Rejuvenation :: Controlled Chaos

January 16, 2015April 4, 2016Leave a comment

It’s been ten days since I got back to work, and I’m finally getting back into the swing of things. And… I’m ready for vacation again. It’s not that I don’t like what I’m doing right now, but it’s that the routine hasn’t changed much and I’m ready for a new one.

These last ten days have felt a bit chaotic, even if it was only a mental chaos, but now I feel like I’m back in control again. In other words, controlled chaos – like in this video:

MP Cunningham

I feel like this video is the perfect metaphor for what most of us go through while working in a creative industry. I often feel like I’m drowning or that I’m never going to make it, but every once in a while something happens, like when the photographer makes $25 for one photo and feels like he has finally made it. I have that feeling every once in a while. Now I’m waiting for that next fleeting moment when I can tell myself that I’m actually doing ok and that this decision to work in this industry is not a huge mistake. Those little moments make it all worth it and I’m sure another one will come when I least expect it. Those moments are rejuvenating enough to make me work for the next one.

So even if I’m not feeling completely sure of what I’m doing, it’s reassuring to know that everyone seems to go through this in life. I seem to be right on schedule.

Ohana :: Family Feast

December 19, 2014April 4, 2016Leave a comment

What’s my favorite part about the holidays? Well, if you haven’t figured it out yet, it’s about being with loved ones. Decorations from the great out doors (I love the smell of fir trees) and hot cups of peppermint tea are also pretty awesome, so of course, this video jumped out at me straight away:

Kinfolk

I love the simplicity of this video. It’s short, sweet, gets the message across and it gives me a calming feeling even with all of the hubbub of the festivities happening practically every day right now. As much fun as all of the parties and last minute shopping is (or isn’t) my favorite time of the day is sitting down with a good book next to the fire and letting the calm wash over me.

I wish you all a relaxed and enjoyable rest of the the year. I myself am checking out for the next few weeks and will return in January – yes, I’m actually taking some time off. Until then, Happy Holidays!

Ohana :: On Ice

December 12, 2014April 4, 2016Leave a comment

It always amazes me where we find our families, biological or otherwise, even if it’s only for a few hours a week, a week here and there, or everyday. One such place for me has been with my teammates.

Teammates is a very broad term as I’ve found “family” with teams of people that I have worked with (even if the project is a short one), on a sports team or with people at school. I don’t always keep in touch with all of them, usually those that are most important to me, but the memories of those times with them have a special place in my heart.

Tony Franklin

I love this film because of the ebb and flow of the family unit. They accept new members and lose others but for one day a week, they are a family even if they don’t know each other’s names. That’s the cool thing about family – there are some things that just don’t matter.

Ohana :: Roots

December 5, 2014November 20, 2014Leave a comment

Our roots are sometimes buried so deep that we don’t always realize that they are there even if they are an integral part of who we are. The little clues that we get from remnant notes and family heirlooms can help us discover those unknown roots and sometimes reveal something about our family’s past that we would have never known. Sometimes, it sharing a special place or a special relic. And sometimes it brings us closer to knowing ourselves a little bit better.

[vimeo https://vimeo.com/107815949 w=640&h=360]

Free People

I love this video, even if it’s for a clothing company, because it reminds me that there is so much to our pasts that we may never know, but there are always little clues that guide us through life.

The holidays always seem to bring out some family memories (the good and the bad) but I hope that this year brings only the good ones.

It’s what month?

December 1, 2014November 23, 2014Leave a comment

Somehow, and I’m not quite sure how, it’s already December. I’m pretty sure I’ve been in a fog the last few months, I’m finally coming too and I can’t quite figure out how it’s time to start wrapping up the year. Now that I’ve survived making Thanksgiving dinner for 15 people and I’m working ridiculously long hours – for which I am very grateful for even if I am feeling very sleep deprived, I’m very excited that it’s finally December.

I’m usually not a big fan of the holidays season because of the holidays themselves (sorry, not trying to sound like the Grinch, but the holidays usually include a lot of stress). In fact I could probably skip them all together except for the fact that it signifies a time when I feel like no matter what, I can take some time off. This year, that means seeing my family for several weeks and believe it or not, I am elated. So many avoid their parents like the plague. I on the other hand can’t wait to see mine. No work and having mom and dad pamper me for a few weeks sounds heavenly right now.

Plus, this is the first year in a long time that I’m excited about the idea of decorating the Christmas tree, baking cookies and wrapping presents. It must be that holiday air… and that I’m pretty excited about the gifts that I’m slowly collecting to give to my favorite people.

Like last year, I’m dedicating this month to:

I know it’s cliche but to me, this is the best part of the holidays. So wherever you are and whatever your beliefs, I hope you can take some time now that we are wrapping up yet another year, and appreciate the relationships that we have with those we call family.

Goodwill :: Feed the World

November 28, 2014April 4, 2016Leave a comment

If you live in the U.S. or are an American expatriate, or just happen to like celebrating the American holiday Thanksgiving, you are probably recovering from your turkey coma and now gearing up for the December holidays. Then there are those of you who have been up since all night to sit in line for all the Black Friday sales. All I can say is that: You. Are. Brave.

Me? Well I’m recovering from making dinner for 15 people and will probably catch a movie or some other activity with the family members who are still in town. To put it lightly, I’m rather exhausted. I am feeling grateful for all that has happened this year- the good and the bad and not just because this is the time of year when we are supposed to remember to

But mostly because it really has been a good year, even with the lulls in my work schedule. Now it seems like I’m going to end the year with plenty to do and I’m trying to psych myself up for it. December, here I come!

One last thought on this month’s theme of “goodwill”: It’s so easy to forget about the less fortunate at this time of year. We get caught up in the hubbub of buying gifts and magnificent feasts – all with the people we love, or don’t love in some cases. But we don’t always remember the people in the rest of the world that are stuck in terrible circumstances and that have no way out of it unless we help them from wherever we are.

The New York Times – Video

So thank you to people like Bob and other celebrities who yield their fame for the greater good and not just to make themselves wealthier.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone – wherever you are, and may we always be grateful for what we have.

Goodwill :: Making Charity Beautiful

November 21, 2014April 4, 2016Leave a comment

If you went to the kind of schools that I went to, giving your time back to the community was always a big deal . We had to log a number of hours each semester just to graduate from my high school and in college, many of my PR class projects were for non-profits. Usually this was in the form of creating promotional pieces in print or video form and the most we got out of it was a grade and the simple satisfaction that we helped someone else.

After years of volunteering at soup kitchens and fundraising for cancer research, the hard truth of charity can come through and make things look a little drab at times. Because lets face it – charity makes you take a hard look at what is not quite right with the world and trying to change that is often messy. I know that it’s worth it in the end to help those less fortunate than yourself, but just for once it would be nice for it to look nice too.

And that’s what Michael does – he makes charity beautiful:

Cory J Pop

I realize that this is my admiration for designers coming out again, but this is something rare that as someone in the creative industry, it’s nice to see beauty and charity coming together. I only wish that my work space looked as nice as Michael’s! Something to aspire to, right?

And with that, I’m off to start prepping for Thanksgiving as I’ve been put in charge of cooking this year. How did that happen? Stories of dried out turkey and a messy kitchen most like due for next week. Wish me luck!

Goodwill :: No Scraps Left Behind

November 14, 2014September 17, 2014Leave a comment

As the many food centered holidays creep nearer, I find myself thinking about food – again. It seems to be on my mind a lot this year but then again we all obsess about food in some way.

I wouldn’t necessarily consider this video a work of art – what I mean is that I don’t find anything extraordinary about the film itself. However, I love the concept that this company has come up with and it makes me wonder why more people haven’t started doing something as fantastic with our waste food as Rubies in the Rubble:

Rubies in the Rubble

Funny enough, I have never seen these products at markets or in gourmet grocery stores in England – I probably haven’t been looking hard enough and it’s been ages since I was last at Borough Market. I will definitely look for them next time in the country later this year. We throw away an incredible amount of food each year and it’s so nice to see that someone is doing something useful with this excess of food.

Ode to those behind the scenes

November 1, 2014October 22, 2014Leave a comment

As cliche as it is to designate November the theme of

I can’t help it. It just seems to come with the territory as we are thrown into a string of family holidays which, for the most part, make us feel thankful for various aspects of the holiday season. I’m not sure if I’m all that thankful for the extra stress that it brings with menu planning, new work projects and upcoming travel BUT I am thankful for the opportunities that it brings. I’m still trying to figure out how to make this time of year less stressful as it all seems to culminate into one large stress fest, but so far I am at a loss. Anyone have any ideas here? I suppose I could just say “screw it all” and forget about a lot of it but that wouldn’t be in my nature. Darn myself and my over commitment!

To prevent myself from digging myself into a rant, I’m going to list a few things that I’m grateful for, which in many ways can reconsidered a work update:

Since leaving film school almost two years ago, I’ve worked on four major projects, each with their own international distribution/broadcast deals. (The Human Face of Big Data, The Breach, Wall of Fire: A ChefSteps Story and Out of Print) Not too shabby if I do say so myself.
In the last three months, I’ve picked up two new projects and there are several others pending. One being a film called Crazywise (click here for more info) and another that I will share more about in the near future.
And last of all… there are more announcements to come but I’m going to wait a little bit longer before I share them.

Despite their warnings, seasoned filmmakers can never really prepare you for the slog that is getting your foot in door to this industry. I have been extremely fortunate to have met some incredible mentors along the way and I am extremely grateful for their guidance and jobs in the last few years. Their lessons and support have been invaluable. I have a long way to go before I’m going to feel more comfortable with where I am in my career, but for now I’m grateful for all that has come my way.

My theme of giving thanks though is not just giving thanks for the various aspects in my own life, but I want to focus on others who are doing amazing things out there but with hardly any recognition. There are so many of us that work in the stage wings and are hardly ever seen – even if we like this covert role it is nice to have the occasional moment in the limelight. So here you are – just a few remarkable people who are doing their part to make the world a better place.

Escapade :: Frame by Frame

October 17, 2014April 4, 2016Leave a comment

It’s been a while since I’ve seen a film about the Middle East. That’s mostly because I’ve been shying away from them as I get tired of hearing about the wars that have been fought there and the depravity that the people live in etc. etc, but this film trailer caught my eye and I was immediately drawn in by the story.

I wouldn’t say that the U.S. has a completely free press – at least not like they do in Europe where everything is fair game until it breaches privacy laws, but it’s a far freer press than other parts of the world where the government controls everything. Completely everything. You don’t appreciate what you have until you see what it could be like or worse, you experience it first hand.

Red Reel

This film is beautifully shot and it has a powerful message: if you don’t have a visual presence on the web or in the news, then you are left behind. As someone who has always lived in countries with a “free voice,” it’s hard to imagine living somewhere where you could be killed for documenting something on a camera. We have become so accustomed to taking photos with our phones and other various devices to share our experience with everyone that we know. What would it be like to not be able to document what is going on in your life? And, what would it be like to live in a place where once a group of people have left, you have the potential to be forgotten by others?

emfirno

documentary production

Tag: culture