You are on a journey to get out of your own way and start kicking ass. You want to create something original; you are on your way to being a force for good in this industry. You want to stand up for women in entertainment and create a project that sheds light on modern culture, that tells a story which is important and true, or really fucking funny. You have been working towards these goals for as long as you can remember, or you are newly inspired and have hit this journey full force. You know others that have been on this journey. You have, at times, helped with no expectation of favors in return, just because you could, just because the act of assisting has brought you joy. You have been afraid to ask for help yourself. You have been afraid to be the leader on a project and bring your vision to fruition. Well my friends, it is time to get over yourself and start utilizing the resources at your disposal. It is time to BE the artist you want to SEE in this world.
In the past you may have been afraid to call on those who could help you. You may have been offered help, without asking for it, and may have not been ready to accept it. You may have had wonderful ideas and been afraid to lead. That was yesterday or last year. That was the past and those stories no longer constrain you. The main point of getting out of your own way is to drop the stories that have held you back and to call on your community to help you achieve a vision that will contribute to society through your art. By contributing the stories only you can tell. And the key to being worthy of assistance, is willingness. To know in your heart that you are worthy of help and are ready to run with it.
It is time to practice personal friendliness to such a degree that you only see the naysayers for what they are: people who project their own insecurities onto you. They have nothing to do with you, and their only power is in your reaction to their negativity. You don’t have to buy their stories, and you don’t have to buy your own. You can let go of the “I wish I were…” and the “I’m too…” to make it happen. You are deserving of every single dream you’ve ever had and you are more than all of those dreams put together. You have the ability to channel your creativity into the world. And a big step in that process is to ask others, those with more experience, technical skill, equipment, space, time, resources, for help; because you deserve it. And you need it.
Tips for Gathering Resources:
- Make a list: Make a list of all of your connections and relationships in the industry. Your friends, co-workers, mentors, collaborators. Write down the amazing skills they have, and smile at how many people you know who are doing great things in this industry. Make another list: the people you admire and who inspire you.
- Reach out to your core collaborators: Find that core group of artists who are “your main peeps” the ones you want to collaborate with, the ones who believe in you and bring out the best in your vision. Whether it is an amazing director, or production designer, director of photography, or writing partner: these core people are who you bring your “big ideas” to first.
- Be Prepared: Have your script written, have your vision ready. Collect your core group of collaborators and have them on board. Have a budget, know your goals, and make them a new stretch for each person involved, so everyone has something to gain.
- Make it Public. Ask for what you need. Explore different avenues of exchange. Start a kickstarter or indiegogo campaign, and promote your project through your social networks.
- Give Back: Always think, how can I help and support my community of artists? Whether it’s sharing a fundraising campaign, letting someone borrow a prop, or wrangling much needed extras for a rooftop party scene, people depend on the help of others. Be that person that gives selflessly, and you will be shocked when the support is there for you in return.
photo by A.D. Freese, 2013
The key to making your deepest wish a reality is to not hold back, to be brilliantly, unapologetically YOU in the world, and surround yourself with people that you support and who support you. The moment you are ready to get support, to have help in this industry, to accept the favor, to follow through on the introduction, THAT is the moment when everything turns around and you go from a passive dreamer to a CREATOR. So start creating!!!