Resolved for 2013: Break Some Rules and Kick Some Ass

Last year and last year's resolution were a rousing success! In 2012 I resolved to:

1. Ask for what I need.
2. Accept what others can give.
3. Give what and whenever I can.

It may seem a bit silly, but having this resolution really empowered me when I would shirk from asking for things that I needed. I would think, "Ask for what I need, ask for what I need", and I would just do it, often to positive response. Items 2&3 come naturally to me, and followed organically from item 1.

Last year I got the air conditioning fixed in my car, got caught up on medical and dental appointments, completed my bankruptcy, got a cyst removed from my wrist, and worked a full year at the same day job for the first time since 2008.

I also was on set as director for 8 days, a record since I moved to L.A. in 2002. I directed:

• Trojan Fun Pack Commercial
• Missing Miranda Kickstarter Spots
• An episode of an upcoming web series called "WRNG"
• Sasha's scenes

In super low-budget indie filmmaking, trust me, there's a lot of needs and asking.

It was a challenging year, a catch-up year, and yet at the same time I managed to moved forward in multiple significant ways. I was feeling a little wiped out going into December, but I used some vacation days to relax and be constructive, and I find myself starting January with a significant shoot on the schedule and a refreshed body and soul.

Huzzah!

My 2013 resolution came to me in a flash while I was thinking about my directing in the past year. I did a fair bit of guerilla filmmaking in 2012. It doesn't come naturally, and it's a BIG challenge for me to break rules.

There's a shot in my FSU thesis film, Every Little Girl's Dream, with a large clump of Spanish moss in the foreground. You can see it at 11:16. At the time, I wouldn't move it because you're not supposed to disturb Spanish moss in Florida. But The Shot! The Shot!

I'm all about the acting and the art department and the writing and on and on, but The Shot is so important in filmmaking. In 2013, I'm going to be working hard on my visuals to push my filmmaking forward.

I'm certainly not telling you to disturb Spanish moss in Florida, but these days this filmmaker's been breaking some rules. It doesn't come naturally, and it disturbs my inner Girl Scout deeply, but I'm giving myself permission to break some more, because I seriously need to start kicking some ass. In super low-budget indie filmmaking, trust me, there's some rule breaking.

I'm looking forward to another challenging year, and I am so grateful for the opportunities in front of me and the incredibly talented people beside me. I truly believe that together, we're going to kick some ass.

2013. We're teenagers now, Millenium People! Let's start breaking some rules.

Comments

[Donna]

DELIGHTED that you turned a corner in 2012 and that you feel this resolution was key. Can't wait to see all you accomplish in 2013!

[Jane Miller]

I stumbled upon your blog after being laid off from my job this morning. Your 2011 blog post about lay offs really gave me hope. So thank you. And as a playwright and screenwriter myself, it was great to hear more about your career as a director.

[lizriz]

Thanks so much, you guys! Blessings and much good luck to you this year as well!