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When I finished writing, producing, directing and scoring my first independent documentary, what I was most excited about was the opportunity to call myself a filmmaker.  Even if my movie wasn’t the greatest thing since indoor plumbing, all that mattered was, after two years of hard work, I had finally earned the right to put that label after my name.  That was deeply satisfying for me. Because there’s nothing I…

All creativity begins with the moment of conception. That little piece of kindling that gets the fire going. That initial source of inspiration that takes on a life of its own. That single note from which the entire symphony grows. That single spark of life that signals an idea’s movement value, almost screaming to us, something wants to be built here. And so, in this blog series, I’m going to…

I once heard a startup founder say that the best way to get funding is to act as if you’ll never get it, and to make a plan that doesn’t need it.  What a brilliant way to work.  Why hang your sense of success, the fullness of your heart, and the stability of your soul on the fickle whims of external validation? Successful people don’t view themselves as passive…

Seinfeld once said that comedy takes a lot of talent, but an equal measure of temperament.  It’s a fascinating insight that can be applied to many career paths. Because somebody might have the talent to do great work, but the real question is, do they have the discipline to continue working without seeing any results?  That’s the line of demarcation between professionals and amateurs. The capacity for delayed gratification. Ask…

There’s an inverse relationship between feedback and creation.  I have an artist friend who said once she let go of how the world validated her art, she gained a tremendous sense of creative freedom, and that lifted a weight of expectation that allowed to start creating more.  Hallelujah.  Deciding to permanently affix your fingers into your ears is a breakthrough moment for any artist. Because let’s face it, feedback…

We’ve always been told that it’s easier to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.  But isn’t the ultimate freedom refusing to explain yourself to people? Isn’t the goal to get to a place where you don’t feel obligated to explain and excuse and defend and justify and apologize for everything you make?  It’s such a colossal waste of energy. And the worst part is, it never makes you…

Manhattan is a city of achievers.  People move here because it’s the place where things happen. Where the lights inspire you and the streets make you feel brand new, as the song goes.  And so, everyone has an agenda. Everyone has eyes full of dreams. There are eight million centers of the universe scrambling around town, building their personal real estate, froggering their way to the front of the…

All creativity begins with the moment of conception. That little piece of kindling that gets the fire going. That initial source of inspiration that takes on a life of its own. That single note from which the entire symphony grows. That single spark of life that signals an idea’s movement value, almost screaming to us, something wants to be built here. And so, in this blog series, I’m going to…

Ideas are free, execution is priceless. That’s been my mantra since day one of starting my business. It’s also the title of a book I wrote a few years back. You can download it for free here. But here’s the problem. I’m an idea junkie. Everything I look at in the world breaks down into a collection of ideas. I have about fifty new ones every day, and sadly, I…

Louie once did an inspiring interview about his early work as a film director.  His advice to young artists was, whatever project you’re working on, just start making it. Just give it a life.  Which sounds rather simplistic, but the insight is actually quite accurate. Considering the current technological landscape, one in which creative resources are free and accessible to all, now anybody can do anything for nothing. Which means the…