Smelly Coat of Desperation

An inspiring talk from filmmaker Ava DuVernay during the Film Independent Forum about a revolutionary idea that pushed her towards success. One thing Ava said that struck was the term of “smelly coat of desperation”. I think her advise not only can work towards aspiring filmmakers but also to anyone looking to do something with their life. Basically to paraphrase what she said, her revolutionary idea is:

Rise and Shine!

Right now, I REALLY want to go back to working out again. I feel my body has had enough of the holidays and could not wait to return to “The Grind”. Then I saw this video on my FB News Feed and wondered if its fate or just a coincidence to how apropos this video is to my life.

I hope the video pumps you up, the way it has now pumped me up.

Transcription of the video:

A computer is JUST a tool

A computer is JUST a tool. A pencil is a tool. Photoshop is a tool. Everything is just a ‘tool’ to create something COOL. And each tool has their pros and cons. But it’s not the tool…it’s the person using it.

For example, if my mom and I had a drawing contest with pencil and paper, I’d win hands down. Why? Because I’m more skilled than her. If I gave my mom the same computer and Photoshop software I use, and said draw something… I’d still win! Because I’m a better artist than her. So, what determines how any of these ‘tools’ work is the person whose hand it is in. Skill is a very BIG part of that equation.

If I give her paper to draw on and say “make a horse”, and then give her a computer to draw on and say “make a horse”, it wouldn’t matter to her what the thing was that she was drawing on. Both horses would suck! She wouldn’t be better at drawing horses because she had a computer.

Posted above is one of the first digital (computer) drawings I ever did. It didn’t magically make me draw better or make it easier than drawing with pencil and paper. In fact, I had to get used to it for a long time before I was comfortable with what I was doing. Just like any other new tool you might use at work or at home, there is a learning curve. Now, I’m not saying that ink on paper and a computer are the same. They’re not. In fact, once I began using the computer I could see that there were more ‘options’ for how I could possibly use it. But all of those options are still used at my discretion, with my creativity, with my skill sets. No more and no less.

The moral of this story is to forget about what tools you have or don’t have and focus on your skills and working to improve them within whatever limitations those tools give you! Because in the end only YOU can make great things happen…the tools you use to get there are just an extension of yourself!

– Todd McFarlane

 

For me what Todd McFarlane said can also apply to filmmaking, especially to any aspiring cinematographer who thinks having the latest camera or film equipment would suddenly make them a good cinematographer.

can a well stocked fridge impress the ladies?

This video is like watching a clip from a movie. Actually this video shows that the most entertaining characters are not in the movies but are found in real life.

One comment on the video said it best, “I have never seen someone who is so dedicated to get pussy……..almost inspirational.”

Brian Tufano’s 10 guiding principles for would-be makers of short and low-budget films.

Here’s the complete article on Brian Tufano’s 10 guiding principles for would-be makers of short and low-budget films.
(Originally published by “The Guardian” website.)

You’ve got an idea for a short film – but how do you actually make one? Veteran cinematographer Brian Tufano has 10 tips.

How to make a Soda Can Stove

This is the best tip that I have seen someone come up with. It is so simple and yet ingenious.

Guillermo del Toro’s Bleak House

Oh My God! I want a house just like that. Total geekgasm!!!

Guillermo del Toro: “[The man cave or “Bleak House” was designed to be sort of a compression chamber where we can create a stimulating environment] that provokes a shock to the system and gets circulating the lifeblood of imagination which I think is curiosity. When we lose curiosity, I think we lose entirely inventiveness and we start becoming old.”

Amen Guilermo, AMEN!