Busy

I’ve had a busy year.

In the last twelve months I’ve worked on six feature films. Six.

Days on set are at least twelve hours long, and the most time off I had between projects was nine days. Every job I took came with a steep learning curve I thought might break me in the grip of its g-force, followed by a thousand learning experiences when it didn’t.

I got to work with so many wonderful people, some famous, some not, and I learned how to do things I’d never imagined before. I observed and was taught by a lot of people whom I respect and admire intensely.

Good people. Gracious people. Some of the hardest working folks I’ve ever witnessed.

I got to work on movies, dammit. Something I’d only dreamt of since I can remember. Sure, the hope was vague and uneducated as a kid, but it was always there in one form or another.

Fifth Grade End-Of-The-Year Poll: What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?

At first I wrote A Family Man, knowing it wasn’t an occupation but still a genuine hope. (And I thought it would impress my teacher—I was very much a Ralphie Parker.) But then, once I realized our answers would all be read out loud for our classmates to guess who said what, I got embarrassed and told Mrs. Huett I needed to, um, change my answer because I, uh, changed my mind. So I thought real good about what I wanted to do for work…

My final answer? Actor.

As the church folks say, I’ve been blessed beyond measure. About a month ago I wrapped a Spike Lee Production in Montgomery, where I lived for six weeks. Before that I worked a Scott Free Production in Fairhope.

This last year has come with almost too many challenges, all of which have taught me, helped me grow, and given me more confidence than I’ve ever known before. I feel really good about myself these days. Sincerely. I mean, last September I got to quit my day job… That’s literally what they tell you not to do. But I did, and it worked out.

I’ve gotten the chance to endure numerous situations where I thought I wouldn’t succeed, and yet succeeded. I’ve gotten to walk along the precipice of failure and keep my balance. I’ve looked Self-Doubt in the face and stared Fear in the eye, and said to those bastards, “You don’t get to win anymore.”

And I hope life pushes you in similar ways, because to me that’s the best kind of busy.

Best,

CBM