I hear a lot of my creative friends speak of such much-acclaimed mythical beasts but never of any silver bullets to use when they
magically appear. Yes. I am being vague, so let me explain.
In the creative community, especially my experience in
visual art, film, and comic books, much is said about the mythical project that will come along and change everything. Or the
pitch to someone who knows someone. This mythical beast will come in and make
all said creator’s dreams come true.
What usually accompanies this mystical beast’s appearances
is much fanfare: riches, fame, glory, and acknowledgement- the usual
accoutrements of success. But he is special, this beast. For with him comes not
only the acknowledgement of talent and recognition of a job well done, this
mythical beasts also acknowledges the struggle for success AND the arduous path
most artists undertake to achieve this glory.
As is plain to see, this is a wily beast indeed; full of
guile, which often take many forms.
For the indie filmmaker, it the beast most often takes the
form of a mythical connections and magical concepts that once realized or
spoken aloud will bring hordes of legendary treasures: the Seven Figure Script
Deal with a studio, an Agent of Love, for you and everything you do, and a the
** Manager who will ride and die for you like the Hip Hop weed carriers of
yesterday.
Often these filmmakers have finished little: no polished
script, no feature length anything, and at best a poorly concocted idea rarely
takes into consideration ** tenants of marketing i.e. who is going to watch
this and why. Real answers only please, not “because I would.”
These filmmakers often believe they can go in and do a
napkin pitch, on the merits of their idea, hear a resounding yes. As much as I,
and anyone doing this for a living, would like to believe in this (because
secretly we all do, its how we wake up and do it all again in the morning),
projects often need more than this to “magically” go through.
When confronted with this by peers, they often tell you mythical
stories told around the creative campfire like tales of old. Much like the stories of gods and goddesses, these stories are nothing they have encountered themselves, but are told
as if first hand experiences.
“Well yeah, and then he, I forget his name, but you know,
the film last summer… yeah, it was totally sold in a coffee shop. Yeah. They
invited them to the studio and the deal was signed. Crazy.”
While the stories are not quite as vague- wait, I lie to
spare feelings. You know who you are, no need to protect the innocent. They
usually are and sound about as silly.
Comic book creators fair a little better, but they have
their own folly. Comic creative teams will often commit time and energy, and at
least do sketches or initial development work. Often they will do sample pages.
And while the materials may look great and be “cool”, it’s just materials for a
solid pitch, which by itself is simply not enough.
What’s missing? Often two things: a) track record b) a fan
base. Neither of which come without considerable effort.
First up is your track record, which consists of who you did
what for, why, and how they felt about it. This is more than assembling your
professional memoirs, or putting together a shiny portfolio.
What’s needed is a work history with other people,
preferably companies one has heard. Though working with a big name company is
not a prerequisite, the more known the better off you’ll be at the end of the
day.
At the very least it needs to be a verifiable company that
someone else runs. It shows that the someone is willing to pay for the creator
‘s work because it generates significant value for said company and increases
that company’s own revenues.
It also gives you context and allows them to vette you and
your reputation. Which is a good point to say, cultivate good references at all
times. Some relationships don’t go as you want, but for those that do, get a
quote or a references, Why do you think LinkedIn is so popular, but is about as
fun as signing into MySpace.
These components are important because it gives people a
context to understand you and your work.
You are never hired for just an idea. We are social
creatures, and the hours spent working with anyone in professional environment
are many and intense. Multiply that by as many numbers as you want in creative
fields and it’s still not enough.
Even with best, well-oiled creative teams, personal dynamics
are always in play. Everyone has days when they would rather not deal with the
other people on their team- and that’s when they like one another other.
Second, a fanbase is prerequisite- even more important than
your track record. How so? To be honest, a fanbase is a track record. It’s
demonstrative. It’s tangible. It shows formal, bottom line, in the black
thinking. And it shows that someone besides your mom likes and is willing to
pay mullah your work.
Yeah. Yeah. I know you’ve got that. So what’s the big deal,
right? Fans and a track record prove answer one simple question. Are you worth
the risk?
It is your responsibility to go above and beyond, to prove
beyond the shadow of a doubt, that you are actually worth it. Even when it is
apparent to you, the other person, who is not you, and totally lame for not
understanding you, and doesn’t see your vision, well they doesn’t know you.
See how many times you and your were in the previous
paragraph. Thin the exact opposite manner and you are on your way with this.
It’s your responsibility to get them to know you, your work,
and whatever they need to say “Yes. I want to hire you. Let’s get started.”
I know. I know. The “above and beyond comment” is wack. What
about the people who didn’t have to do that? What about the ones who just made
it?
Yes. That is all true and it does happen. BUT. And this is a
big butt (and I cannot lie. Sorry, way to easy) it is the exception, not the
rule.
Without a track record, there is no buzz. Without buzz there
are few opportunities, especially in an age of so much content white noise.
Am I saying that such luck breaks slash opportunities do not
come about? No. Am I saying the opposite, the only way to get on is through the
grind because no one ever gets a luck break? No.
The point I’m making is to be balanced and prepared for
opportunities by creating a track record, growing an audience that will
eventually become your fans, and yes work hard along the way.
When the mythical beast comes, and it will, your track
record, your fans, and the experience you’ve gained and the passion you’ve
sharpened, these are the silver bullets you need to slay the mythical monster
when he shows up. Not Chance. Not Happenstance. They just bring him to your
door because they recognize the markings you’ve put up. The rest is up to you.
Does that mean no more magical thinking? Not at all. I
believe all the magic in the world is at your fingertips. You just have to
accept it and move through the doorway to claim it.
Hope that helps in your own quest to be creative.
Till then.
- C
