Monthly Check-In: September

Again, a busy month, with a few accomplishments and some not insignificant failings. I got many of the month's routine tasks and goals accomplished (watched more than 4 films, wrote 3 out of 4 "Musing Pictures" critiques, including another one for syndication on my father's website, wrote a short film idea (only one, though, not the five I required of myself), attended a very productive networking event) Unfortunately, when it comes to the month's major tasks, I fell short quite significantly. The website hasn't been touched in a month (and I was hoping it would be fully operational by now). I haven't earned any money from video work, nor have I really been able to prepare a new short film for production (although I do have a short I'd like to pull together, and I may be able to shoot it before this month is up). Although the arts event that premiered the Golem film here in Baltimore was very successful, I was not able to pull together enough merchandise for it (partially due to computer issues -- see below).

Over the course of this month, several significant questions and issues have come up. I'll boil them down to these:

- Where does the "Golem" featuer fit in to the master plan? I wrote the first draft of the screenplay in August. Now what?
- Where does my co-writing and writing-coach work fit in to the master plan? I spent a lot of time revising a screenplay by Israel Orange -- I had been coaching him for many months, but we decided recently to enter in to a more direct collaboration. The revision process took up a lot of my time, and kept me from meeting some of my other goals for the month, but it was also an exceptionally rewarding process, and the collaboration I'm forming with Israel is one that I value more and more every time we meet. His project is far from complete, and my involvement in it is certainly a permanent fixture. So, where does it fit in to my overall plan? Does this kind of work count as "working on someone else's production"?
- What do I need (technologically) to continue progressing smoothly through my goals? I was unable to create DVDs to sell at the arts event because I spent two days trying to fix some major computer issues, rather than designing and printing the discs. I've decided that an unreliable computer is something I just can't afford any more, especially if I try to take on more small projects for pay. So, it's clear that I need a new, clean, high-end computer system, not to be competitive, but to be able to trust my own ability to get things done. If I can't trust my computer, I can't trust myself with computer-based work. So, what kind of system? What kind of investment should I make? How far should I go when it comes to ensuring that whatever I get is reliable, fast, efficient and effective?

Looking ahead to the month of October, I am lucky, in that the month is relatively sparse when it comes to major projects. There's the short film, which I'd like to shoot before the month ends, and there's the $300 video work goal. I will add the website to that as an important goal from previous months that needs to be accomplished.

Will I be able to get it all done? I think so. It'll require a redoubling of my efforts, a higher degree of focus and attention, so I can stay on-track, on-target. And if you're reading this, I could probably use your help, too. Urge me on, if you see me slowing down. Keep me moving. Encourage me to do more, to work harder, to make October a month in which most of my goals are achieved.

I am inspired in part by my father-in-law's sermon on the eve of Yom Kippur. Rabbi Chaim Landau, Talia's father, spoke to his congregation last week about personal masterpieces. He reminded us all that if we are not constantly striving to create and perfect our personal masterpiece, our real, lasting contribution to the world, we are wasting the precious moments of our lives. I don't think I'm anywhere near creating my personal masterpiece, but I know there's no time like the present to work towards it. My father-in-law's sermon will be with me for the rest of my life, but never with more freshness and urgency than today, merely a week after it was delivered, with my career still obscured by the walls of a vast, mysterious labyrinth; many paths to many futures. Though I don't know where this path leads, I must follow it with conviction, faith, and speed. If I do not, I waste no one's time but that which was gifted to me.

-Arnon