Monday, December 16, 2013

Where are they now?: Alumni Spotlight.

On the red carpet of the L.A. Film Festival, but I wasn't invited to that.


It’s been some time since our last installment of this series. Like Secretary Sebelius, I take full responsibility for this oversight. After a recent visit to Los Angeles, I had the opportunity to catch up with Stedsmen Dan “Deutsch Mark” Moore ’10. Let's find out what Moore is up to now...

St. Ed: What are you up to these days?

Moore: Currently, I am editing a potential PBS documentary series called "Ocean Stories" for O'Malley Creadon Productions. I'm also pursuing my dream of becoming a screenwriter. In other words, I'm a stereotypical person living in LA.

St. Ed: Is it really crazy living in the “City of Angels?"

Moore: It really can be. As Patton Oswalt says, "Los Angeles is 5 of the best cities in the country and 3 or 4 of the worst." I started out living in one of the worst, Hollywood. Far from the glamorous image it has in the rest of the country, it’s a seedy den of tourists and neon. It reeks of broken dreams, desperation and homeless people. On the flip side, you have neighborhoods like Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, which reek of inordinate wealth and entitlement. Right now, I live in Silver Lake, which reeks of hipster. I can deal with that.

St. Ed: How would you describe working in the “industry?"

Moore: It's like any other industry. It really depends on who you're working with. I like with working with my colleagues, but let's just say that the Ari Gold archetype is alive and well out here. However, for every Ari Gold, there are 10 good people trying to do good work. 

St. Ed: Who is someone who influences your craft? Is there someone you want to emulate in your work?

Moore: I'm a big fan of Michel Gondry and Frank Capra. "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and "It's a Wonderful Life" are two of my favorite movies (and not just because they have long titles). These movies are great because they take you on a journey of self-discovery and give you a new perspective on life. I would love to write movies like them. I would also like to pay my rent every month. We'll see what happens!

St. Ed: What advice would give to your fellow Gentlemen of St. Edward’s Hall?

Moore: Pursue your passions now, while you have the time! It might seem that you're really busy now, but just wait... things get even busier once you're out of those hallowed hallways. So my advice is that if you have a dream that you want to accomplish, don't wait until you graduate. Start now! Like right now. Close that browser and get to work!

Sound advice, but keep reading the Gentlemen's Monthly daily!