Here In Filmland, Everyday Is Tornado Season
But we can easily return to paradise, if only we....
Let’s start with a mouthful…
What do you get when a swarm of hyper-talented folks who have far many more wants and needs than they have direction or practice, yet somehow maintain their talents and understanding, but engage in an industry that delivers confusing rewards -- even when it occasionally stumbles into art -- but through the twin turbulence of neglect and greed, has landed on the precipice of utter obliteration?
Know what I am talking about?
Okay, let’s also inject into that mix a large dose of aggressive “I must win” folks who are most likely amoral and definitely self-interested, likely sociopathic, and the reason they entered this field has very little to do with art or bettering this world. Might as well throw in a double heaping of the manic, and a couple of scoops of the thin-skinned fragile egos too.
Yeah, that’s a little closer to how it is, right?
Welcome to our world, my fellow filmworkers. Is it time for a new ship? A better map? A better batch? New intentions? Does it even matter if it is, that is… if we are not willing to take out our hammers and saws? In no way do I want to belittle the real life struggles that our extreme weather and overall infrastructure and support net neglect have wrought, but the horrors that besiege us these days, do appear to be suitable metaphors to wear this season in the ye old cinemaland.
FINAL DAY to rent! INVISIBLE NATION
Limited Time Only Virtual Screening!
Must end today December 9th! Only on GATHR!
4-Day Tickets here: https://gathr.com/vod/a998bc7e/invisible-nation
There’s smoke, and sure as hell, fire too.
Did I mention the figurative forest fires we also have to grapple with? Yeah, we have those too. I know you were hoping for the warm and cozy post to snuggle up to today, but we ain’t got time for that now; it’s burning hot and spinning out of control. No seat belts will smooth out this ride. Good times? No, but I suggest you get used to it. All indications I can find, is this version of reality is going to be sticking around with plans to stay.
Don’t even begin to think that what I am suggesting is the same as settling though. You know I begged you to never settle. Look for the path. The glimpse of the light, the cracks and the footholds, the spot where we can crawl into the better place. At least, the search and occasional respite might keep you going, and maybe that next one you make will be the life raft that carries another refugee out to our more welcoming home in that kinder and gentler dimension.
Why does it have to be this way? Generational trauma and the circle of abuse is the warm puddle we’ve made for ourselves, and instead of washing the stink off of our hide, we keep scratching the itch until we are one giant festering boil. Ummm… maybe this morning’s coffee led me to the wrong aisle in the metaphor store.
Seriously though, we CAN choose to take our business elsewhere, even if here we are the shopper and shelf-stocker both. I don’t know how long we’ve all been in this ditch digging operation, but surely, you’ve seen we can’t all shovel in the same line. Aren’t you tired of the continual fire drill?
We interrupt this post once again, with this flash news break!
Tonight Only! Special Free Screening of INVISIBLE NATION w Director Q&A
DATE: Monday, December 9th @ 7:00 PM
LOCATION: The Bay Theater1035 N Swarthmore Ave, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
The screening will be followed by a Q&A with: Director VANESSA HOPE & Composer WEI-SAN HSU, moderated by Oscar-Nominated Director MOSES BWAYO.
They weave a rich, emotional tapestry in Invisible Nation... a tour-de-force documentary about Taiwan" - Financial Times
And now back to our regular programming…
There is a better way. I was shown it. I used it. It became a driving force for me, and I think it is what both led me to be able to intimately involved in over 130 movies, with most of them critical if not commercial successes. On top of that, I consider myself both a relatively happy, optimistic, and compassionate individual still. Some may debate that, but whatever I am, it is the opposite of many of the folks I have encountered in the field. Frankly, I don’t want you to be like them. I want you to see how to best move through challenges. I think it can work well for you. But first I need you to see where we truly are standing. And then the choice is yours to make.
That’s how it works. Join me. I will show you what I see now before us.
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