Just do it

Yesterday I stood on the set of my third short film, exactly one year ago to the week I shot the first of my short trilogy. The thing that stood out yesterday for me, aside from how great my cast were was that I was finally getting the hang of this directing thing. Before I shot the first short I would have told you that I was no director, that I was merely a writer and that I didn't really have it in me to direct anything.

On set of the first shot (which I also played a small part in) I was nervous, unsure of my actions, scared to give proper direction... I was a writer who was trying to be a director. That film "Needs" went on to screen at just one film festival where it was nominated for best international short... needless to say I danced all around the house and did a cartwheel or two when I found out about the nomination.

So second time around I was much more confident and had a clearer idea of how to direct the people I had into giving the performances I wanted. It went well, everything turned out as I wanted and the shoot was easy as pie and even though I had what was pretty much a lead role I felt like I was now not just a writer directing, I was a writer/director.

Then came yesterday's shoot... more actors... more scenes... more headaches! This time though I was not playing a part, I had my director hat on (I don't really have an actual directors hat, donations of such are very welcome!) and I felt so confident. I positioned the cameras, positioned the actors, walked them all through what I wanted and I got the results. As I stood behind the camera and watched the action unfold I couldn't help but feel that I was finally a director, I was no longer just a writer who tried to direct.

And the point? Well a year ago I was a writer... now I'm a writer director with an award nomination behind me for what I consider my least well made film. If you can challenge yourself to do something and face that challenge head on, really embrace it and do your best at it then you too can improve leaps and bounds. Whether it be screenwriting or directing or painting fences if you want to get better at it then do it more often. JUST DO IT!

And if you think that you  could never direct, you don't have those skills, you're a writer and that's fine with you... A year ago I felt the same, now I'm a confident writer/director who is getting ready to take on the world... are you going to come with me?

Finally, here's my advice to you: If theres something else you would really like to do but feel that you could never do it TRY IT ANYWAY. What is the worst that could happen? You never know you might just be discovering your calling in life, your hidden talent or you could simply be making yourself more marketable. Either way have fun doing whatever you do.

Write On!

Dave The Screenwriter