Last month I got to attend the South by Southwest 2016 festival. It was awesome and being my second time attending, it felt better this time around than the first. I got to revisit one of my favorite cities, Austin, and attend several interactive panels and film screenings. The big thing making it more enjoyable this time around was that I actually knew more about the panels and what to attend. Plus, I got more knowledgable about all the free things and food being given out this time around! Wooo!

The best thing I got to do was attend a keynote session lead by independent filmmaker Joe Swanberg. He’s really known for being one of the frontrunners of the mumblecore filmmaking movement. A movement centering around ultra-low budget and DIY filmmaking.

Many of the people around me know I have an appreciation for independent “indie” film. Unlike mainstream Hollywood, which churns out superhero, remake, and reboots over and over again, indie film offers a fresh perspective.

Joe Swanberg is most known for his films Drinking Buddies and Happy Christmas. A prolific filmmaker, he’s written+directed+produced 20+ films in the last decade. The first film I saw of his was Drinking Buddies and after that I was hooked.

There’s something so great about seeing someone stay scrappy when starting out and having a solid work flow to them. When he got up on the stage at SXSW, the first thing he said was “I want to talk about money, something that people need to start discussing more.”

Money can be an empowering tool 

It amazes me whenever people turn their noses when the topic of money comes up. Money doesn’t buy happiness. I’d rather be broke and happy than have lots of money and be miserable. We’ve all heard the often cited phrases putting down the discussion of money as something crass and not worth the time.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Money management and making money are two important things that need more discussion.

Due to collaborations and discussions with other filmmakers in his niche, Swanberg was able to get a better perspective on industry pay. He mentioned how if he hadn’t had these discussions about money, he wouldn’t have known his monetary worth.

You don’t get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate

After pitching and landing a gig producing a web series, Swanberg became more in tune with knowing his worth, understanding the power of his skills, and being able to negotiate good rates for his work. Throughout the run of the series, he kept understanding his worth and negotiating.

“I became aware people were watching this show and I should ask for more money. I was learning to be a negotiator and to stand up for myself and value my work.” 

Pay yourself first+invest in yourself

There’s a guideline rising in popularity in the personal finance world about paying yourself first. Automate your savings and spend what is left after saving, and not the other way around.

This concept was similar to what Swanberg talked about when discussing knowing your worth and investing in yourself.

“The only way you’re ever going to make any money is if you invest in your movies.” 

Aside from mentioning movies, the quote can apply to many different industries. It’s a concept I’ve been growing more into. Many people don’t like spending big amounts of money but if it’s really valuable and you know it will help you, get it, invest in it. This was was I told myself when I contemplated buying an e-course I really wanted. It was worth it!

Don’t half do two things, whole do one thing

*****RON SWANSON HALF ASS TWO THINGS IMAGE*****

Day jobs. Ah, those two words conjure up mixed reactions. Some people are content with their’s while others feel restless with them. The ever so mentioned “9 to 5 day job”. Swanberg had a day job while making his first several films.

The films made money but none of them had been hugely profitable. Like many who have a strong presence in a project outside their 9 to 5, he contemplated how if he just had more time to devote to his films. He wanted to fully engage with the process of being a filmmaker.

“I had a day job when I made my first two movies. Then the realities of traveling the festival circuit with a feature film became so much that I had to decide: do I keep the day job and half engage with the process of being a filmmaker or do I quit the day job and fully engage with the process. I said screw it and and [focused on filmmaking].”

Yes day jobs hold their weight in being able to provide a steady paycheck, but they be something clung to out of desperation. If you have an inking of focusing more on a side project and have figured out different ways to go about making a living then go for it.

Happiness is money

When Swanberg talked about how happiness was money, my brain went around in loops. It was such obvious yet not so obvious advice at the same time. Time is money is the frequently mentioned phrase.

What about happiness and money?

“Time is money but I would also say happiness is money. It’s often not worth the money to take a shitty job on something you hate. Anytime I find myself making money doing something I hate, I fight with my wife more. I’m snippy with my kid. I look back and realize it wasn’t worth the money.” 

When you work and do something you really hate, you’re trading your happiness for money. Yes, I know working the ~~DrEaM job~~ is not always in the cards but don’t settle with staying in a job you hate.

Look for ways to earn income on the side, figure out an exit strategy. Don’t settle. It will cost you some of your happiness.