Impulse

"A poem is never finished, only abandoned"
- Paul Valery

Many have generalized this quote to apply to all artistic endeavors.  On a video for current.tv, Ira Glass pointed out that all artists have excellent taste.  They have a clear taste or vision of what work in a particular medium could be, and they create because they are driven to demonstrate that taste.  But, there’s often a gap between the artist’s taste and his skill level.  That gap causes endless frustration, and in part gets to the phenomenon behind the above quote.  Often, an artist’s taste exceeds his skill (or materials), thus can never finish a particular work; only abandon it and move on to the next project. 

Tonight, I’m contemplating this choice for my movie.  I’ve been working on it off and on for two years now, and have completed two full revisions of it.  On one hand, I could continue pounding my head against it, trying to make it entertaining to general audiences.  I’m contemplating a complete re-cut that would help do just that, and I’d learn a whole lot along the way.  I have no idea how long it would take given that it’s taken me two years to get here. 

On the other hand, I could just decide that the audience for this movie is only those who have participated in the Race Across America or are endurance cycling enthusiasts.  If so, I don’t have to worry about all the exposition that motivates the major re-cut.  I could just continue with the current cut and finish in a month or so.  And move on to other projects.  Of course, this path involves a lowering of expectations for myself - always a bit difficult for me.

Hmmmm…..  (where the heck did I put poor Yorick)

While I ponder this like Hamlet, do go watch the Ira Glass video.  It’s incredibly handy for anyone in the storytelling trade.  Heck, I might go so far as to say anyone doing any kind of creative work, but then, I’m a fan.  Click the link, then click On Storytelling, then on Ira Glass.