Make yourself available

I often encourage people to be available to new and odd things as part of the "program" to living more creatively. This bit of advice is two fold; involve yourself in activities you would not normally go to, and be willing to go further than you would normally consider when opportunities arrive.

While several examples come to mind, I'll stick with the two that are coming up shortly in the South Tx area.

There will be a Film Forum tomorrow hosted by the San Antonio Film Commision (www.filmsanantonio.com), and the talk will be on how to promote your film within your community. If the conference is to be geared to that topic, what benefit would there be to those of us who are, say, actors or screenwriters? You always want to be where people serious about making film meet if you want to get into film. Ask them what they are looking for in their next project, what they enjoyed about making their film and what they need to make that film a success. If you are a photographer, accountant, or a web designer, (don't let these choices limit you, there are dozens of things that a film needs done) you can generally find someone who is looking for a little help to get from "done" to "distributed". Independent film is all about wearing multiple hats, and noone is a specialist until they have paid their dues.

Another event coming up the first week of August is a talk by a real hollywood script agent, sponsored by Upstart, Inc. in Bastrop TX (about 2 hours drive from most of San Antonio). You can read all the details at http://www.upstart.citymax.com/articles/article/4251370/104251.htm . She will be reading from her book "The Real, Low-down, Dirty Truth About Hollywood Agenting". For those who have an interest in getting their scripts sold, this would justify the 2 hour drive.

I mention these two examples because you would be amazed at how much resistance you get from those people who say they seriously want to break into the business. If you don't have a car, then "pitch" the idea to a friend to take you. If you can't plead with emotion to your friends and family, can you hack it during an audition? If you can't break away from your job to make such a fruitful event, then this is one of those tests that will determine if you are really willing and able to take that jump. You don't have to make every event, but there is a problem when you don't even make it to one.

Life has a way of challenging you at every turn, but those who really tap into their calling seem to exhibit the ability to make things happen. And that, my friends, is the quality they're looking for...