Why I Said Yes

I haven't chosen an easy career path. One out of every five students in college chooses a major that has to do with the entertainment industry... Alright, that's completely made up, I have no idea what the numbers actually are. But, I do know that I was one of those students. I don't know why other people choose it, but I chose it because I love the movie business, emphasis on the business. I actually got giddy when I had to develop a marketing plan for a a script for class. I'll say it again, I love this business. But it's not an easy one. You can't be shy, you have to have tough skin, you have to be a people person, you have to be persistent, you can't quit, you have to be willing to do whatever it takes to get what you want. And even then, it may still not be enough. I should know. But if I'm really honest with myself, I'll admit that I haven't REALLY tried until the last year or so. I went back to school and decided that this time, I would truly take advantage of my time there. I've put as much effort into building relationships with my professors and my classmates as I have into school work. And slowly, it has started to pay off.

But sometimes, I loose focus. I loose sight of why I said yes to this path. That has been the case this past month. I interviewed with a company that I very much want to work for, I made a good impression, was asked to come back for a final interview, and then... Nothing. Not exactly nothing, they still haven't made a decision. I'm so unbelievably frustrated that I don't know what to do with myself. I'm so anxious to finally get started. I just broke down today. I think it was a culmination of waiting to hear something, being broke, not being able to help out my mom back home, having to move by the end of the summer, having to have a second job at the mall and the ridiculous heat here in Miami.

Then this evening sitting at the table after dinner, I was reminded why I said yes to my partner in crime when he proposed two months ago. He reminded me of all the other things I'm working on. I'm writing and producing my own short film for my thesis, helping some classmates with the marketing on theirs, I just got the opportunity to work with a great team to put together a seminar for producers here in Miami, thanks to one of my professors, and I'm going to LA for three weeks this summer to network like there's no tomorrow. So I'm making moves. I forgot about all of that today, but he was quick to give me a reality check and put me in my place. He said what could possibly be the most important words I could hear, maybe more important than I love you. "I believe in you, babe. Never giving up hope on you."

I may not accomplish exactly what I want to do (marketing and distribution in a production company, for those of you keeping track), but I am going to work my ass off like there's no tomorrow to get there. And even then, I've accomplished something that some people never get to see. I've built a life, not just a relationship, with someone that is always on my corner, pushing me to succeed and be better. And as I sit here next to him on the couch, watching his emotions shift as he watches El Heat play game 1 of the finals, I realize how ridiculously blessed I am to share my life with him. It hasn't always been easy, relationships take a lot of work, but every moment has been worth it. Kind of like trying to make my career work.