Shawn, Josh and Dan: Biscuit Filmworks Partner/Managing Director, ManifestWorks alumni/advisory board member and ManifestWorks Executive Director welcome the most recent class of participants in September.
We have enormous power to change life. And sometimes, those we touch can impact us equally. The connection can be profound and life-long.
That’s what happened to ManifestWorks alumni Josh and Shawn, Partner/Managing Director of Biscuit Filmworks, a Los Angeles commercial production company and an employment partner of ManifestWorks. Together, they share an experience of transformation.
Shawn heard about ManifestWorks through friends in the production world, and after a few conversations on the phone, she was ready to give a ManifestWorks PA a shot on a commercial her company was making.
The experience immediately made her a fan, “I’ve only seen this program work,” she explains, “and when it works, I believe you should support it 1,000 percent.”
She remembers meeting Josh on set, “He’s one of those people with kind eyes and dedication. He walked up to me and shook my hand.” Shawn meets many people in the entertainment industry and it was the thoughtfulness of Josh that stood out, “It was simple, yet genuine, and I appreciated his sincerity. And his mindfulness in that moment realizing I didn’t have a ton of time.”
“Josh is on time, 100-percent present, and always looking for ways to be helpful. I can tell he is engaged and thankful to be on set.”
Shawn made hiring a ManifestWorks PA on every local shoot a company policy. “Listen, it's simple. There are five to six PAs on a job, and it comes back to how they do. I've never had less than stellar feedback on a ManifestWorks PA. Their training is so specific and deliberate. It’s a perfect opportunity to give someone an opportunity.”
Josh remembers meeting Shawn from a different angle. After struggling to find meaningful work, Josh came to ManifestWorks in 2016 and mastered networking, punctuality and making himself indispensable on set. Soon, Josh was working full-time as a production assistant.
Josh says, “I went for an interview for an office PA at Biscuit. I didn’t get the job! But two weeks later, I got a call from Biscuit about a new job. I asked who recommended me and was told ‘Shawn Lacy’. I didn't even know who she was. As time went on, I kept getting calls from Biscuit with Shawn Lacy—the head of Biscuit referring me. Me! How cool that someone high up would do that for me? I mean, she’s Shawn Lacy.” After a few months, Josh was a regular at Biscuit productions.
And after awhile, Josh wanted to let Shawn know how much her recommendation meant to him, and sent her an email. A few days later on set, Josh got a tap on his shoulder:
“Hey Josh, someone is here to see you.” It was Shawn, Josh recalls. “I almost started crying. I just told her ‘thank you so much.” She didn’t want the credit, but I wanted her to know that without her, I don’t know where I’d be. This work has changed my life.”
Fast forward to September 2019, the first day of the most recent cohort, when over 50 volunteers come help participants learn to network. Both Josh and Shawn were there as mentors. Josh raised his hand in front of the new group of participants.
“I wanted to throw it out there in front of a lot of people,” Josh says. “I wanted everyone to know how unexpected opportunity can be, and that everyone should always show up, ready to bring their best, because they NEVER know who they might meet, and who might be your employment fairy godmother. Shawn Lacy has been that for me. Because of Shawn I’m not only working, but looking forward to getting into a union.”
Before ManifestWorks, Josh never had a “real” job. Now he’s proud to provide for himself, “I have my own little place, a new car, and money saved. Before ManifestWorks I never made more than minimum wage. I never in a million years would have thought this was possible for me.”
This year, 40 employer partners from commercial, TV and film production have provided 640 days of gigs to ManifestWorks participants. That translates into over $142,000 in earned wages, seeding the job opportunities that become careers. The support of partners and advocates like Shawn - and now Josh - are the reason ManifestWorks can transform the lives of those impacted by foster care, incarceration and homelessness. Their support, as mentors, as job providers and as donors, is the only way we have such a deep impact.
Please join our mission of providing opportunity to those who need it most.
