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Posts Tagged ‘love of work’

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A Little Daily Inspiration: Mike Flynn, Writer and Co-Founder of The Table Read Initiative

In You on May 15, 2012 at 12:36 pm

Good day! It’s wonderful. I’ve found that I don’t have to look far for a little motivation. Seriously, there are days when I either don’t want to do anything or feel completely overwhelmed by pending tasks. But the moment I take a second to admire and acknowledge the varying successes of people in my community, I’m immediately driven to change my attitude. My sluggishness and indifference are instantly replaced with positivity and hopefulness.

If you’re a creative writer, someone thinking about writing, or someone who finds inspiration in seeing people who are thankful to do what they love, read on. If not, well, look away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back in February, I had the opportunity to attend the first ever Table Read Initiative, organized by Mike Flynn, Lena Waithe and Codie Elaine Brooks. Today, I’m happy to bring you a little inspiration from TRI Co-founder, Mike Flynn (Detroit 1-8-7, Happy Town, Life on Mars). After graduating from San Diego State University, Flynn made the move to work as a professional writer, and has been on a steady climb as a television writer ever since.  The Table Read Initiative’s first reading featured Lenox Ave, Flynn’s incredibly ambitions, and if I do say so myself, entertaining, hour-long period drama. The pilot focuses on a diverse African American community during the Harlem Renaissance. Despite the fact that the project hasn’t been picked up, it currently has Dennis Haysbert attached and was responsible for landing Flynn his first staff writing gig.

Even with the success he’s had, Flynn continues to give back. He currently volunteers with Inside Out Writers (IOW), an organization that partners young writers, who’ve been in or are currently in juvenile detention, with working mentors.

Thankfully, I got the chance to ask Flynn about his struggles as a Hollywood writer, what inspires him, and for some advice for aspiring creative writers out there.

 

Q&A

How’d you get started writing?

 
Well if you want to get technical, I’ve always enjoyed hearing stories and telling them. I used to write in a journal as a kid and compose short stories out of sheer boredom. I had a lot of time to myself, but never imagined pursuing a profession out of it. But growing up, I would stay up after 9pm watching television shows with my mother and sister…adult shows like HBO’s “Dream On,” “The Larry Saunders Show,” “Beauty And The Beast,” “New York Undercover,” and the list goes on. I’d hear words and ask my mother what they meant, and she sent me to the dictionary. So I spent a lot of time reading that book among others. But what grabbed me were the storylines and things that characters would say. I loved characters like Sipowicz from “NYPD Blue” — we don’t get to see too many flawed characters like that anymore; people are too scared to venture into that realm. So I grew up wanting to tell stories and create characters that pushed the envelope; stuff that makes you sit back and think, “Wow, this writer really went there.” I carried that passion over into college. I majored in TV and Film Production and minored in English, began writing at 19 and haven’t stopped.

 

What’s your primary goal as a storyteller?

 
My primary goal is to entertain the viewer or reader. What would be my purpose if I didn’t? Some times novice writers get caught up in wanting to tell their “life story” that they think everyone wants to hear, but if nothing exciting or interesting happens, there isn’t any reason for calling yourself a writer. Entertain the people and they will return!

 

Where do you get the inspiration for your scripts?

I get inspiration from everywhere. I once got inspired to write a short story just by playing with my mom’s boyfriend’s dog. I asked her what type of dog he was: a Great Pyrenees — a big white dog that’ll intimidate anyone. I did some research on where these dogs came from (Pyrenees mountains in Europe). Then I thought about monsters and a psychiatrist for some reason. So I put the two together and wrote a short fiction piece about a psychiatrist who treats monsters at an institution before sending them back out into society, set within the Pyrenees mountain range. See how that came together? It was a fun write. But I also get inspired by photography, art, music, stupid things my friends do that makes me crack up, family and everyday people who I meet.

 

What’s the most important part of your process?

 
To be honest? Sleep. Whenever I call myself going to bed, I twist and turn for about two hours because I can’t shut my brain off. I’m constantly reaching over to my phone to jot down ideas on the notepad app (thank you iPhone). I find that my best ideas come to me when I’m trying to nap or I just lay down. I’m an artist, so excuse my eccentricities. I know other people pace around the room, or go running, but I just lay on my back and let the ideas flow, man.

 

Passion project?

 
I have one, but it’s too ambitious. Period pieces always scare people, from what I hear…yet, they buy them every year. That’s a whole other discussion though. But I have come across a book that I feel, if the rights are available to adapt, will resonate with an audience. Whenever I get a chill down my back and it stays there for a couple seconds, I know I’m on to something. And this book gave me those chills.

 

T.V. vs Film: Do you have a preference? What elements make each of these appealing?

 
Film gets you the glory. TV gets you the respect. I love both but I prefer to work in television. People respect the writer on set of a TV show. They come to you for every question and I’m happy to offer an answer. You get to explore your characters more in TV, follow them week in and week out and find out what makes them tick…what makes them love and hate. I recently watched a character take a dark turn on an episode of “Scandal.” It was something that really opened up his character and set up more opportunities to see how his past life and actions may catch up to him. In film, you only get to stay with the characters for 2 hours (unless there’s a sequel), then you’re left wondering what happens next (if the movie is good). TV is gaining a reputation for having a film-like quality and is bringing the A-game. That’s why you see a lot more film actors coming to TV. I don’t blame them; it’s where the pimps rule.

 

What have been the most difficult and rewarding moments of your experience as a Hollywood writer?

 
The most rewarding moment was getting dressed up and going to the NAACP Image Awards for writing on a show that was nominated for Outstanding Drama (“Detroit 1-8-7″). It was a lot of fun talking to people about what you do and watching their eyes light up. Today, TV writer/producers are gaining more respect and notice, which is making this profession more and more attractive. I think the most difficult thing was finding my voice as a writer. I’m honestly still trying to hone in on it but I think I’m just about there. It’s very challenging to get your writing to stand out of a crowd of many other talented writers. It’s a hustle that requires discipline and diligence.

 

Any advice for writers looking to get their scripts in an agent or talent’s hands?

 
Keep writing. And write some more. Network with assistants, join tracking boards or industry-related organizations. Work for a successful writer or in a production office until you get that opportunity to work for a successful writer who can take you under his/her wing. Have a strong work ethic and swallow your pride. If you want to get your script into a talent’s hand, I’d suggest paying that fee on IMDB Pro. You can see an actor’s representation contact info and contact them. If you want to get it into an agent’s hands, well, you better have a friend who is a star client at X Agency who can vouch for you. That’s the honest truth. Unless you have the gift of gab and can find a way to be persistent without coming off as annoying, go the old fashion route and write agencies that accept query letters. The WGA has a list of agencies on their site that do just that.

 

 
I’m thankful that my mom never sheltered me or discouraged my imagination. It’s only grown from when I was a kid and has allowed me to do something that I love while making a living. So to that, I say, thank you, Vanessa Flynn.

 

Thank you, Mike! Can’t wait to see what you’re involved with next! Continued success to you.

I hope that jump-started any of you with an ‘inspiration’ block. Remember, inspiration can come from the most surprising places. Keep your eyes, ears, mind and heart open. Enjoy the rest of your Tuesday!

~Thankful 

Prior article about The Table Read Initiative: here

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A Little Daily Inspiration: Maja Ruznic

In You on April 20, 2012 at 7:40 am

 

“Money can’t buy you happiness.” Sadly, it wasn’t long ago that my response to that idiom was, “Well that must be something rich people say.” From the start, we’re taught that there’s value in the things that earn us money. I’ve shared my belief, in What Do You Do?, that people are much more than their professions. The ideal, however, is that an individual is able to make a living doing what they love. This Friday’s dose of inspiration comes straight from a woman who’s forged a career out of her passion for art.

When I reached out to Bay Area Artist, Maja Ruznic, I did so because I was totally inspired by her story. Born in Bosnia & Hercegovina in 1983, Maja and her mother came to the United States as refugees in 1992. Maja went on to receive two degrees from UC Berkeley and compete as a member of Cal’s Track and Field Team. All the while, she continued to explore her love for art. Maja describes her most recent drawings and paintings as that of,

” – People, objects and memories of experiences that evoke a sense of failure and trigger a sense of psychological unease that echoes my childhood refugee experience. In documenting these people, objects and events with highly editorialized and projected-upon personae, I am simultaneously preserving them and destroying who they actually are.” (Find an extended version of her artistic statement here)

Her passion and talent have garnered her much success and she was recently awarded the 2012 cover of New American Paintings. I’m drawn to telling and exploring the stories of people who have the courage to acknowledge and pursue what they love. In interviewing Maja, she impressed me even more. I was amazed and pleased to find that, beyond her overcoming the struggles of being a refugee to go on and receive a diploma from a prestigious institution, her current professional success as an artist was never fueled by the promise of financial return. She’s done what she has for the love of her work and nothing more. Perhaps that’s why she’s found such a warm welcome in the artistic community. Maja never asked what the work could do for her, she’s constantly creating and innovating to see what she can give back. As such, her paintings and drawings are as honest,  nuanced and compelling as their author.

Thankfully, I got the chance to ask Maja about her work and sources of inspiration:

Q&A


When did you realize that art was your passion?

I remember being obsessed with drawing ever since I was 6 years old.  I used to be more worried about my art class projects in middle school than my math exams and always knew that this was a bit unusual.  There was a strong urgency to draw, to record things, people and events around me.  I suppose it was from a very early age—this urgency to capture what was happening around me.  Aside from painting and drawing, I was always very interested in dance, music, and theater—creative languages that elevate life to some extent.

Her Face Said It All
mixed media on paper
17"x15"
2012

Bastard II
oil on wood panel
6"x6"
2009

Was there ever a doubt in your mind that you’d be able to professionally pursue your artistic work?  If so, how did you work beyond this?

 

My desire to paint was never driven by the belief that I would ever make a living as an artist.  I love to paint and draw—this was always true and that love has brought me to where I am today.  I studied Social Welfare (Psychology emphasis) and Art at UC Berkeley and wanted to work with children upon graduation.  Art was always something I did for fun. 

After graduating from Cal, however, the need to push my ideas stood in the way of becoming a Social Worker, so I started working on a portfolio.  I kept myself financially afloat by taking on odd jobs and working up to 7 days a week.  I had a corporate job for a brief moment, thinking that the financial stability would make my life better.  I quit after just one week, knowing that it was not something I was meant to do.  I went back to doing retail and teaching as much as I could.  Despite the drastic decline in my monthly income, I was much happier—and this happiness allowed me to continue making art.  There have definitely been moments where I felt that I was perhaps wasting my time—but this is mainly because I was comparing my life with my friends’.  Many of them were getting married and started buying houses.  Perhaps there was something wrong with me, I thought.  Going to the California College of the Arts, however, was a transformative experience.  I realized that my life would be dedicated to ideas, images and aesthetics and the traditional comforts no longer concerned me.  This realization in itself brought great relief.

Not Sexy Feelin' Like A Mother
mixed media on paper
15"x11"
2012

Make Up to Hide Large Pores
mixed media on paper
24"x17"
2012

Where do you go/what do you do when you’re in need of inspiration?

 

I pay close attention to everything that is around me.  I never know what will trigger a set of ideas.  It could be something a friend says, or something I hear on the bus.  It could be a limp I notice in a stranger’s walk or a color I see on a building.  For the most part, I am interested in personifying emotions, thoughts and feelings—things that don’t have a physical form but can be intensely felt.

 

In what way has your work helped you confront the complexities and realities of your experience as a refugee?

I started painting and drawing before the war.  I was about eight years old when the war started and I began drawing when I was about 6 years old.  Mark making (I’ll call it that and not differentiate between painting and drawing) was something that brought me great joy and, in retrospect, I see how this creative outlet was psychologically very nurturing.  I don’t remember making pictures about the events that were happening around me (in a journal-entry type of way), but the act of making marks on paper and creating pictures was extremely transformative and cathartic.

My work has become a way through which I attempt to de-tangle my childhood and its impact on my adult life.  Today, painting and drawing are tools through which I speak about things that are difficult to express with words. There is magic in this process—in the discovery of new ways of communicating with others.

 

Do you have any advice for aspiring painters?

Stay curious, question everything and start forming your own theories!  The most challenging aspect of being an artist can be to stay inspired and the best way to do this is by surrounding yourself with positive people.  Listen to your intuition–if something feels important, it probably is!  What new symbols can you give to the art world?

 


 

I am thankful for the continual love and support I receive from my mother.  She has always been my biggest support and always encouraged me to keep making work.  I was always amazed at this, given the fact that we are refugees and immigrants and that an artistic career can seem like a self-indulgent endeavor.  I am grateful for the sense of curiosity she has instilled in me ever since I was a little kid.  I also feel very blessed to have found the sport of long distance running in middle school.  My track coaches have played the roles of surrogate parents; Coach Ken Block in middle school, Victor Diaz in high school and Tony Sandoval in college.  Having never met my biological father, these three men have been positive role models and tremendous sources of inspiration.

Thank you, Maja, for being so open and willing to share you experiences! It’s inspiring to see someone courageously pursuing their passion.

“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working” – Pablo Picasso

For information about Maja’s upcoming exhibitions, check out her website: www.ontheedgeofreason.com

~Thankful

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Second, Third and Fourth Loves

In You on April 18, 2012 at 9:34 am

Sometimes, I feel as though I’m cheating. The majority of the inspiration for my posts come from conversations with friends and personal experiences. But, alas, I can’t seem to help this.

I’m a firm believer that, the luckiest people are able to make a living doing what they love. In a previous post, Are You in Love?, I calculated that, in a traditional full-time job, assuming that you aren’t doing any work outside of the office (ha!), one spends 145,600 hours, in a lifetime, at work. So, you’d better love what you’re doing! Otherwise, you could have a gnawing feeling inside.

I brought this up recently to a friend and they said something really interesting: “Well, at some point in everyone’s life, there’s a time where the dream dies and you have to find another path to pursue.” This person went on to explain that, whether you’re an athlete, or the head of a company, there’s a point at which you’re no longer at full capacity. You’re forced to retire and find another way to spend your time. They said that this could come early in your career — or later. But, eventually, we are all forced to accept and adapt to change.

At first I found this notion really negative. But then, I considered that I was looking at their comment from the wrong angle. No doubt, every one of us has to make changes in life and we don’t always perceive them as being for the better. My grandmother absolutely loved working. She almost went stir crazy after retiring. So much of her identity was tied up in work. And, thankfully, she enjoyed it. So, my grandmother, who was the Assistant State Director of the Department of Human Services, took a job at a bank. She was 70 years old. Her tasks weren’t at all the same, but she thoroughly enjoyed her new role.

My friend’s comment served as the ultimate reminder for me that, I am not solely what I do. We must remain cognizant of our many interests. Hopefully, when the time comes to give up our first love, we can start devoting energy to our second, third and fourth loves.

~Thankful

The Quest For a Million Thanks!

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