Mulligan

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get an idea, write a script, and develop a business plan. Then we are frustrated that we cannot get financing for our film and we'll be more content once we do. After that we are more frustrated that we have to deal with film deals, sag, camera rental, insurance, and a D.P who sees a totally different film. We will certainly be happy when we get our film back from the lab and we see the dailies. Life will be better when we get the check, get more bagels, get more investors, and get the actors to the set.

We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our A.D gets his or her act together, when we get a bigger budget, are able to make a film without using our credit cards or rent. (Once your editor learns that you actually do know what your doing and the scene does cut together). Everything will be okay as long as we get the last shot, do not lose the light, have no hair in the gate, stay on schedule, remember the shooting ratio, as long it doesn't rain, you get the permit, or if we get the celebrity, and don't run out of film.

The truth is, there's no better time to be a filmmaker than right now. If not now, when?

Your filmmaking life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. One of my favorite quotes is from Alfred D. Souza. He said

"For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something had to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. THEN life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life".

I am so lucky to be part of a profession which I love so much.

This perspective has helped me see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So reassure every moment that you have. Have a reality check and say out loud "We are making a movie Ah yeah, yeah, yeah!" Have fun! Make it fun! And treasure every moment that you have. So call up Kodak and Fuji and thank them for 8-25% discount. Say thank you to IFP, the state filmboard, and Dov for keeping you informed. Tell your credit card company how much you love them for giving you this opportunity. Thank your friend for letting you sleep on their couch. Treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend time, your time. So thank your DP, 1st Ac, Line Producer, Boom, Gaffer, and even the PA. Who may also be your boom, gaffer, and mom. Whoever it may be go give them a big juicy kiss and say thanks for being part of this. and remember that time waits for no one...

So stop waiting until you finish film school, until you go back to film school, until you get it in the can, until you get it back from the lab, until you payoff your debt or get into Sundance, until you become rich and famous, until you win an Oscar or People's Choice, until your written up in magazines, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until you paid off deferrals, until the plane flies by, until your on Letterman and Leno, until you get that mansion in Beverly Hills, until someone ask you for your autograph...


	*"Life of an Independent Filmmaker"* by Tim VandeSteeg aka "Vandy" and the Powers that Be... We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get an idea, write a script, and develop a business plan. Then we are frustrated that we cannot get financing for our film and we'll be more content once we do. After that we are more frustrated that we have to deal with film deals, sag, camera rental, insurance, and a D.P who sees a totally different film. We will certainly be happy when we get our film back from the lab and we see the dailies. Life will be better when we get the check, get more bagels, get more investors, and get the actors to the set. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our A.D gets his or her act together, when we get a bigger budget, are able to make a film without using our credit cards or rent. (Once your editor learns that you actually do know what your doing and the scene does cut together). Everything will be okay as long as we get the last shot, do not lose the light, have no hair in the gate, stay on schedule, remember the shooting ratio, as long it doesn't rain, you get the permit, or if we get the celebrity, and don't run out of film. The truth is, there's no better time to be a filmmaker than right now. If not now, when? Your filmmaking life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. One of my favorite quotes is from Alfred D. Souza. He said "For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something had to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. THEN life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life". I am so lucky to be part of a profession which I love so much. This perspective has helped me see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So reassure every moment that you have. Have a reality check and say out loud "We are making a movie Ah yeah, yeah, yeah!" Have fun! Make it fun! And treasure every moment that you have. So call up Kodak and Fuji and thank them for 8-25% discount. Say thank you to IFP, the state filmboard, and Dov for keeping you informed. Tell your credit card company how much you love them for giving you this opportunity. Thank your friend for letting you sleep on their couch. Treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend time, your time. So thank your DP, 1st Ac, Line Producer, Boom, Gaffer, and even the PA. Who may also be your boom, gaffer, and mom. Whoever it may be go give them a big juicy kiss and say thanks for being part of this. and remember that time waits for no one... So stop waiting until you finish film school, until you go back to film school, until you get it in the can, until you get it back from the lab, until you payoff your debt or get into Sundance, until you become rich and famous, until you win an Oscar or People's Choice, until your written up in magazines, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until you paid off deferrals, until the plane flies by, until your on Letterman and Leno, until you get that mansion in Beverly Hills, until someone ask you for your autograph... Filmmaking is a journey, not a destination.
	© 2003 VANDY Productions