Michael G's Acceptance Speech

[nathanallenpinard]

For those that don't know, Michael Giacchino won best score at the Oscars for "Up!"

However, the knockout moment was his acceptance speech. Which, imo, hits close to home for ALL Newgrounders.

"Thank you, guys. When I was... I was nine and I asked my dad, "Can I have your movie camera? That old, wind-up 8 millimeter camera that was in your drawer?" And he goes, "Sure, take it." And I took it and I started making movies with it and I started being as creative as I could, and never once in my life did my parents ever say, "What you're doing is a waste of time." Never. And I grew up, I had teachers, I had colleagues, I had people that I worked with all through my life who always told me what you're doing is not a waste of time. So that was normal to me that it was OK to do that. I know there are kids out there that don't have that support system so if you're out there and you're listening, listen to me: If you want to be creative, get out there and do it. It's not a waste of time. Do it. OK? Thank you. Thank you."

[Breed]

Hmmm

I got the opposite treatment. I've been told everything I do is a waste of time, even though I was one of those kids that read instead of watched TV, studied subjects schools didnt offer, but since my concentration wasn't on school (since frankly primary and secondary schools in the US are like 5 years behind everyone and are completely retarded), I was just wasting time all day haha.

Thanks for sharing though It does remind me of what I do all day.

*scurries off the listen to UP music for inspiration*

[Breed]

Well I found it really inspirational!

It's just a pep talk, it doesn't say anywhere that otherwise people just want to kill themselves or drop their effort and give up.

[ProudAardvark]

It beat the typical "Thanks to everyone blah blah speech" for sure. Glad Horner's score didn't win, I thought the Avatar music was particularly weak/bland.

[KgZ]

In my opinion, adults and mentors tell people that their creative activity is a waste of time because they feel they aren't talented enough to become successful, and the only way is with extreme luck. Often times, these people are also students and teens who devote their entire life to creative activities, neglecting other important responsibilities such as grades and school work. They imply its a waste of time because they're putting all of their eggs in a basket that is probably one of the most difficult professions to succeed in.

[KgZ]

In summary, adults will never criticize you about your time spent in the arts as long as you stay responsible and keep up grades. At least then if they say it's a waste of time you could argue that you have a backup plan in case music doesn't work out.

Regardless, having a backup in life is always important.

[Mystery-Moon-Pie-Aud]

This speech is so relevant!...to filmmakers.

[jarrydn]

Heh, my mum always thought I was going to be a rockstar. Maybe even if she knew deep down that it wasn't going to happen, she still pushed me :). Same thing with my father...he wanted a recording studio growing up, but it was prohibitively expensive, so I think he pushed me in that direction so he could live vicariously through me :P

[Breed]

At 3/8/10 11:13 PM, Mystery-Moon-Pie-Aud wrote: This speech is so relevant!...to filmmakers.

ummm yes it is also relevant to filmmakers but you make it sound like you are disregarding the fact that it's about scoring for a film....which is music.

Also Kgz well said. A responsible person should always have a back up plan.

[jarrydn]

Loans, Gravey, take your e-bravado to PMs please.

[Gravey]

At 3/9/10 12:20 AM, djInTheDark wrote:

Jesus, its a friggin internet forum. Calm down.

There isn't a lot that really gets me going. But saying that people who never had their dreams fulfilled because life got in the way didn't give a damn about their craft is something that really irks me. I've met hundreds of local indie musicians and artists that never saw their dreams fulfilled for countless number of reasons. Never was a lack of passion for what they did even in the cards. And making comments like Loansindi made is really something that gets me mad.

I already apologized once if I offended anyone, and I will again. But I stand by what I said. Just because someone didn't have the fortitude to fight through two careers in order to make the one they loved pan out does not mean they didn't do everything they could personally do to meet their goals. There is so much burden on indie musicians and other artists out there, to say those that don't make it are simply lazy or didn't give a damn about their artistic careers is ignorant.

I'm done with this thread. As for the OP, I love it. Would be nice to see more this stuff up here in the forums and to see people actually be able to appreciate it being said by someone in Michael Giacchin's position.

[SolusLunes]

At 3/8/10 11:13 PM, Mystery-Moon-Pie-Aud wrote: This speech is so relevant!...to filmmakers.

Relevant to everyone. Don't let people say what you enjoy doing is a waste of time.

I think you may have missed the greater message there.

[eatmeatleet]

sounds inspiring but does not influence me