What an interesting week with some great lessons and reminders for me and, perhaps, you.
If you have known or followed me for even a little while you will probably be aware that I enjoy writing both books and screenplays. I completed my first screenplay several years ago but since I was still focused on running my business, I have done very little to move it forward. Very little, that is, until a month or two ago.
On one of our regular beach walks at home, I announced to Elise that I thought it might be time to sell one of my screenplays and to develop and sell a concept I created for a reality series. I was not sure about the how so I thought I would start with a powerful intention and then move on to the who.
Great Reminder #1 – Ask ‘who’ when asking ‘how’ trips you up.
With the decision made it was time for a few phone calls and a flight to Los Angeles. In the last two weeks, magic has taken place.
Great Reminder #2: MAKE A DECISION AND TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION ON THAT DECISION
First of all, my business partner in Los Angeles got caught up in my enthusiasm and set about to book some meetings with people who might be able to help with my reality series. The next thing I knew, I was meeting an executive producer for one of the highest rated shows on TV. Only two week weeks before, this would have been impossible, or at least very unlikely, in my mind. The meeting went very well and was followed by an invitation to the studio to watch the taping of his highest rated show — it was incredible. To see it all in action made my dreams even more real to me.
Great Reminder #3: BE PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR DREAMS AND INFECT OTHERS WITH YOUR PASSION
Great Reminder #4: SUPER SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE ARE MUCH EASIER TO REACH AND BE WITH THAN WE TEND TO THINK
Great Reminder #5: WHEN YOU HAVE A POWERFUL GOAL GO AND SEE WHAT IT LOOKS/FEELS LIKE — IT WILL FEEL MORE REAL TO YOU.
So now we wait to see what the studio has to say — what an exciting time we are living in.
In the meantime, I considered who I might connect with that could give me some advice about writing, developing and selling screenplays. Doing some basic research on the web (IMDB for instance) I found the writer of a major ($100 Million PLUS) motion picture starring Will Smith. I picked this writer because the movie he wrote is in the same genre as my screenplay. Having identified the writer, I reached out to him using — I kid you not — Facebook. He replied, accepted my offer of lunch and we are planning to meet in a few days. How cool is that?
Great Reminder #4 AGAIN: SUPER SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE ARE MUCH EASIER TO REACH AND BE WITH THAN WE TEND TO THINK
In the meantime — and this appears totally random but I am sure we all know better than that — I get an email from a film maker I know, Gavin Wilding, who has just launched a new TV series on the internet called ON THE SET. In each episode they interview key people from the movie business including producers, directors, writers and more so that aspiring film makers can learn from the pros! Again, how cool is that? Well, it doesn’t stop there because not only is this show going to be a great resource for me, they have asked me to host the first show.
In a few days I will be hosting a LIVE via SATELLITE broadcast of the first ever episode of On The Set and I will be interviewing a true Hollywood Great — James Holt. Jim has just finished producing two George Clooney pics and, before those, The Valley of Elah with Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron.
How do I feel about hosting a LIVE TV show? Great. When life comes knocking with an opportunity like this — take action.
Over the next few days I will update you with the progress and, I think, write a few mini-articles about the powerful reminders this week has given me.
