Thanksgiving thoughts from Teddy Pasternak
From comments to an earlier post today:
Be thankful that you are part of a community that is positive, encouraging and believes that knowledge is something that should be shared.
Be thankful that with a click of a button you can connect with thousands of like-minded individuals all across the planet and turn faraway strangers into dear friends.
Be thankful for that creative mind of yours that can conjure up stories seemingly out of nowhere.
Be thankful you can write about anything you want without fearing government censors confiscating your work and throwing you in jail for expressing yourself.
Be thankful you don’t have to make movies in secret, having to smuggle your film out of the country, risking your and your family’s life in the process.
Be thankful that you live in a place where war is something you watch on the news, not something that happens outside your window.
Be thankful that there are writers, filmmakers and artists all across the globe that in spite of political and religious oppression, violence, war, and not knowing whether or not they will live to finish their work still have the courage to do what they do just so they can share their stories with the world.
Be thankful that even if you have to struggle for years before getting anywhere with your career you will meet amazing people along the way who share the same hopes and dreams and love for movies as you do.
Be thankful that when the day arrives and you get to make your film, you’ll be surrounded by amazing craftsmen and women who day in and day out will work together tirelessly to achieve your vision.
Be thankful that even though it may not make you financially rich, hard work and persistence, and learning and mastering a craft is its own reward.
Be thankful for cinema itself that at its best can answer questions about yourself that you didn’t know how to ask and makes you appreciate your existence a little bit more.
I know I am.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Couldn’t have said it better. Thanks, Teddy! And again, Happy Thanksgiving to all!