My Mother hated what I do. Truly, I don’t think she understood what it was and why I’m so passionate about it. Instead of asking me to help her understand, she was very negative about all of it.
Great post, Kelley. I think earlier in my career, I wanted to be great, but now I just want to make. I do my best, try to learn something new, and don't worry about winning awards or accolades. That's good enough for me.
That's how it should be. Do your best when you create and learn something. Awards and accolades don't mean anything. Respect from your peers is a wonderful thing and that comes when you continue to show up and do the work.
Kelley, this comes at such the right time because I'm sitting here working on a post about the way some people treat me when they learn I'm a writer. Some are filled with curiosity and questions about what I'm working on. But just the other night we went out with some friends and I've realized that while I always ask about their work, and they ask about Nic's, they never ask about mine. It has no value to them - no wealth or social prestige. To them, I'm doing the thing that is supposed to be that little hobby until you get a proper job. So your post comes at the right time, because I can't imagine wanting to discourage someone else's passion just because you don't understand it.
The way people look at what we do always amazes me. I was dating this woman for a very short time, because she referred to my film/book tours as my "little tours". Like it was just me cruising around for no good reason. My tours weren't legitimate things. Oy! The other thing I get all the time is when people find out that I'm a published writer is that they want a free copy of one of my books. They are not willing to buy a copy, which is another way of saying our work has no value. I don't understand the lack of respect or the fact that we are not considered serious writers/filmmakers. Sometimes even among other artists. When I had my reading series I always told the writers I invited to bring copies of their work to sell at the event. I made it a point of purchasing other people's books, they rarely purchased mine. Go figure... After 40+ years of living this life I'm not going to change anything, except maybe some of the people I interact with. I hope all is well and you're working on some cool stuff. Take care.
My Mom never understood what I do either. When Richard Hymns said my name in his 'thank you' speech at the Oscars she heard it and at least appreciated that there might be something to this audio for films thing I do.
It' amazing how many parents don't understand why their kids go into careers like ours. I remember having a conversation with Will Vinton back in the old days and he told me that it wasn't until he won an Oscar for Closed Mondays that his father stopped telling people, "my son plays around with film." That is a pretty high bar that has been set I suppose. I hope all is well my friend. Take care.
I think you’ve nailed it, Kelley! Great philosophy. Sorry your mom didn’t get you. I believe our parents’ generation had good reasons for their pragmatism. Cheers!
I totally agree with you about their pragmatism. Years ago I came to the conclusion that my Mother did the best she could with the tools that she had. I was fine with that. She was a good person and I miss her. Thank you for the comment. I hope all is well. Take care.
Great post, Kelley. I think earlier in my career, I wanted to be great, but now I just want to make. I do my best, try to learn something new, and don't worry about winning awards or accolades. That's good enough for me.
That's how it should be. Do your best when you create and learn something. Awards and accolades don't mean anything. Respect from your peers is a wonderful thing and that comes when you continue to show up and do the work.
Kelley, this comes at such the right time because I'm sitting here working on a post about the way some people treat me when they learn I'm a writer. Some are filled with curiosity and questions about what I'm working on. But just the other night we went out with some friends and I've realized that while I always ask about their work, and they ask about Nic's, they never ask about mine. It has no value to them - no wealth or social prestige. To them, I'm doing the thing that is supposed to be that little hobby until you get a proper job. So your post comes at the right time, because I can't imagine wanting to discourage someone else's passion just because you don't understand it.
The way people look at what we do always amazes me. I was dating this woman for a very short time, because she referred to my film/book tours as my "little tours". Like it was just me cruising around for no good reason. My tours weren't legitimate things. Oy! The other thing I get all the time is when people find out that I'm a published writer is that they want a free copy of one of my books. They are not willing to buy a copy, which is another way of saying our work has no value. I don't understand the lack of respect or the fact that we are not considered serious writers/filmmakers. Sometimes even among other artists. When I had my reading series I always told the writers I invited to bring copies of their work to sell at the event. I made it a point of purchasing other people's books, they rarely purchased mine. Go figure... After 40+ years of living this life I'm not going to change anything, except maybe some of the people I interact with. I hope all is well and you're working on some cool stuff. Take care.
My Mom never understood what I do either. When Richard Hymns said my name in his 'thank you' speech at the Oscars she heard it and at least appreciated that there might be something to this audio for films thing I do.
It' amazing how many parents don't understand why their kids go into careers like ours. I remember having a conversation with Will Vinton back in the old days and he told me that it wasn't until he won an Oscar for Closed Mondays that his father stopped telling people, "my son plays around with film." That is a pretty high bar that has been set I suppose. I hope all is well my friend. Take care.
I think you’ve nailed it, Kelley! Great philosophy. Sorry your mom didn’t get you. I believe our parents’ generation had good reasons for their pragmatism. Cheers!
I totally agree with you about their pragmatism. Years ago I came to the conclusion that my Mother did the best she could with the tools that she had. I was fine with that. She was a good person and I miss her. Thank you for the comment. I hope all is well. Take care.