As the year begins, I always like to take the time to figure out what I want to do with my life for the next 12 months. Last year I spent my time attempting to do the following:
1. Watch 365 movies between January 1st, 2016 and January 1st, 2017.
-The rules- every movie has to be feature length and can only be counted once. I can watch at the theater or at home.
2. Direct three short films.
3. Read 25 extra-curricular books.
4. Record a full length album.
5. Act in one film that is not my own.
6. Write, write, write! I have numerous ideas for books, essays, short stories, articles, and screenplays. I want at least one substantial piece finished by the end of the year.
So how have I done?
My first goal will not be completed, but I will have watched around 330/366. It has been a really fun goal, and writing a little about each has helped cement them in my mind. I plan on having the same goal this year, only expanding the rules a bit.
I also failed at my extra-curricular book goal. That one is about 10/25.
Last year had mainly been a year of large projects that I worked on all year. I was able to finish a full length album, a book, several scripts, and a large film project (as well as several shorts). I was even able to do some acting! All-in-all, despite the crappy way last year went on a global scale, personally it will go down as a major moment for me as an individual. Most of this will be completed and released early next year. As terrifying as the future is, it is important for me to look at this moment and take stock of all the good I was able to do for myself and for those I love. I hope to allow this year to continue the trend.
My goals for 2017 are as follows:
1. Finish editing last year's large project.
2. Get a literary agent for the projects I wrote last year.
3. Read 25 extra curricular books.
4. Watch 365 movies between January 1st 2017 and January 1st 2018.
<Rules: They can be features-substantial shorts-seasons of TV-or limited series>
5. Direct 3 major film or theatre projects.
6. Production design 3 projects.
7. Act in a project that is not my own.
8. Finish the two feature length scripts that I have been working on.
9. Start a third feature length script.
10. Write 52 blog posts about media that has had a profound effect on me.
11. Release the album I made last year.
12. Write and record a new album.
Most of these are self-explanatory, or intentionally vague at the moment. As for #10, it will take the place of my blog post series that I wrote last year-- "365 Films." This year I plan on writing about 52 Records, movies, books, and other works of art that I have effected me. Expect the first of these this weekend.
I always find that making my goals public helps me solidify them as attainable, and reminds me that they exist throughout the year. Hopefully I will finally be able to share all that I accomplished last year in the coming weeks.
Josh Deane
