Welcome to Thoughts of Michael by me, Michael Florizone. Human. Storyteller. Film Maker. Shaker.
First of all, I want to thank you. For reading this. For taking the time. For pressing Subscribe.
I’ve recently jumped into a workshop by Seth Godin over at Akimbo, called The Creatives Workshop. To say it’s amazing and inspiring is an understatement. I’m currently at Day 32 out of 100 and..Just. Can’t. Get. Enough.
The workshop is a workshop, it’s not a course. There are no grades. No prerequisites. All are welcome. Creatives from around the world have gathered here to share on a daily basis a project, an idea, a movement. There are novelists, sculptors, photographers, chefs, designers, actors, you name it. Each artist has a mission to shape and share their project or idea in 100 days.
The magic really comes from ‘shipping’ the idea in development on a daily basis, putting yourself out there in a vulnerable state, and receiving feedback from generous participants. A huge part of the fun is following a variety of people creating the coolest things ever. You get to ask hard questions, give support and be part of a minimum viable audience to test out ideas.
At times it’s overwhelming because of the crazy amount of content to sift through making it impossible to follow everyone. After all, there are nearly 300 participants this time around. However, you do what you can. Seth Godin has mentioned this cohort has been the largest and most engaged to date. It’s exciting and exhilarating. And it gets better every day.
So, you’re probably wondering, what am I working on?
A feature length screenplay.
As some of you know, I’m a film maker and a film teacher but I don’t make enough films myself. I’m always wanting to do more, to create more. Over the years I’ve had many feature length film ideas that have come and gone yet I’ve never actually finished one. So, now I am. I’m putting it out in the universe. This is my time.
Last January, I began working through the characters and developing the idea of my screenplay, Henry Beetle. I got into a groove and then the pandemic hit. For whatever reason, I stopped. Ask any creative person, “Have you ever given up on project?” You’ll be talking for a long time. It’s common. But I’m tired of it. It’s time to finish the damn thing and make it happen.
The other challenge I’m tackling, and this is a HUGE one is I’m planning on actually making this film myself. Well, not myself, but with a team. Not in the 100 day workshop! I’ll finish the script, polish it up, redraft etc. Then, I’ll begin the other difficult task of financing, coordinating, collaborating, dreaming and bringing it to life.
It’s a bit of a crazy dream. I’ll admit. But what the heck!! You only live once and when I’m 90 and I look back on my life, I want to remember all the great people I’ve met, the wonderful experiences I’ve had, and all the great creative risks I actually took to do what I loved.
Thanks for sharing in my journey.
Michael
Ps. I look forward to sharing more about my screenplay and other creative meanderings with you.
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