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I got my first writing credit within 2 years of moving to LA. It was a rewrite job on a tiny little indie feature that even went on to get a theatrical release. When it happened I thought, "Is my career going to start now?"
It didn't.
It didn't.
Then I optioned an original feature that was going to be my directorial debut. It didn't go anywhere, as those things often do, but even then I thought, "Is my career going to start now?"
It didn't.
It didn't.
Got hired for my first OWA. A true story adaptation feature, where I spent a year and a half researching and conducting interviews to tell this family's story. Didn't go anywhere, as those things often do. But I loved the work.
"Is my career going to start now?"
It didn't.
"Is my career going to start now?"
It didn't.
Then I sold my first spec feature. Six months later it was in production. A year after that it premiered, and even released theatrically.
Once again, "Is my career going to start now?"
It didn't.
Once again, "Is my career going to start now?"
It didn't.
More OWAs. Some great contest placements. A widening network of companies I could meet with even without a rep. I was even able to use other things to negotiate my own deals with the tiny bit of leverage I had, still wondering, "Is my career going to start now?"
It still didn't.
It still didn't.
But now, eight years later when I look back on all the mini-milestones along this journey, I can finally say...
"Oh. I get it now. That IS the career."
If there's a moral to this story, it's don't put too much value on any one thing. But the least you can do is enjoy the ride.
"Oh. I get it now. That IS the career."
If there's a moral to this story, it's don't put too much value on any one thing. But the least you can do is enjoy the ride.
