Archive for the ‘Corridors’ tag
THIS IS IT!
Michael Jackson mania was in full swing when I was in the seventh grade. I even wore the infamous “Beat it” jacket. I was a HUGE fan and did not have any shame in my expression of that fact.
During one of the family visits to the flea market I stumbled upon a promotional button shop. Now it may have been there for years as the flea market was a family tradition. But, on this particular day the buttons on sale seemed invisible and the machine making them seemed to illuminate in the background. It was as if it called my name.
I couldn’t believe my eyes nor the truth I would learn. The promotional button shop could take any image and convert it into a button.
I returned with one of my favorite images of Michael Jackson and made a button. The Cheshire cat had nothing on me. I paraded around the flea market floor space with pride. It was a cool pin.
On Monday I dressed for school. Morning rituals and then as I walked out the door I placed the final touches on the school attire. My button!
It seemed to happen overnight, but doesn’t all success. As I navigated the corridors of the school and the playground of the small campus many students commented on the unique button.
Then it happened. I was offered money for the button. More money than I had paid for it. Can you say profit? Not sure I could, but I knew how to count. I was already taking algebra. Math was my subject. The numbers made sense to me and a business opportunity was born and a natural salesman emerged.
I’d now spend free time cutting images from any periodical I could get my little hands on and make new Michael Jackson buttons. The routine of the flea market was no longer simply a family trip, but a business trip to my wholesaler.
That aforementioned tale was brought to the forefront of my memories last night after viewing the documentary MICHAEL JACKSON’S THIS IS IT.
Witnessing his genius was simply mesmerizing. But, something else captured my imagination… he, his band, dancers, back-up dancers, technicians brought there “A” game to work each and every day. They performed as if the audience was already present.
I’m certain it could have been easy to simply move through the motions, “called it in”. But, he didn’t allow it of his people nor of himself. It’s no wonder he was, and in mind remains, the King of Pop.
While Michael was a not a screenwriter he embodies the necessary qualities of any artist with aspirations to succeed in the competitive filed of entertainment.
Michael delivered whether an audience was present or not. He was a consummate professional.
That’s a nice story Marvin, but how does it help me?
Well, here are simply two thoughts:
v Expect more of yourself – are you truly mastering your craft or are you simply “calling it in”? I’ve said it before a writer writes. How close are you to 10,000 hours of writing?
v Behave like a professional screenwriter – There’s truth to the proverbial saying:”If you walk like a duck, talk like a duck… you are likely a duck.” Recently, one of the BOSI members wrote a posting on his blog (The 3 a.m. Screenwriter) that echoed this sentiment. Check it out: http://tinyurl.com/yek9apz
The documentary suggested that Michael ended all his performances with his hit song MAN IN THE MIRROR because he emphatically believed that change must come from within first. I agree.
In his honor, I leave you with this:
http://tinyurl.com/yjuot6t
