Dude Who Makes Movies

Josh Cook, assistant director for No Ambition, writer at CBS 13 west Sacramento, and chief of awesomeness. (note, Daily Republic always changes the title of my blogs anyway.)

Josh Cook is the A.D., assistant director, for my first feature film No Ambition.  He is also a writer for CBS 13 news, and an up and coming filmmaker.  He also writes screenplays, poems, and is working on his first novel.  I sat down with Josh on my awesomely soft sofa in my new apartment and we chatted it up.

 

Josh Harris:  What’s going with you right now?

Josh Cook:  Dude really, I have nothing to say haha.

 JH:  Where do you work and what do you do?

JC:  I work at CBS 13 west in Sacramento as a writer. Basically, I write for the anchors, I write what the anchors say, not everything you see, but some stories.

JH:  So you could basically make them say anything like Ron Burgundy?

JC:  I could technically, but every story get’s previewed by a Producer. Plus our anchors aren’t like the other guys from News10 and Fox40, we got some smart ones. But seriously, all the anchors are friends with each other, it’s weird.

JH:  What’s the most interesting story you’ve covered?

JC:  Well did you hear about this wild fire in SolanoCounty?

JH:  Yes.

JC:  Yea, I cover basic news and breaking news around the area, I don’t do the investigations like a reporter or anchor.

JH:  So you do film stuff too, what experiences have you had?

JC:  I worked with this guy named George Lucas once… just kidding. I’ve worked on a few films and a few music videos out in Vallejo and Richmond. I do crew stuff like production assistant, second A.D., first A.D.

 

Josh Cook

JH:  You’re the first A.D. on my film No Ambition, how do you feel about that?

JC:  It’s exciting. I love new opportunities to advance my career. As long as I’m staying busy I’m happy.

JH:  I heard the director doesn’t have a clue what he’s doing.

JC:  He doesn’t, honestly. Like seriously, I’ve been wanting to tell him to just hire me to direct the film.

JH:  I don’t think he has enough money.

JC:  I’m not cheap.

JH:  I am.

JC:  Haha.

JH:  So, where were you born and how long have you lived in Solano?

JC:  I was born in Nebraska, I’m a military brat, so I’ve been all over the world. I’ve been in Solano for about 10 years or so.

JH:  What international spots have you been?

 JC:  Germany, France, Netherlands, basically western Europe.

JH:  What are your plans for the future?

JC:  I’m going to film school in L.A. this Fall. I'll work on some movies here and there, then I’ll start working with the big names actors... you know, Will Smith, Mel Gibson, Tom Cruise...

JH:  Really?  Tom Cruise?

JC:  Well he’s not that bad of a guy, he’s just coo coo.

JH:  Coco Puffs offered him a sweet endorsement I hear...

JC:  I think I’ll just start my own religion someday, I need the money. You only need 10 people I think.

JH:  Can I sign up?

JC:  Yes. You can be Pontifex Maximus, that’s the chief of the Pagan priests. That’s what the Pope’s title is. Look it up on Wikipedia.

JH:  Mmm, no, but I’ll be that if you want. So anyways… big plans. You gonna be a director someday?

JC:  Hopefully. Probably. I’m pretty much in charge of the world already, so yea I’m sure.

JH:  So everything is your fault.

JC:  It is. I take credit for everything.

JH:  I think I’ll hate you then.

JC:  “In vino veritas.”

JH:  “Age quod agis.”

JC:  Anyways man, I got to go.

JH:  Ok.  Peace.

Josh Cook is moving to L.A. most likely in early September, and will embark on his long and illustrious film career down there.  I will periodically interview him and others in this blog.  Stay tuned for more details on No Ambition.  Also, visit Suisun's waterfront and spend lots of money this fourth of July!  It's going to rock!

 

Working on production schedule.

Currently I'm working on the production schedule along with the AD (assistant director).  It's a lot like a manager filling out a schedule to make sure shifts are covered and such.  Right now, since it's summer, there are some days people will be gone, but so far it's going well.  It's going to be slightly ambitious, but I'm going to leave enough wiggle room to make sure we get all the shots we need by the end of the summer.  I am willing to pick up some shots later this year too if we need to, since I have time.

That's one of the beautiful things about being independent of a studio, you get to work at your own pace.  There isn't a huge amount of pressure to get something done by a specific deadline per say, only what you yourself deem appropriate.  To me, I want to be done by the end of summer, but if I have to spread it out, I will.

Production is getting very close, we start shooting in July, and I've been gathering all the needed crew, talent and equipment necessary to make this movie happen.  It's not easy, but it is a lot of fun.  This is what I want to do with my life.

Married life is awesome, I highly recommend it.  Of course, I will say to wait until you KNOW it's the right person.  That's all I can say.  I know Julia is the one.

At any rate, I need to get back to work.  I will be able to keep this thing more up to date now that I have more freedom to do things (weddings are a lot of work not to mention I had a large media campaign I had to finish earlier this year).  Expect to see some pictures and read more interviews soon.

Josh

Production coming soon.

I'm deep in pre-production right now.  About to finish up the casting and finalizing the schedule and storyboards.  I've been rehearsing with my actors and setting up crew meetings.

The tentative date for shooting is early July until the end of July, with some pick ups in August.  Most the movie will be shot in Suisun in a few businesses along the Waterfront District, and several other local locations.  I will update this blog with photos of the production as often as I can.

I have some updates.  My buddy Kendall Davis is now working at Microsoft on some top secret Xbox developments.  All I can say is... buy an Xbox.  My buddy Dave Payne, who has been doing special fx work and will be working on No Ambition just had his oldest son with his wife Brenda, born Connor Alexander Payne.  And of course, I just got married myself.  Had a wonderful Honeymoon at Disneyland/California Adventure Park, Sea World, San Diego Zoo, and Universal Studios.  Yes, my wife Julia and I were there the day the big fire broke out.  It looked like a nuclear blast actually.

We were driving over the hill on 101 N, and once we rounded a bend, I was like, "Um, I think that's coming from Universal studios."  And sure enough, we get there, and there's a very large fire.  I'll post pictures sometime I'm sure.

At any rate, married life is awesome.  I love our new apartment.  I love being able to show off my soulmate :)  Life is awesome.

The next step is to keep getting better at filmmaking and finish up No Ambition.  Anyways, I got to go take my wife to school.

Josh