Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Will Smith Mentors His Brother-in-Law, Caleeb Pinkett

I guess I'm posting the YouTube video below, because there is a half-second mention in it of me and The Moral Premise.

But there are two important lessons this video conveys that have nothing to do with The Moral Premise.

1. Breaking into the film-industry is not easy, even if you're Will Smith's brother-in-law. Notice the metaphors Caleeb describes. They're apropos.

2. Getting your story made into a movie in Hollywood is hard work, and very unlikely, even if you're Will Smith or his brother-in-law.

Now and then I'll have someone approach me who has heard that I worked with Will on a number of projects, and these folk ask (and sometimes beg) me to pitch their idea to Will. (Sorry, folks it doesn't work like that.)  What these dear souls don't realize is that even Will Smith can't get his projects made. And if Will Smith can't, why would anyone else that knows someone, who knows someone, who once road in a Taxi that Will rode in years earlier, be able to get it made? You might read that sentence again.

That's why I keep suggesting to such dear souls: "Make the movie yourself."

The story and script that Caleeb and Will mention in this video, conceived and written by Caleeb, "The Redemption of Cain," is more than familiar to me and some of my story students who were privileged enough to have Caleeb pitch the developed story to them during a visit to the set of AFTER EARTH. But, as good as Caleeb's story is, and even through Will is attached to star in it, they've yet to get it made. That is the reality of Hollywood. And anyone wanting to get into the film industry needs to understand how hard it is. Caleeb in this video explains quite well just how hard it is. It's a good lessons to all those who are NOT Will Smith's brother-in-law. Can I see hands?

Blessings to all.

Stan