How to Fight

Today is a good day for self reflection...as I look back at myself in the mirror I see a man who is on the verge of being broken but also one who will fight harder and harder. I struggle everyday in this world as an artistic minded person...I fear this is a huge burden. It is a burden not just for me but for all who think artistically because we must struggle with the small details of not only our work but with ourselves. If things are perfectly aligned and structured for us, then nothing will be right. The constant criticism and complaints can at times bombard us with no remorse, but we must fight back by creating works that are stronger. I fight every day, and all other artists do as well. Do not stop fighting, do not stop doing what is right to make yourselves better. Support one another and show love...this is the only way we will all succeed against the many obstacles we face.

Random Movie Fact: In the 2005 film Thank You for Smoking, no one is shown smoking a cigarette throughout the entire movie. In fact, except in the black and white film that Naylor watches, no-one is seen even holding a cigarette. Naylor holds an empty packet and Robert Duvall holds an (unlit) cigar.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Filmmaker Manifesto

Today I have decided to post up my manifesto. As a filmmaker and artist I feel as though it is important to put into words exactly the way I feel everyday of my life.

I am a filmmaker an auteur as the French would call it. Every morning when I rise from bed the first thing on my mind is film and every night the last thing I think of before I go to bed is the same. Whenever I have a free moment to think about anything it is what moment would this be in a movie or what movie this reminds me of. The first thing to say when there is an awkward silence is "What was the last movie everyone saw," or joke about a really bad film. When I am at work doing something not related to film I think about movie ideas or picture myself inside of a film about my life...what part of this story does this represent I ask myself. When I finally get the chance to make a movie it is the greatest high I can get, the rush of getting shots done seeing my idea come to life, it is like every second is a thousand Christmas' culminating into one giant day. After the film is done I am happy because now I get to edit and can be alone for hours if I need to just making the film look how I want it to look. Once it is a final product I want to show the world, and I couldn't more proud. I show my family and they react in a way that is less than fantastic but I have the biggest smile on my face, people may say mean things about it and I listen but I selfishly think "What do they know." As a filmmaker my ego can inflate higher than a helium balloon and I can see myself as a great artist better than those around me, however I have to deflate to realize that working with others is going to be the way to go. I struggle constantly with inner demons threatening to make me quit but as time goes on I see that I can't stop moving no matter what comes in my way. I am a filmmaker one whose vision knows no bounds together with my crew and cast we can make a world changing film or we can destroy each other. This is my manifesto.

Thank you all for the love,
Daniel Hess