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Stay Loyal to Your Taste
So what if you are 26 and love Disney movies! Who cares that you like to watch Rocky Horror during Christmas time? Go on and make a list of unseen black and white films that no one will watch with you. Over the years that I have fallen in love with films and I have noticed that it is always a common denominator in conversations with me. I have a tendency to love all types of film from the action packed B-movie, to the musical, to the cult followings of Tarantino. I opened myself up to watching anything and everything people suggested. Some I have realized I will never watch again (Requiem for a Dream or Splice), while others I have embarrassed into my vast range of favorites (Pulp Fiction or The Big Labowski).
One of my biggest pet peeves as an admirer of film for me is those who knock down a movie based on its category. Just because it is a musical doesn’t mean you will hate it. You might come to find that there is a particular story that gains your interest behind the songs. Or that the humor behind the predictable love stories in chick flicks actually tickles your soul. Classics, Comedy, Rom Com, Chick Flicks, Action Movies, Horrors, all types of films that are someones favorite and someone else hates.
I’m not saying to go out there and watch every movie you were ever initially turned off by. I am saying to appreciate the value that film maker put into their films. You have a particular taste in movies that you enjoy watching. Being open-minded is important but embarrassing and sharing your love for your genera is a lot more fun. I force my Dad to watch musicals all the time. He acts like he hates them, and he always will. That is ok because every time I see a musical that I know he would appreciate the simple fact that I force him to watch it with me. And lets just say that is the only time I get to say ‘I told you so’ to my Father.
Personally, I love the blockbusting tweenie trilogies like Hunger Games. I will go to a midnight showing! My mother and I did read the Twilight Saga and dressed in our best PJ’s to watch Breaking Dawn Part 2. Hold on tight to what you love about movies and go out of your comfort zone to see what else is out there. Movies are full of stories, emotions, artistic values, and creative actions that unite its viewers. Never again be misunderstood based on your taste. Value your loyalty and the commitment to other film lovers and their genres. Every film has its flair, all are loved by someone. Don’t be ashamed of your flair.
Falling in Love with Your Own Words
As a writer you have to fall in love with your work everyday. The characters you create must have a special place in your heart. Saving Mr. Banks was a great film that expressed a writers (P. L. Travers) bond with her story. She feared putting Mary Poppins on the big screen because someone else would have altered the character, someone else would be in control of who Mary Poppins, Mr. Banks, and other characters were originally on paper. As a writer I agree with Ms. Travers. It is hard to let go of such wonderful people who you have created. Same reason that Silvester Stallone had to play Rocky. He wrote the script himself and took a major pay cut in order to play the star role. When a writer falls in love with their work, they fight to keep it as they initially intended.
Not only is it important to fall in love with your characters but your plot line and underlining message. I am an advocate for coming-to-age films like Juno. I praise Diablo Cody, writer of Juno and Showtime’s United States of Tara because she writes for the story not for the money. Juno had such a strong connection with audiences and a true connection to Cody’s personal high school experience. You can not get bored with your own ideas. As a writer you have to believe in yourself more than anyone else. The writers that write for the sake of telling a story are the writers that impact generations.
As I am currently writing my own coming-to-age film. I fall in love with ever character, plot line twist, and at times high-five myself for my creative efforts. I get excited about my visual ideas, and convicting dialog. My own brain surprises me. I have to revise my script about 100 times before I bring it to the actors. I am excited to be in the stages of development to see how others interpret my story. But with that being said I will also fight for my message. What I put into my stories are characters that do things I could never do, and in situations others experience day-to-day. I love coming-to-age films because the story behind someones personal growth is foundational to shaping who they are. People relate to that. It is like watching an underdog win every time! Something we always want to see.
For me I am a lot like P. L. Travers. Even if Disney offered to make my film, I’d pull a Stallone. My story has an intended message, and my characters are like my children. I am proud of what is to come of my writing. That is why I have always, and will continue to write, direct, and edit my own films. I do not care to be a big time director, I just want to tell other’s stories. Being completely committed to your own creativity only give flair to your film.