Whispers

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Dear Aaron Sorkin, 

I hear whispers in books, in conversations, at events. The resounding message that's appearing is simple: focus on the work. When I get distracted, discouraged, excited, I remember to focus on the work and all the extras get sloughed off. Do the work. I'm working on just doing the work. 

Best, 
Laura
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List(en)

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Dear Aaron Sorkin, 

Here are some tips for creativity from 
Hugh MacLeod, author, cartoonist, CEO
and blogger at gapingvoid.com.

1. Ignore everybody.

2. The idea doesn’t have to be big. It just has to be yours.

3. Put the hours in.

4. If your biz plan depends on you suddenly being “discovered” by some big shot, your plan will probably fail.

5. You are responsible for your own experience.

6. Everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in kin­dergarten.

7. Keep your day job.

8. Companies that squelch creativity can no longer compete with com­panies that champion creativity.

9. Everybody has their own private Mount Everest they were put on this earth to climb.

10. The more talented somebody is, the less they need the props.

11. Don’t try to stand out from the crowd; avoid crowds altogether.

12. If you accept the pain, it can not hurt you.

13. Never compare your inside with somebody else’s outside.

14. Dying young is overrated.

15. The most important thing a creative person can learn professio­nally is where to draw the red line that separates what you are willing to do, and what you are not.

16. The world is changing.

17. Merit can be bought. Passion can’t.

18. Avoid the Watercooler Gang.

19. Sing in your own voice.

20. The choice of media is irrelevant.

21. Selling out is harder than it looks.

22. Nobody cares. Do it for yourself.

23. Worrying about “Commercial vs. Artistic” is a complete waste of time.

24. Don't worry about finding inspiration. It comes eventually.


25. You have to find your own schtick.


26. Write from the heart.

27. The best way to get approval is not to need it.

28. Power is never given. Power is taken.

29. Whatever choice you make, The Devil gets his due eventually.

30. The hardest part of being creative is getting used to it.

31. Remain frugal.

32. Allow your work to age with you.

33. Being Poor Sucks.

34. Beware of turning hobbies into jobs.

35. Savor obscurity while it lasts.

36. Start blogging.

37. Meaning Scales, People Don’t.

37. When your dreams become reality, they are no longer your dreams.

What's your list?

Best, 
Laura
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Find

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Dear Aaron Sorkin, 

I heard one of my favorite casting directors speak at an event this weekend, and this is what he said about the leading lady of the show he's working on: "Her performance lands two inches in front of her and the camera just finds it." 

I love this image. 

When I first started working in front of a camera, the machine intimidated me. That black eye saw everything and I felt like it was almost out to get me. To collect, store, and rehash even a split second of inauthenticity. My relationship with the camera has changed, and I trust it more and more. I know we're on the same team, me and the camera. And I like the idea that it will come and find the performance. 

What adjustments did you make when you went from writing for the stage to the screen? Does a camera "find" writing differently than a live audience?

Best, 
Laura



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Foreward

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Dear Aaron Sorkin, 

A couple weeks ago I was feeling like a weenie. Restless. Unproductive. As it turns out, it was a healthy dose of divine dissatisfaction. I audited an acting class, was blown away by the teacher, and signed up for ongoing study with him. I'm looking forward to this class because I know it will provide discipline, consistency, accountability, and feedback, all things that a gal who felt like a weenie could use. 

Also! And this one is a little scary to me--I am going to produce a project. I may be the last actor in Los Angeles to create self-produced work, but here I go. I have to admit, the word "producer" intimidates me. Sounds like an awful lot of responsibility and I feel like I don't know enough about stuff I don't know enough to even know about. So I'm ditching the word "producer" and thinking of myself as a "foreman" instead. That way I'll still be in charge of making sure all the pieces come together, but I'll also ask for help from people who specialize in different areas and have a strong team. I miss making stuff. I'm going to make stuff. 

Hope you've had a restful Labor Day weekend. 

Best, 
Laura
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