In thinking about this past 4th of July holiday my mind turns to giving thanks to what we have in our country. We certainly don’t appreciate it as much as we could.

Along those lines, there are many people in the film biz who don’t appreciate where they are. For instance, I’ve never quite understood divas on sets. One always reads, and sometimes as a filmmaker experiences, people behaving ridiculously. And you wonder, what fuels that? What fuels childlike behavior on set - yelling, demanding, and not seeing the whole picture?

I’ve always wanted to be a filmmaker. And when I’m hired to write, direct, or act, I’m beyond grateful to actually be fulfilling my childhood goals. And of course it’s never perfect. On a big professional set there are always compromises. But still…you get to be following your dreams.

So I would ask filmmakers and actors, when the going gets tough on the set - don’t throw a tantrum, don’t yell - and just remember that we’re getting paid to make magic. And if your younger self (the one who was struggling) ever saw you act like that, they’d slap you across the face.