6.15.2009
Critiques, Entitlement and a Good Ol' Stomp
This Week in Review
Breaking News: Three deadlines coming up this Friday, so this will be my last post until next week.
Adventures in Film: Was at a Final Cut Pro workshop at the CSIF all weekend. It was definitely helpful, but I want to learn more. I hope they'll consider holding an intermediate level Final Cut workshop at some point.
The Culture Corner: So You Think You Can Dance has started its new season! Don't worry, that's the only reality show that I'll include in The Culture Corner, because it really is aimed at promoting dance in general and introducing mainstream North America to a greater variety of dance traditions than most people are familiar with. And it's not like the Idol shows, which are basically karaoke, because SYTYCD has world class choreographers creating original, new dance works just for the show. That's pretty amazing when you think about it. Plus I like to use dance in my poetry films, so it provides a source of creative inspiration for me also. Happy happy.
Journeys with Judaism: After a stressful week, I thought that a visit to temple this past Shabbat would lift my spirits. And boy did I pick the right Shabbat service for that. Two baby namings, the junior high students talked about their trip to Israel (and let me tell you, these teens are smart and FUNNY), and I found out that the Israeli stomp group Tararam will performing for free on Stephen Avenue on Tuesday at lunchtime. (They're also performing at the Max Bell Centre on Monday night, but that event is way out of my price range.) A nice way to end a stressful week.
Life with Emma: I'm beginning to seriously consider a second cat to keep Emma company. Nothing decided yet, but I'm checking out the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) website for now.
Rants: I'm getting pretty fed up with young people who seem to feel entitled. Whether it's that they think they are entitled to special treatment or that other people should do things for them or they think that they should be given major responsibilities just because they've done something once or twice before. I've been in film for three years and am fully aware that three years is nothing when it comes to a career in the arts. But these kids seem to think that three years into their careers means they're finished learning from people who have been in the industry for a decade or more. I wonder how long it will take for them to realize that they will never have a truly accomplished career with that attitude.
Revelations: I've had an interesting journey of critiques this week. I felt pretty awkward after the Crit Night last week, realizing that I wasn't ready for strangers to critique my work. I'd like to thank the friends of mine who understood that I wasn't being defensive about my work, I was just processing the process and realizing that I'm only ready for critiques from people I know. It's simply the stage I'm at in my growth as an filmmaker. I wish everyone could understand that, but then I also wish the weather in Calgary didn't change so often. Unfortunately, both of these are things that are outside of my control.
My experience this weekend was the complete opposite. I showed my film to the professional editor teaching the Final Cut Pro workshop and he gave me very positive feedback along with some great ideas to try that are completely in keeping with the tone and style that I'm aiming for with this film. Which just reinforces for me that one-on-one feedback from somebody I respect, who understands where I'm coming from as an artist... that is the feedback I need right now. I'll figure out how to process critiques from strangers eventually, just not now.
Breaking News: Three deadlines coming up this Friday, so this will be my last post until next week.
Adventures in Film: Was at a Final Cut Pro workshop at the CSIF all weekend. It was definitely helpful, but I want to learn more. I hope they'll consider holding an intermediate level Final Cut workshop at some point.
The Culture Corner: So You Think You Can Dance has started its new season! Don't worry, that's the only reality show that I'll include in The Culture Corner, because it really is aimed at promoting dance in general and introducing mainstream North America to a greater variety of dance traditions than most people are familiar with. And it's not like the Idol shows, which are basically karaoke, because SYTYCD has world class choreographers creating original, new dance works just for the show. That's pretty amazing when you think about it. Plus I like to use dance in my poetry films, so it provides a source of creative inspiration for me also. Happy happy.
Journeys with Judaism: After a stressful week, I thought that a visit to temple this past Shabbat would lift my spirits. And boy did I pick the right Shabbat service for that. Two baby namings, the junior high students talked about their trip to Israel (and let me tell you, these teens are smart and FUNNY), and I found out that the Israeli stomp group Tararam will performing for free on Stephen Avenue on Tuesday at lunchtime. (They're also performing at the Max Bell Centre on Monday night, but that event is way out of my price range.) A nice way to end a stressful week.
Life with Emma: I'm beginning to seriously consider a second cat to keep Emma company. Nothing decided yet, but I'm checking out the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) website for now.
Rants: I'm getting pretty fed up with young people who seem to feel entitled. Whether it's that they think they are entitled to special treatment or that other people should do things for them or they think that they should be given major responsibilities just because they've done something once or twice before. I've been in film for three years and am fully aware that three years is nothing when it comes to a career in the arts. But these kids seem to think that three years into their careers means they're finished learning from people who have been in the industry for a decade or more. I wonder how long it will take for them to realize that they will never have a truly accomplished career with that attitude.
Revelations: I've had an interesting journey of critiques this week. I felt pretty awkward after the Crit Night last week, realizing that I wasn't ready for strangers to critique my work. I'd like to thank the friends of mine who understood that I wasn't being defensive about my work, I was just processing the process and realizing that I'm only ready for critiques from people I know. It's simply the stage I'm at in my growth as an filmmaker. I wish everyone could understand that, but then I also wish the weather in Calgary didn't change so often. Unfortunately, both of these are things that are outside of my control.
My experience this weekend was the complete opposite. I showed my film to the professional editor teaching the Final Cut Pro workshop and he gave me very positive feedback along with some great ideas to try that are completely in keeping with the tone and style that I'm aiming for with this film. Which just reinforces for me that one-on-one feedback from somebody I respect, who understands where I'm coming from as an artist... that is the feedback I need right now. I'll figure out how to process critiques from strangers eventually, just not now.
Labels: highlights
6.10.2009
Bellydancing, Tattoos but Nothing Primal
This Week in Review
Breaking News: That neighbourhood Primal Grounds that I was so excited about has turned out to be a bust. It's in the local tennis club and is as depressing as every fleabitten motel I've ever stayed in while driving across country through hick towns in the northern states.
Adventures in Film: Pre-screened my latest film at a Media Crit Night for feedback from other artists with CSIF, EMMEDIA and Quickdraw Animation. I've realized that I need to stop being shy about asking my friends in filmmaking about my work, because I'm at a stage where it's easier for me to hear feedback from people I know than from people I don't know.
The Culture Corner: Had a fun filled weekend attending Tank Standing Buffalo's art show and my sister's bellydancing recital!
Journeys with Judaism: Tattoos. Frowned upon by Jewish tradition. Obviously not frowned upon by me. So I did a little research and thought over a few things...
The oft quoted passage, Leviticus 19:28, says "You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves: I am the Lord." I would argue first of all that a tattoo is not an incision. That would be cutting. (Even ear piercing would be closer to being an "incision" and yet that's okay.) And secondly, I believe it is only referring to marking yourself with the name of God. Then what about Isaiah 44:5? "One shall say, 'I am the Lord's,' and another shall use the name of Jacob, and another shall mark his arm 'of the Lord' and adopt the name of Israel." Mark his arm? Sounds like a tattoo to me. And this tattoo even refers to the Lord. Sounds like there's room for interpretation on this one as far as I'm concerned, because it seems to me that the only thing being objected to is tattooing yourself with some variation of "I am God"... which I have no intention of doing.
Maimonides sees tattooing as an act of idolatry, which would explain the prohibition if true. But my tattoos are not acts of idolatry, they simply tell the story of my personal journey. So shouldn't tattoos be considered on a case by case basis, depending on the reason behind them and the images in the tattoo?
Then there is the argument that we are created b'tzelem Elokim (in the image of God) and that our bodies are to be viewed as a precious gift on loan from God, to be entrusted into our care and are not our personal property to do with as we choose. But we make choices for our bodies every day, from whether we smoke or drink to what shampoo we use. Whose to say what is the best way to care for this gift? I believe my tattoos are actually helping to make my "gift" more personal.
This is a much bigger debate that I'm prepared to go into here, but I would like to take a moment to point out that it's an urban legend that you can't be buried in a Jewish cemetery if you have tattoos. And one last link on the subject: Tattoo Jew, the movie.
Life with Emma: Methinks it was a bad decision to play Emma's DVD on my computer monitor. Now she watches over my shoulder whenever I'm on the computer and it's a little unnerving!
Quest for Quotes: Marsha Ellen Meidow recently posted this quote by Anais Nin on her Facebook profile and I think it's amazing... "I, with a deeper instinct, choose a man who compels my strength, who makes enormous demands on me, who does not doubt my courage or my toughness, who does not believe me naive or innocent, who has the courage to treat me like a woman."
Breaking News: That neighbourhood Primal Grounds that I was so excited about has turned out to be a bust. It's in the local tennis club and is as depressing as every fleabitten motel I've ever stayed in while driving across country through hick towns in the northern states.
Adventures in Film: Pre-screened my latest film at a Media Crit Night for feedback from other artists with CSIF, EMMEDIA and Quickdraw Animation. I've realized that I need to stop being shy about asking my friends in filmmaking about my work, because I'm at a stage where it's easier for me to hear feedback from people I know than from people I don't know.
The Culture Corner: Had a fun filled weekend attending Tank Standing Buffalo's art show and my sister's bellydancing recital!Journeys with Judaism: Tattoos. Frowned upon by Jewish tradition. Obviously not frowned upon by me. So I did a little research and thought over a few things...
The oft quoted passage, Leviticus 19:28, says "You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves: I am the Lord." I would argue first of all that a tattoo is not an incision. That would be cutting. (Even ear piercing would be closer to being an "incision" and yet that's okay.) And secondly, I believe it is only referring to marking yourself with the name of God. Then what about Isaiah 44:5? "One shall say, 'I am the Lord's,' and another shall use the name of Jacob, and another shall mark his arm 'of the Lord' and adopt the name of Israel." Mark his arm? Sounds like a tattoo to me. And this tattoo even refers to the Lord. Sounds like there's room for interpretation on this one as far as I'm concerned, because it seems to me that the only thing being objected to is tattooing yourself with some variation of "I am God"... which I have no intention of doing.
Maimonides sees tattooing as an act of idolatry, which would explain the prohibition if true. But my tattoos are not acts of idolatry, they simply tell the story of my personal journey. So shouldn't tattoos be considered on a case by case basis, depending on the reason behind them and the images in the tattoo?
Then there is the argument that we are created b'tzelem Elokim (in the image of God) and that our bodies are to be viewed as a precious gift on loan from God, to be entrusted into our care and are not our personal property to do with as we choose. But we make choices for our bodies every day, from whether we smoke or drink to what shampoo we use. Whose to say what is the best way to care for this gift? I believe my tattoos are actually helping to make my "gift" more personal.
This is a much bigger debate that I'm prepared to go into here, but I would like to take a moment to point out that it's an urban legend that you can't be buried in a Jewish cemetery if you have tattoos. And one last link on the subject: Tattoo Jew, the movie.
Life with Emma: Methinks it was a bad decision to play Emma's DVD on my computer monitor. Now she watches over my shoulder whenever I'm on the computer and it's a little unnerving!
Quest for Quotes: Marsha Ellen Meidow recently posted this quote by Anais Nin on her Facebook profile and I think it's amazing... "I, with a deeper instinct, choose a man who compels my strength, who makes enormous demands on me, who does not doubt my courage or my toughness, who does not believe me naive or innocent, who has the courage to treat me like a woman."
Labels: highlights, judaism, tattoos
6.05.2009
Obama, Echoes and Primal Grounds
This Week in Review
Breaking News: I just found out that there's a Primal Grounds in my neighbourhood now. Hopefully it will have a similar vibe to the old Good Earth and I'll have a local coffeeshop to write in again!
Adventures in Film: Somehow, in the past week, I finished my Screenwriting is Rewriting course, applied for an Aboriginal Emerging Writers Residency at Banff this fall and sent the rough cut of my latest film, "Echoes", off to imagineNATIVE. I can't help feeling that I must have overlooked something, since the last two were due on the same day and the course had just finished the day before. Here's hoping that I remembered to dot all my i's and cross all my t's!
The Culture Corner: Wasn't hugely impressed with "Grease" at the Pumphouse. I think they would have been better off going for an older cast with more experience. The movie proves that people will accept thirtysomethings as teenagers if they're talented enough. Instead, this performance felt like a high school production. Pity.
Journeys with Judaism: My Introduction to Judaism class is over for the summer. The very sad part about that is that the people who had started the class last fall, won't be there when I go back this fall. I guess I'll have to go to temple more often so I can still see them!
Life with Emma: Apparently cats get bored watching the same DVD over and over again. I wonder if a couple of additional DVDs for variety would help. Or is it the lack of interaction that makes her lose interest? Hmmm. I think I'll try a new DVD before I opt for a new furry friend for her to interact with.
Political Peeves: The only peeve part here is that President Obama isn't Prime Minister Obama. His speech in Cairo was amazing. I believe he is sincere in his intentions. The question is whether his actions can live up to them. Time will tell.
Rants: The use of cigarettes and mirror balls in theatre productions. Unless you have an INCREDIBLE ventilation system, I can't think of any justification for using real cigarettes in this day and age. And mirror balls are right up there with strobe lights for causing migraines. But even more to the point, does anybody sitting in an audience want to be blinded by a mirror ball while trying to watch a play?
Quest for Quotes: Dr. Emil Fackenheim's 614th "commandment" or mitzvah... Do not give Hitler posthumous victories.
Breaking News: I just found out that there's a Primal Grounds in my neighbourhood now. Hopefully it will have a similar vibe to the old Good Earth and I'll have a local coffeeshop to write in again!
Adventures in Film: Somehow, in the past week, I finished my Screenwriting is Rewriting course, applied for an Aboriginal Emerging Writers Residency at Banff this fall and sent the rough cut of my latest film, "Echoes", off to imagineNATIVE. I can't help feeling that I must have overlooked something, since the last two were due on the same day and the course had just finished the day before. Here's hoping that I remembered to dot all my i's and cross all my t's!
The Culture Corner: Wasn't hugely impressed with "Grease" at the Pumphouse. I think they would have been better off going for an older cast with more experience. The movie proves that people will accept thirtysomethings as teenagers if they're talented enough. Instead, this performance felt like a high school production. Pity.
Journeys with Judaism: My Introduction to Judaism class is over for the summer. The very sad part about that is that the people who had started the class last fall, won't be there when I go back this fall. I guess I'll have to go to temple more often so I can still see them!
Life with Emma: Apparently cats get bored watching the same DVD over and over again. I wonder if a couple of additional DVDs for variety would help. Or is it the lack of interaction that makes her lose interest? Hmmm. I think I'll try a new DVD before I opt for a new furry friend for her to interact with.
Political Peeves: The only peeve part here is that President Obama isn't Prime Minister Obama. His speech in Cairo was amazing. I believe he is sincere in his intentions. The question is whether his actions can live up to them. Time will tell.
Rants: The use of cigarettes and mirror balls in theatre productions. Unless you have an INCREDIBLE ventilation system, I can't think of any justification for using real cigarettes in this day and age. And mirror balls are right up there with strobe lights for causing migraines. But even more to the point, does anybody sitting in an audience want to be blinded by a mirror ball while trying to watch a play?
Quest for Quotes: Dr. Emil Fackenheim's 614th "commandment" or mitzvah... Do not give Hitler posthumous victories.
Labels: highlights
5.29.2009
Zionism, Peace and a Dream
I'm experimenting with pulling three nouns from the blog post to become the post title. While taking the words out of context may make for a title that doesn't seem to fit the content of the post, I am intending that it will be a title that has meaning on its own. (We'll see how long this continues...)
This Week in Review
Adventures in Film: Aspect ratios? We don't need no stinking aspect ratios! (Source footage with differing aspect ratios... currently the bane of my existence!)
The Culture Corner: Thoroughly enjoyed A Midsummer Night's Dream... Emma Claire was a delightful Helena, combining ribald physical humour with honesty and vulnerability. Now I'm off to see Grease at the Pumphouse this weekend.
Journeys with Judaism: This week I learned about the five different strains of Zionism... I had no idea there were so many. Now I understand why Israel has sooo many different political parties. But I missed out on commemorating Shavuot, which is disappointing.
Political Peeves: Negative campaigning by the Conservatives. Do I believe Ignatieff is the best man to lead the country? No. Do I believe he could do the job 10x better than Harper? Yes. So grow up and stop attacking the man; debate the politics instead.
Rants: Now that we finally have beautiful weather, I'm unfortunately reminded of the number of smokers in the world. I roll down my car window to feel the breeze... and inhale the cigarette smoke of the driver in front of me. I open the window of my apartment to get some fresh air, but it's tainted by the people sitting on their balconies having a smoke. I dream of a day when smokers are forced to only smoke in opium-type dens and the rest of us never have to be subjected to such foul stuff again. Until then, try to have a little consideration for the people around you!
Random Musings: Since Shavuot commemorates the anniversary of the day God gave the Torah to Moses, I've had a certain clip from Mel Brooks' "History of the World: Part I" going through my head...
Quest for Quotes: You can bomb the world into pieces, but you can't bomb it into to peace.
This Week in Review
Adventures in Film: Aspect ratios? We don't need no stinking aspect ratios! (Source footage with differing aspect ratios... currently the bane of my existence!)
The Culture Corner: Thoroughly enjoyed A Midsummer Night's Dream... Emma Claire was a delightful Helena, combining ribald physical humour with honesty and vulnerability. Now I'm off to see Grease at the Pumphouse this weekend.
Journeys with Judaism: This week I learned about the five different strains of Zionism... I had no idea there were so many. Now I understand why Israel has sooo many different political parties. But I missed out on commemorating Shavuot, which is disappointing.
Political Peeves: Negative campaigning by the Conservatives. Do I believe Ignatieff is the best man to lead the country? No. Do I believe he could do the job 10x better than Harper? Yes. So grow up and stop attacking the man; debate the politics instead.
Rants: Now that we finally have beautiful weather, I'm unfortunately reminded of the number of smokers in the world. I roll down my car window to feel the breeze... and inhale the cigarette smoke of the driver in front of me. I open the window of my apartment to get some fresh air, but it's tainted by the people sitting on their balconies having a smoke. I dream of a day when smokers are forced to only smoke in opium-type dens and the rest of us never have to be subjected to such foul stuff again. Until then, try to have a little consideration for the people around you!
Random Musings: Since Shavuot commemorates the anniversary of the day God gave the Torah to Moses, I've had a certain clip from Mel Brooks' "History of the World: Part I" going through my head...
Quest for Quotes: You can bomb the world into pieces, but you can't bomb it into to peace.
Labels: highlights
5.22.2009
Tryin' Something New
The dozen or so regular followers of this blog (as opposed to the hundreds who land here because they searched for something) will have noticed that I haven't posted in a while. Part of that has to do with limited time and energy, part of that has to do with the fact that my random musings end up in my daily writing practice, so it's mostly the rants that are ending up on the blog... which isn't the lopsided face I want to project to the world.
So I've decided to try a change in format to a weekly summary of the highlights of my life. I've come up with 10 different headings, for which I'll just post a sentence or two. I probably won't use each heading each week, but I'm thinking it will be some combination of: Breaking News, Adventures in Film, The Culture Corner, Journeys with Judaism, Life with Emma (referring to my cat, thank you very much, not the actress mentioned in this week's update), Political Peeves (I'm sparing you that one this week), Rants, Revelations (ranging from epiphanies to something-I-learned-when-I-wasn't-being-careful), Random Musings and Quest for Quotes.
This Week in Review
Breaking News: Fish Fund proposal successful! (Fish Fund = Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers' Short Film Incentive Program. No idea why it's called the Fish Fund... but it sounds fun, doesn't it?)
Adventures in Film: Ready to start the second draft of my short screenplay for my Rewriting Course. Also in the midst of creating the final digital edit of "Echoes" so it will be ready to submit to festivals by June 1st.
The Culture Corner: Can't wait to see The Shakespeare Company's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Arrata Opera Centre. Starring the one, the only... Emma Claire Miller!
Journeys with Judaism: Learned the history of the different streams of Judaism in class, but I haven't made it to temple since my Grandmother's Yahrzeit (my bad).
Life with Emma: Have started showing her the DVD "Feathers for Felines" to keep her occupied when I go out or am trying to sleep... is it healthy for a cat to sit two inches away from the screen?
Rants: They renovated the heart and soul out of my local Good Earth Cafe!
Revelations: Garageband does not have an autosave feature... who knew?
Quest for Quotes: Shoot for the moon. If you miss it, reach out and grab a star.
So I've decided to try a change in format to a weekly summary of the highlights of my life. I've come up with 10 different headings, for which I'll just post a sentence or two. I probably won't use each heading each week, but I'm thinking it will be some combination of: Breaking News, Adventures in Film, The Culture Corner, Journeys with Judaism, Life with Emma (referring to my cat, thank you very much, not the actress mentioned in this week's update), Political Peeves (I'm sparing you that one this week), Rants, Revelations (ranging from epiphanies to something-I-learned-when-I-wasn't-being-careful), Random Musings and Quest for Quotes.
This Week in Review
Breaking News: Fish Fund proposal successful! (Fish Fund = Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers' Short Film Incentive Program. No idea why it's called the Fish Fund... but it sounds fun, doesn't it?)
Adventures in Film: Ready to start the second draft of my short screenplay for my Rewriting Course. Also in the midst of creating the final digital edit of "Echoes" so it will be ready to submit to festivals by June 1st.
The Culture Corner: Can't wait to see The Shakespeare Company's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Arrata Opera Centre. Starring the one, the only... Emma Claire Miller!
Journeys with Judaism: Learned the history of the different streams of Judaism in class, but I haven't made it to temple since my Grandmother's Yahrzeit (my bad).
Life with Emma: Have started showing her the DVD "Feathers for Felines" to keep her occupied when I go out or am trying to sleep... is it healthy for a cat to sit two inches away from the screen?
Rants: They renovated the heart and soul out of my local Good Earth Cafe!
Revelations: Garageband does not have an autosave feature... who knew?
Quest for Quotes: Shoot for the moon. If you miss it, reach out and grab a star.
Labels: highlights
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