Marvin V. Acuna

If only I had an agent, If only I had a manager; If only I had a relative in the business; If only I were younger; If only I lived in LA; If only I had the money to invest in my professional pursuits; If only I were luckier; If only I had more time; If only I didn’t work a full time job;

If only (FILL IN THE BLANK.)

While all the aforementioned statements undoubtedly feel very true for the screenwriter uttering them at the time, it’s a trap. A mental trap!

It’s the mental state of an aspiring screenwriter infected with “If Only” disease. I assure you that it’s common in every industry, but rampant in the business of show. Typically the screenwriter is not even aware that their mind is invested in this vicious belief system. But, once the screenwriter of this disease has selected a “rock solid” excuse, they live with it. Then they rely on it to explain away to themselves and to others why they are not moving forward or are any closer to realizing their dream. It serves to insulate the screenwriter from really addressing the real problems. So anytime they can’t figure out a solution to the challenge they encounter they just pull out old reliable… If only!

The reason I listed “If only I had an agent” first is because it is the most insidious, the most difficult to get across to thick-headed aspiring screenwriters, and the most difficult to conquer. No matter how many times you read this, no matter how often you hear stories about successful screenwriters (Variety’s screenwriters to watch, Michael Martin, “Brooklyn’s Finest”) tell you how they made it without an agent, you’ll have trouble believing what I have to say here:

AN AGENT IS NOT THE ANSWER TO YOUR SCREENWRITING PROFESSION BARRIERS.

How do I get an agent? Is arguably the number one question that I often hear at seminars, events, conferences, etc.

I can honestly say that I have sat on panels labeled, Filmmaking 4.0 or Diversity in Entertainment or “Fill in the blank” and without failure someone will raise their hand insistently only to ask…How do I get an agent?

In many ways it’s probably why I’m so motivated to educate and prepare the aspiring screenwriters with a practical foundation of entertainment business acumen. There are so many incredible stories from so many wonderful and successful screenwriters in the business because they chose not to self-sabotage their dreams.

Agents are wonderful elements to have as part of your team, but they should not define your opportunities nor dictate your success. I strongly encourage you to revisit the discussions I had with many of the screenwriters (Allan Loeb, Jessica Bendinger, Vlas and Charlie Parlapanides, and many others) over the past year and become inspired. Additionally, you can listen to the invaluable lessons one can glean from the unsung, underutilized hero’s of this business. All of them are available in the member’s area.

Alternatively, you can continue to mentally masturbate about what you don’t have and find yourself in the not to distant future sitting on a stoop at the ripe old age of ninety telling your grandkids about what could have been “if only…”

Hello!

At the encouragement of my dearest friends I have decided to enter cyberspace and begin posting my thoughts, activities, life lessons, experiences, etc.. as I navigate each day of my life. I’ll finish my day or start my day with a posting to this blog.

I thought I’d begin by stating the following belief so that everyone that stumbles upon this has a context for how I approach my life.

So here goes: I believe with every fiber of my being and based now on 37 years of life experience that the greatest story we know and the greatest story we tell is….the one we tell ourselves. Yes, the one we tell ourselves.

Embracing that belief system fully I seek to refine my story each and every day. This blog will allow me to document my story. I hope that in someway the insights I discover as I refine my story may be of service to you.  

Each year I choose a theme. I dedicated 2008 as the YEAR OF THE DELIBERATE CREATOR in honor of the power of free will. A great gift that for some reason I have found is often squandered.

Squandered no more. Victory is mine!