Pursue at All Costs

Let me start at the beginning.

I was born and raised in Alaska. Yes, Alaska. And no, we don't all live in igloos, drive dogsled teams, or have a polar bear or a moose as a pet (though I have ridden a moose, but that's a story for another time).

Raised in Eagle River, just 15 minutes north of the big city of Anchorage, I had one goal in mind since the sixth grade: I wanted to be a filmmaker.

It started out small, just a wish to be an "actor, director, writer, and producer, so I can make my own movies."

I took drama classes, tried out for every school play, and otherwise devoted myself to film. And, of course, I watched movies and TV shows for inspiration.

Then I graduated high school, but I wasn't interested in college at first. I thought I didn't need to put myself in debt to get where I wanted to go.

Long story short, my girlfriend at the time convinced me to go, and I was accepted into a technical institute named Collins College.

I was enrolled into an accelerated program for a three year Bachelor of Arts Degree in Film & Video Production, and despite my resentment toward the heat of Arizona and the feel of the town of Tempe, I made it.

But I had lost myself in the process, and needed to collect myself somewhere safe. Thus, I returned to Alaska for four years.

Since I knew it would be a while till I could begin my journey into the industry being in a location that wasn't a major filming location, I got a job.

And then another job.

And then another job.

And another...

Until I started putting off film opportunities because I couldn't take time off work.

I got to be a part of various projects along the way, sure, but not as frequently as I liked to admit.

Then I moved to Wilmington, NC, because my best friend was getting sicker by the day and his family wanted him closer. I was offered to come with, as there was a film studio there.

But I arrived to find out the film community was in shambles, so I had to get another job to bide the time.

And another.... Well, you get the hint.

One day, I just woke up and realized, all I'm doing is paying the bills. I'm no closer to my dream than when I enrolled to Collins.

I quit my day job, leaving my overnight shift for security reasons.

But I went for it.

I got in with a recording studio that was exploring the realm of film and music videos. It was a sweet gig.

I met some people there who gave me the confidence to believe in myself, believe that I could truly make it one day.

Even got to shoot a pilot for a series I came up with. Despite it never going anywhere, I was still happy that I got to write, direct, produce, and even star in my pilot.

I got to work on an independent film, as well. Really cool film, to be honest.

And then it happened.

I got to be a production assistant for professional sets of a professional TV show. I hope to be a part of the next one.

My point to this extremely long story is that you will never get to your dreams until you start the journey.

We all get caught up in bills. We all have family to care for, spouses to provide for, a roof to keep over our heads, or some such excuse for keeping that on the back burner.

However, that's all they are. Harsh and blunt as that sounds.

It might hurt your feelings, it might hurt your wallet, but your family should be supportive of you no matter what.

Especially when you're trying to do what you love to do.

Never give up on your dreams. Pursue them at all costs. No. Matter. What.

You'll make it one day, like me. I am nobody special. Just a man trying to support his daughter (born out of wedlock, since I'm being honest with you... yeah, I'm a baby daddy, and I'm not proud of that, but I do love my daughter more than life itself).

But if I can make it, you certainly can.