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Johnny Depp Page 1
A Connection with a Direction
Were one to enter the room, he would almost be able to smell the melancholy emitted from the girl who lay draped across her bed, gazing through her window. Her unfocused eyes looked past her window to something far in the distance, or perhaps nothing at all. The raindrops creeping down her window echoed the tears creeping down her cheeks as she attempted to organize the pain she felt into thoughts. Since she was young, when asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, she simply replied that she wanted to be a good person. She’d dedicated herself to this end, attempting to be as selfless and considerate as possible, yet those she sacrificed for didn’t seem to understand or respond selflessly. Quite the contrary, they simply took all they could. She wanted to change the world around her for the good, but why didn’t everyone else think the way she did? It would make the world much easier if everyone was good and selfless. She mused quietly until the soft pitter-patter of the rain on her windowpane gradually lulled her into sleep. As we grow we are worn down by reality and we forget what we once felt so passionately about; abandoned dreams lay littered across the many paths of life we beat into existence. In my case, a part of me disproved that “nothing gold can stay”^1 and the ambitions of that little girl never left me. “What do you want to do when you grow up?” has always been just as legitimate a question as “Who do you want to be when you grow up?” The latter is too often ignored. It must be noted though, that turning yourself into this elusive “good person” is something that is much easier said than done. Like all 1 “Nothing Gold Can Stay”, Robert Frost
Johnny Depp Page 2 things in life, there is a delicate balance involved in giving to those around you and maintaining yourself. Where can one draw the line and decide in his own self interest while remaining “a good person”? How can one become a leader and a positive example, but continue to achieve his own ends as well? What we must realize is that these questions can only be answered on a personal level; thus it is our duty to seek out the solution in ourselves as well as by turning to social examples. The man I have continued to observe is Johnny Depp; an unlikely role model, but a valuable one upon closer observation. Thus, in regards to being a contributing member of society and simultaneously achieving one’s own ends, I believe it is quintessential to understand the importance of maintaining conviction of self, conviction of purpose, and an innovative spirit. Conviction is easily defined in any dictionary- a strong belief. Conviction of self, then, must be a strong belief in oneself. Although a dictionary may be able to provide an implied definition of this ideal, it remains unable to encompass conviction of self or the means of obtaining it. Perhaps this is why we write, hypothesize, and learn through experience- for a language alone cannot define us. What is conviction of self? Conviction of and in oneself is an unwavering set of ideals, morals, and mannerisms that one stands by as a timeless definition of themselves. It is not to say that we must close our eyes, cover our ears and refuse to change, but on the other hand, we must not be so easily influenced that we embrace one ideal at one moment and another at next. If some of our core beliefs are not consistent and unaffected by the world around us, then we are not ourselves- actually, we are no longer a “self” at all. By lacking conviction and a
Johnny Depp Page 4 of artistic expression and emotional outlet. It was this very art that led him to fame; however, once he was famous, he became what he considered a “teeny bopper idol”. He felt that his fan base was not true to his spirit or able to connect with the deeper meaning of his writings, so when offered a tempting contract that would twist his image into that of a “rock-pop star”, Depp was not seduced by fame and politely turned down the dream- come-true deal. This conviction was what eventually forged Depp’s following; much like myself, countless people across the nation looked up to job for this very reason- it was a silent victory for all of us, as it proved that individualism could prevail as well as thrive elsewhere in the face of temptation. This characteristic created leadership for Depp, and he was able to become a positive role model for people of all ages without having to sacrifice his goals or identity. He proved that you don’t have to just put people before you; there are other ways to influence people en masse and positively. Depp also had a very strong belief in his purpose. Fame does not randomly sweep an individual off of his feet on multiple occasions. When Depp discovered the power his music and writings had over the feelings of others, he pursued this career doggedly. The fact that he turned down a large contract proved that he wasn’t in it for the fame- rather, he wanted to positively influence those who truly connected with him and may have gone through the hardships he faced as a child in whatever way he could. It is said that social awareness, and especially empathy, are key in a leader’s characteristics. Depp mastered the idea that a leader must “sense the felt, but unspoken, emotions in a person or group”^4. Pursuing this sense of unspoken emotion, he continued to pursue music through a multitude of other bands after The Kids, his first successful band, fell apart. After ending 4 Daniel Golemanetal, Leadership: Realizing the Power of Emotional Intelligence, page 68
Johnny Depp Page 5 his music career, he put his literary skills in reverse and entered acting, which is perhaps what has made him most famous. Depp learned to read between the lines of script, to interpret and to compose something moving out of nothing but ink on a page. Instead of simply performing, he once again found himself creating- this time, without words. Edward Scissorhands, 1990^5 In Edward Scissorhands, he characterized Edward quite well through mannerisms and facial expressions that were never found in the fine print. The lovability of this character and the audience’s ability to connect to this dysfunctional little man was at the heart of the movie’s success. Again, it also served a purpose- Depp had once more reached out to people, past their looks and their laughs, to make them think about how there might be a little bit of Edward in all of us. Depp was amazing at not only retaining his individualism and his vision, but at accepting his flaws along the way, an idea new to most of us. After 5 Edward Scissorhands, http://www.movieposter.com/posters/archive/main/23/A70-
Johnny Depp Page 7 stop after one great success. He continually innovated and took full advantage of his capabilities. This idea of innovation did not stop on the screen; it continued musically as well. In a recent reunion The Kids’ performed their own rendition of U2’s song “I Will Follow”. Depp’s part on the guitar adds a whole new taste to the song; his skill for reinventing the classics and going beyond is beautifully exhibited here. Unable to Embed, Click for Video^8 “I Will Follow“, played at memorial for Depp‘s best friends‘ mother. lyrics Conclusively, I believe that one should keep the ultimate goal of giving back to those around you and being a good person in sight while being true to oneself. Furthermore, one should never limit his capacity for multiple successes and innovation. Johnny Depp is a fine example of a functional leader in society, albeit a seemingly unlikely one. In the life of a student, confidence in oneself is tested on a daily basis; we build on who we are each time we speak and with every decision we make. So many of us are unable to remain focused on a goal, or even declare one. What it is important to remember is that a goal can be general, and there is more than one way to reach an ultimate goal. Finally, students should never be afraid to go above and beyond; our success is limited only by our limited perception of it. We are able to forge strong leaderships by instilling these admirable qualities within ourselves. Word Count: 1, 8 Sheila Witkin Memorial Reunion Concert, Miami, Florida, January 28, 2007, recorded by Sara Crane
