The Measure of A Life

(A Self Portrait - taken while filming our new documentary, A New Life)

I just discovered a local artist (local to Georgia, that is) who is something of an inspiration for me. As I’ve listened to some of his music and anticipate my local library’s notification that the novel he wrote is on hold and waiting for me, I reflect on what it must have taken for him to become so talented as a writer, speaker, performer, musician… And on top of all this, he truly seems like a deeply kind and good human.

Interestingly, it appears that he has paid the bills for the better part of his early career by practicing law.

He’s also in his 70’s.

Why am I writing all this? I’ll get to it.

Yesterday I had a meeting with a man who produces movies. He’s produced 18 in just the last few years, so he’s figured something out about this business. He is self-admittedly not a creator in the strictest sense, but a business man, a serial “deal-junky.” I really admired his honesty and brass-tax attitude.

I find myself constantly (daily) at a crossroads in terms of not just “identity” but the very real conflicts between time, money and art. But perhaps none of those three things are ends, but means to an end.

I am in my thirties, so I’m a bit younger than either of these men. But I have a mortgage and six children to feed, and sometimes I don’t feel like I can do it all. Can one truly hone an artistic craft, pay the bills of a large family and practice the craft they’ve honed when there is so much to do and so little time to do it?

And if I start to complain, remember that my wife is an artist of equal or greater ambition and talent, who actually bears the responsibility (in our family at least) of taking care of the kids for the better part of the work day.

I am grateful to have something to work for. I appreciate the great careers of great artists, especially those that acknowledge the dignity of every-day decent human beings, working regular jobs, raising good people, or at least trying to. Artists like Hayao Miyazaki, Fred Rogers, and my new local inspiration. But those mens’ lives look nothing like mine.

The question I ask myself is, “is my work/art just for me and my needs, or is it helping anyone else?” I can think of a million people it might help, but is it financially viable? Do those with the means of distribution find it to be so, whether it is or not?

My aforementioned producer friend (inadvertently perhaps) made me realize something I’ve been feeling for some time: 

I cannot depend anymore on those with more perceived power than me to pick me. I must connect with an audience that cares about the films we create, and do the work to structure a business that financially benefits those that pay for the films to do so.

I have been working on developing that model, and building that audience for a few weeks now.

We have one short film underway this month, and more projects in development, backed by companies that want to grow, and believe that storytelling is key to that growth.

My goal is to help hardworking people in many different industries, from custom car builds to law firms to health care, serve more people through stories that inspire and remind us all of what is really important.

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