I don't follow the World Cup, but I did appreciate this:
I don't listen to a lot of current music, but boy did I appreciate this:
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Call of the Artist
So you wanna go into the arts?
I mean as a way of life – not just a dabbling.
I think we’re all meant to dabble – in fact, built to dabble.
To sing in the shower. To paint pictures for funsies. To make up stories for our kids at night.
But some feel a need to make more of it – to make art their profession, their vocation.
In other words, some not only feel the need to create, but feel led to the combination of devoting themselves to creating AND seeking to find an audience for that creation.
At times, a paying audience even.
So how does one know that they should make the jump from the shower to the stage? (Please, dry off and get dressed first.)
Over at Resurgence, they did a little article on how to tell if you are called into the ministry, and there were a few points that seemed to fit the bill of “artist” as much as “pastor.”
Mostly from John Newton. He has three indicators that one is meant to be in ministry. I’ll think of these as three indicators that one is meant to devote their life energy to writing things like “Amazing Grace.”
One: “a warm and earnest desire to be employed in this service.”
‘Cuz it is a service folks. Those cats at the American Idol audition who want to be famous – yeah, they aren’t called to be artists.
Two: “some competent sufficiency as to gifts, knowledge, and utterance.”
If you weren’t given the gift, you weren’t given the call.
Okay, that’s only sort of true. Let me modify: if you weren’t given the gift, then you are likely misinterpreting the call.
Can’t tell you how many people meant to be working behind the scenes thought they were meant to be on the stage. Most happily get it eventually, and find the place where their gifts meet their passion.
Others still struggle to be in the costume, when they were gifted to make the costume.
Third: an “opening in Providence, by a gradual train of circumstances pointing out the means, the time, the place, of actually entering upon the work.”
Are the doors opening?
Or the windows?
Or the transom?
If not, again, maybe the interpretation of the calling needs another look see.
You feel like you passed the test? Well, not done yet.
Martin Luther also had a few criteria for the calling to ministry; and two seem oh-so designed for the fool wanting to go into the arts:
“Willing to venture body and blood, wealth and honor in the work”
And
“Suffers himself to be mocked and jeered by everyone.”
For anyone delusional enough to think their work will be above derision, just remember that Sandra Bullock won the Best Actress Oscar and the Razzie in the same year.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
I mean as a way of life – not just a dabbling.
I think we’re all meant to dabble – in fact, built to dabble.
To sing in the shower. To paint pictures for funsies. To make up stories for our kids at night.
But some feel a need to make more of it – to make art their profession, their vocation.
In other words, some not only feel the need to create, but feel led to the combination of devoting themselves to creating AND seeking to find an audience for that creation.
At times, a paying audience even.
So how does one know that they should make the jump from the shower to the stage? (Please, dry off and get dressed first.)
Over at Resurgence, they did a little article on how to tell if you are called into the ministry, and there were a few points that seemed to fit the bill of “artist” as much as “pastor.”
Mostly from John Newton. He has three indicators that one is meant to be in ministry. I’ll think of these as three indicators that one is meant to devote their life energy to writing things like “Amazing Grace.”
One: “a warm and earnest desire to be employed in this service.”
‘Cuz it is a service folks. Those cats at the American Idol audition who want to be famous – yeah, they aren’t called to be artists.
Two: “some competent sufficiency as to gifts, knowledge, and utterance.”
If you weren’t given the gift, you weren’t given the call.
Okay, that’s only sort of true. Let me modify: if you weren’t given the gift, then you are likely misinterpreting the call.
Can’t tell you how many people meant to be working behind the scenes thought they were meant to be on the stage. Most happily get it eventually, and find the place where their gifts meet their passion.
Others still struggle to be in the costume, when they were gifted to make the costume.
Third: an “opening in Providence, by a gradual train of circumstances pointing out the means, the time, the place, of actually entering upon the work.”
Are the doors opening?
Or the windows?
Or the transom?
If not, again, maybe the interpretation of the calling needs another look see.
You feel like you passed the test? Well, not done yet.
Martin Luther also had a few criteria for the calling to ministry; and two seem oh-so designed for the fool wanting to go into the arts:
“Willing to venture body and blood, wealth and honor in the work”
And
“Suffers himself to be mocked and jeered by everyone.”
For anyone delusional enough to think their work will be above derision, just remember that Sandra Bullock won the Best Actress Oscar and the Razzie in the same year.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Friday, May 21, 2010
Good Script Gone Bad
A common question that comes up in my line of work: after watching a movie, someone will ask, "How in the world did that script get made into a movie?"
There are many answers, in many colorful varieties. Sometimes it is the writer, or the re-writers, or the development process.
Sometimes it's hiring a bad director, or a bad cast.
And sometimes, sadly, it's because a good director or good actor got hired.
Here's a case study of how the script Nottingham went from being the hottest script in town to the drab movie called Robin Hood:
A summary.
The long version.
A lot can happen after a production starts moving. Puts me in mind of another recent movie.
Script got greenlit -- everyone very excited.
Big star hired to play the lead (a very good actor), everyone more excited.
Big star decides he wants to play a side character instead of lead. Been done - think Arnold turning down the lead in Terminator so he could play the villain. Everyone still excited.
Big star decides the side character's part is too small. Rewrites commence, making the side character into a co-lead character. Everyone starts to worry a little bit.
Big star's part overshadows the original lead part, everyone starts to wonder what the movie is about.
Movie is made, as is the decision to put all emphasis on big star, making original lead more or less a subplot. Sorta. Everyone wondering why they were so excited at the start of the project.
Movie comes out, critics bash it in part because the main story was kinda boring compared to the subplot (the original main plot) which, according to the critics, should have been its own movie. Everyone blames the writer.
And the circle of life goes on...
Just my thoughts,
Sean
There are many answers, in many colorful varieties. Sometimes it is the writer, or the re-writers, or the development process.
Sometimes it's hiring a bad director, or a bad cast.
And sometimes, sadly, it's because a good director or good actor got hired.
Here's a case study of how the script Nottingham went from being the hottest script in town to the drab movie called Robin Hood:
A summary.
The long version.
A lot can happen after a production starts moving. Puts me in mind of another recent movie.
Script got greenlit -- everyone very excited.
Big star hired to play the lead (a very good actor), everyone more excited.
Big star decides he wants to play a side character instead of lead. Been done - think Arnold turning down the lead in Terminator so he could play the villain. Everyone still excited.
Big star decides the side character's part is too small. Rewrites commence, making the side character into a co-lead character. Everyone starts to worry a little bit.
Big star's part overshadows the original lead part, everyone starts to wonder what the movie is about.
Movie is made, as is the decision to put all emphasis on big star, making original lead more or less a subplot. Sorta. Everyone wondering why they were so excited at the start of the project.
Movie comes out, critics bash it in part because the main story was kinda boring compared to the subplot (the original main plot) which, according to the critics, should have been its own movie. Everyone blames the writer.
And the circle of life goes on...
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Wanna Know From Funny?
Couple of helps towards humor.
First off, Jane Espenson's blog -- specifically Sunday, May 16th: The Dangling Kitten (how Glee correctly told a joke); Monday, May 3rd, Not Loving It (how McDonald's ruined a joke); and Sunday April18th, Go With the Flow (how Progressive saved an old joke).
Smart lady, smart advice on humor. (She also worked on Battlestar Galactica, Firefly, Buffy, Angel and Gilmore Girls -- I think I may have seen one of those shows...)
Then wander over to Jon Acuff's article at Relevant, where he talks about the difference between satire and mockery. (As a side benefit that Relevant may never have imagined, you get insight as to why the Daily Show really works when it works, and why when it doesn't, it really doesn't.)
Just my "I'll get you a kitty" type thoughts,
Sean
First off, Jane Espenson's blog -- specifically Sunday, May 16th: The Dangling Kitten (how Glee correctly told a joke); Monday, May 3rd, Not Loving It (how McDonald's ruined a joke); and Sunday April18th, Go With the Flow (how Progressive saved an old joke).
Smart lady, smart advice on humor. (She also worked on Battlestar Galactica, Firefly, Buffy, Angel and Gilmore Girls -- I think I may have seen one of those shows...)
Then wander over to Jon Acuff's article at Relevant, where he talks about the difference between satire and mockery. (As a side benefit that Relevant may never have imagined, you get insight as to why the Daily Show really works when it works, and why when it doesn't, it really doesn't.)
Just my "I'll get you a kitty" type thoughts,
Sean
Friday, May 14, 2010
Measure of Good Writing
Here's the wrap-up of a LA Times review of two television shows -- I'm re-posting here since it seems to be a good goal for all writers.
"Both shows are smart without being snarky, realistic about the limitations of the human soul without being jaded, carefully plotted without being overly clever. Sex is present but not exploited, marriage is respected but not revered and love, though in the end binding, is never reduced to syrup."
Extra points if you can guess what shows she is talking about... (I just started watching one, have not seen the other.)
Thanks to Chris for pointing me toward the review.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
"Both shows are smart without being snarky, realistic about the limitations of the human soul without being jaded, carefully plotted without being overly clever. Sex is present but not exploited, marriage is respected but not revered and love, though in the end binding, is never reduced to syrup."
Extra points if you can guess what shows she is talking about... (I just started watching one, have not seen the other.)
Thanks to Chris for pointing me toward the review.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
How To Write Badly Well: Bible Edition
How to Write Badly Well advises that a good technique for writing poorly - try too much to be the Bible.
"...and then three more who had just turned up, throwing the numbers off."
Priceless.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
"...and then three more who had just turned up, throwing the numbers off."
Priceless.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Spiderman Can Do Anything a Spider Can - Like Dance!
The Spiderman Swing Dance:
Spiderman gets a gritty reboot (maybe I find this funny mostly coming from the Dark Knight world...)
Bollywood Superman and Spider(wo)man fly, dance, smooch and beat down the bad guys. Video quality is poor -- maybe that's to match the special effects.
Ah, Spiderman.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Spiderman gets a gritty reboot (maybe I find this funny mostly coming from the Dark Knight world...)
Bollywood Superman and Spider(wo)man fly, dance, smooch and beat down the bad guys. Video quality is poor -- maybe that's to match the special effects.
Ah, Spiderman.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Proverbs 17:17
This weekend I volunteered at a fundraiser carnival. One of my jobs was as the bouncy house bouncer.
In clubs, bouncers are big guys with bald heads. At bouncy houses, bouncers are guys with big bald spots.
Anywho, my job was to tell the kids to stop pushing, punching or jumping on top of each other.
Two kids ignored me when I yelled, “No pushing!” I had to point them out and yell again, “NO PUSHING!”
The kids looked at me incredulous, not believing I could be referring to them.
“But…” one began, trying to figure out how to make me understand.
“But… but we’re brothers!”
Ah, I understood.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Sunday, May 09, 2010
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
The Killer
A recent video from my church featuring my lovely and talented wife; I'm pretty proud of her work here. Written and directed by Cory Edwards. Enjoy.
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
There's Discourse and Then there Dis Course
Don Miller has some ideas on discourse, which I would like to aspire to. (I said aspire, people.)
First, Five Principles of Civil Discourse.
And then How to Not Really Win an Argument.
On the lighter side, Stephan Pastis deals with hate mail in a way that I only wish I thought of. I think he wins the argument.
Eh, forget Miller's crap; I aspire to be Stephan.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
First, Five Principles of Civil Discourse.
And then How to Not Really Win an Argument.
On the lighter side, Stephan Pastis deals with hate mail in a way that I only wish I thought of. I think he wins the argument.
Eh, forget Miller's crap; I aspire to be Stephan.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Thursday, April 29, 2010
A Few Titles
A sampling of some of the titles:
Absence of Malice
Adventures of Robin Hood
My Fair Lady
Fugitive
Public Enemy
The Matrix
Risky Business
The Right Stuff
Rebel Without a Cause
Shawshank Redemption
Forrest Gump
Casablanca
Dirty Harry
Driving Miss Daisy
Harry Potter
Chariots of Fire
Collateral Damage
Streetcar Named Desire
Searchers
Magnolia
The Usual Suspects
Unforgiven
Treasure of the Sierra Madre
Exorcist
Maltese Falcon
Gotta say, I love my job.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Monday, April 26, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
How To Write Badly Well
One of my favorite sites; the last line of this posting drew a loud guffaw out of me.
HOMAGE WEEK #5: Try too hard to be J.R.R. Tolkien
Do We Trust Truth?
Very convicting and thought-provoking blog by Donald Miller today.
Aimed at the Church, it starts by wondering what the Bible would be like if the modern Church were in charge of writing it.
Ends up saying things like, "Part of the problem is ours is a religion of image."
Worth the read.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Aimed at the Church, it starts by wondering what the Bible would be like if the modern Church were in charge of writing it.
Ends up saying things like, "Part of the problem is ours is a religion of image."
Worth the read.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Late Breaking Medical News
Favorite line of the day:
In a news report on a new million dollar/mulit-year medical study, the doctor explaining their results said,
“What we discovered was that female physiology is different than that of the male.”
In 2010, the medical field figured that out.
I conducted a similar study that came to the same conclusion several decades ago. My study was called “puberty.”
Just my thoughts,
Sean
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Syfy: The Sports Network
I don’t get it. What happened to identity?
The Syfy Channel just made a deal to increase its wrestling programming by making Friday nights Smack Down night.
Yep. Dr. Who. Stargate Atlantis. Eureka
What gives these days?
I understood when a channel would branch out in a related way – like the History Channel making a historically-based movie; or Cartoon Network making a live action episodes of Ben Ten – a cartoon.
But they’re not even trying anymore.
Cartoon Network is making random live actions; good luck finding a music video at Video Hits One; and not only has AMC officially renounced the “C” in their name, the “M” doesn’t fit with their programming either.
(Hey, I’m all for Breaking Bad, Mad Men and The Prisoner – but what do they have to do with American Movie Classics?)
And now the science-fiction network adds wrestling to its identity.
You know what’s around the corner.
Lifetime partners with World Extreme Cage Fighting.
Hannah Montana does a cross-over episode with Dexter.
Nickelodeon puts a Sex and the City block between Spongebob and iCarly.
Jason tried to calm me down when I saw the news about Syfy (pronounced “siffy” “s” plus “iffy”).
He suggested that maybe the wrestlers will be monsters versus mad scientists.
Okay, maybe I can get on board.
Just my thoughts,
Sean
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