Tuesday | February 07, 2012
THE EDGE: Hard Working or Just Lucky? Both.
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By
Jake Sasseville
5 April 2007
One of my producers, my creative director and I are led down the hall at The Sundance Channel in New York City and into Robert Redford’s office. Yes, the patron saint of independent film, Robert Redford. Apparently since the conference room wasn’t available, they could only give us Bob’s office.
They leave us alone and I get to work… I sneak behind Bob’s desk, put my feet up and pretend to work the phone. Nancy, the producer, fires up the video camera. I’m blabbing away when I learn a very important lesson of making "The Pitch."
When you decide to sit behind the big boy’s desk and mock being the big boy, don’t swivel the chair away from the door. The reason: You can’t see the senior vice president of programming, Lynne Kirby, walk in if you’re facing the wrong way. This was my mistake, and what ensued can be seen at edgewithjake.com.
Who the heck is Jake?
My name is Jake Sasseville. I’m 21 years old and I’m on my way to launching one of the most exciting alternative late night talk shows on television. We’re launching in summer 2007 in multiple ABC markets after Jimmy Kimmel’s show and will continue into the fall. It’s our "JakeafterJimmy" promotional campaign. I’m also a junior at Marymount Manhattan College in New York studying business and communication.
I had just come to New York as my TV show was launching on FOX affiliates in 2004. "THE EDGE WITH JAKE SASSEVILLE" debuted on local access TV in Maine in 2001. I produced weekly episodes featuring local guests with a bunch of my high school friends. Local newspapers covered it and we started a buzz. I was hooked. The only money we had to produce the show was from my part-time job as a sandwich artist at Subway.
I knew I had to get interest from beyond Maine if I was going to take the program nationally. I decided I’d have to score a big name guest. I remember being mocked in a local newspaper: "Sasseville’s big dreams have led him to focus on getting an A list celebrity guest before he goes to college." The article said something like: "Let him dream."
A Date with Will and Grace
Imagine their shock when I informed that same newspaper a few months later that Adam Barr, the executive producer of NBC’s "Will and Grace," had called me. Adam saw my show and was impressed enough to invite me and my crew to tape the show on their set with the entire cast of "Will and Grace" in Hollywood. I got the news three weeks into my senior year of high school. Boo-yeah!
So I did what any 18-year-old in my position would do with an invite to California but with no financing; I called a local radio station and brokered a deal to give away tickets to listeners to a "Will and Grace" taping in return for payment of my plane tickets and hotel in Hollywood. The radio station accepted my offer.
Keep in mind, I offered this to the station without clearing it with "Will and Grace" producers first. My mantra: don’t ask if you can or can’t do something, just do it. Say sorry later. It turned out that the show’s producers admired my guts and were happy to go along with my pre-negotiated deal.
People tell me, "You’re lucky." Yes, without a doubt. People also tell me, "You work hard." Oh, yeah!
But most importantly, I’ve taken a dream and a leap of faith and reached out to people who can help make the dream reality. That is the key. Get people excited about what you are doing – it’s contagious. Entrepreneurs of all ages are just doing it. No, I’m not fishing for a sponsorship from Nike (although I do love the new Nike Shox R4 iDs). But seriously, you can’t talk about an idea, you must just do it.
I’m not rich. Before meeting Adam Barr at "Will and Grace," I had no connections in Hollywood. My dad is a counselor and my mom and step-father own a small business. I’ve geared my life toward how I can spark a creative revolution and be revolutionary.
As for Redford and The Sundance Channel, while they’ve passed on "THE EDGE" they are still considering screening a film documentary I recently produced in Africa. Stay tuned for the ride.
For more information on Jake Sasseville or "THE EDGE," please visit edgewithjake.com.
Copyright © 2008, Young Money Media, LLC
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Remembering 2000 – 2010… Through South Park said:
[...] Lessons from South Park [...] |
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Michael said:
Glad to know all those years watching South Park weren’t in vain. I’ve been part of a social movement! Thanks for your insights Ms. Tress. |
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Wendy said:
Great article. We need more outside-the-box thinking like this (and South Park!). Sometimes human behavior is so ridiculous, it just needs to be called out. Times are changing faster than ever these days, and we cannot rely on how things used to be. Good for you ending on a note of hope. We need that, too! Thanks. |
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Rehana said:
After living in the U.S. for over 20 years, I still struggle to understand aspects of American pop culture and humor . . . what’s up South Park – the kids just belch, fart, and curse . . .why a massive following over this !!?? You’ve helped me bridge the gap. There’s meaning there . . .mmmmK . .. lots of it, that’s a big part of the why! |
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Birgitta said:
Brilliance! It’s funny because it’s true. |
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Amina said:
This is a delightfully written article with well thought out concepts. I hope all young readers will take Jennifer Tress’ words to heart and really pursue those great ideas. In addition, Ms. Tress is an amazing writer, I would love to see more of her work! |
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Liz said:
Great article! You really can’t go wrong when you use South Park as an analytical tool. |
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Amanda L said:
I learned something today (that Jennifer Tress should be given more assignments). Also, while I’m unable to view an entire episode of any animated program (it’s my curse; I blame The Smurfs), I LOVED the YouTube clip of Kyle taking back the Margaritaville Maker to Sur La Table. Try walking into that place and not ending all your words with “able,” the Frenchation. But I digress. We’re in America and this article is able to make me smile. |
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Cece said:
Well done!! |
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Jen said:
Michael, I like it. Part of a social movement indeed… |
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HS said:
Love the article!! Makes you go “Hmmmmm” |
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Jen said:
Thanks everyone for the nice comments! I’m really amazed that after 13 seasons, Trey Parker and Matt Stone are still able to come up with clever ways for us to look at ourselves. |
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Brad said:
I once saw Trey Parker in Aspen, which is close to South Park. That’s why I like this article even more. Well done, entertaining piece that draws some good conclusions from a seemingly crass cartoon. |
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marci said:
If I could know now what the next “Facebook” breakthrough would be, I could be the next to be mocked on a cartoon bent on spewing social commentary through farts and hand jobs. Ah, aspirations. |
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Annie said:
I’ve never been a big South Park fan but did appreciate it for what it was …though this article makes me look at SP in a different light as well as wanting to be mocked on there. Thanks and props to the author! |
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B Spice said:
A very layered and timely piece. |
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Tara said:
Great article! I often seem to enjoy reading analysis of pop culture more than consuming it. My tastes are too narrow and limited. Why don’t you write something about Law and Order — maybe I could come up with an intelligent response. |
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Ria said:
I always knew I liked south park, but now I know why! Great piece! |
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Super Bram said:
South Park is the official historical documents of the good ole U S of A.. Respect my Authori-tie.. |
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frankie said:
Way to bring it home, Mrs Tress. It is the time of innovation on all fronts and the box should no longer exist. First, the war and second, the economic crisis has forever changed the face of the global market. Maybe you’ve got some ideas to to save the world and could write about in the future? |
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Cynthia said:
Thanks Jen for the great article and insights. I agree with you; the words “traditional career path” scare me and I think that this can only breed creative new approaches to living a more fulfilling, purposeful and self examined life. Love to see more of your work. |
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jaime said:
relevant + funny = great article. to be honest, ive always thought south park was crass and annoying, but this definitely made me think of the skits differently…good insight by the author! |
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Jen said:
I’m loving the thoughts YOUR comments are all provoking. |
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Matt said:
Great article. Someone will write a Ph.D. thesis on South Park someday. Along the lines of this piece, the “Canada On Strike” episode was genius. “The internet has money! Give us some of the internet’s money!” |
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Emily said:
Once again, JT, you’ve brought humor and intelligence to what the untrained eye (an uneducated brain) may think is simple and banal…keep it up! |
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JG said:
Jennifer Tress is brilliant and always has a fresh take; I’ll stay on the lookout for her commentary in the future. |
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Great piece. I propose South Park and this article be placed in a time capsule NOW!