Ah, Opening Night.

The evening where dichotomic worlds of thought collide, and a diverse variety of smells from popcorn, to perfumes, to the occasional musty stench from a fellow filmmaker who just doesn’t care, permeate the room.

How do we navigate these events? The red carpet, interviews, hundreds of people jumbled like prawns in a net… the after parties… It can all seem jarring and quick and overwhelming if not approached with the right mindset.

Remember,

YOU’RE NOT THERE TO SIPHON, you’re there to grow.

So many people find themselves needing validation, needing attention. That comes from being in a place of lack. As artists, we should be the most abundant people in the room. When we pour so much out through our craft, it’s because we have so much to give.

You might just not know it yet.

The Talkers Are The Balkers.

Ever see that guy flippantly yelling in the theater, or puffing his chest up about his big movie or cast member who’s out there doing God’s work? Yeah.. avoid him at all costs.

Just go there to enjoy the work. The art. The love of the craft. This is what it’s truly about. When you find a film you like, or a performance that makes you laugh until you cry, find that person, and pay your respects. But also…

Don’t discount the low-riders. The ones who watch from a distance, observing the energies that mesh and scatter ‘round the theaters.

They’re usually somebody. And if they just happen to be a bystander who likes movies, that’s fine too. You should talk to them. It would make their night. And that’s who we make movies for, isn’t it?

NETWORKING ISN’T HOW YOU BOOK THE WORK

Excelling in your craft and coming with a humble heart will take you further than any pitch you can spin up in 2 minutes.

If you’re going to a festival to find a job,

Chances are you haven’t taken the steps yet to move your career forward. In this digital micro-community building age, we MUST make our own work. Nobody is going to hand it to you. It’s going to take a lot of time and effort. But that’s why I started ArtHouse, to help you build it.

🥳 Fun Updates:
We have dozens of creatives ready to launch their communities, and a couple of company partners looking at onboarding opportunities. FULL DEMO COMING SOON!

🌟 Short Film Spotlight: DIY

I recently watched “DIY” in the theater at Screamfest this past weekend. When I say, hilarious, unpredictable, and jaw-dropping at times, I mean it. I had the pleasure of meeting Tony Gardiner and Lachlan Marks at the Coffee Meet-Up / Hangout for the fest, and their work was astounding. Give them a follow on IG, and eventually on ArtHouse Collectives.

🛒 Special First Look: Founder’s Circle Tee

We’ve got a lot of fun merch on the way to rep the brand. I’ve been experimenting with colors and styles, and this is my latest rendition of a Founder’s Circle Tee! Exclusive to Founding Members who join early.