Life is film school

So, my film life has been a bit stressful of late. I decided to write a blog about the trials and tribulations of being an indie filmmaker. I know, you are inspired already. That was my goal. I’m actually hoping that if I share some of my experiences, you’ll share some of yours back. And then we can sign the papers to have each other committed.

I didn’t go to traditional film school, but I can say I’ve been through and am still going through the film school of life. When I started making films, at first, it was simply something to try doing. I was a bit lost and unsure of what I wanted to do anymore. I had directed plays since I was a teenager. I had choreographed musicals. They just weren’t doing it for me. And, I thought, how hard could this be? HA HA HA (yes, go ahead and laugh) It is fun to be young and naive. It is also a crushing experience. I remember sitting with my good friend Gerry watching the dailies from my first film and him saying, “It’s a learning experience. Have another shot of tequila.” And so I did. I think I drank more alcohol and ate more rocky road ice cream in that three month period than anyone ever should do in their lifetime, but I survived and became a better filmmaker for it.

It is impressive to finish a film – no matter how it comes out. For those of you reading this that have never made a film, it’s painful. You have expectations. You have disappointments. You want to kill yourself and then realize if you do your film will never get made. Then you realize you are only living for your film. Then you think that makes sense. Then your friends think you need to be committed and you don’t blame them, but you tell them it’s all okay. The film is all that matters. The film is all that matters. The film is all that matters. It’s like being in a cult of one. Your own cult where you will do anything for the film and the film will only take from you. So no matter how it turns out, pat yourself on the back. You did it, you didn’t drink the Kool-Aid and hopefully you still have friends. That deserves an Academy Award.

I’ll be talking more specifics I hope as things go along, but I guess we’ll see how this evolves. Only the great editor in the sky knows for sure…one of us…one of us…