TRUSTING THE MAGIC
by CRAIG KELLEM

Recently I was asked to participate in a media type situation which I will tell you all about when it gets closer to the air date. The principles I employed to prepare for this event are very similar to those we recommend in terms of developing material for screenplays so I wanted to share it with you since it's so fresh in my mind and was so important to me at the time.

This extensive interview involved memories and anecdotes from a show that I did many years ago. So, as with screenplay development, the first thing that I did was to make a list of possible elements (in this case anecdotes and the like) from this period.

I had not thought about this “material” for quite some time, so my recollections came to me in a disjointed and sketchy fashion. But at this point in the game, this was absolutely no problem because, like in all developmental situations, initial ideas are usually unformed. I was careful not to demand more from myself and felt satisfied just being in the ballpark.

Once the list was initially compiled, I triggered some magical but familiar lever in my soul asking it to produce more information about what I had experienced back then--additional memories, and a sharpening and focusing of things. I then TRUSTED THIS PROCESS, stayed alert and waited for the onslaught.

Sure enough little ideas began to bubble and my ever present list fattened. As I appreciate the value of LITTLE improvements to this type of procedure, I took great pleasure modestly expanding, freshening and even rewriting the list (just to keep it pretty).

Time went by and it continued to grow like a plant that presides over its own individual trajectory .

As with screenplay development, I then had to start making some key creative and editorial choices. Things like, “do I really want to tell that particular story?” “Is it funny enough?” “Does it need a punch or softening or what.” Am I hurting anyone from telling this story and if so, how can it be told in an entertaining way but without the same "teeth"?

By the time I was ready for the gig, I felt pretty good about my inventory. But, when the moment of truth began to near, a certain extra and accelerated editing sense manifested which jettisoned my final approach. It felt good to shape and dice. The menu was feeling ready.

I couldn’t help noting that all this targeted preparation had been a creative process unto itself. It had a rhythm, and growth carriage all its own. I definitely gave it all I had but there was a certain cosmic wind and pace which defined and empowered it as well!

Now the new challenge would be (in effect) to “pitch it" since, as in pitching a screenplay idea, no way you can simply read your notes and be effective. At that point I whipped out my own article (which is on our site) concerning pitching. I was relieved to remember my own advice which is, "the greatest enemy of pitching is the notion (often generated in the "how to "culture) that there is a TECHNIQUE to be learned.” I remembered that the only rule for good pitching is "being yourself and communicating the truth.” I also imprinted on my mind to try and remember to enjoy the experience, make contact, and to be as spontaneous and from the gut as possible.

The predicate of the entire process involved trusting that the creative side of myself would not let me down in either the developmental stage or the “pitching” stage.

It went pretty well. I felt really satisfied that I had taken my best shot. And in retrospect, I felt good about the prepping. I never rushed it or demanded answers that were not yet available to my psyche. I remembered bad habits from the past like being in a hurry for the relief that occurs when we need to solve the problem or the situation NOW. (I often see writers prematurely making ill advised creative decisions because they have not yet learned to trust and wait for their precious creative delivery system to do its thing).

What I hope to accomplish by telling this little story is to remind you that the development PROCESS is critical and it proceeds in wonderful imperfection from seed to bloom and that it takes time but "what you're seeking will more often than not be there WHEN YOU GET THERE.”
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