Thursday
Sep222011
Chasing Wildebeests
Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 2:03PM I had such a fun time talking with Kanen Flowers and Merlin Mann on Kanen’s Scruffy Thinking podcast. As Kanen puts it:
We discuss living in San Francisco, Star Wars, finding and doing what you love, trusting your grandmother’s advice, being unemployed after having lunch with Stu and a lot more.
Check it out, as well as Kanen’s other podcast, That Post Show. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how to find Merlin Mann’s amazing 5 by 5 show Back to Work.
If there’s anything I’m proud of about this episode, it’s that I may have tricked Merlin into being inspirational.
Reader Comments (5)
Hi Stu
Enjoyed this discussion and it was actually really nice to just listen for a change. I really got a lot from the episode and will be looking up some of those Star Wars edits.
What really struck a chord with me was the "doing what you love" concept. I can identify with this in a big way. I don't love web design which is why my site isn't finished. I do love sculpture which is why that part of my site is finished. I love writing sci-fi which is why I managed to write (almost) a whole screenplay of my own (I used to be part of a writing team/due which I became dependant on). I also know that I kind of hate finishing things which is why my screenplay is a few pages shy of completion. I'll have to work on that...maybe it comes from not wanting things to end...like the end of a good film (or great podcast!).
I also know that I hate doing creative commissioned work (mainly sculpture) as when I do something for money it tends to kill the creativity which is why my focus as an artist is to now do things that I love just for my own projects. So now most of my artistic output is used for my film work (i.e. prop design,conceptual art, etc.) and I have found this to be a good compromise.
Shirley MacLaine once said "If it doesn't make your spine tingle don't do it" She is right but I can respect the idea that you may have to do things you hate in order to make what you love happen.
Right on Alan.
I'm downloading the podcast now. Looking forward to listing to it.
Listened to the podcast while cutting through thee thick brush of editorial b-roll. Made the work pass quicker.
Now, it may have been edited out, or not answered at all, but what's the story about the film you made that you didn't release? I thought "Wow! That's amazing that they'll talk about that!" And then... nothing on the topic. As though it was never mentioned.
It's not dwelling on the negative. More, it's whether or not you guys viewed it as a set back, and how you moved beyond it (or not.)
Also, maybe too sensitive to loosely discuss, but what went right with The Orphanage, and what could've kept it going (if you even wanted it to keep going).
My tangential take away from some of your stories was that some problems you can't think your way through. Like cutting down the thick brush of editorial b-roll. There's no more effective plan than "get editing." The podcast helped me get through it.
RE: John Carpenter #1s- The "Thing" is still a crazy viewing experience, where you can't believe what you're seeing, thanks to those on-camera mechanical and make up effects. Halloween should be #1, but "The Thing" left a deeper visual impression. Nothing else looks like it.
Thanks for the thoughts Anthony. I imagine the film Kanen referred to might be Skate Warrior, a film I shot in college and reference in The DV Rebel's Guide. To call it "unreleased" is akin to calling your college term paper "unpublished."
Awesome podcast. Insightful, interesting, and pretty damn funny at parts.
I think you may have taken the title away from Merlin for most Dr.-Phil-isms / metaphors in a podcast. Chasing wildebeest, working under the hood vs racing, drive by the restaurant, the slot machine that pays, and of course, coffee is for closers. Pure gold.
Despite that, I think Merlin wins for best single quote with:
I especially loved you challenging Merlin on being inspirational and being willing to be the crazy guy that tells people to quit their jobs. I will happily buy you lunch any day of the week to have that conversation.