The Hound is Blind

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Brad Wise

The Hound (above) hates leashes. Even 21 ft. retractable ones. And ever since a toddler joined the mix, the speed of our nightly walks has changed from brisk to plodding. This frustrates the Hound. She wants to roam wild after secret smells and rotten treats. But instead she just stands there, 21 feet away trapped by her leash, pathetically staring at me like I’m torturing her.

I’m not torturing her. Sure we spend significant time waiting for the boy to chase butterflies. But the Hound fails to recognize the HUGE radius of freedom she has. Instead of seeing everywhere she CAN go, she sees the leash.

Because the Hound is blind.

Back in early 2010, we were raising money for our romantic comedy indie film, A Strange Brand of Happy. For various reasons (mostly outside of our control) the fundraising wasn’t working. By the summer we realized our plans /dreams / hopes were going to be delayed for at least a year. Maybe even cancelled. This was frustrating. Because like the Hound, we wanted to “roam wild.” Our hearts were ready to make a movie.

But, unlike the Hound, we saw more than the leash. Sure we only had x amount of money instead of X. But we asked how could we make a movie for that? Sure we only had 12 days instead of 26 to make a movie. But we asked what kind of story could be told in that short of a time?

Isaac and I started dreaming. Then we invited others into the process. Eventually we had a band of dreamers and doers who were choosing to see our restrictions for what they really were—potential. That fall, we shot Fenced Off in 12 days for x dollars. And the lessons learned from that experience have laid serious brick to the foundation of how we approach every project since.

We all hate leashes. Initially. The secret (I think) is to grab a group of friends, wonder together, let your collective vision transform false restrictions into a chance to roam.

Photo by Brad Wise

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Brad Wise

Featured Storyteller

Brad is the Chief Creative Officer for Rebel Pilgrim Productions and co-founder of Rebel Storytellers. He co-hosts the Rebel Storytellers Podcast with Steve Fuller. And when he's not doing all that he's hanging out with his beautiful wife, Leah, and their kids, Henry and Jane. Their hound dog, Lola, is usually close by as well.

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