I just got off the phone with a young man who wanted to know if there was any work available in one of my companies – Baran Productions –  which does audio and video production.

I get these calls all the time.

Usually from wide-eyed 20 somethings who’s parents have encouraged them to “follow their dreams”.  

The trouble is they go off to film school or recording school or whatever place fulfills their fantasy and end up with no marketable skills. I call these places “fantasy schools”. That’s right, indulged by their parents – and probably financed too – the children go off to “boarding school” and return home – still children.

The call today was from a 25 year old – who sounded and acted like he was 16.

It started with my returning his initial call to a phone number he gave me that was answered by someone who was obviously screening his calls – never heard of him at first – must of thought I was a bill collector.

When he got on the phone he told me had gone to “film school” for two years.  Believe it or not when I asked him what his skills were his answer was “I’m really good with people”. He then went on to tell me he never studied lighting, directing, editing, camera work or even writing a screenplay – the more I asked him the greater my impression was that he had just been “hanging out” – so he could say “I went to film school”.

When I told him that the best place for him to be was in Hollywood – not Montana – learning the “film business culture” and building a network of relationships within that culture – he couldn’t wait to get off the phone.

Sorry, I won’t indulge a fantasy.

But I’m absolutely going to give someone the best advice about getting from where they are to where they want to be.  If they are serious and take themselves seriously –  they will eventually be living their dreams.

On the other hand, I blame the narcissistic parents who raise narcissistic children who are “set up” to have their dreams crushed by reality.

You see, I think it should be the other way around.

Understanding reality – how the world really works – is the foundation upon which you pursue and build your dreams… So when you “get there” it’s for real.

The “kid” I talked to today is a victim of his parents. As he described his recent history it became obvious to me that he never learned to “say what you mean and do what you say”. They never taught him personal responsibility.

He hit me with a line of B.S. – which when  you hear it from a 16 year-old  you tend to roll your eyes and consider it youthful exuberance – something the kid will grow out of.

It’s just that when you hear it from a 25 year-old it’s sad and depressing.

-Bob Baran

P.S. I’m still waiting for the 18 year-old who wants to be a “voice-over talent” to call me. His mother contacted me 2 weeks ago and asked if he could call me.  ”it’s his passion” she told me on the phone.  ”It’s all he can think and talk about”… Maybe she just thinks it’s his passion – tick – tick – tick.