An Inquiry to Assist and Learn

Hello Salomon,

With hopes of not wasting your time, I will keep introductions brief.

My name is Harrison Shook. I am 21 years old. I study philosophy and theology at a university in Nashville, and seek to study film and art with the rest of my time. For the next few months, I am doing so in Florence, Italy.

I am reaching out to you to inquire about assisting, and learning under, you during the Summer of 2023. I hope to be clear that this is not merely a ‘job application’ for a position that does not yet exist; this is both a proposal of all that I can possibly offer in time and energy, as well as an expression of my vehement need to learn. I know this is a bold message to send unsolicited, but I believe, at times, a leap of faith is the only way forward. I hope you will take the time to hear me out. Thank you in advance for doing so.

For years, your work has moved me to continue venturing into myself, cinema, and the world. I am seeking something that I have failed to find in contemporaries and fellow students, but have found in a few particular people; thinkers and artists like Keirkegaard, Weil, Malick, Tarkovsky - and You. In the work and words of these people, I have found a deep spiritual connection - a kinship; a sort of mentorship even - that I yearn for more than anything.

That is why I’m sending this offer - I’ve only ever known this relationship from afar. I yearn to experience it firsthand, and will gladly work tirelessly to do so. I strongly feel that assisting you, in any and every way required of me, will provide that.

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I want to offer all that I possess in skills, time, and effort to assist you, free of charge, in your work this Summer. Whatever the specifics of the work looks like - as far as hours, days, tasks, etc. - I will gladly do so for the opportunity to simply learn and help. Again, you do not have to pay me, or house me, in any way.

If you are in need of personal, daily assistance, I would be honored to fill that sort of role. I will gladly do whatever work is helpful - whether that is mopping floors, designing treatments, picking up coffee, or being on set. I am also aware that you recently launched a production company, and I would be honored to assist on the bottom level in that endeavor. While I will gladly do whatever is beneficial to you and your work, there are some specific attributes and experiences that I have to offer:

3 Years of experience working on professional sets in all departments, primarily camera and G&E. I will gladly and excellently work in any role that is available on a film set.

3 years of experience directing, editing, and DPing low-budget music videos and short films of my own.

Experience working for a major label (UMG). If I learned anything there, it was speaking the mysterious and cryptic language of label executives. Any emails, phone calls, etc. with such people, I will gladly field and answer.

5 years of experience working in premiere and after effects. Any assistance needed in post production, from organizing clips to syncing footage to cutting films, I will gladly do.

8 years of experience working semi-professionally in graphic design. Any task that requires such, be it a treatment or a casting call or some social media asset, I will gladly create.

A life of experience as an older brother to 6 younger siblings. If you need someone to hang out with your kids or take them to the skate park, I will gladly do that and we’ll have a great time.

Experience assisting my mother in the cleaning up after those 6 younger siblings. If what is asked of me is to simply clean your office, I will gladly do so with excellence.

Conversation. I thrive off contemplating and discussing matters of philosophy, theology, science, and art. We’ll have some good chats.

Silence. I also love and am very comfortable shutting up. I do not intend to distract you from work.

An avid love of literature, music, and film. I would love to share recommendations.

A simple, vehement desire to help and learn. If that means scrubbing your floors, responding to emails, pulling focus, or picking up your coffee, I will gladly and diligently do so.

Most of all, I believe that, like all others, I am on a journey of becoming. If, indeed, one stop along that journey is working under and learning from you, then I will joyfully put everything I am into that task. I promise you that. I know that sounds woo-hoo and spiritual but, oh well. I’m a spiritual kid.

All I ask in return is more work to do the next day.

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If it is of interest to you, here is work I’ve created. I believe it to be an honest reflection of myself as a human and artist, as amateur and sophomoric as it is.

www.harrisonshook.com/film

I will be living, creating, and studying in Florence, Italy for the duration of the Spring. At the start of the Summer, I will return to the U.S.

I hope to hear from you soon. If you accept this offer, I can get to work immediately on the morning of June 1st. If you have no desire for assistance at this moment, I understand - and I hope this message can at the very least serve as a thank you for providing a kinship to a kid who is trying to find his own place in film and art.

But, if that need ever arises in the future, this offer will still stand. Regardless, I believe our paths will cross someday.

Please reach out to me at harrisonshook7@gmail.com with any questions or remarks.

Thank you for lending me your time and attention.