I try to just create because I'm human and that's what we do, and because I enjoy it and it brings me pleasure, and all of that is true. But sometimes I just want to know that someone else out there, anyone, appreciates what I do. I often feel slightly guilty when I make comments like "If you like this song please leave me a comment, or share it with friends" etc which I fend off by telling myself I'm not asking for money, and I often take time to leave comments for other musicians and artists, telling them how much I appreciate their art. But it's hard not too feel like some needy clingy girlfriend or something. Yuk!
But this story made me feel better.
Courtney (Coco) Mault was so taken with the first teaser trailer for Wall.e that she would burst into tears every time the little robot said his name. As this is the modern age she uploaded a film of her bursting into tears on YouTube because it was so stupid and geeky. And a few of the people watching and leaving nice comments were lowly tech guys, wait for it, working for Pixar.
Then she got a Wall.e crew jacket from the producers for Christmas with a nice note saying they like her video.
Then months later she received an invite to fly out to a special end of wrap party and screening at the studios expense. Director Andrew Stanton gave a speech before the film started
"Six months ago, when the first trailer for Wall-E came out, we were only halfway done with the film, and we weren't exactly sure how we were going to get it done. We were exhausted. And then, one day, a movie showed up on YouTube showing a girl watching the trailer for Wall-E. And every time she watched it, she would cry on cue. When we saw that, we knew we were on the right track."
Everybody in the theater laughed at this knowingly.
"Well," Andrew Stanton said. "We invited Courtney here tonight."
[Her boyfriend continues] A gasp went through the theater. I turned and looked at my girlfriend, who was gape-mouthed with astonishment. Andrew Stanton asked her to stand up, and all one-thousand sets of eyes in the theater turned to find her, and thunderous applause broke out. Courtney stood, and, not knowing what to do, blew kisses to the assembled artists and craftspeople who had made the film.
It was one of the most moving and astounding things she had ever experienced, and I had ever witnessed, and Pixar had done it for no reason other than that her video had touched them and made them optimistic about the film they were making, and they wanted to repay her.
How much is encouragement worth? It's worth flying someone out so you can thank them personally (not that I'm in a position to do that anytime soon!). In other words - priceless.
So how about giving some encouragement today? It doesn't have to be me (pause to make cute puppy eyes) artists are more approachable through twitter/facebook than ever. You may just be the one that helps that next song/film/book get finished.
(read the full story)
Free download: Never Be Silent
Other free songs by Matt Blick
Matt, you are always so generous and creative and fun. I enjoy reading your posts and have especially enjoyed seeing your face and (sometime ago) seeing you in video playing your music.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite magazines, Radix, out of Berkeley, has an article about encouragement by Earl Palmer in their latest issue (which I was just reading today). Among the points Palmer makes is that "encouragement needs daily renewal because last week's encouraging phone calls may not be adequate to help us withstand the pressures of today's trials."
He says the first requirement for an encourager is to feel the safety and goodness of profound inner encouragement ourselves. When we sense the fullness of being loved by God, we can encourage others with no strings attached. He quotes Philippians chapter 4 verse 19 as an encouragement "with no hooks in it." It reads "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Must be a reason I read this article and your post on the same day. . .
thanks for the encouraging comment Jessica - much appreciated!
ReplyDeletemy name is peter and im a gay christian how are you going to encourage that eh?
ReplyDeleteDear Peter,
ReplyDeleteAssuming your comment is genuine and not just looking for an argument, I would say "write a song" and I'll see what I can do.
But If you're looking for a validation of you as a person, I can't help as I don't know you, and if you're looking for a theological argument, sorry, I'll pass.