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Stan Harrington, the Legend continues. Stan you're awfully modest for someone who is on the verge of exploding into the general audience consciousness with "Perception". Maybe you should update your book a guerilla in the midst, with all the new lessons, or as you put it "opinions", so that you can capitalize on your coming fame. You rightly observed that we keep learning a million lessons with every new film, so you must have a few extra million since you published that book (put in more pages so that those who bought it before have a reason to buy it again). I'm waiting for Perception, but sadly you're very slow with updates, so there's no way to know where things are at right now :(
 
Happy Easter Corpse...Perception has slowed down because of other peoples films I am tied to and because of the nature of guerilla filmmaking...by that I mean I sometimes need more time to secure locations or talent because of the lack of finance...we did shoot one fairly big scene but because this is a mystery I am also a little hesitant to reveal too much but as things stand, we are trying to secure a name actor to play the father role (or at least a recognizable face). Money has slowed that down but if we can nail that soon we will shoot May a couple more times...then I am off to Chicago to appear in Kely McClung's Movie...then return to continue Perception in July...needless to say this is a process that takes long stretches of time...shooting time is usually very short but getting to shoot is what is time consuming...lots of deal making and favors and begging (which I loath) but all necessary.

I am in the process of writing another book...not quite half way...and I am glad you asked because I am doing it to settle a few things....When I wrote A Guerrila in the Midst, it was written for the newbies...to encourage them and to show them how they could make anything happen with some hard work and inspiration...After speaking at NAB the year before (2006), I didn't realize that I had also attracted an audience of fairly experienced filmmakers who actually went out and bought the book the following year when it was released...Needless to say there was less in the way of Gems for the experienced guys who had already learned through their own experiences...Though they found it a good read and inspirational in some ways, they didn't really get that much in the way of practical application. Knowing now that I have their ear, I have set down to write a book that all levels of Filmmakers can draw from...but it is not about filmmaking...that's is not my speciality...my strength is in the writing and performing...the content...This book will be about directing actors...something I can share important knowledge about with the beginner through to the advanced director and filmmaker...I have thought of updating the first book...and even my documentary SO YOU WANT MICHAEL MADSEN? seeing as my network of successful and name actors has widened now. Infact one friend/writer who was just a newbie when we shot the documentary has since gone on to write 3 huge movies including the Ryan Reynolds Sundance Movie, BURIED...But I really want to make films and these projects take a lot of time and take me away from my love...There is a lot to be gained from the directing book because many indie filmmakers work with or want to work with name and experienced actors, and this book should really answer many questions...

Thanks again for your interest and hope to serve the community as much as I can...
Cheers mate!
Stan The Man
 
Thanks, Stan, and Happy Holidays to you too. I'm glad to hear of all the success you're having and the plans for the followup book - you can still get the original one for about $9 used on Amazon, so anyone who wants to get ahold of a classic should jump on it. I wasn't criticizing you for not updating us on Perception, just teasing a bit... if you just drop a few nuggets now and then, like you just did, that's enough to tide us over until more news comes. You're right, many filmmakers are following you, so that's a consideration, but I'm glad to hear you're working a lot - this way you gain even more experience. The key is to figure a way to make a living from all this, and I think you may be on the verge of making it over the hump when it comes to that, and perhaps Perception will be the key. Good luck, and keep us informed.
 
You inspired me already to share something...not sure what it will do for you but here goes...

I started creating content in 2005 because I didnt want to waste time waiting for something to happen...I had spent all my time in theater in LA and realized that it didnt really matter how many reviews there were, how many times the LA TIMES praise you of gave you a critics choice, in this town, no one cares about theater...What could have been my greatest disappointment turned out to be what is firing this momentum now, though...all the years of studying and performing the greats and writers had given me an unbelievable education and understanding of story...and of course, since then I have gon on to gain some success in writing as well as acting in my own films...

Back a couple of years ago, I read for a very big talent manager ( I am not represented, BTW). I won't mention his name but he represents someone who has their own show on Primetime, Network TV. He said that he was confounded by me...of course I was curious as to what he meant and he said that he was really impressed and didn't understand how I had stayed under the radar...so I tpold him the theater story and how I had to wait 5 years for a green card etc, etc..."I just don't know how i'd get you over the hump", he said...What does that mean??? He said that he'd have no trouble getting me work as a Guest or Co Star on shows but thtat he couldnt justify me on just that, and getting me over the hump to the regular roles would be difficult because I didn't have a recognizable name or established resume...I would always be up against a name and chances are they would hire the name...he passed...still shaking his head at the time...A compliment??? Either way you look at it it didn't help me, all it did was confirm that this is the hardest business to work in oif you are not connected, related or are not 16-25 years old...And it confirmed for me that i had made the right choice in creating my own content (and career to a degree) rather than let it be decided purely by a short sighted community. Even though I would have been thrilled to get those guest and co star roles, chances are that they would not show the realm of my talent. At least this way I can play any role I want, do any part, write any story...if the other work presents itself, I'll take it...and last year and this, work has started to present itself from other filmmakers who have seen my work and the variety of roles that I can play...

My point is that everyone has their own path and rather than seeing the stop signs or listening to the reasons why you cant do something...stay true to your art and find your way, whatever that way may be...work hard and believe in what you are doing and you'll land where you are meant to be...there are no stop signs...they are just detour signs (to steal a cliche)...

Happy weekend to you and all the viewers,
Stan The Man.
 
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Thanks for sharing this Stan. I must say, I agree with you 100%. Don't wait around for Hollywood - or anyone - to "give" you a break - you'll wait till the cows come home. Instead, provide your own break. And really? Even the word "break" is not totally where it's at. Where it's at is - go *do* it. Do what you love, within the limitations you have (almost all of us have at least money limitations, and often time limitations as well). At least you are doing what you love - and learning. If, as a result, one day, the proverbial "break" comes along, well splendid - go grab it! But if not, you didn't waste all your time sitting on your backside waiting. I see people waste their lives waiting. I've gotten attacked on this board, for pushing this point, but I believe it; some have attacked me for urging people to go do their own projects "before they are ready"... only the way they define "ready" is pretty unrealistic (like write the "perfect" script etc.), because sometimes the only way to learn is by doing. Yes, you'll have failures, but without those, you have nothing. It's a fool's game hoping to do a masterpiece right out of the gate - if you're lucky, it may happen, but more often it doesn't. People give examples like Tarantino, and say: "see, wait till you have the perfect script, and you can have a great first film"... only what they fail to mention, is that it wasn't Tarantino's first film ("My Best Friend's Birthday" etc.), and that he learned a lot by making that failed project. He probably couldn't have written and directed RD, had he not "failed" first with MBFB. So there. You are exactly right, my friend. That's why you provide value to this board as the counterbalance to the Debbie Downers who try to neg out anyone who dares to take a risk. Taking sensible risks is what it's all about, there are no "safe" avenues for a true artist. Sure, you should do the best you can, prepare the best you can, but eventually, you gotta step into the ring. Like Stan the Man did - and that's why you are a legend, and we all wish you a ton of success.
 
Well that's the nicest thing I've heard for quite some time...thanks Corpse! Life is too short to wait...you are right...better to be in the arena than the critic...(see Theodore Rooseveldt's speech, "It's not the critic that counts...")
 
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