Been a While...

Like the title says, it HAS been a while. But I am starting to feel that I need to get some feelings out in the open and I feel this blog will be the best way to do it. I plan on doing more writing I will eventually make into a book. The last 12 months have been interesting. Since the passing of my parents (they died three week apart last year) I have done much soul searching in finding out what really matters in life.

I have always been a little distant when it comes to sharing my feelings on the internet, and sadly the internet has become a cesspool of crap, mixed in with a few good places to visit (oh, look, I've already started). So why I am sharing this on-line, I not sure. But I have left behind being nice about things and decided to be honest.

There is a real war going on within politics, religion and just social living all together. I personally feel that most of us don't care about the world around us, there are just those few that stir the pot and rally the troops behind a cause. I think we as a society will be surprised how much we all want the same things. We all wake up, get dressed, eat, pay bills, etc. And yet, there is so much fighting amongst people over almost nothing that are spun by simply a few people.

Anyway, I just wanted to start expressing my feelings on this venue, not sure how often I can do this (daily, weekly, monthly) but I figure I will start forming a habit of some type.

Catch you on the next entry...


- POSTED BY KELS GOODMAN

Premiere of THE LAST EAGLE SCOUT

In Orem, Utah, where we filmed the movie The Last Eagle Scout, we held an official premiere at the Scera Theater with cast and crew, friends and neighbors. It was a crowded house with about 400 in attendance. 

I was very nervous because we had been through several different cuts of the film and mixed reviews from the previous showings we did last year. But after the final cut of the film, our audience tonight was overwhelmingly pleased at what they saw. 

It was also great to see the actors and crew come after almost 4 years to the day we went into production. I could start naming names, but it wouldn't be fair to those I missed. 

We started at 5:00 with a reception for cast and crew, where we had food. My awesome assistant, Dennissa, spend hours preparing sandwiches and fruit. My lovely wife, Stephanie, helped decorate the room we were in. Brian Kelly, of Shop J and L is handling our merchandising, and he was there with a table where he sold the DVD at a reduced rate as well as the shirts, hats, backpacks and the comic book. I also sell t-shirts with a logo of the previous project I produced for six years, Will It Blend. 

Then, we started the film at 6:30. I introduced it and also announced a Kickstarter program I am starting to help raise money for the Scera Theater to purchase a digital projector. They are still using 35mm reels, and the big studios are basically going 100 percent digital on new releases by the end of the year. 

As the film played, I paced the halls (I never sit in a showing of mine, I know I should). I talked to others who were outside. Then, I went in at the last 10 minutes so I could just jump to the microphone and take questions. Gladly, the end brought about an applause I haven't had in a while. I stood up and brought everyone to the front who worked on the film. (Or I jokingly said "anyone who would still be seen with me"). It was a large crowd of cast and crew and I was proud to have them up. Because time was short (we were being kicked out for the next showing of another film) I couldn't introduce them all. So we just opened for Q and A. People loved the half comedy/half drama feel of the film, as well as the message it presents. We worked hard to not make it a right/left argument, but just a message of political correctness craziness and a media that is out of control. 

Wonderful event!

It ended, after cleanup, with Steph and I doing our traditional visit to IHOP (didn't have dinner yet). 

The only thing missing were my parents. It would have been great to have them there, but I am sure they were there in spirit. 

Think and Grow Rich/Instant Motivator-FAITH

This principle can seem a little redundant, but it all relies on this. This first principle we talked about earlier, burning desire, is where the seed is planted. Faith is where the first jump or leap is taken from that burning desire.

Many may have had burning desires for years and years, but never move. I have seen for years, in my profession, people coming to me with a burning desire to make a film. I know, I've been there. I've dreamed, I've researched, I've talked, I've written, but I could never get past that threshold of action, mostly because I didn't have real faith.

Faith itself, is usually a belief, whether it be religious or otherwise. But it's not real faith unless action is attached. Consider faith a verb. If no action is involved, it is merely hope. This concept can be religious as well. The Bible talks of faith the size of a mustard seed moving mountains. The Book of Mormon even talks of faith "starting as a little seed" and then growing inside of you toward becoming a "perfect knowledge".

Napoleon Hill talks about faith being a state of mind that may be induced by affirmations or repeated instructions to the subconscious mind.

Earl Nightingale says that if you get a mental image of yourself in whatever position you wish to be in over and over again, you can muster the faith you need.

As a personal note, I must say, this really works. Find daily habits that help you remind yourself of where you need to be. Say to yourself daily who you really are and where you want be in life. If you feel you have really done the work you need to get where you want to be, then your faith should kick in. This leads into the scripture "faith, without works, is dead".

- POSTED BY KELS GOODMAN

BURNING DESIRE

In the audio recording of "Think and Grow Rich: Instant Motivator", Earl Nightingale starts with the first principle of Napoleon Hill's book, known as burning desire.

If a person is actually ready to change things in his life, he would be a changed man after reading this book. But the emphasis is on "ready to change". Earl states that "a burning desire is nothing more than an actual picture of what you will one day become".

If you have nothing to look to, then you really have no desire. Anyone who wants something can get it if he wants it badly enough. Recently, I followed a friend on Facebook who took the same leap of faith I just took by leaving his job and going out on his own, pushing his recording company. It is fun to read his posts, almost daily, because you can feel his "burning desire" in his words. You can tell he "felt it", and is ready to make things happen.

Earl goes on to say that if you go after something cautiously, timidly, you don't have a burning desire at all. Not that you go nuts and put your family and faith at risk, but you simply get off of first base and run to second. Obviously, I include The Lord in these decisions. But I think The Lord only wants you to succeed, when you in the right frame of mind. The parable of the talents is a perfect example.

The other thing, I've added myself, is depending on what it is you desire (and remember, it may not always be money), you have to let go any issues you have with achieving the goal. If you put down others for having what it is you truly desire, don't expect it yourself. Thus, causing you to wallow in your own worry or even jealousy. If you desire more money, don't protest the other guy who has more than you. Let yourself go of these jealousies and even celebrate their achievements. I used to be jealous of others, mostly those who I mentored in my field, only to watch them pass me up in success. But when I learned to let go and realize that all our successes are different, I started to change my thinking, and eventually, realize I was successful in my own right, with more to come.

Will it Blend, for example, I could never really deem that a "cinematic masterpiece achievement", but in viewership on YouTube, I could boast more views than all my friends put together. Over 300 million. My desire is to go to the next level, and celebrate success like that of my peers.

So if you have a burning desire to move on something that has been tugging at you, move on with it and never look back. Now is the time.


- POSTED BY KELS GOODMAN

The Strangest Secret in the World

For years my father would hand me this photo copy of a photo copy of a short story titled "The Strangest Secret in the World", by Earl Nightingale. As a kid, I never read it. I mostly brushed it off. When ever new events would come up in my life, I guess he would feel I was finally open to the Strangest Secret in the World, but most of the time it sat in my archives of the "illgettoit" files.

Finally, a few years back, Stephanie and I started watching "The Secret" the movie. (It was easier to watch a film then read a book, after all.) I took the advice from a guy who I met who became well off from a company he purchased, built up, and sold. I asked him about his success and he admonished me to watch "The Secret". We practically memorized the film.

This led to other ideas of who we could listen to when it came to self help. I liked what The Secret had to offer, but because I hold Gospel principles above anything else, I couldn't agree with everything it said. It talked about "the Universe" all the time, just giving you what you want, but I don't totally feel that is true.

I also went to watch one guy who teaches body language, and he was alright, but the problem was I was starting to feel a slight worship or "buy my stuff or it won't work" Kind of feeling. When you start putting numbers to it, it almost feels like I'm selling Amway.

Steph finally found Earl Nightingale. For some reason, I could click with him. He had an old radio show for years that taught self-help principles and I guess either I love his voice, or maybe he reminds me of my father. I remember seeing tapes on my dads desk that were self-help principles with Earl's name on it. There was a calm, cool tone to his voice that, even though it's older recordings that Steph found on iTunes, I feel the principles are still the same.

In fact, I would venture to say, it's these types of principles that we are very well missing in our world. I even think some of the self-help speakers of today, to a degree, even feed the fire of a "something-for-nothing" kind of attitude. Earl teaches anyone can have anything, but they have to work for it, along with the belief of making it real. We downloaded about 12 hours worth of audio of Earls radio show, listening on our many drives to Vegas. What I also love is that I never hear Earl trying to sell one of his products, that I won't succeed unless I buy one of his books. He puts the principles in very humanistic terms. We certainly could use them in our day...

That's why I am starting a weekly report on the principles he gives. But for starters, I'm going to give a report on a recording he gave about his review of another man's book, "Think and Grow Rich", by Napoleon Hill. Earl gives his points of view, but draws them from the 13 points given in the book, Think and Grow Rich. These principles have totally worked for me, as now I consider myself living my dream job. I feel I would not be doing the service I need if I do not share this knowledge with others.


- POSTED BY KELS GOODMAN

Life Changes

Much has happened since my last entry. The first focus is the passing of my father, Robert Goodman. My dad passed on January 15 of this year, just 24 days after the passing of my mother. There was no doubt a sympathy for my mother when she was just given weeks to live from her cancer. My dad had leukemia, but never knew it till those last few weeks. But as my father always told me, "be of good cheer".

After about 10 trips to Vegas to set up one thing or another, both parents have left us, and it has been a different life, not getting my daily call from my father. But I have made changes to my own life that I hope will make my father proud.

As Blendtec is changing direction with a new CEO, we felt the era of WILL IT BLEND is over, which I think we are all relieved. But many other changes came to Blendtec that pretty much gave me the pathway to leave the company. It has been something I have plotted over the past 6 months. Our marketing team has grown from just a couple of us, to 20 people now. It's all good, but I also felt my opinion on things were starting to mean nothing. I was feeling like the old guy with stupid old ideas and all I was doing just pushing the buttons the younger whippersnappers wanted me to push.

Plus, I love my independence. And I noticed the company was growing to proportions that require order in all things. When I was hired there over 7 years ago, I had an interview and was given the job 5 minutes later. Things were much looser. In leaving, it was a challenge. I was trying to finish up things and it took me longer then the leaving date I turned in. So I told some people I needed a few more days to clean up, finishing projects I started. I felt I was doing them a favor, working for free for an extra week, but I noticed I had worn out my welcome.

Anyway, I am now on my own with a number of projects that have been waiting for my attention. First is the release of THE LAST EAGLE SCOUT. Then, I am being hired to produce a series of short films about the constitution that will be playing in schools across the country. Then, I will be shooting a new film with Rob Diamond, which is a feature film, a modern day version of the Prodical Son.

I have also changed my company name to Tier 2 Media. I forgot to renew my name with the state of Utah and some dufus decides to buy Ampersand Films and wants to sell it back to me. Good time for a change, I guess.

I also have a surprise that I will not reveal just yet. Pretty exciting.

- POSTED BY KELS GOODMAN

Shirley Goodman 1935-2012

As my sister tells me, "I am not very sensitive to other's feelings". My mother was comatose for a good few days, so even though I was scheduled to come to see my parents for Christmas not till Friday, I came a day earlier. I got things squared away at work (even though we had a new WILL IT BLEND episode being released on the "end of the world").

I got to the house and went to see this frail, week yet sweet woman who gave me all I have... my life, now ready to leave hers. I barely got a nod and a grunt when I told her that I was here. Stephanie received the same.

Later that night, we met as a family, all who was there and took turns telling her good night. The next day she was still breathing, but not even moving. My sisters Connie and Pam continued to move her around to try to make her comfortable, but we didn't even know what she was feeling.

Finally, a blessing was given by Connie's father-in-law, who was also a patriarch, and asked The Lord to relieve her of her pain. And not more then 3 hours later, she passed. After about 30 minutes, with family gathering, calling hospice and giving the official report, I let my other family members know, then put a posting on Facebook.

My sister, Pam became upset with me the next morning because her kids found out about it on Facebook before she could call them herself. It was 2 in the morning, so I didn't figure many people would have read the post till later, but I was wrong. I assume I will always do something wrong in the sight of my sister Pam, not sure how to handle it.

All I can think of is Mom is now in a better place and no longer having to deal with this evil and mixed-up world. Love you, mom.



- POSTED BY KELS GOODMAN