Michael Kammes Blog April 9thI think I've learned a great deal of things, and I've learned that I know even less. I'll try and share some of both. I've learned that experience makes money, not equipment. Ever hear the story of the retired engineer who was asked to come back and fix a broken machine for his former employer? He charged $10,000 - $1 for a replacement fuse, $9,999 for his experience. Now that audio and video editing systems fit on your lap, and not only in a huge room, a misconception is that anyone can do it. I've learned that what comes around goes around. The industry is small. Burning bridges will bite you in the ass. I regret some things I did as a rookie out of college, for they still haunt me to this day. Never speak ill of others, and never go behind their backs. I lost opportunities and connections because of it. You never know when the hand you bite may be connected to the ass you have to kiss one day. I've learned to always carry multiple business cards. Not only do you never know when a potential client may be standing next to you, but they make a great way to get a date at a bar. I've learned to leave your baggage at the door. Family issues, relationship issues, money issues: they have no place in the edit room or on the set, and only serve to break your concentration. I've learned that no matter how hard you try, unless someone is in the film industry, they will never completely understand it. Simply telling them it is a lifestyle and a community - not a job - is not enough. You are never off the clock. It's a frat, a sorority, and a dysfunctional stereotypical Italian mob family all in one. I know I have a horrible time remembering names. And this is bad. Very bad. I've seen people with total recall over people they've met once, what they do, what they've done, and I am in awe of it. I've learned that Skydiving with humble the hell out of you. But the fear and realization of just how powerless we are how small we are (plus not being able to hear or feel yourself scream while falling at 100MPH) is a sobering experience. I've learned that "There is never enough money to do it right, but there is always enough money to do it again." I know I am judgmental, namely on a technological level. More successful people than me, and those who are not - if they do not possess the technical knowledge I do, I tend to frown upon. This is a horrible thing. I made the choice to explore not only the sound aspect, but the hardware and software compatibility geekness behind it. I'm working on that. I know I'm a jealous person. Envy is my sin. But I'm realizing that the envy is only of the positive you see in a person and their accomplishments; you never envy their personal problems - and rarely do you see as much negative as you do the positive in someone you envy. Therefore your envy is never warranted, you never get the complete picture. I've learned there will always be someone better at your skill than you are. However, this is not the end all be all of success. What about contacts? Experience? I know I do not like to read. Unless it is on a florescent screen with a mouse connected, I probably will only glance at it. The mouse only buys you a few extra moments. My attention span is for shit, and I can only chalk it up to an MTV upbringing with a complete story in 4 minutes. It's those rare times when my attention is held that I pounce on it and try and get involved. Oooh shiney! I know that having parents who not only encouraged me doing film sound, but encouraged me to do *anything* I wanted to - and that was the best inspiration I could ever hope to have. Whether I was making $5/hr or $500/hr., as long as I loved it, they stood behind me. I know that I procrastinate. Having other arenas in my life going keep me from doing what would help me professionally. Although I never miss a deadline, it causes a huge amount of stress, and it's a cycle I cannot seem to break - although, the semi-panic does seem to yield some great creative results. I know that despite it being considered cheesy, some great 70s & 80's rock music has some of the most fantastic engineering I have ever heard. Def Leppard - with Robert "Mutt" Lange. Brilliant. Boston's Tom Scholz? Genius. You may change the dial when a classic rock station plays it, but it's a symphony of greatness in your speakers. I've learned to give back. The greats give back, the insecure hoard.
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