New Approaches

Today, it was formally announced that Tainted Dreams, a soap opera (about soap operas!) produced by a bunch of my former co-workers, had been picked up for international distribution. I had the privilege of doing some assistant editing and transcription for the show, so I can say firsthand that it will be a great offering for international audiences. It's amazing to see what can be done with a dream and a belief and long hours and a long list of talented people in front of and behind the camera, and I am excited to see that the dream and the effort have been appreciated.
 
A number of years ago, the Daytime Emmys introduced a category called New Approaches, to encompass shows like this, made outside of the traditional production model and distribution system. As the Daytime Emmys took place this weekend, I thought a lot about how most of what I (and probably many of the people I've ever worked with) are relying on "new approaches" these days. The rules of the past don't necessarily apply, in getting work, in keeping work, or in the kind of work we do. In order to stay current, and solvent, we often have to rely on "new approaches," whether that means expanding our skill set, scrambling to be able to follow our dreams, or walking multiple paths simultaneously, just to make sure one of them is a good one.
 
The team of Tainted Dreams took a traditional format, and with a whole bunch of "new approaches," and a lot of hard work, created something that will now be seen around the world, and perhaps, for many more than its current set of episodes. It is an inspiration to me, and perhaps to us all--there is always room for a new approach.