MB Alumni: Jeff Miller
Name: Jeff Miller
Course:Boot Camp for Journalists with David Hochman.
Output:The new video game “Shout About Music.”
How I found the class:I met David right when I was out of college, and I’d moved back to L.A. with no plan whatsoever. I grew up here, so I was living with my parents, and I was interning at a major record label and hated it. I took David’s class on a whim — I’d written about music for my college newspaper and really enjoyed it, and thought a class might be a good way to pass the time. David basically looked at me one day and said “you either need to decide to do this or not — but I think you should.” I really needed someone to kick my ass into gear, and David did that. I’ve also got to give some credit to Variety staffer Claude Brodesser, who was a student in that class with me and later ended up being my teacher in a Writing about Entertainment class. He pulled me aside at a bar one night and told me I was ruining my life, in his inimitable way, and that if I ever wanted to write for Variety to give him a call. About 6 months later, I was on the beach reading Variety when I realized that they ran music reviews. I called Claude, and got my first assignment for them the next day. I really consider that the beginning of my professional writing career.
What I learned:I think the number-one thing I’ve learned — and it’s helped me in more than just my freelancing career — is not to fear rejection. Based on some things that David said and advice I’ve gotten from other writers (most of whom I’ve met through mediabistro), I’ve devised a theory that goes like this: I want to write for Spin. Spin is my number-one place to write for. I don’t currently write for Spin. If I pitch Spin, and they decline or reject me — I STILL don’t write for Spin. Nothing’s changed. But I never will write for Spin if I don’t pitch them. That’s great dating advice too, by the way.
How the course helped me do what I did:I just finished working on a video game called “Shout About Music,” which is in stores now; I was one of the head writers on it. Without my Mediabistro classes, not only would I not have had the credentials to get a job like that, I would never have had the confidence to do it. At this point, I’m not sure which is more important.
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