History in the Making

Wednesday Morning Run-Down

• The alumni rate of $159 (open to all) is available for STORY only through the end of this month. Register here
• There are three versions of every movie: the one that is written, the one that is made, and the one that is seen
• Edward Burns is making movies for $25,000 by writing them, directing them, appearing in them, and distributing them online (via Christopher Oakes)
• Bryan Allain (Dream Year 2011) announced the Killer Tribes Conference for Nashville in March. Wow
• There is passion, savagery, romance and desperation that is missing from the biblical account of David and Goliath that simply had to have been there based on the outcome. Four Stones tells this part of the story.
• My family just got back from an extended Thanksgiving vacation in Williamsburg. My kids are not amused at all by reenactors. Maybe if they gave out balloon animals
• This is an incredible stop-motion movie that will warm your heart - made with Google Street View, a Canon 5D Mark 2, and probably a $0 budget (via Kendra Malloy)
• Gorgeous epic film created entirely on one guy's computer for $0 budget (via Shane Sooter)
• "A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are for." ~John Shedd from Salt In My Attic (via Ally Fouts)
• I could use a writer's cabin like this
• The new Owl City Mainframe site where creatives can share their work with each other... and Adam Young
• Sarah Cunningham offers insights on writing a book
• Applications for Dream Year coaching are streaming in this month. December 10 is the deadline
• Broke down and read Hunger Games... loved the storyline

The Bias Toward Better

In Dream Year, we talk about the difference between the producer and the artist...

The producer orchestrates the talents of others to execute the project. The artist is the one who carries out the actual work.

The artist is the one who writes the book.
The producer is the editor and publisher.

The artist is the chiropractor.
The producer is the one who hires her.

The artist is the conference speaker.
The producer is the conference organizer.

And so on...

Most of us want to be artists because we have a bias toward our own work. We want to do it ourselves. Get the credit.

But in Dream Year, we teach having a "bias toward better."

This means using more talented artists to bring your dream to life: Better designers (even if you are a designer), better writers, better musicians, better leaders, better teachers, better project managers, better salespeople and better speakers...

It takes a tremendous amount of humility to step aside for someone more talented. But this exposes our true motive: personal pride... or the best possible outcome.

Dream Year Story: 111 Project

I received a great email yesterday from Benjamin Nockels (pictured) who was part of the 2010 Dream Year class. I had a running joke with Ben in calling him the future governor of Oklahoma because he's such a class act.

His dream was to solve the problem of 3,000 abandoned children in need of foster homes in Oklahoma City alone. He wanted to mobilize the church to answer the need, but his challenge was expediting the foster family qualification process, which was backed up and stuck in the dark ages.

Like the leader he is, Ben forged alliances with government agencies, non-profits, churches and city leaders to make it happen. In Dream Year, execution is everything.

On April 5th, Ben launched the 111Project to recruit 111 new foster families from the faith community at large in 2011. To date, 109 families have initiated the process "to leave no Oklahoma child without a family."

Ben said they're going to do it again and again and again until there are more families waiting for children rather than children waiting on families. He's taking the city by storm.

Dream Year coaching deadline is December 10
Dream Year weekend in Charlotte is Jan 27-29
Dream Year Subscriptions are weekly lessons

The End of My Capabilities

</begin rant>

I don't know about you, but I want to use my gifts to the ultimate expression of their capabilities. And quite honestly, I don't know where they end until I try.

I see this in every Dream Year participant who comes into the program. They're scared to death to do something they've never done before. But to their complete and utter amazement, the waters keep parting as long as they stay moving forward.

They keep waiting for an ultimate "no" or a set-back that delivers a debilitating death-blow to any further dreaming.

But it never comes.

If they ever fail, if they ever quit, it's only because their mind has surrendered to the doubts, the fears, the  voices in their heads. And so their success comes not by their own capabilities, but their perseverence. If you can persevere, you win.

<end rant/>

Wednesday Morning Run-Down

• There are two weeks left until the application deadline to be a part of Dream Year coaching in 2012
• Let's see if Apple makes the iPhone moreso a 4-in-1 device with the popularity of its camera
• Watching the HBO series K Street from back in the day. Sentimental of my days as a Washington DC intern
• I shared a little idea for this Christmas on the Clark blog
• The wet wood scenario: when you're not only trying to call fire down from Heaven, which, in and of itself, is an impossible task. But the wood is wet. Dripping wet. The odds are literally stacked against you. It requires faith on a whole other level. (But it's been done before)
• Louis CK bypasses HBO and broadcasts his own comedy special online. WHAT AN INTERESTING IDEA...
• The look and feel of Bjorn Amundsen and Blaine Hogan's short film for Christmas at Willow
• I don't like small talk but this is a great meet-up site
• Malcolm Gladwell says Steve Jobs was NOT a great innovator... but a great copy-cat
• There is nothing more fascinating to me right now than the structure of story, the rules of suspension of disbelief
• Upload photos of your clothes and get rewarded
• In light of the Penn State scandal, here's This American Life's episode about it being the #1 party school
• Will Smith on the secret to his success:
  
  "Here's the thing: I’m not afraid to die on a treadmill. I will not be outworked. You may be more talented than me. You might be smarter than me. And you may be better looking than me. But if we get on a treadmill together, one of two things is going to happen: you are going to get off first or I’m going to die. It’s really that simple. I’m not going to be outworked.”

Brokenness as Creative Muse

In an interview with James Lipton, Steven Spielberg said that his father, who was a computer scientiest, and his mother, a musician, divorced when he was a boy.

He confessed that Close Encounters of the Third Kind was his way of trying to get scientists to communicate through music... as a way to get his parents back together again.

Colin Meloy, the lead singer and songwriter for the Portland-based band the Decemberists said this about their best-selling album The King is Dead:

“When my parents got divorced, my dad took the Stones records and my mom took the Neil Young records, so I guess this record is my way of getting the albums back together."

Brokenness is a beast, but it sure makes for an effective muse.

Dream Year Story: Ozen

Dream Year 2011 is coming to an end, and I could not be more proud of this year's class. I'll post a few case studies...

One of the participants of Dream Year, Duy Nguyen, is an engineer-turned-restauranteur in the French district of Quebec. He started an Asian-fusion restaurant called Ozen.

Duy is not only brilliant (he speaks four languages), but he's an exceptional leader. He didn't start the restaurant to make money as much as to empower other people's dreams of business ownership. He wants to help others succeed.

When he came into Dream Year, Ozen was in the red. They were struggling to make ends meet, but knew they had an exceptional concept. When I asked for his financials, it exposed a huge opportunity for them: their records were a mess.

One of the principles of Dream Year is that a spreadsheet can be a work of art. Not only can they be designed beautifully, but they reveal the hidden secrets of your success (or short-comings). In this case, a more organized, more beautifully laid-out spreadsheet showed all of the problems.

We gave their financial reports a more readable structure and had the restaurant close-out its registers several times in one day - to see which service periods were more profitable.

When we saw that dinner was struggling, Duy worked on the evening offering. He dimmed the lights, changed the music, improved the food choices and even the quality of dinnerware.

Within months, Ozen became profitable to the point that even their banker was in shock and awe.

Another problem emerged a few months ago - Duy was attracting so many great employees that he couldn't give them enough hours to work. He simply didn't need their help.

In view of Duy's leadership gifts, we talked about him not losing these valuable people, but creating other business models outside the store that could retain these amazing people.

Last week...

Duy opened...

his second...

location.

=)

-------------------------------------

Dream Year Subscriptions
Dream Year Weekend
Dream Year Coaching

Wednesday Morning Run-Down

• Alfred Hitchcock on creating suspense (via Shane Sooter)
• My two year old Cody took a spill yesterday and needed 4 staples in his head. Pretty sure he's proud of them.
• The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is now. Join me for Dream Year Weekend, online Subscriptions or Coaching in 2012
• Liam Nieson in a hilarious sketch (via Bjorn Amundsen)
• So my Amazon Prime account now comes with on demand streaming movies, ruh roh Netflix
• No dream ever comes in the form a well-paying job. You have to seize it through hard work, perseverance, and fervent prayers in the face of impossible odds
• Yoga breakdancing (via Joshua Blankenship)
• Darren Aronofsky's anti-meth ads (via Adam Hobbs)
• @MatthewBarnett wins the top spot for most retweeted guy on twitter. Don't need to actually follow him
• Got Mark Batterson's book The Circle Maker. Mark has been a shareholder in my dreams since 2003.
• I'm fascinated by the use of transmedia. We're going to feature something of this manner at STORY 2012
• STORY is offering mini-sponsorships for self-employed creatives to exhibit and sell. Email Sarah for info.
• By the way, the alumni rate for STORY ends Dec 31
• Why Borders bombed (via Robeagar)
• Why Barnes & Noble didn't (via B_rewster)
• An Oxford history student tweets WWII as it happened day-by-day (via AnnieLaurie) if that's your bag
• The demise of guys (via Skye Jethani)
• A busy schedule is a matter of priorities, not duties.
• Having lots of conversations about 1000 Premieres with potential donors and investors. Amazing things happening, but 20 doors slammed in our faces for every one that opens. Naysaying is rampant but Belief wins
• A new kind of third space for women (via lifeography)

Sales Exists Because Demand Does Not

There's a difference between sales and marketing...

Marketing is the act of creating demand for what you have to offer. Sales is the act of convincing someone to buy it anyway. Sales exists because demand does not.

Spreading your idea requires you to do one of these two things.

You don't want to be in sales. Booo. No fun.  You want people to call you. You want to be in the business of creating demand.

No employee at the Apple store is actually selling. They're "facilitating" purchases.

That's the business you want to be in.

Highlights from Steve Jobs' Biography

• First thought: what a cruel man
• Second thought: I wonder how many leaders will to try to emulate his character with their teams
• Bill Atkinson on working for Jobs: "I got a feeling of the empowering aspect of naivete. Because I didn't know it couldn't be done, I did it."
• Jobs was the first one who said "Real artists ship." Not Seth Godin in his book Linchpin, apparently.
• Jobs told John Sculley he thought he would die young.
• Jobs was abandoned at birth, then adopted by parents who told him he was chosen, special. This is how Jobs regarded himself. Apple was built on pain and pride.
• Jobs gave Christianity one shot. One question. And got a bad answer. Never went back again.
• One of Jobs' management philosophies was that it is crucial, every now and then, to "bet the company" on some new idea. Hear, hear.
• There is an aesthetic flaw in how the universe works: the best and most innovative products don't always win.
• Jobs had always been able to draw energy by imagining himself as a rebel pitted against the forces of darkness
• Despite the pain of being abandoned, Jobs had no problem suggesting adoption for an unplanned pregancy
• I'm struck by how so many leaders, Jobs included, who spend all of their lives getting their organizations juuust right... and then they die.
• The great work of art with Apple wasn't just the products, it was the structure of the company
• Jobs did not organize Apple into semiautonomous divisions, he closely controlled all of his teams and pushed them to work as one cohesive and flexible company, with one profit-and-loss bottom line.
• "Packaging can be theater, it can create a story." ~Jonny Ive, Apple's industrial designer

City Church in Tallahassee Backs 1000Premieres

My very dear friends at City Church in Tallahassee, FL, led by Dean Inserra, have come behind 1000 Premieres!

Executive pastor Matthew Robinson explained their church's decision to get involved:

"The 1,000 Premieres project sets out to do what no other film has done before: tell an amazing story that's possible because individuals commit to making it happen. We believe in the power of the story of David and Goliath to be told in such a manner that people's hearts and minds in Tallahassee are stirred by God.

"We also believe (from first hand experience) in the projects that Ben Arment sets-out to accomplish, and we want to be behind art that we know will be done well by a Christian. We've got to ask the question: "How can we criticize Christian films that appear hokey, but not get behind the projects we know will pursue excellence?" This is our support of a vision to be a restorer of art and creativity.

"City Church is proud to host and be a part of 1,000 Premieres, and we're looking forward with expectation and anticipation to the film's release!"

From me to you: If you're thinking of hosting a premiere, your "early adoption" makes a HUGE difference. It inspires others to get involved and provides a vote of confidence in the endeavor. We're doing this. It's going to happen. Would love for you to be one of the patrons who believes... and acts on it! Thanks in advance.

Wednesday Morning Run-Down

• Anyone feel like they're in a race against the calendar to finish tasks before the holidays render us useless?
• Rosanne Elmore sent me a "Steve Jobs Lives" t-shirt. So my own "Surprise & Delight" team leader just surprised and delighted me with a t-shirt about the man who came up with the phrase "surprise and delight." Love it.
• The script for Four Stones is undergoing rewrite #2 by Santino Stoner. If you'll believe in this movie project with me, consider hosting a Premiere. Can't wait to get some footage created so the others will join too.
• 50 amazing sketchbook scans (via @bobriggles)
• If you live near Knoxville, TN, check out Drew Wells' Turkey Leg Bowl to benefit high school athletes
• An incredible video project by Mars Hill
• Entirely chalk board signage. Awesome. (via Josh Hill)
• I've entered the stage of preparing for STORY 2012 where I'll experience no fewer than 100 rejections over the next few weeks. But one totally-worth-it thing will happen.
• 14 actors acting (via Bjorn Amundsen)
• Great ideas mostly come from solving an annoying or frustrating problem (the DropBox story). As we say in Dream Year, frustration shapes a dream.
• I do like these FEED bags, but not as much as Nolan Bags which got a new site and benefits OrphanNetwork
• My former Catalyst colleague Jesse Phillips created an "all year calendar" which looks pretty great
• You have about 30 days to apply for one of the 12 spots in Dream Year coaching this next year
• There's also Dream Year Subscriptions (weekly lessons online) and Dream Year Weekend Charlotte on Jan 27-29

Three Years of STORY

I created a compilation of my 36 favorite photos from three years of STORY. This will be our 4th year.

I'm in awe of what God has done through this gathering to fuel the creative class. It just keeps getting better and better. All I am is a steward of what's happening.

See the photos HERE

Barriers to Entry

Some fields are hard to penetrate due to talent.

For example, in photography, a $5,000 Canon 5D Mark II is a slight barrier to entry. But lack of talent is what shuts most of us out. =)

In writing a book, the discipline to write 50,000 words is a slight barrier to entry for most. But it's the platform, the talent, and the amazing idea that keeps most everyone out.

Some fields have virtually no barrier to entry.

A paper-based, printed product, for example. If anyone can design it and print it on their own, why do they need to buy yours?

In Seattle two weeks ago, my sister showed me a phenomenal new product she created and is launching this holiday season.

The problem, she said, is there's no barrier to entry.

What do you in a situation like that?

You create something around the idea that is irreproducible. You create a great story.

She's crafted a "legend" for her product and even managed to get the voice of Smuckers to record it.

No one can steal that.

Love it.

New, Enhanced Experience at STORY

STORY is about the community of creatives that is gathering around it. We're going to get better about fostering these relationships and connections throughout the year.

Starting in February, we're resuming our city-to-city meet-ups throughout the country with a more content-rich experience

We'll be launching a new site called STORYCreatives that offers a way to share your work, get inspired and build relationships.

And we're offering a new enhanced experience at STORY for sole proprietors to get a VIP ticket and personal exhibit space at the 2012 conference. The package comes with a ton of value if you're running, say, a design business, non-profit, video or photography studio and want to feature your work at STORY.

Our Community Designer Sarah Cunningham can tell you more about if you're interested. Email Sarah@StoryChicago.com. There's a special discount if you sign up before Nov 30.

She's a Cruel Landlord

Your dream invites you into a place of hope, excitement and possibility. But she doesn't care about any of that.

To her, it's all about execution.

She doesn't give you credit for "trying."
There are no pats on the back for attempts.
It's not how many hours you put in, but results.
There are no bonus points for "it almost worked out."

Execution is purely and simply... getting it done.
No matter what.

You've gotta pay the rent.

That's all she wants.

Behind the Scenes Photo for STORY '12

This past week, I was on a shoot with Pixel Peach Studio in Austin, Texas for STORY 2012. Eight models, professional hair and makeup artists, professional but volunteer crew.

Every year, I watch in awe as amazing artists bring each year's distinctive vision to life. If I was in the story of the talents, I'd certainly be the guy with the least talents, but the one saying, "Hey, let's put our talents together and do something amazing."

Here's my attempt at a behind the scenes photo:

And here's what they caught through the lens:

Talent Pool

I worked with one of the best video production teams in the country here in Austin, TX yesterday with Celebration Church. It made me realize there is some remarkable creative talent in churches throughout the country that goes largely unnoticed.

I could use your help finding it.

What talented actors do you know?
What filmmakers?
What designers?
What singers or groups?
What instrumentalists?
What set designers? Artists?

A name and a link would be amazing.

You Just Became a Studio Chief

At STORY, producer Ed Saxon put a graphic on screen that showed the six major film distribution companies and forecast a discouraging outlook for aspiring filmmakers

Out of every 1,000 screenplays pitched to Hollywood, only 1 is purchased. Out of every 1,000 purchased screenplays, only 1 is turned into an actual movie.

Good luck getting past the studio chiefs.

This is why One Thousand Premieres is so revolutionary.

It bypasses the impossible distribution channel of Hollywood and goes directly to you. The typical studio-released film gets distribution in just 1,400 theaters. I don't just think we can get 1,000 premieres; I think we can get 10,000.

We entering an age where film funding isn't dependent upon a studio's whims... but you. You are the new studio chief. And we can't succeed at this unless you decide to greenlight it.

You can do this by hosting a premiere.