I recently had the privilege of attending Camp Film Fest in Austin, Texas with my Rig Designer co-founders Michael and Anthony. What an amazing experience it was.
Honestly, I came into it expecting to struggle to make connections (being a software guy at a film festival). But on the very first night we arrived I happened to meet THREE other software engineers. It felt nice to throw around programming terms with people who actually understood what I was saying.
And even beyond this, there were so many good people at this festival. People like me who maybe hadn't spoken to others who truly understood their language in a long time. Before the final event of the festival, I stood outside the venue in awe as I looked out over the crowd. I knew the names of an astounding number of them, and they felt very familiar despite us having met less than 48 hours ago.
We all had our own reasons for attending the festival, but I was most excited to see Yes Theory’s panel held by Thomas and Ammar. When the time came for it I couldn't keep the smile off my face. These were creators I had only ever watched through a screen, and yet they've had such a profound impact on my life. I love everything they stand for - optimism, empathy, openness, and pushing the limits of your comfort zone.
They discussed some of their most notable projects, some of their insecurities, and even sang happy birthday to Ammar. By the end of their panel, I had shed a few tears. It's strange because I'm not an outwardly emotional person, but it felt like some walls had broken down within me.
Everyone then exited the theater, and Michael suggested we stick around outside of the venue to see if Thomas and Ammar would come out and take pictures with anyone. I agreed but didn't think much beyond that. I was still regaining my composure, and I figured that they would likely be busy or that my chances of meeting them would be slim in the crowd.
But sure enough, I caught sight of them exiting the venue in somewhat of a hurry. I turned to Michael, who simply said "Let's go up to them". My mind tends to go blank in these kinds of situations, so I wasn't really considering how we would approach them or ask for pictures or anything. And yet Michael ended up catching Thomas's attention and initiated a conversation, telling him that Yes Theory was part of the reason we went skydiving last year. Anthony also caught up and probably noticed that I hadn't said anything to Thomas yet, so he told him how much of a fan I was.
I'm not sure exactly how it happened, but I imagine Thomas noticed my lack of composure, as he then turned to me and started to hug and reassure me in the way that a family member would. I was honestly shocked. This person that I admired so deeply knew me as nothing more than a fan, and yet he made me feel like we had known each other for years. We exchanged a few words, but I was too moved to hold much of a conversation.
I think we all shook hands afterward (though I really don't remember clearly), and Michael, Anthony, and I moved away to make space for other people to meet him.
It's hard to put into words how meaningful this was to me, and the logical part of me wants to judge myself for behaving so emotionally or for posting about it at all. But the fact that it makes me uncomfortable means it's probably exactly what I need to do. Nearly all of the good things in my life are a result of the people around me, and I feel like I should become more accepting of and open with my feelings.
I truly am so grateful to have had this entire experience, and I'm so fortunate to have people like Michael and Anthony in my life who give me the pushes I need.
* This post was crossposted to instagram.com/camadowney
I recently had the privilege of attending Camp Film Fest in Austin, Texas with my Rig Designer co-founders Michael and Anthony. What an amazing experience it was.
Honestly, I came into it expecting to struggle to make connections (being a software guy at a film festival). But on the very first night we arrived I happened to meet THREE other software engineers. It felt nice to throw around programming terms with people who actually understood what I was saying.
And even beyond this, there were so many good people at this festival. People like me who maybe hadn't spoken to others who truly understood their language in a long time. Before the final event of the festival, I stood outside the venue in awe as I looked out over the crowd. I knew the names of an astounding number of them, and they felt very familiar despite us having met less than 48 hours ago.
We all had our own reasons for attending the festival, but I was most excited to see Yes Theory’s panel held by Thomas and Ammar. When the time came for it I couldn't keep the smile off my face. These were creators I had only ever watched through a screen, and yet they've had such a profound impact on my life. I love everything they stand for - optimism, empathy, openness, and pushing the limits of your comfort zone.
They discussed some of their most notable projects, some of their insecurities, and even sang happy birthday to Ammar. By the end of their panel, I had shed a few tears. It's strange because I'm not an outwardly emotional person, but it felt like some walls had broken down within me.
Everyone then exited the theater, and Michael suggested we stick around outside of the venue to see if Thomas and Ammar would come out and take pictures with anyone. I agreed but didn't think much beyond that. I was still regaining my composure, and I figured that they would likely be busy or that my chances of meeting them would be slim in the crowd.
But sure enough, I caught sight of them exiting the venue in somewhat of a hurry. I turned to Michael, who simply said "Let's go up to them". My mind tends to go blank in these kinds of situations, so I wasn't really considering how we would approach them or ask for pictures or anything. And yet Michael ended up catching Thomas's attention and initiated a conversation, telling him that Yes Theory was part of the reason we went skydiving last year. Anthony also caught up and probably noticed that I hadn't said anything to Thomas yet, so he told him how much of a fan I was.
I'm not sure exactly how it happened, but I imagine Thomas noticed my lack of composure, as he then turned to me and started to hug and reassure me in the way that a family member would. I was honestly shocked. This person that I admired so deeply knew me as nothing more than a fan, and yet he made me feel like we had known each other for years. We exchanged a few words, but I was too moved to hold much of a conversation.
I think we all shook hands afterward (though I really don't remember clearly), and Michael, Anthony, and I moved away to make space for other people to meet him.
It's hard to put into words how meaningful this was to me, and the logical part of me wants to judge myself for behaving so emotionally or for posting about it at all. But the fact that it makes me uncomfortable means it's probably exactly what I need to do. Nearly all of the good things in my life are a result of the people around me, and I feel like I should become more accepting of and open with my feelings.
I truly am so grateful to have had this entire experience, and I'm so fortunate to have people like Michael and Anthony in my life who give me the pushes I need.
* This post was crossposted to instagram.com/camadowney