Artistic Entrepreneurship & Technology : The Class's Final Lecture : Class Begins Today

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Teaching is all about inspiring people to realize their full potential, and in that sense, AE&T was filled not with students, but teachers.

Every artist is an entrepreneur. Every entrepreneur is an artist. And all artists and entrepreneurs are teachers.

Think about the immense amount you learned from your peers in this class.

A guest professor from Computer Science sat in on Tuesday's class, and she was vastly impressed with the presentations—the professional photography, the classical music video, the PR firm, Charlie & Stephen's technology startup—all of them. And that was but the tip of the iceberg of all the class's talent.

Perhaps the greatest trait of this class was the rich idealism and exalted values expressed throughout the semester—the immense faith that the world is yet to be born, that we can do better, that movies can more aptly signify the depths of our souls, that music can better exalt our higher aspirations, that visual art and sculpture carry a unique, precious value that can be found in no other medium and which must be revived or lost; that we could use a renaissance in storytelling across the board—in NY publishing and Hollywood and Video Games, that Wall Street would be better off focusing on the higher ideals—long term investing in Truth’s Beauty—as opposed to the bottom line marketing and hype that afflicts so many contemporary ventures from Mutual Funds to Music. That we could build better systems for digital rights management, wherein artists chose their rights, thus realizing the full beauty of the cutting edge technologies as well as the classical rights laid out in the Constitution. That art, business, law, and technology could better be served with a simple, age-old, philosophy—Ideals are Real.

What I witnessed in class was leadership at its highest level. People committed to their craft, to their ideals. Not leadership presented in power point presentations nor recognized with high ceremony, but that quiet, consistent, humble leadership that always ends up getting everything done. The very hallmark of that classic, rugged American spirit that's perfectly happy to take one small step at a time on towards that infinite goal. You guys are artists, and after spending a semester with you, it makes sense that you're seeking to make your passions your professions, as your passions abound. And there is no greater value you can give to the world.

This class is a fellowship. We shall all meet again, but for now we must part way to pursue our own ventures—to embark on our own private Hero's Journeys, as the true class begins.

Take the good spirit and cheer of the class with you. Know that you are in good company when you're filling out the grant proposals, finishing that photography exhibit, setting up that art show, or writing those short stories that are begging to be written, to be turned into a novel, to be shot as a movie. And keep in mind that the artistic life is ironic—there is nothing that is more encompassing of all of humanity—there is nothing that crosses so many barriers and borders—there is nothing that more deeply touches the heart and soul, the mind and spirit, all simultaneously—there is nothing that brings us closer together than books, movies, music, and art; and yet, at times, there are few endeavors as lonely. For all great art, as all lasting leadership, comes from some individual staring off alone. But take the light side of this irony to heart—although you labor alone for the moment, you're in very good company in doing so. In the deep of night, as you finish that final cut all bleary eyed, know you're part of a vast Fellowship. T.S. Eliot called it the community of eternal souls, and it is that unique individuality by which you stamp all your work that exalts all of us in our own unique individualities, setting us free from the madding crowds.

The arts are yours for the making—the renaissances and revivals are yours for the taking. And by the taking, I mean seizing that sword from the stone, claiming that treasure at the pinnacles of your journeys, and bringing them on back for the rest of us to see. For that is the artist's job—to seize those distant treasures and share them with her audience.

It ain't easy, climbin' that mountain.

And it's been inspiring watching all of you doing it.

From all the talent in Language Arts—from the raw charisma and music, all the way to Pierce's natural leadership and quiet faith—the living, ineffable poetry that will take him far in all he does. Such qualities resounded throughout the class, and know this—it is that deep-down poetry that is your most valuable asset in all you do. Never trade it, sell it, nor forget it. In all business, law, and technology, it is the art that must lead, as art is the manifestation of the higher ideals—art is the immortal parts of our souls setting themselves free.

Art is what resounded throughout the class—Amanda Smith's rockin' music and Nashville dreams—she will be there. The Black Swamp Bootleggers' sense of destiny that we all now share—did you guys know that they just formed in January? That they just bought their very first PA system? That they got radio airplay, performed for the Chancellor, and booked gigs throughout the summer? And that they just bought a Greyhound tour bus? Well, not just yet.

Daniel Heath's immense talents and humble postings reminding us of that Higher faith from which all other value derives, and the good humor of so many—will Daniel be a successful entertainment lawer? A singer/songwriter? A producer? All those are just names for jobs, and Daniel will be something that transcends them all—an artistic entrepreneur—exalting us and fellow artists in all he does.

Charlie's & Stephen's professional business plan that would bring jobs and value and wealth to Chapel Hill would but some Angel investor see it—Franklin Street longs for such ingenious startups to attract and employ talent—maybe there's room to build it over Players; Travis's interests in everything and genuine enthusiasm that'll open doors in evey venture he pursues—video games, movies—next-gen storytelling; James heading off to LA to dance with Janet Jackson after the first lecture, Lauren & Triple Threat's cool dreams of starting a school to help artists rock their dreams—starting in Charlotte, and then heading up to NY, Candy's firm faith that artists ought to be paid, that artists must be paid, that artists will be paid—backed up with the action of setting up two art shows—one for the Chancellor; Rebbecca/Kelly/Jane's exploration of a PR firm that they'll be continuing in internships and jobs—watch for Rebecca's VH1 "Where are they now?" special about our class.

Will Hackney—the class's only freshman—most rockin' record label—Trekky Records. Sweater Weather's and the Anchor Comes Home's rockin' music and the multiple talents of Bobby Sweat & Ryan Dean—artists, musicians, poets, and natural entrepreneurs—just rockin' every day and in every way as they were born to do. Jessica's hard work & talent in shooting & editing the videos, Jordan's answering her call to join the world of film, accepted into the screenwriting program, and Hannah's professional award-winning documentary and inspirational spirit—all three—Jessica, Jordan, and Hannah will be heading to LA over the summer. Kaushal Shah's thirty year plan rocked—he's got the music, the site, the spirit, he kicked off Rocky Raccoon's, and was one of the first business students to get in on AE&T—send us a link to your thirty year plan! Michael Woods' immense energy and plans to light up the Chapel Hill and Triangle nightlife with events at La Rez—he's on the right track here to something huge. This area needs more rockin' arts, fashion, and music shows—and Michael's gonna throw some video gaming in there as well—the Triangle's hungry for this, and where there is demand, there lies a business.

Hannah lived the Hero's Journey in shooting her documentary—the call to adventure, the magic flight/escape from Thailand, the numerous cuts/editing and complete changes of direction, and the final delivery of a film that rocked the Full Frame festival and PBS the same weekend. Tiera's rockin' promotional company, Loose Bricks clothing to help charities, Billow's future fashion line, and Phil Gennet's myriad ventures, all united under Phil's "can-do" spirit. Everyone keep an eye on Phil—I bought four suits from him, and so did the Chancellor.

Summer & Gail's rockin' classical music video—the first time they ever picked up a camera and edited something, and they blew us all away with the first classical music video ever shot. There's a solid business there—they could get financing to produce upscale classical music videos and sell them throughout the world—educational & beyond—rock those dreams Summer & Gail. Brooke's rockin' fashion designs and the awesome dress she had made and modeled—so many ways Brooke can be a player in the fashion industry—it was cool watching her approach it from every angle, looking for the best way on up that mountain. That’s what school’s all about, as when you graduate, there’s going to be more pressure to choose a definitive path. Crystal's most inspiring photography and her wise advice—“when you make contacts—don't just talk shop—hang out with them too." Bill & Max rockin' the myspace page and plans for law school—we need more lawyers with artist's souls, as when you read the Declaration of Independence or Constitution, you'll note a profundity and eloquence that could only have been rendered by classical poets.

Keep runnin' with it. Keep rockin’ it.

That dream that the world has not yet seen. That new vision.

You've never done it before.

But don't be scared.

Because nobody has.

By following our dreams long enough, we become them, embodying the abstract ideals we once saw upon that distant horizon.

I haven't mentioned nearly everyone in this, but there wasn't anyone in the class who doesn't have what it takes to direct.

To shoot. To build. To sculpt. To record. To rock. To rap. To teach. To promote.

To create.

To make your passion your profession.

They're gonna tell you no—especially in this day and age that all too often emphasizes group-think, marketing, and hype over intrinsic value, but you gotta call the bluff. You see the cards you're holding. And those things that make you you—your ideals and dreams and truth and beauty—are four aces. And don’t ever let anyone talk it down, ‘cause know this—the cards call themselves.

I've said it a hundred times—there is nothing more valuable that your passions and your ideals. They are you.

The biggest risk you face is not dreaming big enough, not working hard enough.

Not believing that it is your right, as it is your duty, to dream until your dreams come true.

The biggest risk you face is being somebody else.

You are surfing a giant, unstoppable wave.

It is called time.

You are on its cutting edge—the present.

You've got to take chances—you've got to weigh the odds now and then, look for the opening, and do what you've got to do to ride his wave as you were born to do.

You’ve gotta know your limitations, but you can’t fear them.

And those chances you take in testing your full potential aren't risks—if you stop taking chances on that cutting-edge wave—if you opt out, the wave will wash right on over you.

You've got to think on your feet—one wrong move, one suspect second, and you could wipe out.

But you'll get back up. And do it again. And you'll know what it takes next time.

The greater risk is in not following your ideals, in not remaining loyal to your deep-down dreams.

The greater risk is in taking no risks. The greater risk is folding while holding four aces.

As Wayne Gretsky—the NHL's all time leading scorer—said, "I missed every shot I never took."

You get what you put in. And people get what they deserve.

Thanks to each and every one of you for teaching us all this semester.

Define the world with your higher ideals—with your music & poetry & art & living literature—or it will define you via its bureaucracy.
You were born into a most rare era, and a most unique country, where you get to say what you want and own what you do. But with these rights come duties—the duty to inspire.

Ideals are Real.

Rock those Dreams.

And so it is that this class ends.

And AE&T begins.

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