You’re Too Smart to Go Down Stupid

DIY.

If you find that you can’t work within the machine, do it yourself.

Gareth Edwards, director of the most recent Godzilla reboot, had one homemade feature to his credit prior to directing the $200 million return of the giant lizard. The film was an indie titled Monsters, and it was shot for less than $500,000. Monsters was no big commercial hit, as it grossed $4.2 million globally. The reviews, however, were sensational.

The Blair Witch Project may have been a fluke success, though well over $100 million domestically can never be dismissed. What it proves is “possibility.”

Another possibility? Fortunes derived from self-published books. The Martian was initially self-published, and then purchased by a major. And then… the film rights were purchased and that team’s efforts earned the movie over $500,000,000 around the world.

Again, this is the exception far more than the rule, of course, but once more proving the possibility of the DIY concept. Do you think Andy Weir, the writer of the novel, is (still) smiling? I’d bet on it. His career is made.

For that matter, check out the history of Fifty Shades of Grey, which was also originally self-published.

What about YouTube “stars?” Kids are making videos, silly and otherwise, that are going viral quicker than they ever could before. As a result, many of these kids now have multi-million dollar book deals, films, and TV shows in progress. They “made themselves” as opposed to waiting for others. Their visibility led to their discovery.

My own books with Steve Hillard, The Chronicles of Ara series, were optioned (since in turnaround) by Ovation TV for an eight-hour miniseries. The books were independently published and print-on-demand, the latter typically poisonous for film or TV potential. We had sold less than 200 copies at the time Ovation approached us, and we were not available in bookstores. They had read about the first book online, then they read the book… and the offer was made.

It can happen. That’s the message. If what happens reverses itself (project doesn’t move forward), there are always other possibilities.

How many talented writers, musicians, photographers, filmmakers and other artists give up because of bills, kids, etc.? John Grisham wrote The Firm when he was practicing law. Yet another example.

Far too many creative types take the path of least resistance and give it all up for a life of security. That’s fine for them, so long as they don’t regret their choices later. I’ve seen the effects of that regret far too frequently. I’ve seen the substance abuses and worse on the part of friends. All too often, I’ve seen those who have been unable to handle their lack of “success” become desperate and then take desperate measures to deal with their discontent.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

I speak a great deal to filmmakers and writers primarily around the country, sometimes overseas. I’m privileged that way now, but it wasn’t always like this. Truth is, I still have to pay the bills, make time for “real life,” and be an adult when the need arises. Sound familiar? I have the same concerns and worries as anyone. We all do.

So knock on doors. Sell your work. Send out mass emails, do interviews, send out press releases… Don’t be afraid to subscribe to a wire service and allow them to further expose your work. Get blurbs, showcase, ask, ask, ask. Create a scene and get yourself in the news. Create your project early in the morning before your 9-5, or after. Whatever the hell it takes—IF that’s what you want.

Advice: Undertake your artistic endeavors with a clear head as to how far you want to go. Do the same and consider how much you are willing to sacrifice to get there.

The cliche is that the law of averages will eventually catch up. Yet another cliche happens to be true, but only if you do the work.