Film School Starts Next Saturday, the 5-Minute Rule, and Cool Tips Inside
Hi Everyone!
Before I get to the 5-minute rule, I wanted to let you know that if you are interested in my Actors Film School program, the cost is only $1500, and there is still room for two more students in the January class starting this Saturday, the 17th. The next start dates are: Saturday, March 28th; and Saturday, May 30th. I have 2 people already interested in the March class, and one in the May class. Give me a ring on my cell if you'd like more info: 646-764-1764.
Now, let's get into the 5-minute rule. But first, you need to learn something even more important: WINNERS DO IT NOW.
WISDOM: Winners Do It Now!
What this means is that as soon as you realize you need to do something… DO IT. Don't wait even for a moment to consider whether you have the time. JUST DO IT. When? Right now, this second. Immediately.
Some of you might be thinking, "But there are some things I just physically cannot do right now---the task is too big!" Well, there's your problem. Break down the size of your tasks into 5-minute tasks. I call this the 5-Minute Rule (not to be confused with the 10-Second Rule, which comes up later in the book).
WISDOM: The 5-Minute Rule (i.e.., if you can't do it in five minutes…)
In other words, if you think about something that you need to do, and then think immediately afterwards, "I don't have enough time to do that," then you're shooting yourself in the foot before you even leave the starting gate. Let's say your mission is to write a book. Of course you can't write a book in 5 minutes. To even think about 'where to start' is overwhelming and scary and downright impractical: it's a rare man indeed who can write a book in less than 5 minutes.
However, what are some of the things you could do in five minutes that would lead you towards ultimately writing a book. Let's see:
Could you write out a list of ten potential books in five minutes? Yup! So do that.
Could you then write out the draft of the table of contents in five minutes? Yup! So do that next.
Could you then write the back cover blurb that you find on the back of most books in five minutes? Yup! There's you ne xt 5-minute task.
And so on. The idea is to break down all of you incredibly ambitious and insurmountable dreams into easily digestibly 5-minute tidbits. Whenever I embark on a huge project, I always start with the finish line, and then work backwards until I have the entire project broken down into childishly simple 5-minute chunks that I can do in my sleep (or heck, even when I haven't had any sleep). The idea is to put your success plan on autopilot. (NOTE: The above text is an excerpt from my upcoming books, "Yes I Do Sleep" and also "The Artist's MBA", coming out this summer.)
Finally, folks, I wanted to share some cool tips and tricks I learned recently.
First, check out
www.copytalk.com. Basically, you call the number, dictate what you need to say, and in less than 4 hours, an email transcription of exactly what you said is sent back to you. My friend Peter Bielagus turned me onto this tool---I am using it to transcribe all of my journals from my time in Iraq without having to type them, which is laboriously slow. Now, I spend 30 minutes a day just talking into my cell phone as I read aloud from my journals, and voila, later in the day, I just cop y and paste the emails into Word and press 'save'. Cool, eh?
Second, do you hate typing? If you have Windows Vista, did you know that it has dictation software built in? If you have a microphone and Vista, just type the words, 'Speech' into the search menu and voila, you'll be talking instead of typing in no time.
Third, do you wish you had money to go back to school? Guess what? You do. It's called government loans. Wait, before you roll your eyes, think about this: a) it only takes 10 minutes to fill out the FAFSA aid application online; b) you can get up to $220,000+ for higher education; c) you don't have to pay back a dime of the loan until 6-months AFTER you leave school; and d) you will end up with a higher paying job and/or better opportunities as a result. Right now, I am about $175,000 in student debt, and it's rising, and I don't care. As a result of this debt, I now have a masters of entrepreneurship; I am 18 months away from receiving my JD/MBA degree; and as soon as I do, I am starting my 4-year PhD in business leadership. Why so much education? For all the reasons I mentioned above: a) it's easy to get approved; b) the money is there; c) I don't have to pay any of it back until AFTER I finish my PhD in 2014; and d) these degrees are going to make me so rich that paying back the loans is going to be a piece of cake. So... please, for your future's sake, go back to school and get a degree in something truly bankable, i.e. doctor, lawyer, dentist, accountant, etc. and in 5 years, look back (from your Hawaii beach house) and think, "Wow, Monroe sure was right! I am SO glad I listened to him."
Well, that's it for now!
Oh, for those who are on the edge regarding my film school, I gotta tell you something. I really believe that Actors Film School is my crowning achievement. I feel like everything I have been learning and doing over the last 8 years has culminated in this amazing program. Actors Film School is no doubt the coolest program I have ever created, and I AM SO STOKED AND EXCITED! Seriously, check this out: I have seamlessly integrated film school, acting school, editing school, business school, law school, and a Tony Robbins seminar all into one amazing, life-changing, and---here's the best part---affordable program. Please read this entire email, including the testimonials at the bottom---I think by the end of it I will have convinced you to interview for one of the 2 remaining slots in the January course, or one of the remaining slots for the March course.
Here they--the top ten reasons you should enroll in my film school:
# 10 --> You will learn how to write, produce, direct, sta r in, and edit your very own films from start to finish
# 9 --> A good director knows how to act on film; and a good film actor should know how to direct--you will learn to be a pro at both.
# 8 --> The production value of the films you are going to make are very high (
decide for yourself)
# 7 --> It's the most affordable film school in the country at only $1500
# 6 --> It's on Saturdays, for only 8 weeks, and in fact, you will learn MORE than you will learn at most other film schools
# 5 --> You get to act--not only in your own film--but in all of your fellow students' films too!
# 4 --> You leave with a professionally edited acting reel of your work, plus a DVD of all finished films
# 3 --> Your films and performances will be entered into the Actors Film School Film Festival for an opportunity to win both Manny Awards and Juggernaut Awards
# 2 --> Your finished films will be screened at the beautiful 140-seat Helen Mill Theater on 26th and 8th.
# 1 --> You will learn everything you need to take Hollywood by storm--as an actor, writer, director, and/or producer-- and will leave with a 5-year business, marketing, financial, and career strategy that you will be developing20during the course.
WANT TO ENROLL? CALL OR EMAIL TODAY FOR AN INTERVIEW WITH INSTRUCTOR MONROE MANN: 914-481-1641
Bonus # 1 --> You will begin writing and developing your very own feature film during the course
Bonus # 2 --> You will learn about writing and negotiating your own entertainment contracts
Bonus # 3 --> You will learn how to apply Guerrilla Networking principles to your career
Bonus # 4 --> You will begin to assemble your 2009 marketing plan during the course
Bonus # 5 --> You will be one of the few people pursuing a career in showbusiness actually taking positive serious action
Bonus # 6 --> You will probably have the best year of your entire career as a result of this course!
Bonus # 7 --> You can pay in three monthly installments of only $525 if you like!
WANT TO ENROLL? CALL OR EMAIL TODAY FOR AN INTERVIEW WITH INSTRUCTOR MONROE MANN: 914-481-1641
Need more incentive? Here are the three testimonials from the last three students who just completed the course this past December:
Testimonial from Arthur Brown, Writer/Producer/Director/and Star of "The Return of Captain Schticklach"
"I am writing to endorse Monroe Mann's Actor's Film School. In the course of seven weeks, we've written original scripts, broken them down by shot, used a unique system for determining props costume and cast, studied lighting technique, as well as proper camera usage – and most importantly – completed our films! Monroe is both knowledgeable and inspirational – guiding us, in an extremely organized and foresighted fashion – to a result-driven process incorporating the best practices of film-making."
Testimonial from Ryan White, Writer/Producer/Director/and Co-Star of "Yes I Can"
"I love this course! Monroe really sets everyone up for success. I love all of the simple yet powerful tips I have learned in the short time I have been attending this course about acting, filmmaking, and running a business, and creating a successful career. One of the best things about the program is that it is so flexible to each person's needs. Not only that, but it's loads of fun! I recommend it to anyone who is interested in a career in acting and filmmaking. Seriously, Monroe, thank you so much for presenting your ideas and philosophies to me and the=2 0rest of the class. You have great energy, and your passion for life and all its possibilities and success is amazing. During the class portion, I loved what you shared on speaking your accomplishments and not being afraid to sell your services. During the production portion, I loved how hands-on it all was, and how we all were a part of our fellow classmates' films. I really loved being a part of your film program because I know that working with successful people is so important. And I believe in you. Thanks again."
Testimonial from James Oliver, Writer/Producer/Director/and Star of "Mahiana"
"I met Monroe at a seminar where he was teaching a workshop on how to produce your own projects, and was very impressed by his drive and willingness to excel at everything he does. I joined the film class in an attempt to improve on my voice acting for voice over gigs. Little did I know how much more I would be getting by enrolling in Actors Film School. In addition to improving my acting voice, I have also learned how to write my own screenplay, how to direct a film, and how to act in films. As a producer, I have lear ned the importance of preparation and organization. The coolest thing about the class besides the close friendships you establish is the hands-on interaction. No sitting in a boring class room setting. It's "on the move" fun and a relaxing atmosphere, despite the rigorousness of the program. Also, you're not left out there on your own. Everyone has a stake in seeing your project through to the end, and Monroe makes sure you not only write your screenplay, but is there with you on set every step of the way helping you to produce it, and is there helping you through the editing process as well. Great job Monroe... rock on!"
WANT TO ENROLL? CALL OR EMAIL TODAY FOR AN INTERVIEW WITH INSTRUCTOR MONROE MANN: 914-481-1641
FINALLY, why don't you judge the films for yourself? WATCH THEM! They are all available for viewing. One of the hallmarks of my school is that every student MUST finish their film, and I help them every step of the way to make sure that they do. Check out the films right now at
www.ActorsFilmSchool.com. Click on the link to the screening room, or the film festival.
