I’m reading an oral history of one of my favorite bands, The Replacements. Good stuff. I came across this quote from lead singer Paul Westerberg:
“Where is it written? Where is it written that you have to pay your dues before you make a record?”
He was referring to the fact that the band was signed very quickly, which rubbed the “purists” the wrong way. I love the quote because it strikes a loud chord. There are many unwritten rules out there. Most are completely useless. One day at work I was confronted by a co-worker about my attire. I was wearing a white shirt, dress pants, red socks and black shoes.
“What do your socks match?” she asked.
“Each other,” I replied.
“They’re supposed to match something else you’re wearing.”
“Where is that written?”
She should be happy they matched each other! Anyways, there’s a bad case of the “supposed to’s” going around. The filmmaking world is no exception. Unless you’re severely breaking the law, anything goes. Unwritten “laws” will not stop you from creating a script, picking up an ordinary camera and shooting a movie. People will try to get in your way to lay down the law. They have no jurisdiction. It’s more likely you’re a threat to their world of unwritten rules. Go for it. Bust down the door and take no prisoners. We want to see your movie, your book, your painting, your album, your knitting, your poetry, your sculpture, your blog, your design, your drawing, your performance, and your photographs because they come from you. Fight the law!
You know the phrase…
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