It is getting harder and harder to get film work done. At least, that is the way it seems. Here in Portland, Oregon, there seems to be a lack of people ready to step out on a limb when it comes to producers or investors. No one is ready to take a chance it seems, but want, instead, an easy way to get rich or famous. It seems that way with some film making as well. There seem to be lots of ideas floating around, and lots of people making them, but not much getting done.
It has been a very frustrating time. I am new, in geologic time, to film making, and I plunged in with both feet. I knew the risks and gladly took them, but I often wonder why so many people stand on the fringe of the same world, claiming the titles for themselves, but not doing anything to actually secure that nomenclature as a part of their being. Title dictated behavior, I was heard. So if you say it, does that really make it so?
I sometime hesitate at the door, not really calling myself a film maker, or a director. I say “that’s what I want to be” when really, that is what I am doing. I am better at it than some, not as good at it than others, but I am doing it nonetheless. The only way I will learn and get better is to do it. So I am doing it. I believe I am now feeling like a professional.
Maybe my expectations are too high at times. Maybe I need to just ease up when the expectations aren’t met. I am not sure. I feel that if I lower my expectations, that will allow for lower quality work. I want to raise my bar, and I am looking for people who are wanting to do that same.
Hmmm, contemplation time. I will stew on this and return.
“…, but I am doing it …”
This, is the biggest reason you will do better and “make it” over any one just talking about it.
Hold on to this!
Dude I wish you lived closer to me! Though Portland isn’t THAT bad of a long distance. You don’y know how many IDEAS I always have or people who say “I HAVE AN IDEA!” I got all this great gear and all and a drive to make something great, but then everyone is busy. We all have very busy lives, but I try to make time for it. I hate being the only one who is trying to get people together to create something. A short, just anything! I think we share the same frustrations. I’m not trying to find that quick rich and famous scheme. I’m willing to work for the chance of getting my name out there, but when you’re a one-man show it makes it hard to produce something. You have anything in mind? Maybe we could collab sometime?
I am working on getting things going right now. We had a budget for a feature, but the dude went bankrupt. Cried for two days in by beer and started looking at the next step. Right now I am working on a documentary, but it is so hard to get people motivated. Sometimes I wonder if it is a Pacific Northwest thing or if it is something else. People want easy, cheap, and get rich. I don’t care about getting rich, but I do want to feel successful, which is to say getting it done and being happy with it. I am ready to having something get done and not having to always wait for someone else to make that happen. It bugs me to have to wait for people and having things stall because people don’t want to get off their butts. It looks like the documentary is back on, but for awhile it was looking like it would stall as well. Eventually I will get something done because I won’t wait for others. One things is over, so I go on to the next.