I have struggled with calling myself a filmmaker or not especially during the what seems like the dry seasons. It is such an incredibly difficult art form and as artists it can sometimes be a real struggle. I am constantly reminding myself that as long I haven’t given up I haven’t failed. Even if it takes 10 years longer than I’d hoped!
Thanks Shawna. I literally did take 10 years to make my first (big) film - but at least through that whole time I could always honestly say to myself (and others) that I was making a film. And I was doing a lot of paid TV stuff through that whole time too. Now I'm just sitting at home emailing people about the film I already made and not really actively at work on anything new beyond the very early development stage when it's all in your head so nothing feels at all concrete. But you're right - I haven't given up yet so I'm still in the game, hey! And good to remember that everyone struggles in our industry - that's another helpful version of comparison I guess. Reminding yourself of where you've had luck & success that others haven't been so fortunate to have, and not just vice versa...😊
A great post, Vicki - so thought-provoking. And thank you for the mention and the link - you're very kind! 😘
I'm so fascinated by your work! I totally hear you with your thoughts on comparison. I often find myself needing to remind myself of such phrases as 'comparison is the thief of joy', or what my dad always tells me to do, which is to 'plough my own furrow', but reading your post has made me notice that there are positives to comparison, too. So thank you so much for that!
A caravan called Colin? HURRAH!!! Our campervan is called Shackleton. 😁
Yes, plough your own furrow! That'a a great phrase. I am doing that and I'm happy doing that - mostly. But it's still so darn easy to look at that green grass winking all seductively at you from the other side 😄
Shackleton the campervan - wonderful! The only vehicle I have any ownership claim on is my poor neglected bike which rarely gets to see the outside world beyond our garage at the moment - and which I have never named. But now I think I should give it (her?) a name. Beryl? Belinda? Something that doesn't begin with a B?!
So pleased you're enjoying my posts. You set a very high standard with yours 🤩
Beryl or Belinda are gorgeous names for a bike! I think Belinda's my favourite, but I have a lovely friend called Beryl and I can imagine her name for a bike, too!
When I studied in Germany I shared a bike with a fellow student - we called it 'Horst', which was the name of our least-favourite lecturer! 🤣
My brother and I loved a bike that we'd both outgrown - it was orange, and we called it 'Speedy'. My parents were having work done on the house when we were around six and seven, and we'd take it in turns to ride Speedy round and round what was essentially a building site - up and down ramps made from planks, and over the trenches for the footings. I'm amazed that we didn't hurt ourselves that summer! 🤣
Oh, and thank you for such a gorgeous compliment! I'm not sure that it's deserved, but I deeply appreciate it. Thank you so much. 😘
"we all get bogged down in comparison from time to time." - oh Yes! Mine this week has been comparing myself to friends who own houses. We've always rented, and usually it's fine, but we had some friends over this week and I was comparing my home to theirs and really got down on myself. So I hear you! Also, I think once a filmmaker, always a filmmaker! Hopefully you are feeling better, Vicki!
Thanks Cherie. Wow, this made me check my privilege. I was lucky to hitch a ride to a rich friend from uni whom I was renting with in London 20 odd years ago and we - with very little proper thought - ended up buying a flat together. And that's put me in a very lucky position over the years (that and meeting my very sensible, properly employed partner!) It's so easy to take for granted what you've already got and overlook that others could be comparing themselves to you and feeling their own sense of lack. Of course you won't need me to tell you but a home is about the people and experiences that are contained within - and I don't doubt that yours is a gem ✨
Too cluttered to have a proper meal at the dining room table, but it truly is a gem nonetheless. And yes, the people and experiences make it a home I feel privileged to have most of the time, but as you said, we can all get bogged down in it now and then. Thanks, Vicki - it was a timely reminder for me!
I have struggled with calling myself a filmmaker or not especially during the what seems like the dry seasons. It is such an incredibly difficult art form and as artists it can sometimes be a real struggle. I am constantly reminding myself that as long I haven’t given up I haven’t failed. Even if it takes 10 years longer than I’d hoped!
Thanks Shawna. I literally did take 10 years to make my first (big) film - but at least through that whole time I could always honestly say to myself (and others) that I was making a film. And I was doing a lot of paid TV stuff through that whole time too. Now I'm just sitting at home emailing people about the film I already made and not really actively at work on anything new beyond the very early development stage when it's all in your head so nothing feels at all concrete. But you're right - I haven't given up yet so I'm still in the game, hey! And good to remember that everyone struggles in our industry - that's another helpful version of comparison I guess. Reminding yourself of where you've had luck & success that others haven't been so fortunate to have, and not just vice versa...😊
A great post, Vicki - so thought-provoking. And thank you for the mention and the link - you're very kind! 😘
I'm so fascinated by your work! I totally hear you with your thoughts on comparison. I often find myself needing to remind myself of such phrases as 'comparison is the thief of joy', or what my dad always tells me to do, which is to 'plough my own furrow', but reading your post has made me notice that there are positives to comparison, too. So thank you so much for that!
A caravan called Colin? HURRAH!!! Our campervan is called Shackleton. 😁
Yes, plough your own furrow! That'a a great phrase. I am doing that and I'm happy doing that - mostly. But it's still so darn easy to look at that green grass winking all seductively at you from the other side 😄
Shackleton the campervan - wonderful! The only vehicle I have any ownership claim on is my poor neglected bike which rarely gets to see the outside world beyond our garage at the moment - and which I have never named. But now I think I should give it (her?) a name. Beryl? Belinda? Something that doesn't begin with a B?!
So pleased you're enjoying my posts. You set a very high standard with yours 🤩
Beryl or Belinda are gorgeous names for a bike! I think Belinda's my favourite, but I have a lovely friend called Beryl and I can imagine her name for a bike, too!
When I studied in Germany I shared a bike with a fellow student - we called it 'Horst', which was the name of our least-favourite lecturer! 🤣
My brother and I loved a bike that we'd both outgrown - it was orange, and we called it 'Speedy'. My parents were having work done on the house when we were around six and seven, and we'd take it in turns to ride Speedy round and round what was essentially a building site - up and down ramps made from planks, and over the trenches for the footings. I'm amazed that we didn't hurt ourselves that summer! 🤣
Oh, and thank you for such a gorgeous compliment! I'm not sure that it's deserved, but I deeply appreciate it. Thank you so much. 😘
"we all get bogged down in comparison from time to time." - oh Yes! Mine this week has been comparing myself to friends who own houses. We've always rented, and usually it's fine, but we had some friends over this week and I was comparing my home to theirs and really got down on myself. So I hear you! Also, I think once a filmmaker, always a filmmaker! Hopefully you are feeling better, Vicki!
Thanks Cherie. Wow, this made me check my privilege. I was lucky to hitch a ride to a rich friend from uni whom I was renting with in London 20 odd years ago and we - with very little proper thought - ended up buying a flat together. And that's put me in a very lucky position over the years (that and meeting my very sensible, properly employed partner!) It's so easy to take for granted what you've already got and overlook that others could be comparing themselves to you and feeling their own sense of lack. Of course you won't need me to tell you but a home is about the people and experiences that are contained within - and I don't doubt that yours is a gem ✨
Too cluttered to have a proper meal at the dining room table, but it truly is a gem nonetheless. And yes, the people and experiences make it a home I feel privileged to have most of the time, but as you said, we can all get bogged down in it now and then. Thanks, Vicki - it was a timely reminder for me!