The Importance of La La Land and Your Dreams as a Performer

 

Don’t mind me.  Just finished wiping the tears from my eyes at another viewing of “La La Land”, only one of two movies on my iPad permanently.

I watch this movie on flights, in my hotel rooms, and even skip around to my favorite scenes whenever I need a good smile (opening scene traffic jam).

And then it turns to a good cry (The Audition Song through the end of the movie).

This movie is significantly important enough for many reasons, but from the perspective I sit here with, having lived this life pursuing both a fulfilling family life as well as my dream career, there is perhaps no greater movie for a dreamer to watch and consider one’s future in show business.

(Spoiler Alert ahead)

The movie is based around two characters, the very deserving Academy Award Winning Actress, Emma Stone, and the nominated and should have won, Ryan Gosling, as she struggles to have decent auditions for her acting, and he does all he can to make a living as a Jazz musician.

The ending in particular is stunning and revelatory because of what we learn about ourselves and our wants for these two characters.

We want them to be together, to have made it as a team, and yet they converged for a time during the struggle and eventually found their own versions of success without one another, but also because of one another at that crucial time.

From the performer’s perspective this movie should change the way you live your life.

The ending plays out as if they could have had it all, that had they hung in there together perhaps the dream still comes true.  And yet, as we learn, even upon seeing a re-enactment of what could have been, that they do not end up together.  It is a brilliant choice by the director – painful, yet real, heart wrenching for those of us that have given up somewhere along the way, and yet peaceful still as The End appears on screen.

I coach artists, actors, speakers, trainers, coaches, entertainers, and those who are looking to make a career from the stage, whether they have made millions as large company executives, or are fresh out of high school looking to make it.

In those coaching sessions, when they ask me how they can make it in the business, if they should have a partner to come along and start a family, if they should keep dating the girl, or hang on to the relationship as they both pursue the dream.

I always recommend they watch “La La Land” and tell them, “You have a choice.  You can have the dream with the person of your choice, or you can go it alone, and you may regret your choice.  But you have a choice.  Watch the movie and see what I mean.”

What I’m saying is you can win the girl, you can have the family, you can have the dream career, you can create whatever life you want.

The point is: Go for it!  Go for the Dream.  Doesn’t matter how big, how absurd, how bizarre to anyone else.  You must go for the dream.

“La La Land” somehow didn’t come away with the Oscar for Best Picture – although they tried to give it to them and had the statue in hand (blogged about that here) – and many people somehow truly despised this movie.  But for me, and from the angle of powerful movies that can spark your career and the importance of the littlest decisions along the way, this movie will change your life and is one of the most important movies Hollywood has ever produced.

And the way you either give in to the money of a regular job, or keep fighting for the dream despite the lack of initial monetary success.

And the way you turn opportunities away to support one another no matter what it costs you financially, because love and support is more important.

That every decision matters.  It all adds up.

And hopefully, when you’re sitting in the club and seeing what’s on stage, you have no regrets for the path you have chosen, and can say you did it the right way for you.

 

 

~ jason

 

Jason Hewlett, CSP (Certified Speaking Professional), CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame, is a Keynote Speaker for the largest corporate events in the world. His primary message, The Promise, is essential for Leadership, Management, Sales, Marketing, Direct-Sales Companies, and is a combination of engagement and entertainment meets inspiration. Jason has even received standing ovations from IT guys. He has been acknowledged as life-changing by Conference Attendees, C-Level Executives and Hollywood Elite. jasonhewlett.com

Please click here to learn about how Jason Hewlett, Speaker Hall of Fame, introduces the opportunity for you, or someone you love, to have the gift of learning how to create a Career From the Stage and begin moving toward fulfilling a lifelong dream as a full-time speaker, performer, or entertainer.

To hire Jason to speak at your next event, inspire and uplift, entertain and engage, please contact Karen Harris at jasonbookings@cmispeakers.com