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| COMPLETE APPRENTICE AUTOBIOGRAPHIES & PROGRESS |
Sean Casamento
My name is Sean Casamento. I was born in Berkeley, CA on May 11, 1962. I am the youngest of 3 boys, half-Italian half Irish. My parents were high school sweethearts from Jamestown, New York. They moved to Emporia, Kansas to attend college, then married at the age of 19. At that time, people did not marry outside of their nationality. However, they were both Catholic, which gave them and their families some common ground. My mother is very devout. It was very important to her that she pass the religion on to my brothers and me. My father was probably one of the most naturally gifted people I know. He was an exceptional athlete, and was able to play many musical instruments by ear. He went to college on a full football scholarship and then played professional football for one year. He was cut in his first season and ended up taking a job as a Sales Rep in the food business. He was very successful and worked his way up to owning his own spice blending company.
My parents divorced in 1974. It was difficult on the entire family. I believe my father filled the void of family with money. My mother always said it was much harder for a rich man to get to heaven than a poor man.
I was not sure what she meant but after seeing my father's materialistic selfish attitude with money I now know money is a great luxury and convenience, but it does not make one happy. I had the good fortune of living in many parts of the country. It was the best education for me, not only learning about people and places, but about life in general. I realized I wanted to be an actor after an eighth-grade production of "A Christmas Carol". I was in every high school play and drama production. I knew from the deepest part of my gut that acting was the only thing I wanted to do.
Most of my friends and peers at the time did not know what they wanted to do. I was glad I did. Before I finished high school I had the opportunity to audition for a major motion picture being shot in Dallas. I got the lead male role. We went in to production and because of legal issues the film was never finished or released. I was devastated, but continued on to Los Angeles to acting and film school at the Lee Strasberg Theatre School in West Hollywood. At that time I met and started a relationship with an older woman (I was 18 she was 24) and she got pregnant. I had been working part time while attending theatre school. Full time family meant full time and reliable work. That meant acting school was out. I could not have known how this decision would affect the rest of my life. I never got over the sadness of leaving entertainment.
I worked for Westco products, a large family owned manufacturing company. I had the good fortune of having the owner of the company as my mentor. I did learn a great deal about the world of business. I was successful but not happy. At Westco, I met my best friend and life long soul mate, Paige. Paige is a fantastic human being. She was going to USC and working her way up through the company it was her family's business, and she was fourth generation. I had just gotten married and had my first daughter and she was just planning her wedding. Not only did Paige and I became friends, but so did her future husband and my wife. We're all great friends. I divorced four years later when our two daughters were 5, Shae, and 4, Lauren. After my divorce I wanted out of the food business. There had to be something more exciting for me.
I ended up moving to northern California and getting into the car business. It was definitely more exciting and very lucrative. Paige and I always kept in contact and saw each other as much as possible on a platonic basis. We were true true friends. We shared everything. She knew me completely. And our relationship grew. Paige and Kevin's relationship did not. They divorced a few years later, when their son Sean (named after me) was 4, and their daughter, Nicole was 20 months.
Paige and I soon started building more than a platonic relationship and were married in 1990. Our kids had always been close and the idea of a blended family to them was the best thing they had ever heard. Our families blended beautifully and have had almost 14 years together. During that time Paige and I have built a relationship that I never dreamed could exist. We still enjoy each other's company and have enjoyed working together in the car business for several years. We have built our own business as well as working for others. Now our two older kids are in college and Sean and Nicole decided to finish high school in southern California with their father. This has given Paige and I an empty nest earlier than we expected and has opened up many opportunities for us. One of them is me getting back into my dream of being in the entertainment business.
I have been writing for a couple of years on a couple of different screenplays. One is semi-autobiographical. When my story is completed I want to know how to get it made into a film. My goal is to tell my story from beginning to end. To do so I will learn every aspect of the process.
It was worth waiting the 20 years to pursue my dream. I learned that I would rather work behind the camera now rather than in front of it.
There is a reason for everything. Its never too late to be what you always wanted to be.
Dear Phil-
Attached is a listing of the shoots/projects in which Sean Casamento has participated during the months of July, August and September. As you will see, there has been a good deal of variety in the activity and the content. He has been exposed to several clients and various levels of production. Over the next few weeks he will be learning more in detail about audio requirements and will acquire additional practical skills.
We are enjoying Sean's involvement and his enthusiasm.
Thank you!
Ruth Hamilton
Business Manager
The Big Picture Film & Video Arts, Inc.
Sausalito, CA 94965
website: www.bigpicfilm.com
Diary for Sean Casamento
July 9th G-4 full day as PA for Entertainment Art co. Full day shoot with George.
July11th Original Pictures PA for Discovery Channel Plastic Surgery show worked with Travis 2 locations in San Francisco.
July 13th High Noon worked as PA for Travis for the show unrapped on the Food Network at The See&Mac226;s candy Factory in S. San Francisco.
July 17th MTV shoot for Bands reunited work with Travis as PA and lighting worked half day in San Carlos.
Aug 1st Ackerman McQueen in Berkeley. Worked as PA for George on Leap Frog Commercial. Full day.
Aug 11th Worked with Franc as PA for Original Productions on a shoot for the Discovery Channel on the Plastic Surgery show worked in front of the camera as a make up artist as well as PA.
Sept 3 Worked with George as a PA for the Wellness care center in Napa.
Sept 4th Second day. Worked with George as a PA for the Wellness care center in Napa.
Sept 13 Dr Phil segment shoot in Stockton with George I was PA. Full Day.
Sept 12 Went with George for casting call San Francisco Ballet. Visited 2 agencies in S.F. Star agency and Kids international agency. We interviewed 30 kids Picked 5 for Ballet commercial.
Sept 16 Full day shoot for the San Francisco Ballet commercial. Worked as PA with George.
April 1, 2004
Dear Phil-
These are the projects Sean Casamento worked on during the period we just billed:
October 2003
Production Assistant on "Aids in Popular Culture" for MTV - interviews at local hotel.
Production Assistant on "Getting Naked (Naked Chef)" for MTV - location shoot in kitchen.
Production Assistant for 24/7 Media - Interviews regarding Quicken/Intuit Software.
November 2003
Audio Technician for MODA Entertainment - Interview with Lauren Bacall in Los Angeles - located in historic hotel.
Production Assistant for background story on Parenting for Dr. Phil - interviews with parents.
Production Assistant for episode of The Bachelor for Next Entertainment - location shoots in and around San Francisco.
December 2003
Grip/Utility for multi-location Satellite uplink/downlink for corporate client, Ernst & Young - assisting with setup of lights and camera gear.
Production Assistant - "Alex Question" background story for Dr. Phil - interviews.
January 2004
Audio Technician "Konami Gamers Day/Blister" for G4 Media (gaming channel) - Run & Gun camera crew.
Audio Technician "Atari DRIV3R" Product Launch - Run & Gun camera crew.
Audio Technician "Blood Donor Drive" Video News Release for Medialink.
Production Assistant "Sonic Heroes" product launch for G4 Media - Run & Gun crew & Interviews.
Production Assistant - "Stanford Interviews" for G4 Media - interviews on location at Stanford University.
February 2004
Production Assistant "Activision Editors Day" for G4 Media (gaming channel) - Interviews.
Production Assistant - San Francisco Police Dept Interview for G4 Media.
Utility/Production Assistant - "Merge" TV Show for Greenflash Entertainment.
Audio Technician - "I Love the 90's - Interview w/John Mayer" for MTV.
In addition to the shoots listed above, George has been working with Sean on development of a script for a feature film.
Ruth Hamilton
Production Coordinator
The Big Picture Film & Video Arts, Inc.
Sausalito, CA 94965
website: www.bigpicfilm.com |
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