Filmmaking Deep Dive: Alan's Career Story Time!

I just signed up on Patreon & this was the first thing I watched. And… I’m so glad it was! You & Jonathan are both amazing people.

Okay, I've recently started going through all the things you guys have done on YouTube and here on Patreon. So please forgive me for geeking out a bit over what I come across 😅. I love your view on acceptance and how you have come to realize that all the horrible things, addiction included (been there), have brought you to where you are now. Including clips and pictures of your journey was a great touch, as was the music and subtle camera movement to keep the viewer engaged. Honestly? Seeing as I have seen that you are also a fan of Brandon Sanderson, I would love to see your name listed anywhere on his goal of making Mistborn into a movie. I doubt it'll ever come to a vote for fans, of course, but you have mine. Thank you for posting something that obviously made you vulnerable, even with the jokes you make to lighten the mood. This was a joy to watch.

Thanks so much for sharing your journey. I've been curious about how you've come to be where you are (and can't wait to see what's next). You cover some of the early influences that led you to love of film and into film making, but what would you say your biggest influences are in your current style? Are there films you watch specifically to learn from?

Btw, why didn't you mention your Emmys?

well, we could do a lot worse then being stuck with you all at cinema therapy 😘 thanks for doing this!!

I completely understand, needing to follow your passion. Ever since I was in high school, maybe even earlier I wanted to go into music. When I went to college to become a music teacher, I didn’t know if I would like it. I knew I liked to play music, but teaching it is completely different. I fell in love with it, and today, it is my job and I am doing things I never thought I would be able to do. Like arranging and composing, for plays with our schools theater. I feel so blessed to be able to do what I love every day. Until recently, I didn’t know how uncommon that was. You guys are doing such amazing and important work. We love you. ❤️

I admire your resilience. So happy you didn't give up and arrived at Cinema Therapy. I've found your channel about a year ago, at that time I was (and still am) a war refugee who moved from Ukraine with my child. I watched every episode, one a day, and they helped me to get through tough time. Sending love and gratitude to you, Jono and all the team.

Thank you for sharing this story! You've hinted at certain times in videos, but this video really shines a light on how hard it can be to pursue a career in something that may not always pay the most dividends. Thank you for all that you have done with cinema therapy! And I hope everything continues to go well for you and your family.

Thank you so much for sharing. For what it’s worth, I’m so damn proud of you for so many things after hearing your story—always working hard to provide for your family, being humble enough to accept the help you needed with your addiction and your marriage, being brave enough to do the work you needed to do in your own therapy sessions, and maintaining such a spirit of joy, compassion, and openness after it all. 2020-the first half of 2023 were some of the hardest years of my life for a whole hell of a lot of reasons but CT was a legit godsend. I have looked forward to y’all’s videos ever since I found you in 2020, and sometimes the excitement of just getting to share in a bit of your healing or nerding out or laughter was what reminded me that there was still hope for things to get better. Honestly, I could go on and on for pages about what it’s meant to tune in every week and feel like I’m getting to watch something new/rediscover something with two good friends, but I’ll just leave it at I hope you can feel how impactful the filmmaking work you are doing now is. Steven Spielberg’s films might be seen by millions of people, but I truly believe that it’s y’all’s work that’s changing the lives of millions of people because of how you help show people how they can heal and how they can get help pass on that healing. Love y’all so much!!

Seriously, you are the best!

I think your credits are exciting !!!

That was an incredible journey. Thank you for your openness and sharing.

The part that resonates with me the most is the sideloaded definition of success as being able keep doing what you feel compelled to do.

It is either a simple but heartfelt thank you for sharing or a mile long paragraph and the only person who should see the paragraph is my therapist so please accept my sincere thank you.

A few thoughts: 1. More proof that Sean Astin is the G.O.A.T. 2. My marriage did not survive my husband's addiction and I lost my best friend. Please give Megan a huge hug. 3. So excited and proud to be doing my own little bit to help your company do what you love and are so good at. Spielberg's got nothing on you in this space! 😅 Thanks for sharing and looking forward to this next chapter.

Ok, but I kinda relate a bit to Sean Astin's excitement for your film and having you sign his copy. I can't express how excited I was when I realized I was not only going to be able to get a blu-ray copy of Moonstruck from the ECCC Q&A, but I was ALSO going to be able to get it signed by you after the panel. My partner was like "I'm surprised you didn't get a signed poster" and I was just excitedly vibrating in my seat like, "OK, but consider this: I get a copy of Moonstruck, which I love, AND I can get it signed by the director (and Jono ofc, but I was REALLY excited for Alan to sign it haha) at the meet and greet." I have proudly shown off my signed copy to a couple of people now 😂 Really loved this video and hearing your story. I have so much admiration for your dedication to your work and all of the things you have gone through. 💖

Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your story, not just the highlight reel.

Thank you for sharing! What a beautiful story of friendship between you and Jono as well

I'm actually really glad you guys made this video. ❤️ I like getting to know you guys better. ☺️

Listening to the Sean Astin excerpt during my morning routine... Do you know how hard it is to do a happy dance and try to cheer for you with a mouthful of Scope?! 🤭 He's coming to a local event this summer and I'm totally wearing my CT shirt to get his autograph now. Just gotta find the right potato.

If I am ever at a convention and get to see you guys, I will ask if I can give you a hug. For now, here’s an emoji. 🫂

This was touching to watch probably because it reminds me that everything has a purpose and that even if life feels hopeless now there is light somewhere for me too.

Thank you for sharing your story. I have spent years beating myself up because I haven't been able to make a living in it, but I can't leave it. It's really the only thing I want to do. It was touching to hear your experiences and it brought up all the feels.

This was a heartbreaking watch in places.

❤️

I love ghostbusters and I can't wait to see the new film/movie that's coming out soon. I love your filmmaking journey. Thank you for sharing it with us. I would love you to do a session on editing and another on colouring as well. That would be really useful and I think a lot of people would be interested in that as well.