Bipolar - The Short Film - Reaches (Humble) Milestone

Bipolar - The Short Film

Bipolar - the short film reached a humble milestone this last week as it marked its 15,000th view on YouTube.  While the short film was featured in a few, select film festivals, the vast majority of its viewership has been through YouTube exposure.

While the film doesn't currently share the spotlight of a 'million-plus views', or labeled as 'going viral', its exposure and message has touched and reached a respectful 15,000-plus viewers around the world.

Writer-director Matthew Nichols wanted to create a project that brought awareness to the illness of Bipolar Disorder and gave a snapshot into the lives of four (fictional) characters.  Bipolar is the psychological, inspirational drama about those four individuals, struggling to deal with the challenges of bipolar disorder and learning the power of family, unconditional love and forgiveness.  The short film is a unique, 14-minute journey that introduces the characters, their struggles and the people who give them strength and support.

Nichols has survived and successfully lived with bipolar disorder for over 29 years and is an advocate for educating and bringing awareness to the public about the illness.  He recently lost his brother to the illness in September of 2014, and is passionate about helping others to overcome personal struggles and to offer direction and resources to the families of, and those who live with the illness.

Synopsis:  Bipolar

A teacher, a single mother, a salesman, and a business executive are enlightened by the discovery of a way to overcome the destructive tenacity of a mental illness, but not without cost.  Their consistent struggles with the illness and inability to cope with overwhelming circumstances, finds them converging with one another in a local hospital.  They are faced with the reality of their illness and the elusive answers to overcome its destructive hold on their lives. Through a personal window into the world of bipolar disorder, these four individuals search for answer to win the war over the adversaries of mental illness, failure and suicide.  Their relationships intertwine, encourage and give new hope to a future they have yet to discover.  Their heartwarming and dramatic journey will bring viewers into the world of mental illness, and inspire others to never give up hope.

Written and Directed by Matthew Nichols
Story by Darren Elliot Fulsher and Matthew Nichols
Produced by Darren Elliot Fulsher and Matthew Nichols

"Dark Times" by Kevin MacLeod
"Sugar Pill" by Kyler England
"It's All Gonna Be Okay" by Jenna Lynne
"Hero" by Jayme Dawicki

View the film here:  (Copy and Paste)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbyfCevsPjI

Next Steps

Next Steps

A lot of friends and family ask the 'million-dollar' question...Well, how are you going to do it?  i.e. Make it to Hollywood, or L.A., or simply... into the professional film industry, anywhere.

My honest answer to everyone is...I don't know.  But what I do know, is that there are a number of good ways to go about it, where a passionate individual can make a successful career of it.

To the best of my knowledge and research, the road is paved with a lot of challenges, setbacks, disappointments, rejection, a need for endless patience and tenacious, hard work.  Sounds inviting, huh?  That's life essentially.  That leads to the questions and comments such as...Why would you even want to go through all that?  Do you know how hard it is to make it in that industry? Etc...etc.  All I can do is smile and tell them...I'll find a way.  I don't blame any of my friends or family for feeling the way they do.  They're acting and expressing out of a place of love and their own semblance of support.  It was no different when I wanted to play professional baseball and made attempts to pursue that with the same passion and vision I held for many years of my young, adult life.  Did I make it, no.  But I learned a lot of valuable lessons, what it felt like and what it took to have a passion for something you love to do.

Here is another way I look at it and try to put things in perspective.  Again, you'll hear (I hear), how many people 'don't' make it in the film and tv industry.  Okay.  True, there are a lot of people who don't.  However, consider this; in 2014 there were approximately 1,400 movies released (the-numbers.com), which if we give a very conservative estimate of 10 cast members each, it gives 14,000 people an opportunity to be in film.  Then consider shows on cable and network tv and you can add a plethora of other opportunities.  The point is...the opportunities are there, you just have to find the road/path that is going to lead you there.

Here's what I know.  Obviously there is the high road, where you're in because you're the son, daughter or close relative of an established actor/producer or industry professional.  Right behind that would be those who know an established or reputable industry professional.  Then there is the low road, the one most of the aspiring actors are on (like myself), that begins with consistent experience, networking, connections and the newly acquired knowledge of social media.

My first acting gig was a short film called, 'She's Mine', back in 2005.  In 15 years I have been involved in 28 different productions in both film and television, in a variety of roles, both lead and supporting.  What does that have to do with the price of eggs...nothing really.  It's an example of the time and consistency you have to put in to improve your craft and in essence, prove your ability to reach a higher level.  This consistency could include acting lessons and workshops that also improve skills and abilities.

Again, speaking from my own experiences and networking (meeting people/asking questions), my next step is to secure a manager and an agent.  There are local agents in each city that can represent you and get you consistent commercial and print work.  However, the bigger cities like Chicago, New York, Miami, Atlanta, Austin and several others, tend to offer better opportunities for feature film and feature cable roles.  

So the question becomes, how do you connect with those agencies and get those opportunities?  Sometimes it's a matter of location and living in those cities.  Which at the present time, Milwaukee, where I live, is not one of those.  Here is the plan.  From what I've gathered, asked and learned is that my first step is to get a good demo reel of projects I have worked on.  Secondly, sending out query letters introducing myself with a resume and demo reel to a plethora (I like the word), of managers and agents.  Lastly...there is no lastly.  You ( I ) keep going, keep getting as many roles and experience as I can, keep networking and asking questions and stay focused on one thing...being the best actor I can possibly be.  Steve Martin was once quoted as saying, "Be so good that they can't ignore you."  Good advice and just what I plan to do.

For now...I will continue to pound, knock and ring at the acting door.  What's next...?  Stay tuned!