PASSION IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN HOLLYWOOD
by CRAIG KELLEM

In the seemingly cold-hearted and increasingly monopolistic corridors of Hollywood, it’s sometimes hard to find signs of the soft side of show business, the one that was always ready to discover tomorrow’s unlikely next star or hot property. And it can often appear that most, if not all artistic decisions are increasingly based on power player prerogatives and corporate indulgences.

Easy to believe that it’s becoming harder to get in!

I chatted with a senior agent recently (actually a partner in a major agency) who was lamenting about missing the “old days” when agents made decisions from their instincts and would nurse nascent projects along side of the blue chip priorities. He noted that many of the newer agents of today are too busy “stealing clients,” and otherwise, seeking name-brand product.

But even as he groaned, he was falling over himself in support of a project we had brought him because he believed in it. In fact he felt passionate about it and so did we.

The inadvertent reminder of this show biz tradition cheered me up and reminded me of all the times I had witnessed and personally experienced miracles, namely when good things happened for long shot projects and people. I remembered that these good tidings ALWAYS came as a result of someone's pure and infectious belief. And how winning a combination it could be; the supportive individual paired with projects which with a little TLC, seemed to take on lives of their own. Observing otherwise “tough as nails” movers and shakers softening and supporting when their hearts were touched, was always a sight to behold.

Passion, the magical ingredient in all of these cases, is surely the decisive factor. And it’s nice to know that it’s still alive and well and making things happen.

Stars-to-be, scripts that will find a home, and other worthy product can find warmth in the prospect that after all is said and done, it still can be about deserving talent and material getting caught in the throat and the heart of folks, finding ways to break through.

My own personal experience has borne out this truth. Perhaps it has something to do with deep energy which transforms into something tangible. If you believe, like many do, that all things are ultimately created from one’s most passionate beliefs and desires, then maybe “being on fire” has inevitable physical consequences, even in a seemingly impenetrable world.

Copyright Hollyscript.com, LLC 2004 All Rights Reserved.