Keep Putting Yourself Out There
This past week, I returned to Los Angeles after spending weeks in Chicago. Right after the plane landed, I turned my phone back on and saw I had a message on LinkedIn. I figured it was yet another ad for Walden University (they really need students). But to my surprise, it was from a reporter from the LA Times inquiring whether I would be willing to speak about Hollywood's vanishing DEI commitments (something which I will write about shortly).
We had a phone call where I spoke at length about the topic. I now have the privilege of contributing a brief quote for her article, which serves as a great reminder for all filmmakers (and really anyone):
We need to keep putting ourselves out there.
But I want to talk about what I think is the right approach.
THE PESTY SALESMAN
We've all encountered the pesky salesperson. You go inside a clothing store, a car lot, or a restaurant and are constantly bombarded with attention and questions:
Do you need anything?
Do you want to hear about our special offer?
This one's great, want to see it?
This overwhelm doesn't come from the offer but from the frequency of the offer. This is what many filmmakers do. Which sounds like this:
Hey, I’ve got a film. You should watch it. Have you watched it yet? You should really watch it. I have another film I’m making. Wanna help make it? Did I mention I have a film?
Make no mistake, we should all be out there promoting our work as much as we can.
But we also have to offer something in return.
Too many of us are simply focused on getting people to watch the film we've made or support the one we're making. But we don't give them a great reason why beyond:
It's great, I'm great, and you should like it. Because you should like me.
It's a dangerous ego trap that can turn people off.
A SPIRIT OF GIVING
Advice and insight are what I attempt to give in these articles and also in my own social posts. I try to be honest and truthful because I not only want to help other filmmakers succeed.
It helps you stand out.
It's pretty easy to see not only what kind of filmmaker I am but what kind of person. Which is partly why that reporter reached out. Because there is one key factor that helps your career thrive:
Relationships.
The great way to build relationships is by giving with no strings attached. It triggers the following thought:
That was helpful. What else is this person about? I'll check them out for a little bit.
This is audience building 101 and is vital for all filmmakers. In this modern era, it's what you're providing outside of your work that matters. Because the most important thing is what is said when you aren't present.
THE PLACE OF ENJOYMENT
Whatever we do, it should come from a place of joy. We should put ourselves out there in a way that's authentic but also joyous. We make movies to better connect people with each other. At the base of it needs to be joy. Joy for the human experience, joy for the world, joy for the hope of a better tomorrow despite the challenges of today.
The joy that I've had from putting myself out there hasn't come from gaining a large follower count (I don't have that) or lots of money (don't have that either). But from connecting with someone who I normally wouldn't have had a chance to meet. Having the opportunity to connect with them and, sometimes, build a greater relationship (remember that from before).
Sharing from a place of giving and joy is what connects people to each other. It's what creates opportunities and changes lives. It's that lasting impression that plants a seed. Sometimes bearing fruit that we don't even witness.
But it enriches us all the same.
So please, keep putting yourself out there in a helpful and joyous way. Share your opinions and try to help someone. Also, keep sharing your work. But make sure it's helping in some fashion. At the very least, it will create some curiosity.
Which is all you need.