Strange question that sounds like it should be uttered by Joe Pesci, but let me expand a little after providing a little backstory. Or as Steve Coogan so eloquently suggested in The Other Guys, “I think the best way to tell the story is by starting at the end, briefly, then going back to the beginning, and then periodically returning to the end, maybe giving different characters’ perspectives throughout.”
Any of you who have read my previous posts knows I am an author/filmmaker/screenwriter – who hasn’t filmed or finished a screenplay yet – I don’t like to use the term ‘ASPIRING’, it sounds like a MAYBE or UNSURE. One of those throwaway words like ‘TOMORROW’ or ‘SOMEDAY’. While I am not a fan of absolutes for most experiences in this life, when it comes to certain ambitions I believe you need to have a clear I AM or AM NOT.
Back in the Project Greenlight days, a poster on the message boards caused a flurry when they announced that you couldn’t call yourself a writer until you sold something. Say what? Funny enough, the premise of PGL was providing the opportunity to one lucky amateur screenwriter to film their first movie.
In my opinion, attaching commerce to a piece does not in itself make it valuable. I don’t want to disparage any specific authors, screenwriters or filmmakers…Yes, even Tommy Wiseau – I stand firm in the argument that they at least made ‘something’, but we all have our opinions on what sensations truly earned the distinction, right? So I don’t believe financial is the one and only barometer for measuring one’s claim to being something.
Plus the idea that some person’s opinion is law just makes me want to circumvent it. Like in the second grade when the teacher said that watches should be worn on your non dominant hand, in my case, my left. I was overtaken with a rebellious urge and promptly put it on my right wrist…though it was a little difficult as I had to use my non dominant hand to secure it. The point is they told me I couldn’t, so I did!
Let’s be honest, the point of life is to live the experiences you want, (while not hurting others!) regardless of the opinion’s of others who really should be more focused on their own experiences, right?
So, ignoring the peanut gallery, why is it important to declare and then commit to your ‘what’? Let’s look at it from a manifesting point of view. Think law of assumption, not as well known as the law of attraction but if we’re picking it’s my preferred.
I assume/declare that I am a writer, sending that energy out into the Universe. This act connects me to the vibration (yes there’s also a law of vibration!) of writer-y things and experiences. Like meeting producer Chris Moore at the Project Greenlight event where he gifted me his promotional vest! While it didn’t advance my writing career, it was really f’n cool and seriously impressed my kids. “You’re famous, Mom!” Cute right?
More importantly, PGL introduced me to extremely creative and talented people who were actually doing the work, not just dreaming or talking about doing it someday, they were freakin doing it in the NOW! I didn’t write a single screenplay during that time, I struggled with the confidence, but I stayed in that energy and I read so many screenplays. Some might say I had no right to be there, (Did you even write anything?) but I remained there and I connected with beautiful people.
Some of them left this world early like Kevin, Michael and Dan. On days when I want to give up and not dare or strive or even try, I think of them and the reminder that time and ability are not promised. Also, there’s a part of me that wants them to be proud.
I’m a writer, so I will write. I’m a screenwriter so I will write… action and dialogue. I’m a filmmaker so I will film my backyard and sometimes my dog Bella with my iPhone and play around with editing. I will watch so many videos about camera shots, juxtaposition, character arcs, story beats and refine until I have something complete to share.
And that fateful day when I run into Ben again, I will say boldly, “I’m looking forward to working with you!” He will probably smile awkwardly and motion for security but maybe, just maybe, he will say, “Okay, what do you got?”
Which is a nice segue into my next post. ARE YOU READY?
Until next time, be awesome and do awesome things out in the world!
Love and Blessings – Karma Marie
Karma Marie 