Some i’s have to be dotted and some t’s need to be crossed, but I got word today that this fall, ‘Lady In My Life’ will appear on the nationally syndicated ‘African-American Short Films’ showcase.  For all the jokes and humblebrags I’ve made about this short not going away, the truth is that for a guy/artist like me, for whom the word ‘legacy’ means something, it means a great deal to me to have a piece of work that people are still interested in seeing and showcasing years after I first created it.

Not too long ago someone asked me my opinion about the short film game, and I gave my honest opinion.  As a businessman, the goal is always to turn a profit, and short films (much like features) are very high risk/high reward in that regard.  But as an investment in your long term future, shorts can open a lot of doors.  Based on what I’ve been told, this little piece has sparked conversations on (the portrayals of) black love, gotten some people to laugh, made others think about their own skeletons in the closet.  I’m well aware of the power of the medium (especially for minority filmmakers), which in my book is a ‘pro’ for others to tell their own short stories.

Being the perfectionist that I am, I actually try not to watch it anymore.  I see everything I would have done differently.  The crew from Through a Glass and my co-star Samra did an amazing job; I’m strictly talking about myself as an actor.  What I did works, but now I wish I would have done one take of the monologue with more of a Paul Newman, ‘cool confidence’ feel.  Yeah I know that last sentence was only for the film geeks and actors, but it’s a language I’m comfortable speaking.

On the flip side, and I’ve made this joke before, if this short really doesn’t ever go away, I’ll be able to turn on the TV one day and see myself, and like Brando in his twilight when he saw ‘Streetcar’, I’ll be able to tell my kids, “Oh, I was so young and handsome once.  Pass me the nachos…”

When I have some exact dates for when it’s playing, I’ll let everyone know.  Have a good weekend.