Resist your inner Hitler

Happy Halloween little monsters!

Thought I'd share a scary thought on this momentous occasion.  Are you ready?  It's a little out there -- but bear with me as it makes some supercilious point of the highest hyperbole:

(and yes, I had to look up both those words to make sure I used them correctly).

Ready?

Here goes:

What if Hitler didn't give up?

Think about it.  A failed artist with serious anger issues and internal struggles that had an insurmountable power of persuassion and (argumentably) charisma.

What if he didn't give up?  What if he stuck with his art and somehow his natural talents of persuassion and charisma were channeled through a positive medium -- something that made us think, reflect, and potentially cause us to question our own inner demons and frustrations?

That's what art is, isn't it?

What if, in some other universe he made a different choice?  What if he chose to channel his frustration and viewpoints through his paintings?  It could be argued that in that alternative universe he would have the same power and charisma.  And if his power of charisma and persuassion was cemented in a painting or drawing -- well then, could it not also be argued that the affect on society would/could be completely different?

If there's anything I've learned from Hitler it is to NEVER give up.  To deny your destiny has the potential to unleash disaster on the human race in insurmoutable proportions.

I've also learned to avoid syphalis at all costs. (Apparently he had it)

My question to you is this:  are you there?  On that precipice of giving up?  Are you filled with frustration and torment because where you are trying to go is more difficult a journey than you could've possibly imagined?

If you are I strongly urge you to keep the course.  You never know how mutated you might become if you don't.

You also don't know the negative affects you could have on others.

And so, I say to all you struggling artists in the simplest of sentences: resist your inner Hitler.  Resist the beast inside you that gives up, blames others for their failings, and lashes out externally.

Smother that beast -- that primal instinct that we are all capable of nurturing.  Instead, have a little faith that your opportunity WILL come.  It WILL manifest in its given time under the right circumstances.  When it does; your talents, ideas, and perspectives will be channeled in a way that society can absorb (safely). 

It might even provoke ideological change.

Quitting and blaming others is the easy way out. 

Staying the course and believing in all your dreams is the road less travelled.  But it is the most rewarding road of all -- even if it is lonely, fraught with obstacles, and lots and lots of potholes for you to jump over.

Wipe away the tears and remember: you owe it to yourself to continue.  You also owe it to society.

Dark and twisty, right?  But I think somewhere buried deep within this extra scary metaphor a valid point is made. 

And now, a happier tone to bring you back to the here and now.  A little scene from a woman who undoubtedly has stayed the course -- and who has a definite love of Halloween.

Boo!

What it all means...ish.

Saw an inspirational video (posted below) that got me thinking in a very Carrie Bradshaw sort of way -- that is, if Carrie Bradshaw were a philosopher on things like agonizing career choices and complicated industry politics.

And yes, I'm referring to the Entertainment Industry -- specifically the Canadian Entertainment Industry. 

At this point I'm sure my lawyer would strongly urge me to lay some sort of disclaimer prefaced with the words 'in my experience', and since my lawyer is a super smart dude with amazing exit clauses I will comply.

Legal Disclaimer:

Blah blah, in my experience, this is all based on my opinion blah blah.

Now where were we?

Ah, the inevitable suckitude of the world not quite matching the dreams in your heart. 

So here's the thing: it's a sort of game.  For whatever reason before you came down to Earth you made some sort of deal with yourself that you would have X dream and would have to receive XX number of rejections before it would happen . 

Why?

Here is my best answer: because up there in cosmic utopia you thought it would be a good learning experience or something.

Rejection is a guarantee.  It's a part of the process.  You wanted this for yourself. 

So instead of feeling defeated every time you get one, create one, contribute to one, unknowingly contribute to one, drink to much and say something you shouldn't, etc., you should rejoice.  Be relieved that another one is accomplished as you stumble towards success. 

Don't be afraid to put yourself out there more. 

LOOK FOR AS MANY REJECTIONS AS YOU CAN FIND.

It will help you get to your goal a lot quicker.

I mean it.

Got another rejection letter?  No problemo.  Celebrate. 

That's one less rejection letter until your goal. 

Your victory. 

Your PREDETERMINED destiny.

So breathe deep and know that whatever desires are in your heart are there as a sort of road map that will carve out your future.  DO NOT let go -- no matter how many rejections come your way.  It's just an obstacle that you have to muddle through until you reach your destination.

Coolio?

Remember: the best flowers grow in shit. 

It's the hot steamy stinky sh*t that makes you grow.


Need I say anything else Little Flower who is currently a seed under a big pile of donkey's manure?




And now, a video presentation to help you wipe away the tears:

The Emotional Vampire

I know - it's been epic forever since I wrote in here.  I have no excuses.  It wasn't a priority -- don't take it personally little bambinos.

But, here I am.  Today is a new day.  I'll try to make an effort on a go-forward basis to do a couple of 'real' entries per week.  Maybe I'll pick a couple of standard days; like Wednesdays and Fridays.

I said maybe.

Today I wanted to talk to you about purging -- in a metaphysical sense.  Are you ready?  Are you comfy?

Need a second to turn off the TV?

Go ahead.  I'll Wait.

[elapsed time]

Ok.  So we all know that expression, "You're only as strong as your weakest link", right? 

Good.

I want to talk to you about determining weakness -- specifically in your immediate circle.  If you want to make it in this industry it takes the faith and prowess (is that even the right word?) of a demi-god. 

I'm not exaggerating.

So take a second to look around and really see just who you have  to cheer you on.  I know, it's icky and rides very near to social Darwinism -- but it's not.

I repeat: NOT SOCIAL DARWINISM.

I'm not talking about ignoring people or excluding them based on their level of success -- so don't you dare walk into your writers' group tonight and act like a [expletive] jerk off.  I'm talking about taking an honest inventory of the people you have chosen to surround yourself with.

The reason I say this is because the wrong people will suck you dry.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but if you have lamo friends who don't really support you; get jealous and/or passive aggressive when you have any success -- then you need to dump them.  IMMEDIATELY.

Seriously, run as fast as you can in the opposite direction.

"But Karen, my parent's don't support me!"

I know - this is a tricky one.  Particularly because we've all (I'm assuming) wanted to extricate ourselves from our Parents at one time or another for one reason or another -- and so my answer to you is this:  Tell them how you feel, how you want their support and that you can't take any more negativity.  If they hold that against you then maybe it's an opportunity for you to really spread your wings for a while.

I just don't have a clear answer as every relationship is different.  BUT --

I can tell you that 'friends' are expendable.  Especially the ones that aren't actually a friend.

How to tell if someone is not actually a friend:

1.   They're a flake.
2.   Their word means nothing.
3.   They don't really root for you.
4.   They make you really angry with their behaviour.
5.   You feel drained when you're around them.
6.   You don't respect them.
7.   You cringe when the phone rings and you know it's them!
8.   It's all about them.
9.   They always disappoint you/are unreliable
10. You fear they suffer from multiple personality disorder and/or some sort of hidden drug problem that alters their moods

OK -  I was exaggerating on the last one -- but if you have anyone like this in your life I would highly suggest you step away from the mess as best you can.

Ooh - I just remembered one:

11.  They are extremely negative.


Here's the thing.  What we welcome into our lives attracts more like it.  So if you're inviting people into your life who bring you down or drain you -- then essentially, you're telling the universe that you don't really have any respect for yourself.

I don't care if you've known them for a gagillion years and have all the same friends -- you're still sending the universe the same message. 

Will it be easy? 

Hell no!

Will your life become better as a result of it?

Hell yes!

Try it for one week -- and if I'm wrong you can rant below.  But I think we both know that I'm right on this one.

Sorry.

One of the greatest things I ever chose to do in my career/life was limit my interactions and associations with emotional vampires.

Cool metaphor right?

It's true.  I waived the garlic, grabbed the wooden stake and before a few hours had passed; I could breathe again.  I had energy, inspiration, and more confidence in myself, etc, etc.

So: over the next few days start to take an inventory as to what type of people you have in your life.   Really listen to what people are saying.  Really pay attention to how you feel about yourself when you're around them.

Once you know who your vampires are you need to put on your big girl panties (guys, this means you too) and do the adult thing:  tell them to hit the curb.

Do it.  I dare you.  You won't be disappointed.  You may even be pleasantly surprised.  Once you take out the trash you'll find that you've opened a space for more positive people and interactions to flow in.

And now, a little song for those who have done so already:

(Gold star muchachas!  You're on your way...)

Network Execs (USA) Emmy Roundtable

A group of Studio and Network heads sat down with The Hollywood Reporter back in August of 2011 and discussed amongst other things, their process, how they perceive pitches, and what their ultimate objectives are when deciding to greenlight a show or keep it on the air: