Why You Ultimately Have to do it for You

There's nothing more frustrating that being wildly passionate about a project and not seeing it resonate with others. Over the years I performed in countless little black box theaters only to see 4, or 5 people in attendance. I've spent weeks polishing up an article only to have it read by a handful of people. I have also made films so handedly rejected from festivals it made my head spin. But I keep doing it. Why? 

Because it's important to ME.

Your job as an artist is not to be a molder of consensus but to share your craftsmanship with the world and see what happens. But you can only continue to put good work out if it means something to you first.

The quest for validation by getting up at 4:00 am to work on a screenplay, or bleed on stage for your craft will more than likely go unappreciated. And that's just the people who show up. Most people won't get it and large percentage won't even care. We all lead busy lives and are naturally consumed by our own needs. 

In Haruki Murakami's book South of the Border, West of the Sun there's a terrific line that goes:

“People want to be bowled over by something special.  Nine times out of ten you might strike out, but that tenth time, that peak experience, is what people want.  That’s what can move the world.  That’s art.”

We do it for that one time. But it can't be only for that one time. We have to ultimately do it because we want to. If we don't the blank stares from parents and friends when we describe our latest endeavors will stop us in our tracks. 

It's not for them, it's for YOU. 

JUST. DON'T. QUIT.