If you have ever thought about pursuing a career in filmmaking but were afraid to do it, then read this quote from a recent graduate from the Palm Beach Film School.

“One day while driving home from work, I began feeling really down about where my life seemed to be going - nowhere. I had heard the commercial [for the Palm Beach Film School] but missed the number. Then I heard it again at work. I wrote it down, but I was nervous to call. I listened to a song called ‘Broken Angel’ which talks about trying, even though you might fall. So I called, and the rest is history.”

Sarah is now working with the Tyra Banks Show in Los Angeles while co-producing a feature film and writing on her own feature film for production in the near future.

Sarah Abbott was born and raised in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and finished school at Suncoast High School. Her first short film was the project she did for the film school entitled “Spark.” After encouragement from the faculty, staff and students at the school, she submitted her movie to the Palm Beach Film Festival. The film was not only accepted for viewing at the festival, it won third place in the short drama category of the Showcase of Short Student Films.

After moving to Los Angeles, Sarah replied to ad on Craig’s List and met a lady who later she befriended. Later they ran into each other and had a great conversation. As a result, Sarah was called two weeks later by the audience producer of the Tyra Banks show. As great as the job is, the one thing she is really excited about is the fact that she get to eat lunch at the CBS Studios restaurant. Here she is able to make contacts and do some serious networking. Her goal for the short term is to become a producer for the show and work on her own film projects in her spare time.

When asked about advice to those wishing to break into the entertainment industry she replied, “Don’t give up. All my life I’ve wanted to move to LA and break into film. I was only here about 3 weeks when I got my PA job on Tyra. And now I have a full time job there. I was scared coming out here. I had a really good friend and my parents who pushed me. A few days before I left I almost didn’t come. But I did, and I’m extremely happy. It gets hard, but once you see results, it’s worth it. Also…NETWORK! Don’t lose any contacts you have made, even if you didn’t like them much. Also, you have to do a lot of stuff for free. It’s worth it.

Sarah insists that she is working toward making feature films. She noted recently, “Right now I am a Co-Producer on my friend’s feature. We are in the working stages of financing. We already have my best friend of 20 years, Erica Reams (ericareams.com) in a starring role. I’m also writing a feature script where she will have the Title role. The working title is “Madeline”. I also completed my 1st independent short, “Susannah” and I plan to submit to some festivals, including the Palm Beach International Film Festival. So, hopefully that will form some more contacts as ‘Spark’ did last year!”

SARAH ABBOTT (Graduate July 2004)