It’s coming to that time in the year where we get reflective and sad and stuff.
We think about all of the opportunities we’ve missed and the few that we went for.
At the start of the year I wrote a to-do list for the year - things I wanted to do.
Here’s how it went:
1. Write A Book Of Short Stories.
DONE.
When I look back at the hard work I put into this book it scares me, because now I’ve set a bar for myself that I’m going to need to reach with everything I do.
I'm so dam proud of the stories in this book. It's almost like a gateway into my soul. With every story you get a glimpse into my history, my thought processes, my worries, my dreams.
It's fucking terrifying actually.
I can’t wait for you to read it.
2. Write & Direct A Short Film.
DONE.
With the guys at Enigmatic Productions we made Macho Dan. We made it for a 24hour film competition and we came first. WE WON DAMMIT!!! It’s a crazy little film with a terrifying elbow drop. I hope you like it.
3. Finish My Animated Short Film.
NOT DONE.
This is an animated film project that I'm working on. It's based on one of the short stories in Underdog Stories. The animation is 90% complete. I need about an extra £1000 to finish it all off - to record the narration, to pay for the audio track, for the grading, etc, and to enter the film into festivals.
I haven’t got that kind of money to feed into this project yet so I feel like I'm going to have to put it on the back burner for a while.
I might look at crowdfunding this at some point in the new year.
4. Get Love & Other Chairs seen.
DONE.
We got our film Love & Other Chairs into several festivals, even won the Grand Prix award at the In Short Film Festival in London. The film poster is now rammed with laurels. Just the way it should be.
I’d say we nailed this goal.
5. Start A Podcast.
DONE.
To say I love podcasts would be an understatement. I adore them. I’d be scared to find out how many hours of podcast I’ve stuffed into my ears. I’ve wanted to start my own for a long time, and I did.
I got to talk to 10 of my favourite storytellers about my favourite subject.
In 2015, it's due for a relaunch - new format, new artwork, new microphone ;), and even a new co-host.
We’re currently in the planning stages, but here’s what we’re thinking. Three shows a week. Discussions, interviews, etc, with storytellers of all varieties. It's going to be bigger, better, and more frequent.
6. Move To London.
DONE.
This wasn’t just a goal of 2014 for me. It was goal for my life. It’s something I’ve wanted to do ever since I was a tiny toddler. I don’t know why, but I’ve always had he urge to be in London.
I’ve only been here for a couple of months, but it’s already been one of the most enriching experiences of my life.
Before, in Derby, I felt trapped by circumstance, but here, I’m in awe at the opportunity.
-1. The Biggest Waste Of My Time In 2014.
Applying To Funding Schemes.
Wow, what a time-suck.
I'm done with them.
I can't tell you how many application packages I've put together, how much time I've spent agonising over the perfect logline, or the most appealing director's statement in 250 words or less, etc.
And it's based on the availability bias — the belief that IT COULD BE YOU (when it really probably won’t be).
This is the same reason people buy lottery tickets. They overlook the odds and think 'what if?'.
It's much better to focus your time on making stuff.
Rather than spending all your time on the what-if. Do something certain: write a book, make a film, start a business, etc.
I guess I better start thinking about what's next ...
