Commitment is commitment. Period. Not going to preach. Just saying that when you give your word it’s supposed to be tight. Otherwise, don’t do it. Now there are the occasional times when it can’t be helped and your commitment has to be broken. But let’s face it that’s not very often.
I was asked to do a small independent film last March and it was supposed to be shot in May. Of course, things change with schedules, it being independent, but instead of May, it was pushed to June. That meant that the time was going to be very close to my departure date to go back to Vancouver for nine months. That’s a long time away and takes time to pack up and ship out.
But I committed to doing the film regardless and so I said I was in. I had a time restriction but gave my all for the work that needed to be done. I treated it as I do everything I do with the passion for a profession I love. And what did I get in return? A great time with a great group of people.
You see it was a special group that all felt the same way I did. They were hard working, good people who were there for their own personal reasons and believe me it wasn’t for the money. One million dollar budget in this day and age is lunch money. But you saw where the money was going and that was on the screen. No one was going to buy a Tesla from their earnings.
I worked with some top-notch actors that have been around the block and they were all as committed as the rest of us to the project. It was like we were all thrown together at camp in Dirty Dancing to put on a show. And from what I have seen it is going to be quite a show. I’m very proud to have been a part of the process and so glad I kept my commitment. Because not only did I get to do the work I love but I met some very funny, very entertaining, very committed people. People who played cards watched the final of a basketball tournament and wore a big Mascot head. One big happy family. Committed.