As I head to grad school next year to put two more years of intensive studies in, I look ahead toward the future and seriously considering pursuing creative endeavors as a career. I've gotten really strong encouragement from several people, and recently an author who's a professor at Duke, Reynolds Price, had some words for me that really made me think:

"You're a talented man-- need I tell you?-- Russell, and I trust you're going to do something interesting with your gifts. You'll likely suffer if you don't-- and I don't say that as any sort of threat, only as what seems a realistic observation after nearly fifty years of observing a large number of Duke students-- some 3,000 of them by now."

That quote really scared me to some extent. I really think that I could make it-- why not risk it and go out and try to achieve? My creative writing gets really well received, and I know my plays are better than a girl who recently got accepted into the M.F.A. program at Columbia for playwriting. There are directors who I've worked with who now work in NYC that I'm confident I am better than, and I've gotten great reviews from local theater people and professors who've said I've directed some of the best work Duke has seen, including better than department shows. I've also got a thick skin for bad reviews and rejection when they come, and I really feel like I could make it in the real world. I'm also currently of a mindset that I really might be heading to a big city and trying to get a job in the arts, something that a couple of years I never would've thought I was good enough to do.

So why am I making this post?

I want to hear from some of you who are actually out there working, using your talents (or holding down a job until you can). Tell me about where your mind was when you were in high school/college. Did you honestly think you could go achieve in the profession of your dreams? What have all the benefits/downfalls been that you've encountered since going out and doing it?

For whatever reason, that quote above really has made me think recently that unless I give it a try, I'll never know if I could become something special and make movies/write or direct plays/do whatever that really matters. So I'm kind of really really excited about the future, how this program is going to train me further for theater, and what I can go out and do after this. And while I realize that in a decade I'll likely be a jaded industry type like some other OKPs (no snitchin'), I still can't help but be excited about what the future holds.

So to those who are out there doing it: what were your dreams in high school/college? How did those dreams evolve? What obstacles have you faced/overcome/continued to face? Where do you see yourself ideally in 10 years? This is a positive post for those who are out there using their God-given talents doing something they love and to those like me who are planning on actually doing it.

is stop wasting time with message boards. Lord knows I've spent too much time on this when I should have been writing.

To really make it, you need to immerse yourself in your dream for a few years and give it a go. The tough part, of course, is trying to immerse yourself and feed yourself at the same time. I'm planning on taking a few months off after this last gig and really giving it a go. I've wasted too much time on silly stuff or jobs that I'm not really all that committed to (i.e, reality tv)

What kind of writing do you do?

And P.S. believe me, if I actually go out to LA or somewhere, I'll definitely be cutting back on OKP, LOL.

I don't post much at home but I tend to slack off at times and have to stay later because of it. Although some times conversations annoy me enough (I'm kind of obsessive compulsive) that I keep posting at home instead of writing.

I'm trying to write films. I've been sitting on a couple of script and want to put them out there and see if I can get any interest once I'm done this last gig.

i.e. what kind of scripts do you plan on writing? Comedy/drama/whatever?

This board, and loosie.com, has been a major creative outlet for going on 6 years now. There have been times when I've quickly spat out some rough notion here and then later revisited it and brought the idea out longer and in depth.

But I am probably not the demographic Longo is referring to because I don't do anything creatively in any professional manner. I would like very much to be able to, but I don't have the credentials nor the focus and drive to actually make a successful go of it.

I'm very happy for you.

Back like...

http://www.imageyenation.com

I can't stop praising you.


Back like...

http://www.imageyenation.com

Back like...

http://www.imageyenation.com

Seriously, I'll try to answer the question.

Well, my dreams were always centered around writing. And to some extent, I've followed them. Maybe not in the way I originally envisoned (I wanted to write books and shit), but I've always wanted to express myself creatively, and started actively pursuing it in high school. When I was in college I figured the best way to do it was go the journalism route. I had strong opinions and movies and music (for reviews) and I'm pretty good at talking to people and asking the right questions, especially in the realm of music, so it seemed like a good fit.

When I graduated college, I found that it was damn difficult getting a job as a journalist. I hooked up with what was at the time a fairly prominent hip-hop magazine, but I discovered they were shday as fuck. After spinning my wheels for a bit, I decided to go to grad school to get my master's, sharpen up my writing and editing skills and make some connections. I got out of grad school, and while I had learned a lot, it was still fricking impossible to find a full-time writing job, especially in the field I was interested in. Because they aren't many established paying music mags out there, and let's be real, lots of people know about music. So it was hard to work my way in.

So at that point I resolved that I was going to need more viable full-time hustle, and write about music on the side. Because most of the mags I got to write for didn't pay, and living full-time as a freelancer is a constant draining grind. And I've made it work. Sometimes it's been easier than others, and sometimes I've gone astray, but I'm in a pretty good place right now, as of this moment. And the full-time hustles I've always undertaken have in some ways utilized my talents: I've worked as editor/reporter for weekly small-city community newspapers, a grant-writer, and even in a record store. I've even sort of gotten back into writing books and shit, but I'm not making quite as much progress as you like.

So, I guess the point I'm trying to make is that unless you're indepently wealthy and you have someone who can support you, if you're entering the creative field like writing or directing or play-writing, you have to find ways to make it. And I'm not saying you got to compromise your dreams, but if you're going to hold down a full-time job until you have the oppotunity to use your creative talents on your own schedule, try to find something to do full-time that's within your skill set that you can enjoy doing every day. It makes things cosiderably easier.


>
>I want to hear from some of you who are actually out there
>working, using your talents (or holding down a job until you
>can). Tell me about where your mind was when you were in high
>school/college. Did you honestly think you could go achieve in
>the profession of your dreams? What have all the
>benefits/downfalls been that you've encountered since going
>out and doing it?
>
>For whatever reason, that quote above really has made me think
>recently that unless I give it a try, I'll never know if I
>could become something special and make movies/write or direct
>plays/do whatever that really matters. So I'm kind of really
>really excited about the future, how this program is going to
>train me further for theater, and what I can go out and do
>after this. And while I realize that in a decade I'll likely
>be a jaded industry type like some other OKPs (no snitchin'),
>I still can't help but be excited about what the future
>holds.
>
>So to those who are out there doing it: what were your dreams
>in high school/college? How did those dreams evolve? What
>obstacles have you faced/overcome/continued to face? Where do
>you see yourself ideally in 10 years? This is a positive post
>for those who are out there using their God-given talents
>doing something they love and to those like me who are
>planning on actually doing it.

But for now, The Hustle beckons...
_____________________________________________________________________
... and all that could have been...

you're like my best friend compared to my dislike for Russell.


Back like...

http://www.imageyenation.com

Plus it's been common knowledge that my name is Russell for a while.

and you KNOW I've KNOWN.

You the mad one though. Snooping around for information.


Back like...

http://www.imageyenation.com

Alright duke. Get ready for football season.

"Russell's not here"

that was like 2 years ago, Russ.


Back like...

http://www.imageyenation.com

That's been public information on OKP for a while.

You WILL encounter rejection.

Sometimes it will be warranted, but often it will not be.

Sometimes it will come from people who really have no business evaluating creative material.

That comes with the territory.

Take a lesson from Barton Fink.

And take another lesson from Wallace Stevens, recipient of the 1955 Pulitzer Prize for poetry, who said "after the final no there comes a yes, and on that yes the future world depends."

Also draw some inspiration from this poem by Walt Whitman:

http://classiclit.about.com/library/bl-etexts/wwhitman/bl-ww-poetsto.htm

_______________________________________________________________________________

You can't sleep on us forever: http://www.myspace.com/regeneratedheadpiece

You do sports writing, yes? How did you come to that position? Did you always imagine you'd do this?

that has worked out great for me, so far, is build shit for myself. Stuff that I own, control, can do myself, and can share with others.

Basing a career on the approval of others is very dicey, imo. Not that you shouldn't work with others, or seek the approval of others, just make sure that you're building something that's viable on it's own and is a genuine reflection of you.

...the approval of others is merely serving as reassurance that I could make it. I'm very confident in myself, but as I'm sure you know, hearing it from some others certainly makes your creative efforts seem all the more worthwhile.

And others have not liked my work. And I'm fine with that too. I'm much happier being someone who polarizes than someone who is boring.

But did you know you were going to go into radio? What resources did you have in order to build what you have for yourself?

I'd never take my gifts for granted again. I pissed away my shot out of pure laziness despite professors trying to be on my side.

I've made up my mind that when I get back into school I'm not looking back or second-guessing myself anymore. I know I could really get into filmmaking if I could just get my hands on a good camcorder.

What I need is to find out where to go in the meantime to continue following my dream because I can't do jack here in Warren County, NC.




"Being the bigger man is overrated." -- Huey (The Boondocks)

"But today's black leaders, I'm afraid, have become leading blacks. And don't ever confuse leading blacks with black leaders." --Dr. Julia Hare.



http://www.myspace.com/dozingoff

This is a celebration for creative types. Go out there and do the thing.

What are you doing now that's holding you back?

Especially when it comes to filmmaking. When you think about all the little things that it takes to make a film good, hell, to make it watchable, you realize you can't just walk out of your house and do it. It's not a seize the day sort of thing. Unless you have a ton of money, then you pay a bunch of people to seize the day for you.

Mech

But it's the difference between not taking steps towards that goal... and going ahead and getting the job that'll get you the money to achieve it, or shaking the hands and making the connections necessary to get that money, or et cetera.

I didn't mean to undermine any of the hard work that it takes to raise the money to make a film, let alone the actual process of getting it done. But he expressed regret in not taking steps towards exercising his creative talents, and I was merely trying to encourage a fellow OKP creative type to do what it takes if that's what he thinks his calling is.

...and I didn't mean to sound harsh in my response. But, when it comes to creating art, especially creating a film, it's difficult to determine where the best place to start is. Learning about filmmaking first hand can be an esoteric experience and it can be difficult to find ways to meet other filmmakers. There are plenty of books on the subject but I haven't read one yet that begins to illustrate how difficult even making a small film is. It boils down to how do you start when you want to start. I'm not saying it's impossible, but emotionally it can be very frustrating.

You hear so many people say all you have to do is work hard but sometimes you work very hard and still nothing happens. Then you keep working hard and nothing keeps happening. I get concerned for filmmakers and artists who are working hard but think they're not working hard enough because they haven't witnessed artistic or financial success.

Mech

I know people who've recorded albums in their bedrooms.

I know people who have directed documentaries--some nominated for awards--with nothing more than credit card debt, time and tons of work.

I know people with network deals who started by fucking around in a rec room with a video camera.

I'm not saying money doesn't help. It does. A lot. But most of the people I've seen succeed in the entertainment industry just sucked it up and did whatever the fuck they had to do to get it done.

I'm saying you can't just start directing the way you can just start writing.

The really sucky thing is not being able to come up with an idea that can be made on the cheap or with limited resources.

Mech

basically that is my vision

>what were your dreams
>in high school/college?

move to new york city, go to art college, and create my own career path

>How did those dreams evolve?

i was volunteering in a hospital for children throughout my high school years and considered studying art therapy but college lead me somewhere else...digital art

>What
>obstacles have you faced/overcome/continued to face?

lack of support

>Where do
>you see yourself ideally in 10 years?

managing some manifestation of my vision

I'm assuming you're in the visual arts... what is your specialty? What type of vision do you have for your arts and how it will aid people? Elaborate on what you do, I guess, since I'm not in the know. :)

>I'm assuming you're in the visual arts... what is your
>specialty?

i have an mfa in art and technology. this includes visual art, digital art, or digital media.

>What type of vision do you have for your arts and
>how it will aid people?

when I was in high school and volunteering i noticed that when i did art with sick kids it cheered them up and i felt good, as well. sometimes i would draw something when a kid was crying or in pain and it distracted them and before long we were making art together. it meant a lot to me that i had the time and freedom to do this. sometimes i volunteered 2-3 times per week and earned assistant nursing privileges like being able to person a station or play with babies and kids on my own.

one of my h.s. art teachers told me i was going to become a teacher and that was the last job i wanted. when i was 19 i became an art and tech intern for a summer arts program for talented teens. it was there that i realized my "purpose". the program had previously served surburban teens and when i was hired it was the first time they had a majority of urban teens and youth of color. i was given the freedom to create classes and enrichment activities for the art & tech students, so i ran a series of evening film screenings/forums. after each film we would have a discussion, or create a group project. this was before i even knew how to create a lesson plan. i screened Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing, Marlon Riggs' Ethnic Notions, and Style Wars. After the latter we had a big discussion about hip-hop and later we created a mural.

while i was teaching art in community-based programs all over New York i noticed that i was also advocating and mentoring young artists. it seemed to come naturally to me. i'm still doing this work. at some point i expanded the work to include adults in workforce development/training programs...then i became a visiting lecturer/professor. right now i am coordinating a pre-college digital art mentoring program that matches students from urban, or underserved high schools with college students. this semester they are working on a video p.s.a. to educate peers about art college life.

i also started an organization that provides resources for youth practitioners who want to develop their own digital art programs

Keep up the good work. :)

it's often a thankless job

:(

i think i'd lose my soul if i did anything else

-was to constantly keep in mind that it's one foot in front of the other.


I'm currently a freelance designer/animator. I went to film school at UT, and always knew that I wanted to move to LA and make movies and cartoons. While I was making films in school, I would make animations for them, title sequences, etc etc etc, as well as other assorted graphic things--stickers and shit that my roommates would put up around campus. I hustled up an internship at Detour Films, the animation house that made Waking Life, and used that to build relationships with various artists and musicians around town.

I made a few things in Austin, but quickly learned when I moved out to LA that people don't really give a fuck. So I got a list of music video production companies out here, 206 of them, and called them all. TWO of them agreed to meet me. One was cool, but didn't have full time work; the other did, so I went with them. While I was there I became friends with the directors on the roster, learned how things are done, and even scored a couple videos myself based on my animation skills. I was living my dream; I've always been obsessed with music videos, and here I was, directing them for a living. It was great.

I ended up leaving that place, kicked around a few other shops, and decided to go completely freelance at the beginning of '06. And let me tell you, that shit was nerve wracking. But you know what? I made a shitload of phone calls, mostly to places that didn't know who the hell I was, asking them to look at my work, and eventually, people started hiring me. I got thrown on to some really cool jobs, working on feature films, network spots, even some music videos. I'm making a living with my art, I call my own shots, and, basically, I'm happy.

So what's my point? My point is that I didn't start out going "I need to find a directing job." I started out calling everyone I could, looking for someone to hire me. When I found someone, I kept busting my ass working with them and sharpening my skills until someone noticed and gave me a shot at something bigger. I built that into more work, which begat more work, etc etc etc. The whole time I focused on doing what I was currently doing well, knowing that if I take care of that, it'll lead to something else. Make no mistake, it took a bunch of hustle, too. But I found that if you concentrate on doing things correctly, they eventually lead to bigger things. I watched my old roommates do it, too. They're screenwriters, with a pretty good deal with a major studio. I knew them when we were all just young punks in film school. But I watched them bust their ass writing scripts, which led to getting a manager, which led to an agent, which led to a better manager, which led to studio meetings, which led to their current gig. It wasn't easy, but they focused on doing what they were doing well, with the faith that it would build.


ps. gotta link to my site:

http://www.milesforpresident.com

but i wanted to say this is shaping up to be a great post with some already fantastic replies.

go get yours Longo!

Albeit under budget constrictions that can be frustrating.

I use those same skills to make enough dough on the side to do the work I want to do. I don't live in LA, though every year another close friend moves there and increases the gravitational pull.

While I've hardly come close to breaking out, I think my work continually gets better and each film reaches a wider audience. I'm optimistic.

A cool career is just that. You're gonna work all the time and be poor. If you're ok having your life be about work, then go for it, but the happiest people in the world aren't working all the time.

I was fairly successful for 7 years in television production, but realized that I'd rather work 9 to 5 and spend more time with my friends and family doing fun things. I became an accountant and found happiness.

I've been in this game (television/record) industry going on 5 years now and I have to tell you that above anything else, even your writing skills, you must have THICK THICK skin.
In La La land, in NYC, in any major city with a real entertainment stronghold you have to it. People get paid to put down your shit. That's a real simple way of saying it but it's the truth. That doesn't make them right and you wrong, I see it as a way to weed out those who are not obsessively passionate about there craft.

is my talent
I wanted to do it since I was a kid
when I was in high school/Junior high I thought I was gonna play football for the rest of my life

After that didnt work out like that
I still had my fist love

My music is well recieved
the battle is just getting it out there
I have been in a group but after going through circled w/ people who pretty much dont wanna do shit

I have been on my own
I am making a lot of contacts
and getting a lot of support

Its like I know its gonna work out
but I know that the chances are slim
considering that every body and they grandma raps or is a producer

in 10 years I see my production company moving into other relms such as film and TV besides just the music

i plan on having contributions on at least 80 pretty major projects by then

I do this shit because when i wake up in the morning all i think about is making heat

and when I go to sleep
its all i think of