“Mud” being projects we do not care about, jobs that are not related to our field, content that is not moving or influential. “Struggle to Survive” being trying to find enough money to eat a sandwich or pay your rent.
I recently read this article (How Beasts of a Southern Wild Became a Film-Fest Phenomenon, written by Jada Yuan) on the success of the film and a little about the filmmaker Benh Zeitlin. I’m mesmerized with the picture the article paints. I immediately found myself on the wrong side of the levee observing the crew attempting to light the extravagant set, their heads bobbing slightly up and down due to lack of sleep, the National Guard threatening to remove them from the premises and all the while little Quvenzhané Wallis is sitting on the ground arms folded and lips in a pout. What an experience–what a project.
You read about filmmaking this way and you are excited to be a member of this industry. Long nights working toward a common goal of sharing a story with the world that might change some minds or move some mountains (or even just entertain for the sake of entertaining in an epic way). But, with all the other type of projects out there you can sometimes find yourself working on something you care nothing about in an office building that feels like a prison. The only non problem of working on this type of content is that you get paid–real money and you get a credit–which in this business is like a little nugget of gold that you can add to your pot (that you are trying to fill desperately) that eventually gets you to your rainbow (ideal projects with influential content and enough money to hand out free sandwiches).
So. The question is, how do we feed the artist that lives deep down in our soul while simultaneously feeding our actual bodies? How, when we are starting out, do we learn the business and climb the ropes but also feel like we have ownership over our work and our contribution to the creative process?
Some of us will be lucky (ha, no luck–smart and in the right place at the right time). Some of us will work under the great creative minds that are not only creative geniuses and incredible writers/directors/producers but also incredible bosses. They will walk you through their process, let you read their scripts, allow you to take ownership over projects and spend nights away on location discussing the meaning of life and the latest Aaron Sorkin project. **Speaking of Aaron Sorkin check out this fantastic interview where he talks about his latest project: “TV’s Best Talker: Aaron Sorkin on The Newsroom, Sorkinism, and Sounding Smart” written by Mark Harris.
Some of us wont be so lucky. Our bosses will be artistic introverts with the same genius but just not the same enthusiasm for sharing or teaching. We will file scripts away in confidential filing cabinets, answer phones and roll calls and book hotels on location for our boss to stay in while we are back at the office typing memos.
It’s not that we can’t learn anything or climb the ropes if we have the second boss, it just might take longer and it wont be as rewarding. Great bosses know that by grooming their assistants/subordinates they are not only helping themselves and their protegé but also the industry they are so tirelessly committed to.
So what can you do? What are some things that you can do to feed your soul? I’ve got a list. It’s not exactly rocket science or life altering but it’s a list that you can start with.
1. Gather up your creative friends and start writing a spec script. Whether you plan to produce it, sell it or just laugh at it later-it is a good idea. It puts you in the room with the future creative bosses (you and your friends) it allows for collaboration (our favorite tool) and it gives you something to look forward to each week or month or however many times you can all get together while working 18 hour days.
2. Create an unemployment club. I joined one of these once and then the next week got a job (so maybe it will bring you the karma you deserve). However, when you are in between jobs it can become daunting and well frankly, depressing. Reach out to your other unemployed friends and get together each week. Make lunch, go on walks, go to the library and search for jobs together. Whatever it is that you decide to do make sure you are focused on growing and eventually getting a job. In the meantime you wont be alone with your thoughts about how useless you are since you don’t have a job. (This, by the way, is not true)
3. Buy a camera (or these days an iPhone) and start shooting. You don’t have to be an expert. You don’t have to have a well thought out idea or script. Just go out in the world and see through the lens. It will strengthen your eye and your taste and it will expand your mind. Do you have actor friends? Bring them along and let them get in front of the camera it will be helpful to all of you.
4. Volunteer in a community that is foreign to you. I know you’re tired. I know that if you have a Sunday off you want to sleep or play guitar or for some of you…sit around and smoke pot and drink beer. That is all great–and necessary to release all the stress and pressure that has built up the entire week. The problem is, if that is all that you do you will still feel empty. So, once a month, take the time to help someone. Whether it be Make a Wish Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Soup Kitchen or the Elementary School down the block; explore the world and see what is out there. It will make you a better story teller and it will feed your soul (there’s that saying again).
5. Start Scrapbooking. No I am not a Grandma (not that there is anything wrong with Grandmas) Not only will scrapbooking contribute to your future creative process but it will give you a reason to live your life. Do you want an epic and extremely worth while scrapbook? Go somewhere epic and worth looking at and take pictures. LIVE LIFE. Make things happen. Document them. Put them together in a way that tells a story and use the book to reflect. Then do it again. This is what storyboarding is; taking the pieces of the story, putting them in an order that makes sense and then using that as a guide for filming. So, why not start your storyboarding now? *I challenge you to NOT use technology to make your scrapbook: try the old fashion scissors and paper and glue–get dirty.
For a really really great example of storyboarding and digitally scrapbooking and visiting foreign communities and picking up a camera and working together with your creative friends watch this:
Casey Neistat “Make it Count” Nike AD
If you are stuck in the mud and tired and feel like your soul has been ripped of all passion–try 1 or all 5 of these things and jump start the creative process. The beauty of being artists and believing in something bigger is that we are artists and we believe in something bigger. So grab your keys-rev your engine-drive that truck right out of the ditch and as Casey says: Make it Count.
Teresa Sabatine 