Kevin Costner had a friend who was a struggling writer, Michael.
Costner, ever the consummate friend, would secure writing jobs for Michael.
But Costner would almost invariably receive negative feedback about Michael’s work. “He pissed everybody off,” remarks Costner.
One fine day, Michael aired his frustrations out. “I hate Hollywood, I hate all you people.” Costner had reached the end of his rope.
He told Michael that instead of blaming everyone else for his failures; maybe he should do a better job as a writer. “Maybe you’re just not good enough.”
A heated argument ensues. Costner has Michael pinned against the wall. Things quickly go south from there.
“I thought we had lost our friendship,” Costner ruminates.
But a week later, Michael tells him “I don’t have a place to stay. Can I stay at your house?” Costner agrees.
Michael stayed there for a couple of months, and he wrote every night. He would ask Costner to read what he was writing. But Costner would always refuse; he was still angry and upset.
After striking out with Costner, Michael eventually began reading to Costner’s three-year-old daughter every night.
Costner’s wife wasn’t too pleased with this development. “He’s in her room reading to her. He has to go,” came the command.
And Michael was booted out. Michael ultimately ended up working as a dishwasher in a Chinese restaurant in Arizona.
Michael would constantly call Costner and ask him “Have you read what I wrote?”
“No. I don’t even like you anymore,” blurted Costner.
“Well. I’m cold. I’m working at this Chinese restaurant and I’m having to kill raccoons,” Michael mumbled in return.
Costner sent him blankets.
“Did you read what I wrote?”
“No”
Costner sent him supplies.
“Did you read what I wrote?”
“No”
Costner sent him a sleeping bag.
“Did you read what I wrote?”
“No.”
Finally, Kevin Costner relented.
He read what his friend Michael Blake had written, some of it while he was staying at Costner’s house, and some of it while he was freezing and working at a Chinese restaurant, killing raccoons…
.
.
.
.
.
It was Dances with Wolves. Michael Blake had written Dances with Wolves.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Dances with Wolves would receive 12 Academy Award nominations. It won 7 Oscars, including Best Picture.
Kevin Costner won Best Director.
And Michael Blake, former killer of raccoons and washer of dishes, won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Blake is on the right.
If you’ve got a dream, you got to protect it. If you want something, go get it, period.
And it helps if you have a friend like Kevin Costner.
Thanks for Reading
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