I probably shouldn't be writing a blog right now. Because I really have nothing to say. I have no in-depth analysis to share. I have no topic. I have nothing. But still, there's so much I want to say. It's a mental contradiction, and it's also a sign of a creative crisis.
What can I say that hasn't been said before in a different way?
What's so unique about my vision?
Am I even able to accurately describe the vision?
Are there even any words in existence that could do that vision justice?
Because it's not enough that it justifies what I see, it has to paint a picture for the reader. And I can never know for sure, if I am using the right terms to paint the vivid picture that exists in my mind.
This is something I leave to both faith, and confidence. I'm confident that I'm using the right words, and I have faith that the reader will understand.
Thing is, I have to understand that not all readers will understand. But it's not enough to understand, I want you to visualize what I have visualized. And the sad truth is, not everyone is going to visualize it. People skim over words, they let their minds drift. Even if what they are reading is awesomely compelling, the fact remains that these people have lives to live, and distractions abound. The layered, and absorbing story that you are telling is no match for the allure of the common smartphone. People have twitter feeds to check, facebook statuses to update, pictures to post, and recipes to look up. The Internet is the modern personification of instant gratification. You can download a movie in minutes, communicate with anyone in the world, and watch the most disturbing sexual acts imaginable in the amount of time it takes to brew a cup of coffee. It's an amazing world, and one we are not mentally capable of fully enjoying because of all the options available to us.
This is what the modren aspiring screenwriter is up against. This is what successful filmmakers are up against. People are getting more enjoyment from a 6 second vine video than an hour and a half multi-million dollar Hollywood comedy. This is our world now, so why do we still have the dream to make movies?
The answer is nostalgia, simple as that.
We grew up watching movies. We love watching them so much, that we can't imagine a life where we didn't end up making them. However, due to the use of digital technology, the market is clogged. Anyone can make a movie. I could shoot a movie on my phone right now. Of course, I would be the only actor in it, but it would still be a movie! And we go along with the assumption that maybe we're going to be the exception. That whatever we make will rise above the competition because our storytelling skills are so refined. But most of us don't take the time to realize just how misdirected those assumptions are. We fool ourselves, it's what keeps us going. We believe we are unique. That's what keeps our dream alive. And maybe, that's all it takes to become a success. Even if you're not very talented, if you believe that you are, success will eventually find you.
This is when faith and confidence become your best friends, and perhaps your hidden enemies.
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