Archive for the ‘Executive Producer’ tag
REJECTION AS AMERICAN AS APPLE PIE.
It may be hard to believe now, but I was shy. Extremely shy. I say shy!
United Skates of America (http://www.usa-skating.com/way) was THE spot to be when I was in my very early teens. I’d skate, play video games, and… work hard to muster the courage to finally ask my teen crush, Sharon, to skate with me. She was soooo cute. But, I could never get the words out. It felt and looked a lot like this: http://tinyurl.com/n3unqo
The fear and humiliation of rejection can be so powerfully paralyzing that dreams can go unrealized… like skating with Sharon.
If baseball is America’s pastime, saying “no, it’s a pass” is Hollywood’s.
Rejection is and will always be part of your journey as a screenwriter. That’s simply a fact. But, you can use rejection to empower you instead of sabotage you.
Academy Award Nominated Screenwriter and ICON, Sylvester Stallone said the following about his view on the subject, “I take rejection as someone blowing a bugle in my ear to wake me up and get going, rather than retreat.”
Here are a few tips on how to address rejection:
1. As Zig Ziglar says, “Every ‘no’ that you receive is one step closer to a ‘yes’” and more importantly closer to aligning you with the right executive, producer, manager, and/or agent.
2. You’ve said “no” in the past. So think of a time when you rejected an opportunity that was presented to you- what was going through your mind?
3. Be sure to put things into perspective. Avoid using ‘always’ or ‘never,’ when you’re talking to yourself about your career. For example, “Agents always reject me”/“I’ll never sell my project.”
4. Remember that each experience can be a lesson if you’re open to it.
5. Don’t take it personal. It’s business. Solely business.
6. Avoid phoning everyone you know to moan and prolong your suffering.
7. Instead of self pity, indulge yourself in a self-esteem ritual… do something which makes you feel great.
I hope these tips are helpful, they changed my life. It’s not going to be easy, it takes practice, it takes work, but doesn’t everything.
LEAVING VOGUE MORAN – COMING SOON
I’m thrilled to introduce the trailer to my newest film. It’s the feature documentary, tentatively entitled, ”Leaving Vogue Moran”.
“Leaving Vogue Moran” - is the coming of age story of a 43 year-old man who confronts his fears by embarking on a journey of his past, and transforms his feelings of self loathing to self acceptance.
I spent just over a year capturing footage of this very unique individual. Beyond the close friendships that evolved during this incredible adventure, I gained invaluable and profound life lessons.
Each of us are often shackled to our fears, secrets, limiting beliefs, and own self-punishing patterns. But, very few of us muster the courage to confront these personal demons. Even fewer would allow a film crew to be a voyeur as we waged war against…ourselves.
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Special thanks and recognition to the remarkable Wayne Mahon (Director/Editor), the extraordinary Elizabeth Maccie (Producer/Editor), the gifted Russell Soder (Director of Photography/Producer), the generosity of Stephen Chbosky (Executive Producer) and Mark Gottwald (Executive Producer), and finally all the amazing people who populate this film. This experience would not have existed nor be availble to share with each of you without their contributions, sacrfices, and passion to tell this compelling story.
I look forward to sharing this film with you. Stay tuned.
