Before the Dream Was Believable: On animation, creative courage, and following a vision before I knew where it would lead.

Photo by Anshita Nair on Unsplash

What’s the best that could happen?

Two years ago, I had a persistent vision of focusing more on filmmaking.

I’d been telling other people’s stories for close to a decade, and for years, fragmented stories had begun finding me in my dreams, knocking on my metaphorical shoulder.

I’d meet these same dreams at 4:45 a.m. almost daily in meditation and prayer, trying to understand what was pursuing me. It was a year of deep focus and calling in a vision.

So when the vision came, it felt joyfully obligatory.

Ask and you shall receive, in full effect.

But this wasn’t just any vision. It wasn’t a wish or a desire to be famous. I’d already subconsciously tried that by doing what I thought I’d be good at. It didn’t work.

No, this was a vision that felt beyond me and yet inextricably part of my DNA.

The plot twist?

I felt particularly drawn to animation.

The only problem?

I’m not an animator! Not in the Disney sense, anyway.

I knew not a single soul in the animation industry. I’d run my own branding and storytelling consultancy for a decade, and my media/theatrical interests were mostly separate from my professional pursuits.

Until they weren’t.

Until the promises of The Artist’s Way began to come true. Until the dream came a-knocking with such full-fledged clarity that it was as enthralling as it was terrifying.

The thing about clarity is that it invites you to leap.

Two years later, I’m developing my first animated short film with a stellar team that spans three time zones, including a 2D animator, storyboard artist, and editor. I’m so excited to collaborate with these talented artists.

The thing about clarity is that it invites you to leap.

Remember, I’m not an animator, so this project is built on collaboration.

I’ve gotten the chance to learn from greats like Lino DiSalvo by way of ODAD and Juan M. Abdo, my mentor through WIA, a life-changing experience.

Two years ago, the call became clear, but the seeds were planted many moons and starlit nights before that day. And somehow, we come full circle, forward, to now.

Dreams really do come true.

So what’s the best that could happen?

And are you willing to take the time to develop yourself to find out?

The inspiration for this post came from seeing the initial character sketches this past week.

Confidence comes with action.

I’m so glad I acted on faith long before the dream was ever believable, before it ever had texture in 3D. Before that, there were the early-morning meditation sessions where I humbly listened for guidance, coupled with the bravery it took to show up in rooms where I was the newbie who had no idea WTF was going on.

I’m so glad I acted on faith long before the dream was ever believable, before it ever had texture in 3D.

I’m so grateful they welcomed me with open arms.

Let’s normalize that level of willingness for the right things.

xo,

Lalita