Kill Your Babies! A Lesson from Kevin Smith #atozchallenge #IndieFilm

"You can't make them sit there longer than they need to, otherwise, the magic starts to dissipate. It's about wanting more -- make the illusion happen! You can say what you want about the shit I've done -- all my shit is cut to the bone. I pride myself on that. I kill my babies -- that's how serious and committed to the cut that I am. It's like, fuck it, tell the story! Tell it tight, tell it sharp, get it in front of them. Hopefully it works but if it doesn't, it's not not gonna work this time because it was all flabby -- because I felt like being nan artist." - Kevin Smith 

What was the last movie YOU saw that you thought was too long?

Are YOU good at trimming the fat and keeping the essentials when it comes to the work that you do?

Just another Day on the Job – Why Directors Soderbergh and Tarantino Make Movies #atozchallenge #IndieFilm

As I seek out my place in the madness that is filmmaking, it’s been interesting to notice vast differences in how more well-known, successful directors view their career choice. Steven Soderbergh – the man behind movies such as “Contagion,” “Ocean’s Eleven” (the one with George Clooney) and “Traffic” seems to approach this path like he would any other job. On the other hand, Quentin Tarantino – the man who brought us “Pulp Fiction,” “Kill Bill” and “Django Unchained,” operates from another end of the spectrum where he’s made film his life.

“It’s a real privilege to make a living doing this job. It’s a great job — the best I can think of, actually. You walk into a room and say, ‘I’m imagining this,’ and they give you millions of dollars to go out and make it real. That’s a pretty good gig. I have certain standards — sometimes I hit them and sometimes I don’t.

I don’t think being precious is really good for any art form. So I believe in being really prepared, working hard, doing everything I can think of to improve it, but staying on budget, staying on schedule, and when it’s over, it’s over and I’m onto the next thing. I’m really dispassionate about it, in that regard. I haven’t seen a great benefit in my own work in agonizing over things. I’ve seen more of a benefit in my work, for moving quickly. It’s harder to be pretentious when you’re moving really fast.” – Steven Soderbergh

- VS. -

“I’m lucky enough to be in the position where I don’t make movies to pay for my pool. When I make a movie, I want it to be everything to me; like I would die for it….When you gotta go out and make a movie to pay for the kid’s private school and for the three ex-wives, don’t talk to me about your artistry. It’s their job. It’s not my job. It’s my calling.” – Quentin Tarantino

I used to view film as my end-all be-all because it was – and still is at times -- everything to me, before embarking on this exploration of what really matters in the grand scheme of things. Now, I find Soderbergh’s position to be more relatable in the sense that making movies shouldn’t consume us too much, for too long. It’s probably healthier to do what you can and move on when the time has come for putting your energy and focus toward new (or even different) work.  

Have YOU found your calling?

What are YOUR most favorite jobs (or gigs) that you ever had, to date?

In too Deep – Ideas on Irrationality from an Independent Filmmaker #AtoZChallenge #IndieFilm

l-r: Filmmakers Susan Buice and Arin Crumley. Check out their feature film 'FOUR EYED MONSTERS.'You've probably been there; unhappy with your choices in what you're doing. Maybe you no longer love it because it's a constant pain in the ass but you suck it up and stay because you've spent way too much time on it, used up way too many resources on it, endured way too many expenses for it, called in way too many favors to see it through to the next phase; and now you want a return on your investment -- at least to break even because you owe it to yourself to see something come of your efforts. I've been there too and even return to that place every now and then. It's not just about financial investments, although that does play a huge role in it. More often than not, it’s about being stuck in an unhappy, unfulfilled spot that you refuse to move out of until you get results.

At this point, you don't even know, or even care, what the ideal goal or end game looks like; you're just grabbing at anything that looks promising, to see what sticks, whether you actually want what you receive or not. That is not a fun place to be and life is too short to keep subjecting yourself to a career path that no longer brings you any joy. If it's causing more problems than solutions, then it might be time to re-evaluate what you do want and try to improve where you’re at, or throw in the towel and find something that you’re not going through the motions with just because of all you've put in.

What was the last situation where YOU felt like you were in too deep?

Have YOU ever invested more into a goal or interest or relationship or job or career than what you eventually gained from it?

While you're reading away, check out yesterday's post Heaven Help the Hollywoof Hopefuls if you're so inclined to find out if tinseltown is all it's cracked up to be.