In January of 2012, I was asked to be interviewed for a documentary that my good friend Adam Baker was producing.
In March, Adam and a camera crew arrived at my home in San Diego to film me and my family for a day.
In May, the film crew created a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to help promote the film.
In June, the Kickstarter campaign ended and 4,477 backers pledged a total of $116,164!
In July, the film premiered at Chris Guillebeau's World Domination Summit.
And today, the documentary is finally officially available to the public.
I'm Fine, Thanks is a documentary that explores how and why people follow a path in life that isn't necessarily the one that they wish they were on. Some people follow a path that someone else has created for them and others follow a path that society deems to be the “correct” path, and in many cases people just aren't happy, but they continue on that path anyway.
Why make a documentary about this? I asked Adam this question even before filming started, and he said:
“We want I’m Fine, Thanks to give thousands of people inspiration to live their lives based on their own hopes and dreams – not someone elses vision or script for their life. We want to push people to take the first small action to reignite their passions.”
I'm deeply connected to this subject because I was on “the path” too.
I went to school, got good grades, went to college, got a bachelor's degree, landed a corporate job and I was ready to dedicate the rest of my life to “the path”. Unlike many, however, I was actually very happy to be on the path but then 2008 came around and I was laid off. I was miserable, confused and it was one of the lowest points in my life, but it turned out that getting bumped off the path was the best thing that could ever happen to me. Now, as an entrepreneur working for myself, I realize that I could have been happy on “the path”, but I wouldn't have known what it would be like to be this happy.
It was my layoff, fortunately that kindled my entrepreneurial spirit.
For others, it could be this movie.
I actually fell so much in love with the project that even before the Kickstarter campaign started, I invested $30,000 to help fund the production phase of the film. So to be completely transparent, I am an investor and I do earn a small percentage of any profit that the film makes. That's a pretty cool bonus, but I would have backed the project even without a share of the profits.
Although I didn't attend World Domination Summit for the premiere (shame on me!), I did watch the film for the first time in July and it was exactly what I had hoped it would be: emotional, funny, happy – all kinds of emotions wrapped in one. It was also interesting to see exactly what footage they used out of what was recorded when the film crew came to my house.
When I wrote about I'm Fine, Thanks and the Kickstarter campaign back in May, I know a lot of you immediately went ahead and backed the film. To all of you, thank you, and I hope you've enjoyed the movie as much as I did! I'd love to hear what you think about it in the comments. If you're going to watch this in the future, I'd love to know what you think after you watch it.
To finish up, a huge congrats to Adam Baker and Director Grant Peelle for allowing me to be a part of this project and share it here on the blog.
You can download or stream the movie from the I'm Fine, Thanks website or pick up a DVD and some posters too. As you can see from the picture above my son and I (and Buzz Lightyear) are about to enjoy the film together 🙂
And lastly, in an unrelated note, I just setup an event for an SPI meetup in Vegas for New Media Expo in January! If you're in town and want to meet up and you love Vegas buffets, click here for all of the details!
Cheers, and all the best to you!
p.s. Don't forget to vote for The Smart Passive Income podcast for the 8th Annual Podcast Awards. Click here to vote for Pat in the People's Choice and Business categories. Vote daily until the 15th! Thank you!
Going download and watch it tonight! I might even have to make my parents watch it too 😉
Great post. I love industry posts that discuss more psychological aspects, so I loved reading about the two types of disinhibition.
Great idea to hold an SPI meetup Pat. I’ll be attending with my wife and look forward to enjoying a world famous Las Vegas buffet with you and other like minded people. Should be a great evening!
That looks great! “climbed the later then realized I had it leaning against the wrong wall” – Don’t think I have heard that one before but I like it!
Was that you doing the dips @ 2:24?
Which person in the documentary did you find the most inspiring?
I think the climbing with the ladder against the wrong wall is from Stephen Coveys “7 habits” book 😉
I just finished watching and is really awesome! Fun, exciting and eye opening. Really inspiring movie for all people to see!
I can’t wait to see it. I am still recovering from the effects of what happened that same year. I was a self employed variety entertainer with a large contract with Six Flags theme park. After 2008 most of the corporate theme parks cut their independent contractors and have been doing most of the entertainment in house.
Ever since then I have been struggling to find what I should be doing. I am glad you figured it out quickly and I hope to get my act together soon enough.
Jason Love
http://www.jasonloveslife.com
I’ve just forwarded it to my Canadian friend who has recently confessed to me of being lost and trying to find sense of life. I suppose each of us at some point needs some kind of peace, something the will fulfill our life. Great initiative! As always Pat, as always 🙂
I’m looking forward to it! Patt you have accomplished so much since you’ve started which inspires me! Thank you for everything you’ve done.
Davaughn White
http://www.cashmystudio.com
Awesome Pat. I am looking forward to watching the film.
I was an early supporter on Kickstarter for “I’m Fine Thanks.” It is absolutely amazing. It helped encourage me to follow my dreams and take the leap into full time online entrepreneur and I am now making more than I ever could at my full time job!!! I get to spend time with my wife and 6 month old daughter. This film will change your life!!!! Highly recommend!!! Thanks for sharing Pat
Hello Pat, I am someone who had no choice but to join the medical school, not because I wished to, but because everyone in the family is in the field and wanted me in it.
So, I totally positively appreciate the movie – Encouraging others to live lives based on hopes and desires. I know how hard it is to follow your desires, with no one on your side, no support or word of encouragement. But wherever you turn to for encouragement, all you can get is lots of strange looks and advice is the opposite direction of where you want your life to go. Been there… Totally…
But thank God I haven’t quitted yet, even after 7 years of life pushing me in the opposite direction of my dreams and desires. Anyway thanks for the movie and am looking forward to watch it and be inspired… 🙂
Dr.Spencer Jones
Pat,
My wife and I just finished watching the film. What inspiration !!! I need to share this with the younger generation in my “clan”.
Thanks,
Mac
Looks awesome Pat. I look forward to watching it!
I honestly didn’t know what to think at first when I went to the “I’m Fine Thanks” page, but since I knew you were in it.. I bought it on DVD and download.
Absolutely AMAZING and I’m going to be taking this share and using it inside my course to help others. I’ll be sharing this with everyone I know 🙂 Thanks a lot Pat!
I went a step further. I ordered the DVD, Poster, and download 🙂 Total of $40 for a really awesome documentary. I’ll be honest with you, I never spend money on DVD’s, never buy posters, and rarely ever pay to watch a documentary, especially when I have cable, Netflix, Hulu, etc. But this project deserves it.
I’ve been doing what I love for 2 years now and hope I can continue to love what I do. I plan on expanding my ventures even further and feel that a video like this will be a great motivator. I’ll also be adding this to my own resource list (inspired by you) on the Niche Optimizer Website in order to hopefully help inspire even more people out there in the world living jobs that they hate (I was there only 2 1/2 years ago).
Thanks for the link Pat, I was actually looking for it last week so I’m glad that you mentioned it. I look forward to watch it!
It’s pretty interesting documentary Pat. Really touching….
Hi Pat- the movie sounds awesome-it’s a really positive message in a world that seems to be making it harder for people on ‘the path’ anyway-job security isn’t there like it used to be & to get on in corporates we need to work longer & longer hours it seems just to stand still.
I love the positive message of there being an alternative and that’s why your own story is so inspirational Pat-sometimes the shocks in life result in the greatest outcomes.
My husband ran a flooring business and the bottom fell out of it in 2008 because of how the crash affected the housing market. Now at the age of 46 he’s at college for the first time, coming first in his class and buzzing with excitement about it. If s business (which he never loved but sort if fell into years ago) had still been bobbing along he would never have taken this leap on his own. (I couldn’t be more proud of him either!) Can’t wait to download the movie
I bought, I watched, I cried. Shit that was just for me.
Thanks a lot Pat. Will watch for sure. We are in lack of such great inspirational stories.
It is crazy how so many people get stuck on the path. Like you Pat I wish I would have had the guts to be off the path earlier in life.
Life is so good when you are doing something you are passionate about.
Very interesting. I am also going to watch, hope i understand everything. Sometimes we should think about if we are still on or AGEIN on that path.
awesome pat! Sounds like a great documentory. Ill have to check it out as soon as a get some spare time!
I was sold on the trailer (shown as part of the Kickstarter program). Based on that I contributed a small amount. When the movie was available and I downloaded it, I was amazed that it was many times better than the trailer – rare in this “Hollywood” world. It inspires, touches, and causes one to pause and truly look at life. Now that you posted this Pat, I am inspired to watch it again.
I bought it yesterday and I watched it today.
And I loved this movie !!
Well, I guess I’ll have to be the first to chime in with a sensation of “meh.”
It’s not bad. Definitely not. But I just don’t feel like the main story is particularly compelling. Yeah its symptomatic and it resonates with the interviewees, but if you are interviewing hundreds of people and allocating say 3/4s to the film to talk about how that lifestyle sucks, then why do we need so much focus on Grant’s story? Either use Grant’s story as a framework, briefly have some of the guests comment on that lifestyle and THEN devote most of the movie to the after…because we all know how life sucks, how we follow the script and how we are expected to do so. Tell us more about that elusive passion-driven alternative, we don’t need MORE examples of being a slave 9-5 with the ‘package’
Another problem I have is that the film seems to build and build to this great climax, probably 3/4ths of the movie is people telling us how much “the script” sucks. After the first few interviewees I kinda got the message, but it just kept going. Would have loved to see more screen time allocated to the after. For instance with Pat, viewers that don’t know him has no idea who he is. It’s like, oh yeah I got fired, which sucked….and then what? I know because I’m a fan and follower, but what about those whose names I did not know?
We are briefly introduced to way too many characters and I think its particularly useless to have (great) people on to just fire one blanket statement, when we are already so deeply informed about the message.
Then the film switches to the new life of some of the interviewees, but this section is kinda short and lacks substance in my mind.
I must say the technical aspects of the film were outstanding. Excellent quality, composition and everything not related to the actual story.
It annoys me to spoil the party like this, but I just don’t think the excitement I got out of the trailer was met.
I would prefer to have listened more to you Pat, or other great people, like Chris G than having to listen to the story of Grant in such detail.
Perhaps it’s because it needs a slightly longer runtime? I wasn’t really bored at any point, perhaps except the, rather lenghty, introduction.
Is it ultimately a bad film? No, not at all. But I for one, have to declare myself disappointed.
Thanks for being willing to say the hard thing here, Chris.
After watching the film today for the first time, I came away feeling like the movie was missing more substance.
With all the interviews listed on the website, I thought we’d really get to hear a lot of inspirational stories and get many juicy “nuggets” of insight from interviewees… But very few nuggets came (other than the main nugget that I’d say was this: “Find your passion, and just do it.”)
I think Chris is right in saying that we get a lot of the “problem & pain” but not enough of the “solution.”
It’s sad that the viewer doesn’t get to hear how awesome things are now for the interviewees. Pat Flynn, of course, has TONS of inspirational thoughts he could have shared. And the others likely do too, but we don’t get to hear their “where they are now” stories and we don’t get much chance to truly be inspired by them. All the viewer gets is a brief paragraph for some of them in the credits. Sad really.
The woman that became deaf is skiing professionally again… And they didn’t put that in the interview segments? Pay Flynn lost his job, but then served people like crazy, makes tons more money than he ever dreamed, has a loving family and inspires thousands of people daily… And that’s not in the interview segments? Yikes and double yikes! And those are just two examples.
I also got a sense that the movie had somewhat of an identity crisis. Is it a movie about a 10,000-mile road trip with a group of guys discovering their true passions? Is it a movie about a number of successful people where each person took a wrong turn in life but then defined their own success and found happiness? Or is it a movie about one guy who got tired of the status quo, and we join him as he discovers himself? It seems the movie tries to be all three, but I think that’s too tall of an order — especially given the run time of about an hour.
Anyways, don’t take this as me hating on the movie. I can hear people’s response to my comment already saying I’m exactly the type of person the movie warns us to avoid. That’s not it at all. I truly admire what the movie team has done. I’m a very positive person by nature, and I really wanted to fall in love with this movie, but I just couldn’t… At least not as much as I’d hoped.
Despite my previous comments, overall I did enjoy the movie, the cinematography is fantastic, I appreciated the message they were trying to convey, and I know the movie will touch many, many people. I think that’s awesome. I just see what it could have been and somewhat mourn that it wasn’t.
Is the movie still inspirational? I’d say “yes.” Should people see it, I’d say yes again. And, hopefully, WHEN (not if) these guys film their next movie, it’ll be even better.
Hello Michael,
Thank you so much for your post, you totally nailed what I was trying to say with my feeble gibberish above. Well said!
And I would also like to emphasize, I did enjoy it and I think it’s a good movie. But with our common sticking points fixed, I think it could have been a fantastic movie.
Chris, you completely summed up my dissatisfaction with this film.
I’d also add:
The thing that bothered me the most is that, while there aren’t any rules written in stone when it comes to documentary film making, you’d hope the filmmaker would take the same approach a journalist would. Sure, they may include some of their story into the narrative, but for the most part, they allow the other participants to tell their story–beginning, middle, and end.
Instead, with this film, it seemed like Grant wanted to be the star while all those people who gave of their time were regaled to being his supporting cast.
Not only that, but it also seemed like this venture was Grant’s way of trying to work out a self-esteem issue perpetuated by his dad. Remember the old footage of Grant’s dad saying something snarky about Grant filming? It felt like this film was less about telling other people’s motivational stories and more about Grant saying, “Look at me! Here I am overcoming my insecurities to make a film!”
Also, the whole “a bunch of guys go on a road trip adventure” storyline, honestly, just made the film more cluttered and eye roll-worthy.
It’s such a shame that such a mess of a film was created via crowd funding. It may have brought value to Grant’s life, but didn’t bring much value beyond that.
Agree with you, Chris. There was so much hype around this that I was expecting a lot more.
Everything was shot beautifully. The sound was great. For me, things fell short in the editing and storytelling though. For example, there was a scene where they cut Pat off mid-sentence. And by using only first names and generalities, I didn’t connect to most of the people featured.
Your job sucks and you’re miserable. Is that really shocking to anybody?
In the end, I felt I was left with something that was neither motivational nor instructive.
It looked like they had a lot more interview footage than was used. Perhaps there is an opportunity for another edit that doesn’t focus on just Grant so much? I think that would take it from mediocre to something much more powerful.
David, you nailed it. I think they got the content but failed in the editing and story telling.
Tell one story. Tell the story of the expected life path that people found themselves unsettled in, and how they reevaluated their lives and turned on a new path. Careers that only a few are finding, a life of helping people through the unusual and loving life. A story of being unorthodox but fine thanks!
Bought it yesterday and watching it today with my girlfriend, not sure what to expect but I’m pretty sure I’m going to enjoy it.
Sergio
Definitely going to give this one a watch. It must be an awesome feeling to watch the documentary you helped fund and participated in. Well done.
I’m going to have to see this for sure! That’s so exciting that you’re in it. All of us in this crazy computer business need some inspiration and it sounds like this movie will provide that. Thanks.
Hi Pat ! I have registered my vote at podcastawards.com, because you really deserve this.
I downloaded the documentary and watched it right away! It was amazing! I really enjoyed your segment as well. Thanks for all you do Pat!
Didnt like it, WAY TO MUCH talk about “how proud they where making the movie” instead of focus on what the people buying for the film actually wanted.
1. Some inside tips
2. A kick in the butt
All i get out of the film was
1. Akwardness
2. Frustration..
But still, i have no problem give all the guys 5$ for they effort 🙂 and Im sure they will make the next one MUCH better when they listen to the honest feedbacks..
It sounds very inspirational (as did also the story of Michal that we could read in the previous post). I’m going to take a look at the movie and will also forward the link to my friends. Thanks for sharing this with us!
Watching the movie now Pat, good stuff! This topic is so relevant to me right now.
I don’t know how I missed this before. I am going to order it and watch it as soon as I get home. So relevant to my goals and what I am currently doing. Will post a review about it when I am finished.
Good luck with the Podcast awards Pat! Anyone interested in doing a little pool on who will win? Kidding, but I’d put my money on Mr. Flynn… 😉
I can’t wait to watch this documentary!
Very interesting, I should also get a copy of this movie and watch it. Thanks for sharing Pat!!!
Thanks for posting the update Pat, I am absolutely gutted that i missed the showing in London, I would have been the first person there!! But I will be buying a copy tonight after I finish working!
Hi Pat! This would be my first time to comment on your site. I have been really hooked since I first came upon your work. I find your advises very helpful and doable. I admire how you are very passionate about what you do and how noble your intentions are in spreading the word. Keep doing what you do and More Power.
Nice Post as always Pat!
WOW. I purchased and watched it. I wasted one hour of time, but they wasted three months! What exactly is the point of the movie? Seems to me just a bunch of whining, boo hoo I don’t know what to do with my life, crap.
Weekend watching list 🙂
Hey Pat, just purchased the documentary, and will be watching it tonight! $5 for instant download, cant beat that price!
Looking forward to watching this. Not sure if my boss will allow me to watch it on works time but it is in his best interest 🙂
Looks good, will get myself a copy and see what it is all about. $5 is nothing for a good dose of inspiration. 🙂
Hi Pat, this is so touching. Thanks for sharing.
I’m a mum with 2 young kids and I chose this path of entrepreneurship because I couldn’t imagine being happy away from my family 10 hours a day.
I may have been able to get by with the traditional 9-5 but if I hadn’t taken this step of faith I would never have been able to know what was possible.
I downloaded this right away and enjoyed the stories from all the amazing people in the film. It’s not a ‘make you wanna quit your job’ kind of movie, and assumes that you’re already pretty miserable at the office which was a big motivator for most people they talked to.
The main thing that inspired me was real life stories about how to break free of the rut you’ve grown to hate and make a better life for yourself and your family. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who is unhappy with the path their on!
Pat, thanks for supporting and sharing this!
This is a very timely film. People are busy trying to live lives that others expect them to live and forget about their dreams. For many, it is the security of treading familiar paths; for others it is acceptance by the majority. Whatever it is, it’s only those who’ve dared to live life on their terms that have lived at all.
Nice one Pat. Great movie.
I purchased mine and will watch it later.
Its very hard to start an online business and there are so many things to keep in mind, but the first step is the ispiration. When you’ve go an inspiration, then you get your believes on a brave new levels… All you have to do is to take some action and do not quit. The success is a heavy stone, but ones it got reached then you will be satistified 100% 🙂
Regards
Watched it. It was amazing, man. Glad you shared this with your readers.
I can’t wait to get my hands on it!
Thanks for the update, Pat!
All the best,
-Alex
That was a great trailer and looks like a really inspirational movie. I look forward to watching it.
I have to agree with some of the negative comments above: this movie does NOT live up to the trailer. For me, it was quite a disappointment. Man, this could have been soo much better!
It is a “Making-off” for a movie that could have been.
Where are the 50 or so interviews????? This is what I was looking for in the first place. Examples of people who turned their life around!
The movie showcases the part of people’s story BEFORE they made their respective changes, while leaving the audience without the resolution – maybe with the exception of a few. Again, where is all the footage the guys set out to capture in the first place?
Please, let’s now make the movie BEFORE the “making-off”, I’m willing to spend another $5!
Great article Pat. I truly agree with you on the fact that most of us follow a path which we don’t want to follow but which others wants us to follow, especially in developing countries where people still are not that much advanced and have a broad view-point, they let their children and most of the time their daughters to do things which they want, which is very sad, hope your this movie will inspire many of such people…Great work done..:)
This was seriously the best $5 I ever spent, thanks for introducing me to this Pat.
Cheers!
Paid $5 and started watching it straight after your post.
What an excellent movie. Made by cry in some places, seriously.
But it’s too short! I would like to get all those hours of footage they cut out! Really, there are too many short pieces put together. Each of person featured in the film would deserve a film on it’s own.
Where can we get that cut footage, where can we get it? 🙂
I’m definitely going to watch this movie soon. I just left my 9to5 job to take my blogging passion more seriously. I’m pretty sure this movie is going to be source of inspiration for me.
PS. The “Im fine, Thanks” movie has been a success on this side of the world.
Got many comments from my friends abt it and actually I did not realize that there are so many ppl who are lost, not understanding who they really are and not knowing how should their life look like.
Looks amazing my dear pat, eagerly waiting to watch it.
Hey Pat,
I love how “leanly” the entire business around the documentary has been planned.
Also, I believe it incorporates your 100% true be-everywhere philosophy.
On that note, I was wondering if there’s a blog post or anything discussing how the entire project performed. I’m especially interested in the physical vs digital downloads and price point selection.
thanks a bunch,
Giacomo Balli
Amazing Pat. Can,t wait, looking forward to watching the film ?
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