If I’ve been very busy these past few weeks, it’s because of this baby right here–a first attempt (for me and my MA, Liezel) to organize a block screening event under the company I work for, Modworld Production Management, Inc. The event is finally happening this Saturday, and I’m equal parts thrilled and terrified, just like I was when we staged the Koala’s March Grand Family Day in November of last year. Compared to that event, of course, this one is of a smaller scale, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t as challenging.

So yes–have you bought tickets from me yet? ^_^ If you haven’t, I sincerely wish you would. Ha. Ha. <3

No, but seriously, if you have nothing to do on a Saturday night–that’s this Saturday, June 13th (8:00 PM)–come join us for this Jurassic World block screening event. Early birds get freebies from our sponsors~ and maybe even game and raffle prizes if you’re the type to be lucky. You can visit the Modworld website for tickets, or you can contact me directly at modworld.tara@gmail.com. ^_^

I’d be lying if I said everything had been smooth-sailing from Day One. No. It was the opposite, and that was partly why everything had been a challenge, and a learning experience not only for me but for all of us involved in this event. In hindsight, there are things I wish I could have handled better, but I guess there’s no use crying over spilt milk. There’s still four days to the event and no time to mope over the shoulda-woulda-couldas.

I do have time, however, to recount the things I’ve learned so far.

Tara’s Takeaways
(The Block Screening Edition)

1. It doesn’t hurt to ask. Just because it would seem daunting to pursue a sponsorship agreement with certain big establishments doesn’t mean you don’t stand a chance. It can start as simply as finding the right numbers to call, tracking the right people to talk to, and not being afraid to ask. It’s a Seek and ye shall find kind of thing, and it worked for us in many different ways.
2. Face-to-face interaction could be fun. I personally have a lot of physical insecurities, and it would show in the way I would prefer sending you an email instead of meeting you to talk about something. I also have apprehensions about talking on the phone with someone I’m discussing something technical with. This is why a) I have never taken a career in account handling before, and; b) I have not pursued any jobs in call centers. But having to deal with people recently taught me how to be cool about it, no matter if in the back of my mind, I worry that I don’t look businesslike (there’s a gene for this, I’m sure of it) or believable enough. I learned new things from these people and got new ideas. I learned how to be humble and apologize for my mistakes, and I also learned to be more confident and assertive in a way that doesn’t come off as brash or arrogant. I’m excited to put them into practice more, but maybe in small doses at a time. 😛
3. Communicate often, and well. Here’s where we screwed up quite a bit early in the game, and why I feel like I have learned so much in such a short span of time. I have no problem communicating and expressing thoughts on paper, but when there’s a missing link somewhere, a lot of mistakes can happen. Thankfully, the steps we have so far taken to rectify said mistakes are working, and I think that a lot of it could be attributed to proper communication. It’s not just about sending emails and making phone calls. It’s also about going out of your way to meet people, shake hands with them, introducing yourself as a business entity, and also as an individual who is sincerely interested in creating a good partnership. It’s about taking care of said partnership by not scrimping on appreciation. Simple things like “Thank you for your time” and “I apologize for the miscommunication” can go a long way. You may have gotten off on the wrong foot, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do something about it.
4. Listen wholeheartedly. Often, we are too preoccupied with a lot of things that there’s a lot of noise in our heads all the time. I know I do. There are Personal Life Things, and Work Things, and Things In Between. Sometimes, my mind is completely set on one goal that I forget to listen. You know those times when you’re all in the zone–like when you’re coding a website or sorting through layers and layers of stuff on Photoshop, or writing a novella in the wee hours of the morning–and nothing else really mattered but that one task you want to finish? Yep, that was me. I failed to listen, to hear the ticking bomb, and realized it after the bomb exploded in front of my face. I’m not saying I could be a better listener now, but I will try my best at it.

Time check: 2:39 AM. I should really be sleeping now but as it turns out, I took a nap at 10-ish and I am now fully awake. Sigh. But that’s okay. There’s more time to revise letters and figure out other courses of action for future projects.

It’s kind of a hassle to have a nocturnal brain, but I guess that’s better than it not being able to process anything at all. 😛

Good night.
(And I hope to see some of you on Saturday! <3)