompanied my sister to a talent showcase in Studio City. There were many people there and the participants were allowed to participate through invite only. While accompanying my sister, I was asked to take part in the showcase, and after initially declining, agreed to take part in the convention. I couldn't help but notice how many people strive to be noticed or strive to "make it" and how exceptionally few actually do (I related this to all the positions in any of the entertainment industries). Even though I've never felt a need to be acknowledged or considered "superior" to any one else, watching everyone around me that day helped create this impression that everyone in the film/music industries do it for the fame and/or fortune. My father actually told me once that one of the greater qualities is that I should never do things for money. In any case, I got several offers from management companies, including a three-year acting contract, but I never replied. Despite the potential gain, the potential loss always seemed to outweigh it, and risk is something I would've liked to avoid altogether. This brings me to the present. I'm not going to write of myself as having gained a complete understanding of everything around me, because I don't think I ever will (as it is not humanly possible). By this I mean that I believe every thing, person, event, etc. in life has something to offer someone or something if he, she, or it is willing to accept/see it. My father and I have a more open communicative relationship than we have ever had and I believe now that he meant what he said in regards to being supportive of whatever I wanted to do with my life. I can't emphasize enough how much that has meant to me. I mentioned in the preceding paragraph that the potential loss always seemed to outweigh the potential gain. The potential loss I was referring to was the feeling of having disappointed my father. Today, I am a lot more comfortable with myself and am willing to face life's trials and tribulations. More specifically, I believe now that those instabilities (along with disappointments and/or fulfillment) are a part of any career, as they are of life. We may try to hide from them or lie and tell ourselves that they don't exist, but that won't change the fact that they do. My interest in films has only intensified alongside an intrigue regarding production. Though there was a time when, in order to make the process of pursuing a career (in law) which I didn't have the heart for, easier for myself, I questioned the necessity of film and filmmaking in our lives. I actually was able convince myself that there is no real need for either of them. In order to come to this conclusion, I realize now, I had to completely refrain from looking at myself and questioning my own affinity for films. So, to answer the question why I love films as much as I do, I can honestly reply that it's because I see them as more than just a series of images and sounds presented on a screen. The lessons that can be learned from films, which I see as reflections of life or lives themselves, are endless. Regarding necessity, I believe films have the potential to be the most precise form of communication we have as well as the most influential. I could go into greater depths as to what films are for me, but won't at the risk of sounding as over-analytical as I used to be. I'm not sure if this provides you with the information you were looking for, or enough of it for that matter, but I hope that, if nothing else, I was able to provide at least a glimpse as to why I have chosen to take these first steps. I am willing to do whatever it takes and would be grateful if you could help me in any way. Sincerely, Mickey Agarwal From Alan Noel Vega: "Thank you for the opportunity of being a mentor!" Mentorship for June 2004 Notes: Mickey worked as a Production Assistant on a film trailer, from June 1-4, 2004. Mickey is currently prepping a Feature Film "God's Waiting List", wherein he is assisting the Art and Location departments Mentorship for July 2004 Notes: Mickey worked as a Production Assistant on a feature film, "God's Waiting List", directed by Duane Adler, the writer of "Save the Last Dance". Mickey shuttled the lead actors to set, including Roger G Smith, Nicky Micheaux and Lauren Tom. Mentorship for September 2004 Mickey worked on prepping a 'Bollywood' style film tentatively titled "It's a Mismatch", starring Anupam Kher ('Bend it Like Beckham'). Shooting to start October 19, 2004 Mentorship for October 2004 Mickey is currently working on "It's a Mismatch". He is working as a Production Assistant, assisting the Lead Actors of the movie and doing overall production work.