“Esoteric filmmaking and Music in Action”

After spending 7 years in the "business world" of sales and marketing I decided to take a break... although I had some success... it was not the success I was seeking... I took a break for a couple of years to revive myself and find what I was really looking for. I met some students just recently graduated from filmmaking school... they told me how difficult breaking into the business was...

Right then and there I decided it was time to get into filmaking... It was the perfect discipline for me to bring together all my life's experiences. I was convinced this was my calling... finally! how hard can it be?

Essentially it is a series of photographs(24 frames per second) spread over a period of time with sound. I saw Filmmaking as a way to bring together my theater background and business experience in one seamless artistic act. I searched for the perfect book that would give me the necessary knowledge; I found the "Filmmakers Handbook'; it is a wonderful handbook that gives you all the basic knowledge on all the different aspects of filmmaking from setting up shots, cameras, lenses and even how to load 16mm film... I joined a local filmakers co-op where I could get access to film equipment for cheap, and with few questions asked...

I then told everyone around me to refer to me as a filmmaker if somebody should ask. I simply declared myself to be a filmaker... One night we were out in a bar I was introduced to someone.. he said: "I hear you are a filmmaker." "Yes I am" I reply. "could you do a rap music video?" he asks... "of course that would be easy" I reply... we talked about budgets and possibilities... I gave him my phone number, he said he would call me the next day... I thought: yeah right sure man, call me we'll do lunch or something... I thought he was just talking... next day he calls... he tells me he thought about it and he would like to move forward with it... then he said he thinks he knows me from somewhere... I tell him I do not think so... I have not had any black friends since highschool... he asks me what highschool I went to... we went to the same highschool... this guy was my best friend, we played football together; I met the rap group, I began to train them and develop the story board...

I found it easy because of my theater/dance background... I we put the budget together and I started looking for equipment and a studio... I hired the film students... the time was fast approaching for the shoot, and still I had not found a suitable studio... when I was looking for equipment I was told there was this Greek guy who had space for rent... I thought yeah right... a Greek guy with space to rent... must be a vegetable and produce warehouse... I did not call... finally with only 3 days to the shooting date.

I decided to call the Greek guy... I called... he picked up the phone himself... I thought... no secretary... must be a warehouse... he told me to come down and see the space for myself... when I got there I felt like a fool... here was this huge film studio complex, this guy sitting at a desk with Alexander the Great's bust right behind him on the library shelf, and while talking on two phones he passes me the studio brochure... I take one look at the sizes available and the prices, and I give the brochure back to him and tell him that I came to the wrong place... "what do you mean you came to the wrong place don't you like my studios?" he asks...he quickly ends the phone calls. "No of course I love them! But I am in the wrong place because they told me there was this Greek guy with space, so I thought you had some kind of warehouse space for vegetables or something... I did not realise you own a world class film studios... I cannot afford these prices... but when I can, I will certainly come back and use them in the future" I reply... he asks me if the studios suit my needs... I tell him: "yes, but I let me be very clear! I cannot afford them... so how about you let me leave because I only have 3 days left to find a space to shoot in"... he calls in his brother and tells him to show me one of the studios... I protest that it is a waste of his time... he insists... I look at the studio... 20,000 sq. ft. with dressing rooms and all...

When I return to his office... he asks me if the studio is good enough for me... "listen please, do not embarrass me any further... I told you I cannot afford it right now." I reply in frustration.. "how much money you got?" he asks... "well lets put it this way, I had a budget of $4,000 and I have already spent $3,600 and I have not started shooting yet, so lets just say $400.. for 2 days" ... "okay its yours" he says... "come on now, are you sure? it hardly even covers your electricity bill" I reply.. "I have the space you need the space take it" he insists... I did... It was 2 days of pure hell but I got the job done...he did not make it any easier. He would drop by and stand there watching me and smiling while I tried to do everything from wardrobe to painting the sets to getting the food etc. I thought for sure he must be laughing at me because he must have figured out that I do not know what I am doing. I cleaned up the studio really well and gave him $400 dollars and thanked him profusely... As I went to leave he tells me to sit down for a minute... he asks me if I have a job... I tell him I am not making money I am spending money right now... money I do not have.. but I am very confident the rappers will be a huge success...

He then asks me if I want to manage the studios... I ask him what he means... "well I need someone to manage the studios for me, because I do not have anytime to deal with all these production companies from Hollywood anymore... and I figure it would be a good job for you because you will have the keys to all the studios and you will get to learn how to be a filmmaker"... "I am a filmmaker" I reply defiantly... "Okay fine you can learn how to be a better filmmaker "We can all learn how to be better"... I reply.

He tells me he will train me how to negotiate with the producers and how to handle all the responsibilities... I then turn to him, look right into his eyes and asked him point blank: "Are you crazy? 3 days ago I walk into your office, you do not even know me and you want to give me the keys to your studios? are you nuts?" I ask. "I know all that I need to know about you"...he says.. "Oh, and what is that?" I inquire... "first of all you are the first Greek that walked into my office on his own two feet instead of on your knees begging me for a favour... second of all you were willing to pay my price... third you are concerned about my electricity bill, and best of all, you made sure the studios were left cleaner than when you got them... those are essential qualities for studio manager." he says.. "well that is a great offer and at any other time I would jump at the opportunity, but I have certain obligations and goals right now with this rap group and I think they will be very successful and I would not need a job like this... besides you need a longer commitment. I have to say thanks, I appreciate the offer but I cannot commit to a long time frame, and it would not be fair to you to take all this time to train me and then me walking away a few months down the road" I reply... "so you think those kids are going to be successful?" he asks. "I am betting the farm on it" I reply... 3 months later he calls me back..."so how are your little kids doing?" he asks, "they have eaten me out of house and home!" I reply. "So you need a job?" he asks. "yes I could surely use a job right now" I reply.

So, after 9 months since I first declared that I am a filmaker, here I was managing the largest film studios outside of California...and the rap music video on regular rotation on Much Music... 1 years later they signed a record deal. The sixth black act or single artist to ever sign a record deal in Canada.

Moral of the story: Be true to yourself, and take reponsibility for making it happen, be bold about where you are going, be humble about where you are, be truthful about your present circumstances, be enthusiastic about your prospects for success, seek out your limitations, and you will find you are limitless... what is a limitation afterall? ït is an agreement between you and yourself, or between you and others... limitations are there only if you and others agree to it. Change your mind and you will change theirs.

It takes two to Tango. Lead with vision and enthusiasm and they will follow...

This edition is the one that I refer to above. Sure can't beat the price of $.01!