On Motivation…. “The…
On Motivation….
“The only thing that I see that is distinctly different about me is I’m not afraid to die on a treadmill. I will not be out-worked, period. You might have more talent than me, you might be smarter than me, you might be sexier than me, you might be all of those things you got it on me in nine categories. But if we get on the treadmill together, there’s two things: You’re getting off first, or I’m going to die. It’s really that simple, right?
You’re not going to out-work me. It’s such a simple, basic concept. The guy who is willing to hustle the most is going to be the guy that just gets that loose ball. The majority of people who aren’t getting the places they want or aren’t achieving the things that they want in this business is strictly based on hustle. It’s strictly based on being out-worked; it’s strictly based on missing crucial opportunities. I say all the time if you stay ready, you ain’t gotta get ready.”
― Will Smith
A friend brought this to my attention, earlier this week.
For 2012.
Happy New Year. And what a great New Year’s Eve it was.
I’m so glad to find that we’ve not yet been smitten by some transcendentally terrible, apocalyptic event and, as such, have the tremendous opportunity to continue living our lives.
It’s around this time of year that people tend to make all sorts of “resolutions,” harping on the mistakes and mishaps of the year before and making grandiose statements about things they’ll promise for the year to come. I, however, like to think that I’m much more fallible and will not even begin to suggest to being able to stick to doing anything of the sort.
Nevertheless, there are certain things that I’d like to get done, this year and though I don’t want to go into all the specifics for fear of “jinxing” myself, I’m just going to delve into a few of the factors that have driven me to believe that I need to make some shit happen.
The Principal Reasons:
a) Having gotten into Sundance last year – essentially lit a fire under my ass
b) Just having read another article about Edward Burns shooting his most recent feature film, “Newlyweds,” for $9K.
c) I’ve just turned 24, and let’s just say I’m starting to get that serious, “quarter-life crisis” itch. (“I need money, power, a career–now”)
d) I hate New York City and absolutely cannot wait until I can rationalize making a decision to leave. My ideal justification–that I have secured some sort of foothold in this industry. I could write an entire post about my disdain for NYC alone, but suffice it to say–I can totally understand why my mother left, in the 70′s. My goodness. A big shout out to anyone that’s poor that’s still trying to make it there. Good luck.
e) At this point, I’m damn deep in the (film) game. There is nothing else to do but to just continue on and attempt to break the door down, by hook or by crook. (There is no reason not to, only the will to do it, the patience to see the process through and the savvy needed to determine what should come next, so that one can continue on).
(Sorry if this sounds intense).
All that aside, I’ve been extremely fortunate this year, and I’m thankful for all of that. Supportive family, supportive friends, supportive patrons. I’ve had the opportunity to network tremendously since having attended Sundance, earlier last year, and was even able to shoot another short film just two months ago, one which I’m very eager to release in the Spring of this year.
I’ve also have a few other things I’ve been developing that I’m hoping will come to fruition over the course of the year. So–positive thoughts.
Things I (Still) Do To Stay Sane:
- Exercise with the tenacity a convict (a comparison I drew after watching this film called “Bronson”), as much as possible. Not that being in prison is ideal for staying in good shape, but you’d be surprised just how much exercise can do within a space that’s 9′ x 9′ x 12′. Anyway, I’m of the mind that being in good, functional, physical shape will keep your spirits up, no matter what else is going on in your life. It just will.
- Listen to Kanye, Drake, J Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z and other inspiring hip-hop artists, as much as possible.
- Dance. Laugh. A lot.
- Beer. Just one or two. Occasionally.
Things I Do in an Attempt to Keep My Skills Sharp:
“If you’re a writer, you write. If you’re a director, you direct. If you’re an actor, you need to act.”
These things are true. And even if you’re just starting out or aspiring to be a writer-director, there are things that you should be doing continually to hone your abilities, especially when you’re not shooting.
Earlier this year, I saw a list of media that Steven Soderbergh (whose work I adore), spent time observing/watching/creating throughout the course of this past year. If you’re priding yourself on being a content creator, you need to really keep yourself engaged and exercise your mind.
- Avoid watching network/cable television for long stretches of time
- Try to watch at least 4 films per week, however you can. (Spike’s advice)
- If you’re going to watch television, make a concerted effort to watch something that’s good.
- Read prose, for the love of all that’s holy. Nonfiction and fiction. Read good journalism, too. Plays. Scripts (at least 2 per week). Just read.
- Go to the darned Museum.
- Observe, study and photography. Whatever you can get your hands on.
- Read Indiewire, Variety, Nikki Finke’s Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, etc.–the trades.
- Keep shooting and editing, whenever you have the time
- Keep writing.
You must be a sponge. You’re basically like a soldier. And if you don’t think of yourself that way, it’s really best to get out of the game, because there are countless other people that take this shit just this seriously.
General Practices (things to remember and to abide by, as much as possible, if possible):
- Be grateful
- Call your parents and other family members. For the love of all that’s holy.
- Keep in Touch with Folks, in general.
- Be conscious of the fact that time is your most important asset
- Don’t be afraid to say “no” to anything
- Surround yourself with people who are filled with positivity and optimism and, at the same time do not be afraid to distance yourself from others.
- Strive to do more than what you discuss doing
- Strive to continually push yourself out of your comfort zone, to experience new things and to meet new people
- Strive to avoid solipsism and arrogance as much as possible
- Keep a plan — 6-month, 12-month, 36-month, 60-month, 120-month (if you can) – review and refine it, regularly.
2012.
Editing = Love
Wrapped.
Wrapped production on the short film I’m tentatively calling “A Reasonable Doubt,” which I shot in Red Hook, Brooklyn, just a week or so ago over a period of 3 nights. Been waiting to shoot this since 2008, when I was back at NYU, and we finally got it in the can. My, how time flies!
Our production schedule was 6PM-6AM Friday-Sunday (Sept. 30th-Oct. 2nd), so with having to return on Monday (Oct. 3rd) and not finishing up until about 6 or so that evening , I spent the better part of the week trying to get my life back on track.
This shoot took place on only two city blocks, but it’s remarkable to see how much was required to execute. So much preparation involved for 3 nights worth of shooting. And just as soon as I’d begun to feel as though I’d found my rhythm, it was time to wrap. Parting is such sweet sorrow.
Cast and crew pulled through like some soldiers, a troop of bona fide soldiers. It was a tough shoot, but good gracious, we pulled through. A big shout out to everyone involved.
“A Reasonable Doubt” (tentative title). Aiming for an early Spring/Summer 2012 Release.
Cast:
Audrey Hailes, Alexander Mulzac, Hisham Tawfiq, DeWanda Wise.
Crew:
Kevin Bacon, Dave Beede, Adrien Bertolle, Noah Chamis, James DiGiacamo, Jenn Durrett, Margaux Hallenstein, Grace Hanna, Andrew Hubbard, Julian Kapadia, Anne Lupo, Mandy Mandelstein, Mandy Menaker, Matt Mitchell, Patrick Ng, Phillip Pineno, Ryan Pomeranz, Rex Ricketts, Matthew Roscoe, Charlotte Royer, Alex Swerdlowe
Donors (Again, a Huge Thanks):
Clarence Jetter, Cathy Peoples, Melanie and Mark Greenberg
Zack Akers, S.A., Matt Badger, Alexandra Bastien, Nicole Bussey, Dante Clark, Nathaniel Cordova, J.H., Jason Gilmore, Jodine Gordon, Ben Harrison, James House, Patricia Jetter, Clarissa Luna, Matt and Maria Marshall, Anthony Morrison, Kasalina Nabakooza, Julie Oka, Jason Pollard, Amina Pookrum, Anne Rydlewicz, Felix Thompson, Stephanie Wash.
(If I’ve Forgotten Anyone, Please Hit Me Up. Many Apologies).
Other, Very Helpful Folks (Brosefs):
Pete Chatmon, Nardeep Khurmi, Marcel Marshall, Darius Clark Monroe
Also to:
Available Light, Handheld, TCS.
We Just Raised The Production Budget for Our Next Short Film!
Hey!!!!
It’s been quite some time since I’ve posted, but I’ve gotta say, thanks so much to anyone that’s endured my endless phone calls, Facebook posts, tweets, so on and so forth. We’ve raised enough to shoot this production!!!
Stay tuned to this site for more information as we move forward. We’ve also made a website (still under construction) for the film, itself, one that details more about our cast, crew, story, etc.
Production takes place in just 3 weeks, from Fri Sept. 30-Sun Oct. 2, in NYC. There’s a lot to do, but things are moving along.
A Big, Huge, Epic Thanks To:
Moms and Pops
Melanie and Mark Greenberg
Zachary Akers, Alexandra Bastien, Nicole Bussey, Dante Clark, Nathaniel Cordova, Jason Gilmore, Jodine Gordon, Melanie and Greenberg, Clarissa Lunda, Anthony Morrison, Kasalina Nabakooza, Julie Oka, Jason Pollard, Amina Pookrum, Anne Rydlewicz, Felix Thompson, Stephanie Wash and others!
Y’all are awesome.
There is Nothing Else But the Work.
This short in 6 weeks.
This feature I’m trying to knock out in the next few months.
The other pieces that I’m writing and hoping to write.
Hibernation is imminent.
There is Nothing Else But the Work.
Got some feedback on the short and the feature this week. Easy to forget sometimes, but it seems that the no. 1 rule of dramatic writing (at least in the most traditional sense) is…
“…if your protagonist doesn’t have the potential to have everything to gain by making the choices that they seek to make throughout their story, your story will probably be lame.”
That’s sort of the canonical Egri/McKee way of approaching dramatic writing (at least from what I’ve read so far). Still, you can have drama if the protagonist(s) don’t have everything to gain, but your story might not be as interesting. I’m sure a lot of people don’t agree with this, but, I feel like it [having a character that can be established as having everything to gain by the actions that they take throughout a story] is pretty essential, unless you’re doing something a little bit more experimental (which is fine) or decidedly low-key (also great).
This discussion reminds me a lot of this scene from Charlie Kaufman’s “Adaptation.”
That all being said, I think that certain genres lend themselves to allowing writers to create conflict more easily than others.
Case-in-point…action movies. Asteroid speed towards earth. The President and all living beings have everything to gain.
Crime dramas/thrillers. Someone killed my wife and has framed me for the crime, causing police to come after me. Circumstances are understandably dire.
Horror films. There are fucking zombies everywhere. Two of them just ate my wife and dog.
Disaster films… Need I say more? Anything where you can add an imminent threat to life immediately gives your lead character anything to gain. This is why guns and death are so popular in student films.
Character-driven pieces, however…those are often a bit more difficult. That’s not to say that you can’t write a subtle action piece, but, think about it. You have to work considerably harder to show that there are things to be gained when no one’s thrusting a gun in the face of your dog/girlfriend/loving housekeeper/mother/attractive woman you’ve ingratiated yourself with while pursuing a cunning terrorist in the West Indies.
Then, take this type of character (I’m using license here and probably could have gone deeper, but you get the picture) for example:
“…My life has recently seemed to have taken a turn to become a dull, mockery of what it once was. I couldn’t tell you when it happened.
I think that my wife and I used to be happy, but now it seems to take everything in the world for us to just engage each other civilly on a daily basis. It wouldn’t at all surprise me if she were having an affair, although if I found out that she were, to be quite honest, I’m not sure how much I would even care. There’s this general level of…complacency (?) about her that’s emerged some time ago that has come to seem so…incredibly unappealing. I mean, she’s really allowed herself become a tool…it’s like she’s caught up in trying to maintain this facade of happiness and success (and then in turn projecting it on the rest of us) when in reality, we are all so obviously sad. So very sad. I couldn’t tell you when she became so driven in that way.
I hate my job. My boss doesn’t respect me but you can rest assured, the feeling is mutual.
My daughter’s in those awkward teenage years…I can’t remember if I were as angry when I was her age, but I miss her. We used to be best buds.
On some level, I just really wish that there were some way that we could all get back to the way that things were, before we all hated each other. I wish I could find some inspiration in just living and re-capture the sort of…zealous impulsiveness and carefree way that I’d had in my youth. To be quite honest, though, I really don’t know where I’d even begin. To a large extent, I think that I’ve pretty much grown complacent, myself. No, I have, I definitely have…I’m a total hypocrite. I’m really just as cynical as the rest of my family, and perhaps am even more so, because I’m completely and utterly aware of it, at the same time.
Jesus. When did this happen? ……..I guess I’ll just jerk off in the shower and head to work.”
–
Anyway, showing how this type of character has everything to gain in life is obviously way more challenging than it would be for a character in a genre film, but I think it has the potential to be just as rewarding, all the same.
–
What I wonder, as an aspiring writer-director who’s interested in doing character-driven stuff as well as genre work is–is Hollywood even interested in making movies like this, anymore, aside from releasing them in October-December, during Oscar season?
I recently read an interview from the great screenwriter Robert Towne (Chinatown) that said that Hollywood would never make another movie like that, again. And everyone knows “Chinatown” is THE SHIT. And yet…is it me, or is it getting remade? (Is there no shame?)
I watched Coppola’s “The Conversation” a few weeks back…the drama in that story is soooooooooo….I wouldn’t say it’s “subdued,” but it is bloody subtle. And that’s pretty much what makes that film so darned great.
But in a time where (I would argue) that we’re becoming more and more inundated by advertisements than ever before, where people see a trending topic that’s been tweeted and immediately begin hopping up out of their seats to lay themselves prone across various objects, and our collective attention spans are just generally being whittled down, making us dumber by the day, does anyone even have the patience for the character-driven story, anymore?
Swag.
An Exercise in Desperate Measures
This coming September, I’m looking to direct another short film, called “A Reasonable Doubt.” Our crew’s ready. …The cast is just itching to dig in. We just need a little dough.
A Short Convo Between Friends
“Yeah, I don’t know, man…I’m about to start working on a new script. Man, what I really need is to just write a comedy, I mean, is there anybody out there that’s really checkin’ for a serious ‘urban drama?’”
“…”
“…”
“…The Sundance Institute?”
“…Damn.”
::wry laughter ensues::
#thestateofaffairs
The Next Short (“A Reasonable Doubt”)
Nothing like asking hordes of people to donate funds to you (however tax-deductible) during a potential double-dip recession. :-D.
But hey, moves have to be made.
We’re looking to shoot the 3rd week in September, in Brooklyn.
Our cast is locked, producer’s down, it appears that we even have a director of photography. Going to be piecing the elements together over the course of the next several weeks and may possibly even have a new website, but data, for sure, if nothing else.
http://www.indiegogo.com/A-Reasonable-Doubt-FA
My producer’s giving me about 90 days (12 weeks) to do it…We’re trying to raise $12,250.
That’s…
1 x $12,250, 5 x $2,450, 10 x $1,225, 50 x $245, 100 x $122.50, 200 x $61.25, 500 x $24.50 and 12,250 x $1.
Suffice it to say that it’s going to be an interesting next couple of months.
#staytuned
