So I’m taking a video/film class — Film 130: Video Production I. “Film” just sounds so much better than “video,” doesn’t it? “Video” evokes crappy home movies, crappy public-access cable programs, crappy crap. “Film” evokes auteurs creating art. But I digress. The other day, during a class discussion, three students — all of whom happen to be 26 — said they felt “old.” I’m 38. If 26 is “old,” what does that make me? Ancient? Decrepit?

I’ve been thinking about my age recently, and the possibility of starting a new career (in film). Let’s face facts, shall we? I’m middle-aged (I’m not one of those people that refuses to use the term “middle-aged”, as if that somehow negates the difference between 18 and 38). If I live to 75 (avg. lifespan), I’m almost exactly at the halfway point. Hmm…you might say it’s the perfect time to start something new. You might also say:

• You tried to reinvent yourself once before, as a writer/novelist, and failed spectacularly
• You’re a dreamer, who doesn’t always follow up grandiose visions with necessary action
• The film industry is an insular, LA-based industry, and you don’t live or want to live in Los Angeles
• Film-making requires massive amounts of time and energy, and you’re not exactly a workaholic

All good points.

Let me respond (to my own inner critic):

• You tried to reinvent yourself once before, as a writer/novelist, and failed spectacularly
  • True, but that doesn’t mean I should just give up.
• You’re a dreamer, who doesn’t always follow up grandiose visions with necessary action
  • True, but sometimes I do.
• The film industry is an insular, LA-based industry, and you don’t live or want to live in Los Angeles
  • LA is not the end-all-be-all of movie-making. Just take a look at MovieMaker’s 2010 “annual ranking of the country’s best cities in which to be an independent moviemaker.” #1 on the list? Albuquerque, NM
• Film-making requires massive amounts of time and energy, and you’re not exactly a workaholic
  • It’s just possible, having discovered something I’m really excited about, I’ll be having so much fun I just won’t want to stop.

So maybe I’m not “young and hungry,” but I’m not “old and satiated” either. I’m middle-aged and ready for something new. Brace yourself world. I’m coming out swinging.