What opportunities have knocked on your door this week? Did you say yes or did you keep doing the same thing you do every week while complaining that nothing changes? Is it time for you to start saying YES to things in your life?
I am so thrilled at the people who have said YES to this project. Things are coming together well and moving ahead quickly now. A big thank you to our investors, people who believe in us and are ready to join this vision of a quality movie, an adventurous life, and a wonderful financial return! This is such an exciting project and is going to deliver FANTASTIC RETURNS, so I am thrilled that you have opted to be a part of this adventure with us. This project is a great example of saying yes to an opportunity that appears unexpectedly. Great financial potential and a small window of opportunity--that's what we presented to investors. Some saw it. Some didn't. So my question to you as readers is what opportunities have you let slip by? What is the vision for your life and what will it take for you to be a part of something amazing? First and foremost, it will take saying YES to a vision, either yours or someone else's. Take a chance this week and say yes to helping someone. Yes to being a part of a project like TRAUNIK. Yes to a life changing experience. These experiences are all around us. We sit at our desks day after day saying, "I wish things would change" but then we say no to everything presented to us and wonder why we're stuck. ThreeSocks Media is planning an event here in Michigan. We hope you'll say yes to either making the trek out here or being a part of this online. More information will follow....it's time to say YES!
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I hesitate to title this blog entry "mistakes" because I am a person who does not believe that such a thing exists. Unless someone dies or is irreparably harmed, then the situation can be changed and corrected. Life is about learning and as one of my favorite quotes says "Get busy living or get busy dying" (from Shawshank Redemption). While I do believe in making the most informed decisions possible, that is all they are--decisions. We can change them. We can (and should) learn from them. We can be bigger, better, and stronger with each new one that we make.
Recently several people who are interested in making movies have approached me regarding their own hopes and dreams, but noted that they had been paralyzed by their fear of making mistakes. If you find yourself paralyzed by fear, in any situation, my advice is always the same--find out what you don't know, get guidance from those who do know, and then precede one step at a time. I believe that fear is like a warning light. It shouldn't be ignored. Maybe you need more information. Maybe you need help. Maybe your mind just isn't ready yet for the venture you wish to embark upon. Take a moment. Breath. Learn. Get help. Then keep moving! Our pathways in life should be exciting and exhilarating. Don't hesitate to get busy living...mistakes are just a part of the game. As I continue to grow in my own role as producer, I have been spending some time getting to know the work of other female producers. In an article by Peter Hoare (which can be found here: http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/01/10-female-movie-producers-you-need-to-know/ ) there is a marvelous list of woman who have been doing stellar work as producers. Knowing the work of these amazingly talented women is definitely worthwhile. Hoare begins his article by noting that producing used to be a boys' club and that women were not really welcome. I personally have long been a fan of Kathleen Kennedy and, in fact, she was my own inspiration for becoming a producer myself. She is a legend in the field and so talented! Some of the other names on Hoare's list are more recent entries into the world of producing, but all have proven that they have what it takes and then some to hold their own in this field.
Producing is a calling. It's not for everyone, but if it is for you, do not hesitate to step up no matter your gender, background, or past life. I am honored to be stepping up now and having such incredibly talented women to inspire me in my work. In honor of Women's History Month (March) someone sent me a link to an article about female movie directors. Women in film making have had quite the challenges going from just being some sort of eye candy on the screen to being blockbuster producers, directors, writers, and bona fide stars (in roles of substance). The article noted that 2015 was a big step forward for women in film making and shared a list of the top 10 movies directed (and in many cases written) by women.
There was no mention of females as producers in this article, but I suspect that 2015 saw some big jumps in that regard as well. I myself am always looking for the best in people and have no reason to say that I have encountered a bias against me as an executive producer. However, I can say that twice in the past year I was asked if I had any business partners and then the investors added, "you know, some experienced men." When I asked what they meant they very quickly changed that "experienced people" but the point was already out there and well noted. Personally, I don't care. I am proud to say that I have a vision and that nothing is going to deter me from that. Anyone who narrows his/her professional associations to a specific gender, race, culture, etc. is doing just that--narrowing. If limited options are the way that you want to live your life, by all means that is your prerogative. But if you want to live life to the fullest and be a part of amazing things.....well, being narrow just isn't going to serve you well. If you want to read the article, you can find it at: http://blogs.indiewire.com/womenandhollywood/the-10-best-women-directed-films-of-2015-20151215 |
AuthorLynne M. Smelser is an executive producer and scriptwriter. For more than 20 years she has been an active writer who has won many national awards. She also holds a Ph.D. in English from Michigan State University. Archives
January 2024
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