I read a book or article somewhere that said no one who is on the fence about filmmaking ever makes it. That begs the question – how much do we have to want this for us to stand a chance at reaching some pinnacle of success, whatever that looks like for each and every filmmaker?
It's almost like there are two ends of the spectrum -- the filmmakers who just dabble in it because they want to have fun and they think making movies provides their desired level of enjoyment, and the filmmakers who take this field seriously; sometimes maybe to the point that it stops being fun anymore as they become so focused on it eventually paying off in the end via studio deals or awards or whatever. The former was me then. The latter is me now. I guess the trick, or rather, the sweet spot is to find that middle ground where you have a balance of the two; the ability to recognize and enjoy the fun part while also keeping the serious aspects in mind.
Still, does film have to consume me in order for me to win? If so, why does it come at such a heavy price tag in terms of me having to put my all into it? Maybe this is required of any endeavor that you embark on. It's all or nothing and you must give it everything that you've got just to stand a chance at making a wave amidst all the noise. You can't be half-pregnant or a halfway gangster.
So I have to give each project that I work on everything I've got. That way, as least I can be satisfied if I choose to continue in film or move on to another area of interest. Giving it my all allows me to take a chance on myself and not have any regrets. The alternative doesn't do me or anyone else any good.
Have you read yesterday's post about Daring to Ditch Disadvantages Like Robert DeNiro yet?