Before you get it, you think you'll handle it a certain way.  You'll be better at handling it than others you've seen.  You'll have the thickest skin.  You'll just quickly brush it off and move on...

...you can tell yourself any of this.  But when it happens, it still hurts like a bitch.  

It wasn't that I thought my film was bulletproof.  Far from it.  There are plenty of things I'd change about it if I'd had the time... or more importantly the money.  Maybe it was more because I thought this particular festival was the one that I had the best chance of getting into, and that the other 8 I'd spent money on are still to come in.  Maybe.

When you make a film, even a short one, you devote yourself completely to its completion for however long it takes to make it.  For this particular film, we've been getting it made for about a year now.  I wrote the first draft of the script about 3 years ago.  So when it comes to detaching yourself from the work in order to move on... well...

it's easier said than done...

But I know a few things now.  I know I've learned from the experience.  I know my original material is even stronger now.  I know how to make a film in this area.  I know so much more.

And I also know that Eddie Izzard's "Believe" is just about the best thing in the world to watch after a rejection.  He spent over ten years trying to "make it" with his material.  And he lays it out for you in the doc.  And it's tragic and inspiring all in one.  

And he got depressed on his 24th birthday when he had to face the realization that, unlike Orson Welles, he had not made "Citizen Kane" yet.  I went through that same experience.

So go watch "Believe" if you've had to feel the sting of rejection.  And remember the wise words of Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist:

"Move forward.  You've got a pair of strong legs.  Just get up and use them."

I'm trying.  Really I am.

I'm a... well... a FAN of fan vids, music videos made about a show or movie by a fan.  And I wanted to put together a collection of some of my favorites throughout the years.

Up first, perhaps the first AMV I ever saw.  It's "Neon Genesis: Evangelion" to Rammstein.  Best lip syncing I've seen in a vid.

And another anime favorite, one of my favorite anime characters ever, Riza Hawkeye.  "Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood" to "Russian Roulette" by Rihanna.

Next up, "Star Trek: TNG," and more specifically Picard and Crusher done to "Maps" by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

And basically, one of the more badass vids I've seen (how can you not be with this pairing): "Battlestar Galactica" to "Sabotage" by the Beastie Boys.

This is more like a preview, and it looks completely professional, but it's amazing, and perhaps my newest favorite vid: "Sanctuary" to "Animus Vox" by The Glitch Mob.

This vid made me fall in love with Death Cab all over again.  And SG-1... I'm ashamed I waited so long to get into this show.  "Stargate: SG-1" to "Transatlanticism" by Death Cab for Cutie.

And, one more.  Because it is, quite literally the best Janeway vid I've ever seen.  And I've made some myself!  "Star Trek: Voyager" to "Sexyback" by Justin Timberlake.