The Most Positive Filmmaker I’ve Ever Met
Larry Shogbamimu was the most positive filmmaker I’d ever met in my Inner Circle program. So I began my second story consultation with Larry by thanking him for how supportive and cheerful he’d been with his accountability partners and on every Mastermind call.
Little did I know that Larry was about to launch into a tirade of anger. He reported that after years of trying to get an interview with his film’s protagonist, the governor of a Nigerian state, he’d been stonewalled once again by a corrupt public relations official, who didn’t want to see Larry’s documentary made and wouldn’t schedule the interview.
Larry was furious, ready to pack his bags and return to his home in Ireland. I advised him to chill out for the rest of the day. We’d discuss his problem further during the Inner Circle Mastermind call, which fortunately was scheduled for that very evening.
During the call, the five other filmmakers showered Larry with ideas. One filmmaker, who was making a documentary about surf music, told Larry he had spent five years trying to get an interview with legendary surf musician Dick Dale. He had kept plugging away, and finally, just last month, he nailed the interview. Keep the faith, he said.
Another filmmaker had the brilliant idea of sidestepping the corrupt public relations official, by following the Governor to a conference in another country, and setting up an interview through the conference organizers.
Yet another filmmaker proposed confronting the corrupt official directly, saying, “Look, the Governor said he wants to do this interview, and you are not doing your job setting it up.” Ultimately, this is what Larry did.
As I listened to the filmmakers on the Mastermind call, I was touched not only by the outpouring of ideas, but the sympathy and heartfelt care that motivated the sparking of those ideas. Filmmakers for whom Larry had been an accountability partner and who had been touched by his generosity of spirit were more than willing to rack their brains for ways to support him.
A week later, Larry announced that he’d gotten his interview by confronting the official.
This particular Inner Circle officially ended yesterday. “Though the calls may have ended, the Inner Circle is still on because I have you all helping me with my film,” said Larry. “I’m glued to you guys like a stamp on a letter.”
As I made my standard parting request for testimonials, I expected and received the usual testimonials about how my story consulting sessions had provided filmmakers with clear direction. What I didn’t expect was the outpouring of gratitude that filmmakers had toward one another, and how much they appreciated my own encouraging tone. “The motivational boost is worth the price alone!” said filmmaker Mark Davis.
“Probably the most important aspect of the Inner Circle is the environment of encouragement and exhortation Karen creates,” said filmmaker Michael Dunaway.
While I like to think of myself as more than a cheerleader, I am also deeply grateful that this aspect of the Inner Circle program (and my own personality) has become so important to the filmmakers with whom I work.
Like many intellectuals, I spent the first half of my adult life engaged in critical thinking, making distinctions and finding fault with the status quo. This critical quality thrived at the world-class journalism school where I’ve taught documentary editing for 18 years, and it spilled into my own life. I became a highly worried perfectionist.
During the last three years, I’ve reversed this “tearing down” trait by cultivating encouraging self-talk and a positive outlook. And happily, my choice to see the glass half-full is benefitting my clients.
According to Camila Rhodes, who is making a brave personal documentary about living a full life with epilepsy, “I received so much support … from Karen and the group that I was able to get over humps that would have stopped me completely before.”
As a member of the Inner Circle, you’ll receive my steadfast encouragement, partly in the form of my newly devised Strategic Planning consultation, in which we’ll objectively assess where you are with you film and where you’d like to be.
I’m not a believer in whitewashing the truth. We’ll acknowledge any problems and then use both tactical planning and a resourceful mindset to help you complete the best documentary possible.
For anyone familiar with my rallying call to the New Documentary Movement, you’ll know that after decades of negative documentaries that point the finger and often leave viewers feeling depressed, we’re in need of your inspiring, solution-oriented films that leave the audience inspired to take action.
But first, if you are interested in my upcoming Inner Circle program for documentary filmmakers, the early bird deadline featuring great savings ends on Friday.
If you feel lonely or lost on the filmmaking process, you’ll receive strong encouragement and direction from a supportive peer environment. Please contact me if you are interested, and you can also register here:
https://newdocediting.com/land/innercircle
The Inner Circle is filling fast, and I’m accepting six passionate filmmakers!
You can find more testimonials on our new “Testimonial” page at:
