It's About People

Essay

Why do I make movies? Why do I act, write, eat, breathe?

Is it about swimming pools and majestic palm trees on my front lawn?

Is it about fame? Autographs? Being chased by Paparazzi? Starlets? Being seen at the Ivy with Charlize Theron?

Why do I live? Why do I love?

Is it all about me? It’s a me, me, me world, after all.

Is it all about gadgets? I just got my new Apple Watch.

Is it about technological advances? Artificial intelligence? Robots? Space travel? New frontiers? Star Trek?

Is it about love? Love makes the world go ‘round, right? All you need is love.

Or is it about people? A little about me, and a lot about other people? My girl, my sister, my nephew, my friends, all of the people in the world I will never meet? Helping others? Inspiring others? Making people smile, laugh, cry, even learn a little about life? If my characters cry on a movie screen, maybe someone else won’t have to. If they laugh, maybe someone else will too. Maybe I can make just one person’s day a tiny bit better — just a little. And maybe he will do the same for someone else. And I’ll still have lunch with Charlize at the Ivy.

— Isa Totah