From an Outsider

   I don't know if any of you are reading these posts anymore, or just writing them, but there is one last thing I wanted to address; adulation.
   Over and over in class Prof. Leeper would bring up a person or style or company and a group would cheer. I am concerned with your level of infatuation. When someone mentions "Pixar" and the animators rejoice, it could be fine. It could just be that you trust them and like the work in general they produce. When you begin using them as the scale, though, it does not seem right. Pixar is not, must not be, the be-all-end-all of animation. From the perspective of an outsider, your adoration honestly looks like idolatry at some points.

   Of course, this is not just a problem with animators. The live-action folks have their pressure points, too. When you hear "Robert Duvall" or "Speilberg" or "Serkis" (or "Star Wars," for that matter) do your ears prick up? Are there not companies you dream to work like or for or with? When you hold a camera, are you thinking about how one of these directors or DPs you have respected for years would shoot the next scene?
   I first became aware of this problem with myself in September. The movie "Dead Poet Society" was mentioned by Prof. Leeper. I had just seen the movie (twice) and really, really enjoyed it. I realized after class that maybe I had put too much on that film. If I was that thrilled when someone liked it, would I be mad when someone did not?
   That happened later that week. I forget what class, but someone talked about how ridiculous that movie was. And I was mad. I didn't understand why they didn't see how great it was.

   My point is, it is all well and good to respect and look to other people, but watch how far you are going. Like I said earlier, these are the views of, basically, an outsider. But, isn't it the outsider you are trying to reach?