Jealousy and why it doesn't work

Jealousy and why it doesn't work

Being in entertainment, I have felt jealousy and dealt with jealousy. Jealousy is really just our own insecurities coming to the surface. It could be fueled by someone doing something similar, maybe something that's done better or sometimes it's just because "I wish I thought of it first". I have dealt with it but as you get older you quickly realize...jealousy just gets in the way. Focusing on a negative doesn't work...ever.

Let me use this as an example - I see some filmmakers just outright blasting others or not supporting, based on jealousy. Now, having said that, let's also note that some people are assholes and shouldn't be supported. On the flip side, I encourage a lot of people to make movies and make them better. Why? Because as a fan of the Horror genre I WANT things better. I almost feel that on an Independent level we are sometimes cast aside or even ignored because of the subpar quality work that has been done...but...let's also not forget those that have laid the ground work for people to become better. There is a huge difference between bad and working with what was available at the time. A good eye is still a good eye, regardless.

It pains me when I don't see a lot of filmmakers working together, even supporting each others projects. Maybe because I started as a reviewer and made it common practice to promote others. Just being negative or talking down others to hope elevate yourself is a lose, lose situation. It draws negative attention to yourself while making the genre pool look bad. I handle this the way I handled my reviews...if I'm not a fan, I opt to not talk about it..but if I AM a fan, then I will gladly help promote it. Standing on the sidelines, being jealous will never accomplish anything. 

Other people have podcasts..some better some worse...other people have short films, some amazing stuff, some just thrown together in their backyard. I want people to elevate their game...it only helps everyone. It pushes others to be better...isn't that what you want? Don't you, as a creator what to be the best you can be? That's what I want. I will always support those who support others. I will always be there to pat them on the back when they've done as great job...even if it's not needed. Negativity just hampers things...sure, it's natural, but let's work harder to raise the bar. I want to be my best, I want to work with others that have the same goal...I want to be positive.

Anyways..that's my rant for the day...go be your best!

Powerball - How would YOU spend it?

Powerball - How would YOU spend it?

If this observation seems laced with "sore loser" or hatred to those who won last night's Powerball, it's probably just in your interpretation. I mean, how can I be mad, it was only $500 million.

Let me start by saying, I hardly ever play the lottery...I even forgot to buy tickets for last nights drawing. Trust me, I'd love to win it but it usually just slips my mind plus, when you hear the odds; "You'd have a better chance to be struck by lightning 3 times in a row" than winning, the chances seems slim. Sure, someone has to win..I get that. For years, as a kid, I watched my Dad play the same 3 numbers in the New York Lotto, sometimes winning a hundred or two but I just never felt like throwing money away...instead I would often go to the race track and bet the horses. Granted, I never won, but they looked nice.

Water cooler talk this week has been :If you win, what would you do with the money? I listen to some people, those that are much better people than me, say "Well, I'd give some to my Church and maybe start an after school program for under privileged kids". This is when I quickly realize why I have no friends, usually my response is;" I'd be greedy and buy some cars and houses". Once my selfishness beams through, this is when people start with the questions, "You won't give back?"

Ok, so maybe I'm clouded by greed..hey, don't blame me..blame Gordon Gekko. "Greed is Good" I heard for years; Wall Street was a classic film, but is Gordon Gekko what's wrong with America? Greediness is nothing new, even Caveman probably wanted to keep the fire they invented to themselves, in hopes they'd club more women and slay more dinosaurs. Am I the exception? Think about this, $500 Million dollars, sure, after taxes is, maybe $300 Million, then with the instant payout, maybe you end up with a little less than $100 Million...poor you! 

What would I really buy? The obvious is get out of debt..hell, isn't everyone in debt? Those Nascar collectible plates set a lot of people back. I'd move; like, instantly. Kim, my wife, and I have been talking about moving "off the grid" so to speak, it's a dream but $100 million would help out the cause. So, let's say we move to the middle of Montana. Then, we need ATV's and snowmobiles...hey, this is my shopping list, not yours. Also, since I always try to be prepared for the Zombie Apocalypse, the house would have a high fence and probably a moat. Maybe a draw bridge...errr, sorry, forgot we don't live in the Dark Ages (or do we?).

My congrats to those people who bought, won and can now live in my house with a moat, driving the hills of Montana on a snowmobile...you're living my life...bastards. For the rest of us, we will continue being drones, working for the man and staying a sleep while the neon signs that say "Obey" flicker in the night. Enjoy your day...losers.