Star Wars Where Are They Working Now

Star Wars Where Are They Working NowStar Wars Where Are They Working NowWe all know the names and faces that became famous thanks to the 1977 premiere of Star Wars series. Weve followed the careers of top-billed actors such as Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) and Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), but how did the movie turn out for the behind the scenes collaborators? In anticipation of the December movie release, here are four creative employees with big background responsibilities, as well as a look at how the success of the original Star Wars movie affected their careers. Music Director John WilliamsJohn Williams was active in the film industry before the 1977 Star Wars, but his work with the film series catapulted him into a household name. Williams went on to become one of the most recognizable household names, contributing music to tons of classic film series such as Superman, Jaws, Harry Potter and Indiana Jones. He also won Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Golden Globe awards for his work. Click here to search for music direction jobs.Cinematographer Gilbert TaylorFilm buffs who love the clarity and focus of the images of the original Star Wars films have Gilbert Taylor to thank. While Taylor is well known for his work on the film series, his career as a cinematographer only ran through a handful of other science fiction films before ceasing in 1994. Gilbert Taylor passed away in 2013.Click here to search for cinematography jobsSet Designer Roger ChristianIf you love the exotic and realistic set design of the first few Star Wars films (as well as the impact these designs had on science fiction film and television following the movies), look no further than Roger Christian. Christian went on to have an extensive, award-winning film as a producer, director and writer, contributing to movies such as Battlefield Earth, Nostradamus and Bandido.Click here to search for set design jobsCostume Designer John MolloAnyone who has dressed up as Han Solo or a Stormtrooper for Halloween owes a debt to the original Star Wars costume designer John Mollo. Mollo enjoyed a successful career as a costume designer for other science fiction movies such as Alien, Event Horizon and the TV movie series Hornblower. Click here to search for costume design jobs

What I Wish I Had Known When I Started My First Job

What I Wish I Had Known When I Started My First JobWhat I Wish I Had Known When I Started My First JobIn the summer of 2006, I was able to score my first job working in retail at the mall. I was so excited to be hired as a part-time salesperson at one of my favorite clothing stores. But if I could go back in time, there are a few things I would advise my former self to do differently. Make the most out of the opportunity At 16 I was just happy to have a job at the mall. I wasnt thinking about how my retail job could add to my skill set. I didnt really care how my manager could be a future reference. I definitely got the job done when I went to work and even exceeded sales goals, but I still could have made mora of my opportunity. I could haveobserved my manager more and soaked up how she motivated our sales team. Another thing that I would have done is reflect on everything that I was learning and kept a record of it. This would have been extremely helpful when I was drafting my firs t resume my senior year of high school. Learn how to take constructive criticism When I started my job it was also hard for me to take constructive criticism. One day I reorganized our jeans closet and thought I did a great job. When my manager inspected it she pointed out ways to make it more efficient. I remember feeling a little dejected when she gave me feedback on the closet. Looking back, my 16-year-old self was really sensitive to any kind of feedback on my work. If I could have a do-over, I wouldnt have taken it personally and would have welcomed my managers comments as a way to be betterSave some of your paycheck When I received my first paycheck I remember blowing it all on clothes I didnt need and Taco Bell. While I think it was a good idea to treat myself, I shouldnt have gone overboard. When I moved out of my parents house for college I spent the first few months regretting all of the money I spent on unnecessary things in high school. Now I have a target amount that I save from each paycheck and immediately put it into my savings account. It keeps me from making impulse purchases, and it gives me peace of mind that I have money saved up if something was to happen. Manage my time wisely I landed my first job at the beginning of summer, so I didnt have a lot of school work to worry about. Even though I wasnt in school I played softball on a competitive travel team and had to read two books for an AP English class by the start of the school year in August. I spent the last weekend before the first day of school trying to finish a 300-page book. What I learned from that summer is that I should have focused priorities and broke up large projects into smaller tasks.

The Secret to Success Is Doing Less and Relaxing More - The Muse

The Secret to Success Is Doing Less and Relaxing More - The MuseThe Secret to Success Is Doing Less and Relaxing More I welches in a Starbucks this morning and looked around. Every single rolle I could see- dressed in his or her business finest- was perched in place, looking down at a phone. Swiping, texting, and furrowed brows galore. Being busy seems to be the national pastime. Just think How many times have you picked up your cell phone at 11 PM and fired off responses to email? More is better- right? Our always-on mindset may have deluded you into thinking thats true, but research doesnt agree. Theres a science-backed reason we have a 40-hour wor kweek. Researchers proved that 40 hours optimized productivity. After 40 hours, the mora work hours added, the less that actually gets done. Its called the law of diminishing returns.And if you look at the fruchtwein successful people in the world- from corporate executives to elite musicians- their lives also prove that more is, well, n ot more. If you want the same kind of success in your career, look to these star performers and learn how to do less.Think Like an ExecutiveLook around at the executives in your organization. Do they know exactly what its going to take to earn their quarterly or year-end bonuses? Of course they do Do they answer every email they get? Probably not- especially not the ones that dont align with their key performance goals. Spend a week or two observing those executives. They are singularly focused on what theyre accountable for achieving. Every request they make, every question they ask in a presentation, and every email they send out is focused on those goals.Now, apply that to your own work. If your compensation was tied only to you achieving your top goals, how would that change your day? Would you really drop everything to attend that meeting that doesnt actually require your input? Would you spend 20 minutes on a conference call, when you could easily get the notes from a co-worke r? Think about it. If you arent clear on what your goals are, get with your manager and make sure you know exactly how your performance will be measured. Then become the CEO of your job (because thats exactly what you are).Practice Like an Elite MusicianElite violinists may not be bound by the same 40-hour work week, but the same principle applies. Research found that these high performers practiced no more than the mediocre musicians. Instead, they simply focused their practice times to twice-daily 90-minute sessions, took breaks in between those sessions, and got more sleep. The results? They outperformed the average musicians who spread their practice times throughout the day.Elite violinists consistently and deliberately practice twice a day for 90 minutes each time, without interruption. Then- recognizing the law of diminishing returns- they walk away. You can compress your key priority work into similar sessions. Simply focus solely on your most valued tasks, without interrupt ion or distraction, for 90 minutes. Take a break in between, and then get back to your deliberate focus. That interruption-free zone is important. Numerous studies conclude that focused, distraction-free work zones allow you to get more done in less time. Not convinced? Try working for one day without constantly checking email, social media, or texts while you work. Youll clearly see that avoiding interruptions is your path to productivity success. Sleep Like a World-Class PerformerNo matter how much you work, working in a fatigued state sabotages your results. Those elite musicians I mentioned? They took naps in the afternoon and got a solid eight hours of sleep per night. It turns out that being able to embrace a relaxed state- by getting enough sleep and feeling rested- is essential to being able to perform at a world-class level. As a busy professional, it can certainly be challenging to get the recommended amount of sleep each night. But adjusting your schedule is worth it- you ll immediately begin to reap the benefits, from lower risk of health issues to improved productivity. By starting these practices now, youll start getting in shape for your own elite career performance. Being distracted by social media and constant interruptions takes your eye off the ball- and off your chances to excel. If you think like an executive and behave like a world-class musician, youll be building the discipline, rigor, and patience to get more done by doing less.Photo of relaxed woman courtesy of Shutterstock.