Rigidity Kills

Rigidity can kill, dreams and people.

I have seen people launch a new season of their homespun webseries without the website for the series being up and running anymore despite linking to it in press, fundraising and the show’s descriptions.

I have seen people refuse to accept advance payment to themselves on long-term contracts because despite it being in their own best interests; they didn’t know how to change their mind from the less-advantageous-for-them way of doing things.

I have seen people make their own tv show pilot an orphan by being too rigid in meetings and so have no one feel comfortable working with them.

I’ve seen a project get killed because some people on it wanted to get 17% more despite there not being anything for anyone to get a percentage of yet. 17% of nothing is still nothing and their attempt to reallocate more to themselves killed the entire project.

I’ve seen people scare off a buyer of a piece of IP by opening negotiations so high that five different buyers each independently all stopped pursuing any purchase, and the IP made $0 dollars instead.

And now, this year, I’m seeing 8 people cripple an industry, ignite and unify people’s aim for fairness and those 8 shoot themselves in the foot again and again.

We are all capable of being deeply deeply stupid and self-sabotaging (myself included).

Rigidity can kill, dreams and people.

© Copyright September 4, 2023, David August, all rights reserved davidaugust.com

David August is an award-winning actor, acting coach, writer, director, and producer. He plays a role in the movie Dependent’s Day, and after its theatrical run, it’s now out on Amazon (affiliate link). He has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC, on the TV show Ghost Town, and many others. His artwork has been used and featured by multiple writers, filmmakers, theatre practitioners, and others to express visually. Off-screen, he has worked at ad agencies, start-ups, production companies, and major studios, helping them tell stories their customers and clients adore. He has guest lectured at USC’s Marshall School of Business about the Internet.