Am I the only one that thinks getting HONEST feedback is basically non-existent these days?

Whether it’s getting someone to give feedback on your film (“No.. it’s good! I like it!…” = never show that to me again.) or to tell you if you look good before going out (“Omg, those pants are killer!” = Killer for me. Kill me now.)

We’re all trying to “say the right thing” and avoid political incorrectness like my cat avoided baths.

Today, an old friend said “You must like the attention you get being the star of your film.”

And I wanted to say “No!… I had to be that role because I was the cheapest actor… and I know my own part better than anyone else… And WAHHHH.”

But I stopped and thought… you know what? I actually did like the attention. So I admitted it.

Of course it’s not the only reason, but here’s the thing: It’s OKAY to not have 100% altruistic, saving the world, motivations for what you do in life.

When I ask “why do you make films?” the MAJORITY of filmmakers say:

• “I just want to change the world.”
• “I have a burning desire to help people with my stories.”
• “I want to change the way children grow up, and I want to resurrect Mother Theresa to sing under the trees and caress a small baby to sleep while my film plays in the background.”

For example, Sarah said to me “I want to be a filmmaker to change lives! To help people!” and sure that may be true, but more viscerally… on a day-to-day level… is that her true motivation?

I’ve had to train the muscle of “brutal honesty” over the years. Yes being honest with others is important, but what’s more important is honesty with yourself.

After probing, I found out that one of the major drives for Sarah was “to shove it in the face of all those people who doubted me!”

Another reader said “If I’m being honest… I think it’s the coolest profession. Where else do you get paid to tell stories, be famous, have people admire you, and give you free stuff on top of everything else? Plus who doesn’t want to walk down the red carpet.”

I love those answers! All of these motivations are OKAY. It’s FINE to say “I want to be rich” or  “I want to make my ex jealous.”

Despite what society says, NOTHING is wrong with wanting to post something on Facebook just for the likes or attention. You can be both altruistic and have other motivations. We’re human.

So let’s be real for two minutes… Why do you HAVE to make it as a filmmaker? What does success ACTUALLY look like to you, that you don’t normally admit?

Comment below. I’ll be sharing everyone’s answers soon, without this PC bullshit or caring about what society thinks.

– Curt

PS: Our course on pitching is open but will close in a couple days.

Feel free to check it out, and if you’re at the stage where you hate applying for grants because the same people get them every year anyway, but you don’t know what to do because you hate selling, then this is about ethical influence and it might be what you’re looking for.