I was going to post about the fun and vitality of look books. Removing the writer’s hat and stepping into the director’s shoes to create the bridge that offers potential producers, managers or investors a first glimpse into how you intend to transform your story into a visually vibrant world. Next time. After reading an inspiring article by Ariston Anderson in Filmmaker Magazine about David Lynch, I slammed on my brakes to focus on a more esoteric topic: hope.
DL: “Looking back I did not have much self-assuredness in the beginning.”
Whether you enjoy his work or not, David Lynch is one of the most unique cinematic artists of our generation. Some adjectives I use to describe his work are intuitive, bold, risky, polarizing, off beat, specific, and always distinctly David Lynch. With this in mind, I was pleasantly surprised when he explained how important it is to stay hopeful as an artist.
DL: “A lot of artists say anger or even the experience of fear…feeds the work.”
Guilty. As a feature first timer, sometimes I feel like Captain Willard stewing on the deck of PBR Street Gang, forging up a muddy, increasingly narrow and hostile river, hope drifting off into the mist as spears and arrows start flying at me from all sides. This is not cool! I volunteered for this high risk, unpredictable mission? And yes, I realize Mr. Lynch did not make Apocalypse Now but I think it illustrates the point.
DL: “If the artist is really suffering…he can’t even work.”
I’ve walked the line of hopelessness and have been fortunate enough to catch myself before tripping over it. At every crossroads in my process, hope has tried to run off. By not following Chef’s advice (if you recall he got his head cut off staying in the boat), I learned that never getting out of the boat is a bad idea. It’s my responsibility to remember to leave the boat, chase hope down and remain conscious of my good fortune that I’m a creative person.
DL: “I say negativity is the enemy to creativity.”
I so easily abandon interacting when my boat runs out fuel and starts drifting toward Negativity Island. What I need to do is jump without a life jacket; let myself out for recess to rediscover the big wide world. Participating in the moment is the ticket. For me, snowboarding, surfing and camping are like magic pills. I take one and I don’t have to call you in the morning. Forget it all and do whatever you like! Maybe Charlie should surf! Maybe I should check my horoscope?
I’m an Aquarius. On December 2nd, Sally Brompton (http://www.newyorkpost.com/horoscope) advised, “There is a job to be done and you know that you won’t be able to move on until it is finished. Yes, of course, you don’t like feeling you’re being coerced but according to the planets it’s for your own benefit.” See? The New York Post believes in me and is helping me make my movie!
Mr. Lynch states it beautifully: “It’s very, very important for the work, this thing of happiness. It’s so important to be happy in the doing.”
Check out the entire article: http://www.filmmakermagazine.com/88420-ten-lessons-on-filmmaking-from-david-lynch/ – .VH9-4o77CQ
Ariston Anderson on Twitter: @Aristonla
Craig Abell-Champion: An unusual kid who grew up on a sheep farm in Oregon. When I reached legal adulthood I was gone and never looked back. I earned a BFA in photography and spent several years shooting pictures around the world. A cinema lover, I moved to Los Angeles in 1998. Directing TV commercials was my film school. Today, I have left the realm of thirty seconds for a longer narrative road. A first time writer/director, my project Recess is in the packaging phase seeking financing.
