“Business Owner in the Entertainment Industry from Los Angeles Metropolitan Area Viewed My Profile.”
 
Just for the record, I always assume the best possible scenario when something like this happens. Maybe Steven Spielberg read my blog a few weeks back disparaging West Side Story and wants to sue me. Hey, stranger things have happened.
 
But what does a LinkedIn notification that someone has viewed your profile even mean? Should I be excited or regelate this to the importance of my STARmeter rating on IMDB Pro? 
 
(Not that anyone cares, but I do happen to have a 125,731 uptick from last week. But what does that even mean? I wish I knew. If I did, I would fill you all in.)
 
Re: STARmeter
 
According to Goggle STARmeter rating is based on:
 
STARmeter, MOVIEmeter, and COMPANYmeter are rankings of every person, title and company in IMDb and only available on IMDbPro. STARmeter, MOVIEmeter, and COMPANYmeter provide industry professionals with insights into the popularity of film and television productions as well as the people and companies that make them.
 
If I could hazard a guess, I would say that my personal STARmeter is up because I attach it to all show business type emails. Any job that I am applying for, contains the link. So this would more than likely have something to do with it.
 
Now, as for the LinkedIn visit from an industry professional in the Los Angeles Metropolitan area, your guess is as good as mine. Hopefully it is not a stalker and someone who is actually interested in my work. Let’s hope so.
 
But I think we can all agree that while not absolutely necessary, a LinkedIn profile and a IMDB Pro can be helpful in getting your name out there. And you have to admit, it certainly beats standing out in front of Paramount front gate with a cardboard sign that reads, “Screenwriter Needs Work.”  Although, to be honest, I have heard of that working as well.
 
Oh, and be sure to drop by my IMDB Pro Page. My STARmeter will thank you.
 
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3354986/
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Being a Student and a Freelancer at the Same TimeBeing a student and working toward a degree can be a stressful and time-consuming task, and you may find it difficult to balance schoolwork with a full-time schedule. Freelancing can be an excellent way to make money, and it offers much more time flexibility than a traditional part-time job. You can do freelance writing from the comfort of your home or dorm room, and you can improve your skills along the way. Today’s blog post on JPLinde.com takes a look at how you can balance studying and freelancing.
Starting a Freelance Writing BusinessBefore you start writing and taking on clients, it’s a good idea to officially start your business by applying for a business license and an EIN number (employer identification number). Your freelancing income comes with state and federal tax obligations, so make sure you’re registered with your state and the IRS to avoid monetary and legal headaches. Creating an official LLC for your business also makes you appear more legitimate in the eyes of potential clients, which can make it easier to attract new business.
Set Up Your WorkspaceHaving a dedicated space where you can work will go a long way toward helping you remain productive and focused throughout the day. This area can be a corner of a room with a desk and chair or a spare bedroom you’ve turned into an office — whatever works for you. However, make sure this space is free of distractions that could disrupt your workflow. Also, keep everything well-organized; clutter can make things feel chaotic, which increases stress and anxiety levels. What’s more, a tidy space just feels better!
Finding Your First ClientsIt can be challenging to figure out who to write for and where to write for them when you first start your business. Start by considering what your potential niches may be because those are the easiest topics for you to write about. If you like arts and crafts, sports, or science, for example, you can start off looking for websites or publications that may be able to use your services. Some companies connect you with potential clients. Also, consider expanding your horizons to topics you may not have previously considered. This can increase your earning potential as long as you do quality work.
Grow Your KnowledgeIt’s a good idea to increase your knowledge of writing mechanics and learn more about the topics you’re interested in writing about. You can take online or in-person classes to brush up on your grammatical skills or learn more about the freelance writing business in general. You may also consider working for a writing company to get your feet wet before officially heading off to be a freelancer. That arrangement may be more suitable if you’ve already finished school.
Getting Clients Interested in YouProspective clients want to know they can depend on you to provide quality material, and they want to trust in you and your abilities before hiring you for a gig. It’s a good idea to set up an online profile where they can find you and read about your qualifications and areas of experience as well as your special niches. Consider engaging with your ideal clients directly by sending them introductory emails or other materials, and think about attending events where those interested in your services may gather.
Make a Great Living Doing What You LoveIf you’re willing to expand your knowledge of the freelance writing industry and gain experience working for clients in your niche, you can make great money writing part-time or even full-time once you’re finished with school. Don’t be discouraged by the difficulty of breaking in. With practice and dedication, you can become a favorite of your ideal clients.

Emily Graham is the creator of Mighty Moms. She believes being a mom is one of the hardest jobs around and wanted to create a support system for moms from all walks of life. On her site, she offers a wide range of info tailored for busy moms -- from how to reduce stress to creative ways to spend time together as a family.

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I can’t tell you how excited I was to see Spielberg’s reimagining of West Side Story. I have seen the original Jerome Robbins/Robert Wise version literally hundreds of times and always believed it was time to make a more organic, less skin-painted version of what I consider to be an American classic. Courtesy of Disney Plus and HBO Max I got my wish.
 
And…
 
Well, let’s talk about the positives because there are a lot of them. A top-notch cast from top to bottom. Everyone seems to be able to their own singing, dancing, and acting and that is always considered a plus when doing a musical. The screenplay by Tony Kushner is brilliant with an organic approach where every song, dance and acting moment is dramatically nuanced and motivated. As an example, compare the opening of the 1960 version as opposed to the recent incarnation. In the latter production in just one sequence, a lot is explained, and the dramatic tension is set for the rest of the film. Now I am sure Spielberg deserves some credit for this as well. However…
 
Some of the visual choices, which are the main privy of the director, are astounding:
 
The use of flares. Not since J.J. Abrams Star Trek, has an audience been subjected to so many screen and camera flares. I can understand their use in the dance at the gym sequence, but these annoying fragments of light show up in sequences where they obviously do not belong. 
 
The gun scene. Where this came from, I haven’t a clue. It should have been cut as it doesn’t matter a bit where the gun came from, only what it does. We are not idiots and can make the not so substantial leap that a gangbanger can get his hands on a gun. 
 
The final scene (“Come and get me too, Chino”) lacks the punch it deserves because Spielberg and the art director decided to make a film about the firebombing of Dresden. Literally, by the climactic scene, the only building remaining is Doc’s pharmacy with the rest of the neighborhood reduced to large piles of rubble. This not only jars you out of what is intended to be the money scene of the whole movie but greatly diminishes the emotional impact of the entire film. The Dresden rubble, as I call it, is an interesting set piece and should have been saved for another movie.
 
What I loved:
 
The opening.
 
Dance at the Gym
 
America
 
I Feel Pretty
 
What I hated:
 
An over abundance of flares
 
The whole Dresden thing
 
Buying the gun.

So, that's my two cents. A near miss from Spielberg should bring people back to the original. And if that's not a  good enough version for you, there's always Glee.

​About next week. Will be gone for a week in LA LA Land. Filling in for me on March 19th will be Emily Graham from mightymoms.net. 
 
A little about Emily:
 
Emily Graham is the creator of Mighty Moms. She believes being a mom is one of the hardest jobs around and wanted to create a support system for moms from all walks of life. On her site, she offers a wide range of info tailored for busy moms -- from how to reduce stress to creative ways to spend time together as a family.
 
Emily will be dropping some much-needed wisdom on the business of writing. Can’t wait!

1. Disneyland. Oh, wait, forget it. DL requires a reservation, a small fortune and is now almost as exclusive as Delos. 
2. All those beaches. Come for the boogie boarding, stay for the E. coli.
3. Target practice on Interstate 580. Traveling to Oakland? Make sure you ask Avis for James Bond’s Austin Martin from No Time to Die. It is cheaper than then renting a Tesla.
4. The 405. Anytime. Any direction.  Where else can you gaze into your rear-view mirror and witness yourself age.
5. A Beverly Hills cost of living on a depression era minimum wage
6. Car Break-ins. On a positive note, thieves have been known to break in just to remove your trash, empty your ashtray and vacuum the interior.
7. Police inaction. In San Francisco, cops stand by and shoot the shit, witnessing businesses are in the process of being robbed. 
8. Stockton
9. Sales tax and tailgating. Either way, someone is up in your ass.

 
And the number one made up reason for remaining in California:
 

1.  All of Orange County!