Find the Joy

This video is for the disillusioned among you. I know there are many. I used to be one of you. When I ‘failed’ as an actor in London.

 

The story goes like this. You create something, and because you are a beginner, you don’t see the obstacles or the scale of the challenge.

 

Instead, you are excited about the process. You write your script you pick up a camera.

Then you get some success. Perhaps you win a film festival, so you start your next project with equal excitement.

 

Time rolls on.

 

Then you start to think about the future – how are you going to make money, are you actually good enough, can you really succeed?

 

Bloody hell, look at all these other people trying to do the same thing as I am.

 

Perhaps you are working in the industry by now, but it’s on other people’s projects, the hours are long, and the pay is low man.

 

Time rolls on.

 

When you get around to making your third film, it’s not as good as your first somehow.

You forgot the joy, and you lost sight of what was important.

 

Perhaps you made a horror film because you heard that was the way to break into the industry.

 

So you stop.

 

If something like this speaks to you, if you recognise yourself in this little story, then this message is for you.

 

Think of someone you admire. Anyone. Bring them to mind right now.

 

What do you think separates them from the 99%? What was the number 1 thing that ensured that they succeeded?

 

They kept on going. They didn’t stop.

 

Seriously.

 

I can guarantee with 100% certainty that if they had stopped, they wouldn’t be where they are today.

 

I have worked with hundreds of film-makers and I have screened thousands of projects around the world over the years.

 

And, I can tell you with 100% certainty that 100% of those that no longer make work decided, consciously or unconsciously, to stop at some point.

 

So you, yes I am talking to you, what is the best thing you can do to give yourself a chance?

 

Just keep going. You’ve only made three films. Right? Don’t you think if you made 100 films that you would learn a few things, that you would be much further up the ladder?

 

So what is stopping you?

 

I wish I had heard this advice when I decided to stop going to auditions when I was an actor.

 

But then again, perhaps I was never cut out to be an actor. And my purpose was always to serve the indie film community.

 

After all, I bloody love my job.

 

Bring some Japanese philosophy into your life.

 

Does it bring you joy?

 

If you love it, do it. Do as much of it as you possibly can.

 

If you don’t love it, find something that you love and sacrifice yourself for it.