This is an interesting point. As someone who has taken the step and become a full time actor, putting my career before material possessions and so on, I can’t watch this ceremony as a fan, I have to watch it as an equal. I have to know that these are my colleagues up on stage collecting awards and that there is nothing stopping me from achieving my dream except myself. If I can put all my energy, love and talent into everything I do then nothing will stop me from achieving the greatness that I know awaits me.
When I watched Matthew McConaughey accept his award for best actor for Dallas Buyers Club I noted several things. He said that he needs someone to look up to, someone to look forward to and someone to chase.
He said “that it is a scientific fact that gratitude reciprocates.” If we are thankful for everything we have, the friends we have, the people we meet, the help we can give, everything, it can help us be better people. I believe this. I believe in the power of positive thinking and the law of attraction. I believe that what we sow is what we reap.
He also said that when he was fifteen he was asked who his hero was. He said that his hero was him, ten years in the future. When he got to twenty five he knew that his hero was still him ten years in the future. That set me thinking. I have a couple of heroes in my life; my uncle (sadly no longer with us) and my dad but I had also looked up to a few other people. I’ve always aspired to be greater than I thought I was. I’ve always aspired to be the best person I can possibly be and I know I’m moving in the right direction. I’ve drawn inspiration from so many people in my life and in turn I have been told that I have inspired others. I know I am a better person today than I was a year ago and I know in a year’s time I will be an even better person than I am now.
I will always move forwards. It may be taking small steps, sure, but if I always move forwards then I am making progress towards my goal, to win an Oscar. It’s an attainable dream, it’s not outside the bounds of possibility at all. I give you my word that I will win an Oscar but even then, my hero will always be ten years away from me. Matthew, your acceptance speech has helped me more than you can possibly imagine and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart. When I get the opportunity I will share a drink with you, as equals, and say ‘thank you’ in person. Oh, by the way, the six minute single tracking shot at the end of episode 4 of True Detective was mind blowing!
Love to all!
Damien Gerard 