Tag: giving back

Ohana :: The Bear and the Hare

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The John Lewis Christmas Ad is one of the most anticipated of ads in the UK every holiday season.  It’s kind of like the much awaited window displays in the larger department stores down Regent Street.  The best part is that you can now watch these ads anywhere in the world.

John Lewis

Admittedly, John Lewis is encouraging the public to buy the greatest gifts of the season but their message is always a good one- do something special for those you love this Christmas.  We could probably take a lesson from that other times of the year too.  I think my favorite part of this video is that it doesn’t seem to matter what species the characters are- they all come together to celebrate.  And of course don’t forget that they do what they can to include those who wouldn’t usually be able to be there.

I couldn’t help but post this as well- the making of The Bear and the Hare.  I am always in awe of animation production, but this takes it a whole new level.

Blink

So there you are, two videos in one post and hopefully they made you smile even during this stressful time of year.

Ohana :: Grandparents

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Andy Ellis

Spring time with Obaachan seems oddly familiar to me.  Probably because it reminds me of spending time with my grandparents in their final days.  Its been several years since most of them passed away and I miss them every day.

As a teenager it was hard to make the time to go and spend time with grandparents but I’m glad that I made the time to see them and still try to spend as much time as possible with my one surviving grandma, but its not easy.  Life takes over- work and other activities etc. and I have to make a conscious effort to at least call several times a months. Grandparents are those precious people that hold the key to the family past- they are the ones that remember some of those moments that make your family what it is today.

I love this film because of the memories that it evokes and for the cinematography.  It may be slow, but I think it helps capture Obaachan, as well as what her life has become.  A slower version of days of old and enjoyment of the little moments.  I love the cherry blossoms and it makes me look forward to spring even more than I already am.

Something by me…

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For the past 6 months I have been working for a film festival.  After months of planning and organizing, the festival is finally over and I’m feeling quite exhausted.

Now that its over, I finally have time to share some of the videos that I created for the festival’s ad reel:

[vimeo https://vimeo.com/75997460 width=640&height=360] [vimeo https://vimeo.com/75635494 width=640&height=360]

I’m not sure what is next for me, but I’m very excited to have time to work on something of my own again.  Stay tuned…

 

Culture :: Mexican-U.S.Border

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Often we turn a blind eye to the things that we don’t wish to see.  Sometimes it’s outside our window and sometimes it’s a hundreds of miles away.  If we don’t see it, it doesn’t exist, right?

Viewer discretion advised

Visually

Although this short animation doesn’t actually show the violence of the Mexican drug cartels, it conveys the reality of a very real problem on both sides of the Mexican-U.S. border.  Although many of us don’t ever see the reality of these problems, it is an important part of American and Mexican culture. And although it is not a flattering aspect of culture, it should be acknowledged just as we acknowledge the more positive parts of culture.

Award Season :: Cherry Blossoms

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Did you see the Oscars this last Sunday?  I haven’t been this excited about the ceremonies in a long time- I actually saw most of the films this year.  I was thrilled to see “Searching for Sugar Man” won this year’s feature documentary category, although any of the nominated films deserved to win.  I’m always torn between the selected films.  Congratulations to all!

Now for my final post for February and with the theme off “Award Season”:

Dir. Lucy Walker

Another film that you have probably heard about as it has screened all over the world in the last year.  The Tsunami and the Cherry blossom brought a tear to my eye when I saw it a year ago.  It reminded me of how fortunate I am to have never had to endure a natural disaster or had to watch loved ones being swept away, completely helpless.  I hope I never have to.  It also reminded me that there is always hope and regeneration, even after complete devastation.  Nature endures.  I thought this was a beautiful tribute the strength of the Japanese people… to anyone who has survived a disaster.

Award Season :: Freedom of Speech

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Dir. Fredrik Gertten

Did you ever see the documentary BANANAS!* ?  If you haven’t, its not too surprising- especially if you’re living in US.  Swedish director Fredrik Gertten made a film about the treatment of workers on Dole Food Company banana plantations in Central America.  Right before the film’s release at the Los Angeles film festival, Dole threatenend a lawsuit against Gertten for slander if he did not cease and desist the showing of his film.  BIG BOYS GONE BANANAS!* documents the personal and company experience through the legal ordeal for Gertten to show his film. Although not viewable depending on your location, this film is an important reminder of how vulnerable filmmakers can be and questions how free are we to speak our mind.

Fresh Start :: Rushing water

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[vimeo https://vimeo.com/34169308 h=360&w=640]

by Andy Maser

This video is special to me for a several reasons:

  1. Dam removal is restoring the ecology and culture to Washington state- my home state.
  2. It reminds me of summer adventures in Rainier National Park and motivates me to head outside more.
  3. Last year I was part of a video project that delved into something related to this topic.  Someday I will share more about the project.
  4. I’m a huge fan of water sports- swimming, sailing, rowing, kyaking etc.  Ironically enough this video features river rapids, which I’m not a fan of, but I blame that on getting trapped under a raft during a rafting accident a couple of years ago.  River rapids aside, I love rivers for their beauty, for giving us life and their ability to take us back to nature.

This film is a new start for rivers in Washington state, for the salmon and demonstrates how we’re looking back on our actions and attempting to restore something that we originally ruined.

Chasing Ice

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Check out the movie website and find where it’s screening near you at http://www.chasingice.com/

I don’t think there was anything I didn’t like about this film (yes, I saw the film in its entirety at the Sheffield Doc Fest last June)- except for the grave condition that our climate is in.  Even if you aren’t interested in environmental documentaries, the cinematography is gorgeous and the story of how the team put their well-being at stake to capture these images is inspiring.  I won’t say any more in case I spoil it for those of you who haven’t seen it.  But I leave this question to you: What lengths would you go to to tell the world of something that you are passionate about?