They say this is one of those topics you shouldn’t discuss when you’re first getting to know someone, so being the contrarian that I am, I thought it would be a nice way to start this piece.

I’m talking about money, specifically the $150,000 I was paid to do the Renewal videos.

Money makes it easier to justify spending more time practicing one’s craft, buying better equipment and training, paying others to collaborate, and so on. Plus it offers validation for the countless hours, the unglamorous efforts spent pursuing a goal.

How do we?

Unfortunately, most people who do creative work will need to find another source of income to subsidize their endeavors. When even someone like Francis Ford Coppola, the director behind critically acclaimed movies like the Godfather and Apocalyse Now, suggests as much, maybe it’s more than just a theory. Then there’s all those aspiring musicians who are seeking work. Know any of those guys?

One of the people I featured in this latest Renewal video is Lucy White, a co-owner of the Venue on 35th. In one of her comments that did not make the video, she declares “business is good” because they are able to meet expenses. Notice that she didn’t say they’re earning a profit, just that they can pay the bills. How many businesses would define success in that manner?

That outlook happens only if there is some other driving motivation behind the work.  The motivation varies from person to person, but it is there somewhere if you look close enough.

I can’t quite articulate exactly why I do what I do, but a big part of it involves wanting to feel more of a connection with others. That’s not to say that I don’t get discouraged when I work hard on a project that isn’t merely unprofitable, but that loses a bit of money.  That’s not a unique sentiment for an entrepreneur, I know.

It’s just that it hurts as much or more when one of my projects gets an alienating reception. That’s because money, while important, is not the sole motivation behind what I do.

With that said, I still have a great deal of respect for entrepreneurs, and I hope to be one some day. Being able to pay someone a reliable salary based on his or her skills is still one of the best ways to do meaningful community service, but that’s a whole other discussion.

Although each Renewal video I’ve done has only been 15 minutes or less, they’ve all taken me countless hours to assemble. You see, I shot them in a way that would make it fast and easy for others to participate. That means no lighting setups and no crew, just me meeting people when and where they could fit a quick shoot into their schedules. Since that was the approach, I had to spend more time on the editing to get something watchable.

I’m proud of the perspectives we’ve been able to include, but the footage is definitely not something that will help me get work as a cinematographer. In spite of that and in spite of the time it took to make the videos, I’m still enthusiastic about the project.

Bison, renewing our city.

That’s due to the people I met and the positive feedback I received. It’s not that I need to have others sing my praises. It’s just nice to know that something I did was meaningful to others. Call that a renewing effect, if you’d like. Without that support, I doubt I would’ve kept spending so much time doing unpaid work.

I don’t want to sound too touchy-feely here. Money is important, no doubt about it. There’s a good chance that I’ll be moving out of state soon, and the financial side of things is a strong factor. I’ve tried to make things work here in Hampton Roads for a few years, but I haven’t been able to make enough money to pay for even all the equipment I use. Unlike Lucy White’s Venue, I’m not even meeting expenses. It’s hard to acknowledge that, but it’s true.

At this point, I have to choose between giving up on my aspirations or finding a way to get more revenue from them. I can’t just keep pouring more money into unprofitable ventures. Even though I’ve come to a greater appreciation for the Hampton Roads area, I now have the opportunity to move to a state that has more film and video work, so I’m seriously considering that option. There’s no guarantee that things will work even there, but at least I’ll make a go of it with a good friend.

Still, in the short term, I can pay my bills and I own the equipment I need to do projects like the Renewal series. Getting such a strong positive reception from the community has kept me working on them, even when facing other mounting pressures. Although no one gave me a dime, I was still generously compensated for my efforts, and that was enough to keep me going.

Offering money is a tried-and-tested way to show appreciation for someone’s work, but it is not the only way. If someone does something you appreciate, something that doesn’t cost you anything, why not pay for it with a smile, a supportive comment, a thoughtful gesture? If enough of us pay with that kind of currency, it won’t be just money that makes the world go round.

With that said, here’s Part III of the Renewal videos:

Should you enjoy the perspectives of any of the people it features, why not share your appreciation by contacting them through the links provided on the Youtube page. I’m sure they’ll be glad to hear from you.

To watch How We Renew Our City: Part I, click here.

To watch How We Renew Our City: Part II, click here.