The work is arduous, the prospects bleak and the goals seem unattainable. These are the conditions under which start-ups often start their business models. Without financial resources, but with an unbroken will, they pursue the seemingly impossible. That’s exactly what I saw when I first heard Günther Haiduk talk about his project. But he was not a start-up entrepreneur, but talked about his first film project in his career as a director with the working title “Close to Heaven, far from Happiness” The characters he had created had been reality for him for a long time. He had already constructed every scene and every detail in his mind. The film was already finished in his head. That’s exactly how I felt when I founded my start-up Hardwarewartung.com in 2014. I had a clear picture of how I will get my business model up and running and how it will change the market. This energy that you have in these initial phases is known by everyone who has ever been determined to realize a vision.
But the hurdles are big. Unfortunately, reality demands that you put together a financial plan and predict what further resources you will need. Quickly you realize that you can’t realize a vision with your existing possibilities. Your environment splits into doubters and supporters. And this is exactly where magic happens. The uncompromising will to realize your idea not only awakens undreamed-of energies, but also mobilizes people around you. People you didn’t even know before develop into rocks in the surf, who follow your vision and become irreplaceable pillars of your endeavor.
Making an art-house movie with no money for DOP, Sound Engineers, Actors or equipment seems to be just such an undertaking. If you don’t hire professionals, your film will also become amateurish and you won’t be able to realize your ideas. But professionals cost money. Or? Not if you have the power of persuasion! Günther has managed to put together a film crew of over 15 professionals free of charge by convincing them of his idea.
Also we, from Hardwarewartung.com, were carried away by his enthusiasm. Not only have we contributed financially, but we have also taken on two extra roles.
If Günther Haiduk were a start-up with his first work “Close to heaven, far from happiness”, many companies could learn from him.
- When you start something, pull it through and only work with professionals. Even if you think you can’t afford it.
- Divide the way to the goal into stages. The course is a marathon.
- Always go step by step to your goal.
- Learn from people who have done that before. But keep track of your own vision.
These and many other parallels exist between Star-Ups and Arthouse Film productions. We, as friend and sponsor, wish Günther Haiduk much success with his film “Dem Himmel so nah, dem Glück so fern” (“Close to Heaven, far from Happiness”) and would like to invite you to visit his Facebook page and support him until the completion of the film. Maybe the work will soon be shown at the next film festival in your city.
