Keeping it real.

A post from my earlier blog, Screenplay for Kevin Spacey. Enjoy.

Many people aspire to things they simply aren't capable of doing.

With this in mind, I do a daily gut check, considering myself with sober judgement. The question I need ask is this: is the material I'm writing really that good? Or am I fooling myself? Have I deluded myself into chasing an unrealistic dream that I simply don't have the talent to achieve?

I think that's the difference between me and those poor saps who show up on American Idol's auditon episodes. When those pathetic people audition, one must wonder if anyone has ever been honest with them in assessing their talent and their abilities.

America has created a culture wherein people aspire to celebrity. Young girls (and boys) locked away in their rooms croon into the mirror imagining themselves the next Agulara, Timberlake, or Spears. Meanwhile, their well-intentioned mothers, not wishing to discourage their children, support and encourage their unrealistic pursuits.

So, what ensues is public humiliation on a national scale. Simon berates these delusional pop-star wannabes (rightfully so) and is perhaps the first honest voice they've heard regarding their lack of talent.

I've had partnerships in the past that didn't work out because the material my collaborators were cranking out just didn't live up to my standards. I know that sounds arrogant, but it's not intended to be. I just have to believe in what I'm doing or I can't pass it off as such.

Occasionally, I will give a new friend a CD of material I wrote, performed, and produced when I was in a band in the 90's. There is always this awkward pause and I can hear them saying, "oh no, please don't expect me to listen to your horrible garage band..."

I always laugh when they come back later and say, "Hey, I listened to your CD. That was pretty good." They smile at me with relief that it wasn't some horrible cacophany of badly tuned guitars and an unending drivel of cliched lyrics. The reality is, I wouldn't offer them the CD if I didn't believe it to be good.

I understand their apprehension. Because there ARE those who can't sing, or write, yet they think they are great. I call those people delusional.

Mr. Spacey, I assure you I am not delusional. The screenplay I've written is unique, clever, captivating, and perfect for your next project.