Thorns In My Side

I'm Listening To: "Skyline Drive" by Mae

...There is a perfectly clear path, that is perfectly paved, and even has guard rails on it so you can't fall.  

It is easy. 

It is the path to fame, to greatness.  Many walk on it because of its success rate. Those who have been on it, have achieved just that...fame...greatness...riches beyond imagination.... Next to this path there is a a thick jungle, and you cannot see your legs hitting the ground, or what is crawling up your legs.  This path is scary, this is not even a path.  You find yourself bleeding from the unforeseen thorns in your side.  As you look to your left, you can see many people walking on this easy, beautiful path, and you look at yourself...trapped...

When C&I Studios was started, it was unfocused.....without vision....selfish...We didn't know what we wanted to make, we just wanted to make films like everyone else, make funny things, serious things....I remember filming a lot of comedic films and shorts in the beginning. Then I wanted to make something serious about abortion....so we made this short called "My Life" in 2005.  This has to be one of my favorites that we have ever made. I was so happy with it.  I remember showing it to my friend Sarah at the time. and she said "Josh, this is the best thing you have ever done".  (That is when I knew I wanted to work with Sarah).  It took 2 more years until that wish came true and here we are. It was soon after that, when C&I Studios began to get serious about life...about why...why are we filming these things....

Now.  We are focused.  We have a clear vision. We have chosen to only make films with purpose, only films that matter, that will inspire change. We have chosen to get off of Hollywoods path, and make our own path. A new one. We choose to walk through this unchartnered jungle, because we know we are different.  We know it will take a different kind of film and a different kind of company to make an impact in this world...this life.  So here we are, making a new path.. And that path is created out of a love for other people, it is made with seeing needs of other people that we may not know, it is made with a passion to Change, to Change this world.....now, the last thing on our minds is fame......richess.....greatness....ALL we care about is other people being inspired...other people looking into themselves and wanting MORE....wanting more out of life....remembering those early childhood dreams, that once were close to their hearts....and that is why now.....and the path is hard...it's harder...its pain....but...completely worth it. 

The lessons that we've learn as the thorns pierce our sides couldn't be learned any other way, and we say YES!  We wouldn't have it any other way.  We are standing up for a new kind of film...a new kind of dream....a new hope....

...and the reason, by the way, why I like that film "My Life" so much, wasn't because of the way it was shot, or the acting in it. or anything like but.......it had a message....

Sarah......Zachariah....thanks for holding my hand as we walk through this...