the resource myth of not enough
One of my favorite movies is a little independent film from 2007 called Once. It’s a sad and sweet story of an Irish busker, “Guy”, who, while on the path of pursuing his dream to make music, falls for another struggling musician known simply as “Girl.”
It grossed $23M worldwide, won the audience awards at both Sundance and Dublin Film Festivals, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, and helped launch both stars, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, to international fame.
Once was made for roughly the equivalent of $125,000.
Someone made an Oscar-winning film for $125k.
Let that sink in.
Yes, any creative endeavor worth pursuing, whether that’s a new business, film, or song, will take resources. You need money to fuel your dream. You need support from people. And you need that most precious resource of all, time, time to dream and consider and plan and create.
Money, people, and time.
However, a perceived lack of resources can often keep you from taking action with what you already have at your disposal.
Have you ever used one of these excuses for failing to pursue your creative dream?
“I don’t have the right connections.”
“I’m broke. You need money to make money.”
“I’m just too busy to do anything creative right now.”
“I’m too old. It’s too late to pursue my dreams.”
I’m glad director John Carney didn’t let a perceived lack of resources keep him from making Once after the previous male lead (not Glen) and other producers pulled out of the project taking their money with them.
Besides, we all know a story about budget constraints being the very thing that forced an artist or a team to think in a new, creative direction about a project.
The original ending of Back to the Future, for example, had Marty driving into a blast at a nuclear test site in order to capture atomic energy to get back to 1985. But the movie was over budget and the filmmakers had to find a way to save $6M when photography was due to start in a matter of weeks. They were in a bind, and it was that bind that led to the lightning-hitting-the-clock-tower ending that we all know well.
Ironically, having to figure out how to make something work when you don’t think you have enough can be the very thing to fuel ingenuity.
Instead of starting with lack, start with what you do have.
What do you already have at your disposal? Do you have enough money, time, and the right relationships to get started doing something? The chances are, yes, you do.
Don’t use a lack of resources as an excuse to not start today.
In 2008 when Glen and Markéta were accepting the Oscar for Best Original Song, Markéta stood on the stage and encouraged independent artists and musicians like them.
“The fact that we are standing here tonight, the fact that we are able to hold this is just proof that no matter how far out your dreams are, it’s possible. Fair play to those who dare to dream. Don’t give up.”
Glen said simply, “Make art. Make art.”
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You can buy or rent Once from Amazon and other online retailers.
You can find Glen and Markéta’s music under their band The Swell Season.
