Friday 4 November 2016

Chasing Amy, Tom, Dick and Ahmed

Article written by Bulent Ozdemir
(DisclaimerThis article contains words and phrases that some people may find offensive. Please do not continue if easily offended)

© successyeti.com


"That mother-fucker STILL hasn't got back to me!"

Good morning, day or evening, inter-peeps. How many times have you torn yourself into little pieces over such words? I'm not just talking about that script you sent over to someone, that actor who liked your idea, that peer who couldn't be more up for it or that producer who was all up in your junk over a project. I'm talking about the many energy vampires we seem to stumble across throughout our filmmaking journey. The "Talkers".

EXT. LONDON - NIGHT

Film noir street choked with fog.  

Planted under a shaft of light -- A SILHOUETTE.  Man, Woman or Beast.  Nobody knows.  Just then, JOE FILM-AKER cuts across the damp, cobbled street.  

Nods on approach, eyes unable to make out the murky figure.

JOE
Hey, Man.

SHADY
Heyyyyyy.

JOE
Good to finally meet you.

SHADY
Yessssss.  You tooooo. 

JOE
So...  You up for it?

SHADY
Yessssss.

JOE
Great!  Look forward to hearing from you!

Joe walks away, content.

SHADY steps out, where a slit of light strikes across a pair of...
SNAKE EYES.

A little dramatic. But hey...

I personally take people on face value. When I chat/meet with someone, I try to gauge that person based on three things:

  • How well do we get on
  • Do we share any common interests 
  • Could we at some point work together in some capacity

As long as these boxes are ticked in my head, I'll take most of what they say as gospel. Not because I'm naive. Simply because I like to treat people the way I'd like to be treated. With respect and in good faith.

Communication is Key

If you're unable to commit to something, make it known. Email, text, a fucking carrier Pigeon...  Whatever floats your boat. The worst thing you can do is go radio silent (something I've been guilty of in the past). This to me says two things:

  • You're unreliable
  • You're not worth my time 

Save the life and work excuses.

Everyone has important matters they need to prioritise on a day to day basis. Don't be an Amy, Tom, Dick or Ahmed (metaphorically speaking). Be invaluable. Be a Walker, not a Talker. (thought I wrote wanker there for a minute! Hahahaaa, dyslexic much).

We're all on a slippery creative road, no matter what level we're at. The easier we can make it for each other, the more traction we can potentially gain.

Until next time, folks.


You might also like:
Great vs Undeniable
Fight Your Demons
5 Things To Consider Before Quitting Your Day Job 



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Bulent Ozdemir Director Filmmaker
Bulent Ozdemir is a self taught Writer, Director and Filmmaker who left his day job as an insurance broker back in 2010 to pursue a career in film.

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e: bulentfilms[at]gmail.com

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