About Mario

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Born and raised in Los Angeles, Mario Piumetti is a freelance writer of science fiction, horror, screenplays, and nonfiction. He has a bachelor's degree in English from California Lutheran University and an MFA in creative writing from Antioch University. An avid music lover, his work is heavily influenced by rock, punk, and metal. You can contact him at mario.piumetti.writer@gmail.com.

Monday, May 18, 2015

So What Have I Been Up To?

Hi, everyone.

I think it's safe to say I've neglected the blog.  My mind's been all over the place the last couple of months, so I'm going to try organizing my brains as much as possible.

I've been focusing a ton on job-hunting lately.  I did some temp work for Mandalay Pictures over a month ago, and worked on a short film for the New York Film Academy in early-April. Right now I'm temping for the American Film Institute.  I started that last week.  A video production company in Van Nuys also hired me, but they laid me off after a day because there wasn't enough work to go around.

While all that went on last week, I took a break from my daily-job-hunt.  I'm trying to get back into the routine of it, but it's surprising how out of shape you feel after just a week.  I've been spending most of today get reorganized to jump back in.

Aside from AFI, I'm developing a film I'd like to do with a guy I meet during the NYFA short.  He was the props master, but we got to talking and learned he wants to direct as much as I want to produce.  It's in a very embryonic state right now, just as far as me working up some ideas and pitching them to him.  I'm also working on some demo reels to expand my skill set.  Currently, I'm working on a color correction demo, but I'm also going to do a VFX compositing and post sound design demo down the line.

Now, as far as writing goes...

Okay, I actually did toy with the idea of flat-out quitting - I have no short stories in the works since Unholy Spirits in January - but some of my friends have urged me not to.  As far as new fiction pieces, I really can't churn them out in an assembly line fashion (though I've tried).  If something new comes up, then something new comes up.

In the meantime, I'm making a devoted effort towards freelance ghostwriting, which is something I'm no longer ashamed of because work is work.  I joined Fiverr and Elance recently, but Elance is much easier in terms of finding people looking for writers to work on their projects.  Elance sends me a few recommendations a day, and I really just need to sit own, sift through them, and write proposals for the ones I think I could do well on.

All in all, I just have a lot on my plate right now, but I don't like neglecting the blog.  I solemnly swear I'll do at least a new post each week.  Seriously.  Scout's honor.  Even though I was never a boy scout.