Achieving the Dream

“When I was 11 or 12 MTV came out, and my friends and I would watch music videos straight through until dinner. I saw people playing instruments in the videos and I became obsessed. I would record the videos and teach myself how to play the music. MTV led to me organically loving movies and music, which then allowed me to combine the two while pursuing a career in film. My dad didn’t want me pursuing music, but he was in the TV industry, so when I told him I was studying film, he was more understanding. I was an assistant for director Spike Jonze for three years, and he worked with musicians on scores for his films and commercials. I saw someone who was passionate about film and music blend the two professionally to tell stories.

I think it’s given me a certain level of confidence that people can achieve their dreams if they work really hard, and make themselves open to luck. The fact that my kids see their parents doing things they love professionally teaches them a very valuable lesson. My parents just had jobs that allowed us to have clothes, eat, and vacation, but they didn’t love it. So, I’m grateful that music and writing have made me feel confident that people can pursue careers and things that they truly love. A big thing about my story is that everything is self taught. I respond to intuition and hard work, and I learn from my mistakes. I don’t feel like I am entitled to what I do, it’s all love, passion, and drive. I think I represent a regular dude who wants to do this.”

P.S. Los Angeles,

“The way to do it is to first dream it, and don’t take no for an answer. There is nothing that should stop you from being happy. You have to believe in your dreams and convince yourself that you deserve it.”