Yeah, yeah... easier said than done.
I've tried to live by this mantra for years now. When my alma mater, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (go Salukis!), was selling bricks in the courtyard of the Communications building, including this line was a no-brainer. Now, immortalized in stone in a place where many aspiring filmmakers, photographers, and writers hone their craft, I hope this pearl of wisdom gives them permission to LEAP - to scale the walls of self-doubt, of fear, of a world and a system that seem to take more pride in knocking them down and shutting them out than allowing them the opportunity to BE HEARD.
Last year, I was reminded of the LEAP notion when I came across words from Eleanor Roosevelt: "Do one thing every day that scares you." It is only through taking a chance on something that you: a) learn what you're really made of; b) figure out who your REAL champions are; and c) will ACTUALLY succeed.
Yes - to win you MUST play.
Two months ago, I was offered a deal that had the real potential to turn me into a PRODUCED writer. After years of working, my efforts might finally pay off! I was thrilled beyond belief. But after working with an entertainment lawyer on the contract, hammering out a better deal than the one that was first offered, it suddenly occurred to me that there was little assurance that anything would ever come of the deal. The only thing I COULD count on was that one of my best scripts would no longer be mine. Once again, I had to step back, look at every single fucking cell on the spreadsheet of my life, and decide: should I stay or should I go?
I go. ("went" if you want to be a stickler for tenses ;-)
Over the next several days, I had to give myself a pep talk, both publicly AND privately. "Not every deal is a good deal," I said to myself. "They're not the only game out there." NO. THEY. AREN'T.
And it was through subsequent conversations with myself, my family, and some of my closest and dearest friends and confidantes, that I decided: it's time for another LEAP. To make the film. MYSELF.
Some of you may have already seen the opening salvo of this by way of the Twitter (@QuantaMovie) and the Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/QuantaMovie). I will continue building on that. Within the next few weeks, I will launch a campaign on Kickstarter.com to "crowdfund" funds needed to make the film.
Uh, wait... you've never heard of crowdfunding?
Crowdfunding is a concept based around pre-sale of the end product(s): fans, friends, and family can pre-order DVDs, T-shirts, bumper stickers, etc., etc., to allow filmmakers (as well as artists and startups of all kinds) the money they need to launch a project or business. The amazing thing about crowdfunding is that, in a very short time, a successfully funded project can actually BEGIN. Their creators can take a LEAP on that project.
For Quanta, it's not only my dream that would take flight. The project would translate to PAID jobs for 40+ people. Two weeks of employment for artisans skilled in specific crafts, whether it's camera, lights, costumes, or makeup. Most of these professional artists are freelancers - they don't have a 9-5 with a bi-weekly paycheck. They move from job to job working on projects much like Quanta because they love doing what they do.
Yes - it does mean I spend a lot of time with ANOTHER spreadsheet these days: my budget. But really, it's just a subset of the main data. Lots of numbers, lots of new cells, lots of new lives affected.
I'll keep plugging away, and, of course, keep you apprised as much as possible along the way.
Now go... LEAP.
The net will appear.
