by Carole Dean
The Power of Pretending
When I first wrote The Art of Film Funding, it was my second book. My first book, Heal Thyself, was loved by Warner Publishing—until they asked me to co-author it with a doctor. I refused because the whole point was to teach self-healing! So, the book never got published.
But I learned a valuable lesson: If I wanted my next book out in the world, I had to do it myself. So, I self-published The Art of Film Funding. But then, I did something different—I decided to manifest a publisher instead of chasing one.
My Manifestation Strategy
I started reading about how to find a publisher, but the process seemed overwhelmingly complicated. So, I made a decision: I will attract the perfect publisher instead!
Every day, I tied my goal of publishing my book to my exercise routine. As I moved my body, I moved my mind into the reality where I was already a published author with the perfect publisher. I would say things like:
- I love my publisher!
- My publisher treats me so well!
- My publisher takes me to lunch and supports me 100%!
- I AM a published author, and my book is helping filmmakers everywhere!
I repeated these affirmations daily, living as if it had already happened.
And Then It Happened…
One day, someone handed my self-published edition to Michael Wiese—the best person in the world to publish my book. And guess what? He contacted me and said, Carole, I love your book. We want to publish it.
Boom! Just like that, my book had a real publisher. Not because I chased one, but because I became the person who already had one.
The Secret Formula: Pretend It’s Already Yours
The key is simple: Pretend you already have what you want. Write a script for your life and act it out every day, even if only for 10 minutes. This isn’t just woo-woo thinking—this is backed by quantum physics! As Richard Feynman said, there are a million ways things can happen, but we only see a few. The universe sees them all.
So stop asking how—that’s the universe’s job! Your job is to focus on what you want and act as if you already have it.
Your Manifestation Action Plan
- Write your goals in the present tense. Instead of “I want to be a filmmaker,” say “I AM an award-winning filmmaker.”
- Create a mantra starting with “I AM.”
- Tie your affirmations to a daily routine. Do you exercise? Walk? Brush your teeth? Use that time to repeat your affirmations.
- Visualize daily. See yourself achieving your goal. Feel the excitement!
- Ignore the ‘how.’ That’s the universe’s job. You just focus on the feeling of already having it.
Speak the Language of Success
If you’re pitching to investors, remember that HNIs (High-Net-Worth Individuals) think in terms of goals, intentions, missions, and visions. They made their wealth by setting clear intentions and taking action. Use these words in your film pitches, grant applications, and investor conversations—it builds trust and credibility.
Final Thought: The Universe is Listening
Manifesting isn’t magic; it’s aligning your thoughts, emotions, and actions with what you want. It worked for me, and it will work for you. So, start today: Speak your success into existence, and watch the universe rearrange itself to make it happen!
Now, go write your success story!
Carole Dean is president and founder of From the Heart Productions; a 501(c)3 non-profit that offers the Roy W. Dean Film Grants and fiscal sponsorship for independent filmmakers. She is creator and instructor of Learn Producing: The Ultimate Course for Indie Film Production. Essential classes for indie filmmakers on how to produce their films.
She hosts the weekly podcast, The Art of Film Funding, interviewing those involved in all aspects of indie film production. She is also the author of The Art of Film Funding, 2nd Edition: Alternative Financing Concepts. See IMDB for producing credits
