Today has been quite an eventful day that in some ways has brought me closer to my destiny. And all I really did today was go to work in the morning and come home at 6:00 to go on my computer. The same routine I have for almost every other day. But to start my story, I am going to go Memento on you and give you the second event of my day before leading up to my first event.
If all of you remember, Sunnydayjazz sent me a PM here on this website to ask me if I'd like to submit my short film The Call to his Short Film Showcase up in London Ontario. This was the reason I went back and re-edited the movie in order to fix it up. I was in such a rush to submit it though before the deadline that I stupidly sent cash money in with my package. That's right, I sent US dollars to a Canadian film festival. I felt I had a good chance based on the film and my small connection with the vice-president through Karmacritic, but I felt I hurt my chances based on the money. So in my mind it was 50/50. Today when I got home, I opened my e-mail to discover I did in fact get accepted. I'd like to thank Sunnydayjazz for giving me a reason to fix up an old film I was uncomfortable with, as well as giving me a chance to screen the film all the way up in Canada.
The problem is I'm not sure If I'm going to be able to make it to the screening all the way in Canada this August and here is the reason. This same day I got a call from my parents while at work, and found out that I got accepted into film school all the way at the University of Utah. And why did they accept me? Because of the copy of the same film I made (except this one was only a rough cut) that I left with the head of the film department when I visited there back in January while I was attending Sundance Film Festival with my sister and brother in law. I guess they thought I knew a thing or two based on that and also were really impressed by the essay I wrote along with my addmission paper. I basically wrote about how I was originally rejected from another film school back in senior year, but how it didn't stop me from teaching myself and learning things that I could never have learned from a basic beginner's film course. And also, that even if I got rejected again, I would continue to aspire to make movies beause I refuse to settle for an ordinary life. The reason I want to make films is because I have something to prove to myself. That I have what it takes to make an indie feature like the directors who've inspired me, and find an audience for that film. It was never to prove other people wrong, it was all fuel for my own fire.
But this is not the end, it's only the beginning.... of the end. I always had in mind going to LA at some point in my story but EZ offered me some advice that I feel a little silly for not thinking of it originally. All the real networking is in LA, so it's best to go there as earlier as possible, especially while I'm a film student. I should be going to film school there. So that is the next goal. Go to school in Salt Lake City while dodging mormons, then transfer to a school in LA where I'll be seeking the real success. Everything in moderation though. But think of it this way. I start out in Boston which is now currently becoming a huge hot spot for major motion film productions (most the thanks goes to Dennis Lehane for setting all his novels in Boston then selling the rights of them to the movie studios), then I go to Salt Lake City which is where Sundance Film Festival is at, and then I finish my youthful journey in LA which is where the real gold is under the rainbow. Hollywood. Right now I'm happy though with Salt Lake, but I'll always continue to be looking ahead of myself and getting ready for what's next to come. Like the Joker said "It's all part of the plan."
I'd like to thank my sister for this new opprotunity that has been presented to me. She is one of the people who has guided me in this direction. And eventhough we have very little in common, she has been my biggest supporter within the family. She's going through some rough times right now too for reasons I want to keep personal, so it's a good thing I'll be going out to Utah where she's currently living so I can look after her. She supported me, now it's time I return the favor.
I'd also like to thank Tania from The Call because without her the film wouldn't be what it is today. She is a rising talent that will succeed before I will. I just e-mailed her about the Short Film Showcase so even if I don't attend it, there is still a good chance that she will.
And most importantly I'd like to thank you guys at KC for showing your support. Especially EZ who is another person who has helped guide me in this direction. And of course Marco for giving us this website.
“If we cannot see the possibility of greatness, how can we dream it?”
-Lee Strasberg