I dabble in lots of projects… Music, travel, cooking, climbing, storytelling, writing and most recently filmmaking. None of which are my day job. And yet there have been numerous times when I’ve been introduced as ‘Miller – the musician’ or ‘Ryan – the social media guy,’ ‘the Firefly guy’ and most recently ‘the film maker.’
I was on the radio the other morning promoting an event and short film that I’ve made with my friend Geoff Storm as part of the Utica Firefly storytelling series we began almost a year and a half ago. And when I was asked about making of the film I jumped in and said “….but keep in mind, we’re not really filmmakers….we just figuring this out as we go.” Or when I’ve been asked about my record or songs I’ve replied with ‘it’s something I just have always done – don’t know that I’m a REAL musician.’
And I got to thinking I really wish I hadn’t said that. I shouldn’t hedge, nor apologize for thing things I make. Who says we’re not filmmakers? Our latest project documentary project ‘Starting Over‘ is not only a proper short documentary, it’s technically the 3rd one we’ve released. Who says I’m not a ‘real’ musician? The last album was probably the 10th project I’ve been a part of.
What’s the threshold for claiming an identity? for claiming expertise? Its going to vary from person to person, but I’d argue that it’s ability to ship. To succeed in bringing art into the world as a finished entity. And then to do it again.
So if you want to be a writer, go write. If you want to be a musician, make music. And if you want to be a filmmaker, make some films, take criticism, iterate, and make more. Own it. Decide what to be, and go be it.
If you’re curious you can view Starting Over at the official website or check out other projects here.
When nothing is owed or deserved or expected
And your life doesn’t change by the man that’s elected
If you’re loved by someone, you’re never rejected
Decide what to be and go be it – The Avett Brothers
I agree wholeheartedly. I would also add that the traditional “paths” to “success” in creative endeavors aren’t the only ways available anymore. Look at Hugh Howey, who self-published an ebook series that’s not only going on to be published in hardcover by a major publisher, but the movie rights have been optioned by Ridley Scott. You don’t have to take the roads most traveled anymore to achieve or be what you want to be.
I wrote more about this subject in this blog post: http://www.smallact.com/blog/success-is-not-defined-nor-is-the-path-to-get-there-be-wild/
Thanks for the inspiration, Ryan! Keep on being awesome!
You forgot to say if you want to be writer, write A LOT. If you want to be a musician, practice A LOT. And if you want to be a filmmaker, make A LOT of films.
Matt,
You’re absolutely right. I remember getting pissed off at this kid down the hall in college who said he was a guitar player….but he just OWNED a guitar. Never ever once saw him practice, or heard him play.
So you’re right – want to lay claim to a title and you have to work your ass off.
Annie –
Totaly agree and will check out your post too. That’s what I love about so many things that are digital. At this point you at least have a shot at finding an audience no matter what path you took to get there. Make good shit and you can succeed.
Inspirational article, Ryan, thanks!
I agree with you, though I admit that I like the concept of “Fake it until you make it” (or better, “Fake it until you become it”) and think that one is able to gain a lot from it.
I think the transition to a “real” musician, filmmaker or artist in the general is a rather blurred one. There is no barrier, no official and quantitative line from which one starts to be “real”. I do not know whether the time invested is necessarily a guarantee of being able to call yourself an artist, because there are enough people who are writers or photographers and don’t have the practical 10,000 hours of their art in their backpack. But this shouldn’t make people less valuable individuals concerning their art. (you no one said that, right? 🙂
I think the safest way to be an artist is the one that Margaret Thatcher also proclaimed: “Being powerful is like being a lady: If you have to tell people you are, you are not.”
And now rock, be a musician, be a writer, be a filmmaker! 🙂