Career Contemplation

Neil Jordan on making your first film:
"As a director, you've got to go through that experience. You've got to either find a way to express yourself and do what you see in your heart or your brain - or you fail. And I'm sure you generally fail. But even then, you either fail and survive, or you fail and you perish."

I guess survival or perishment is determined by whether you make another film, and then another and another. One could potentially have a whole career of failing and surviving. Is that better than perishing? I think so, if you're still passionate about what you're doing, and can look your empty pocketed investors in the eye and handle the disappointment of unbiased viewers like DancesWithPork. You have to believe that eventually you're capable of more than surviving, despite evidence to the contrary.

Orson Welles telling it like it is:
"Writers should have the first and last word in moviemaking, the only better alternative being the writer-director, with stress on the first word...Just plain directing is the world's easiest job...Give him a good script, a good cast, and a good cutter - or just one of those elements - all he has to say is 'Action' and 'Cut,' and the movie makes itself...Movie directing is a perfect refuge for the mediocre."

I basically agree, at least intellectually, but in practice I have to move forward as if I completely disagree. Or quit making movies until I write my own script, that would be ideal, except then I may never make another film. It is hard to move forward as is, with ultimate mediocrity haunting your every move. The last thing the world needs is another mediocre filmmaker.

Isaac Pingree on what it takes to be a good director:
"Blind faith in yourself is what it takes to do it. Having something to say, something worthwhile to share with the world, is what it takes to do it well."

One I've always had. The other is a bit trickier.

(All right, forgive me for writing a blog entry that would more suitably begin, "Dear Diary...")