Costumes for the Holiday

Every year, I am surprised by how our nation, while normally not so publicly religious, really gets into tomorrow’s holiday – with costumes, decorations and rituals.

I of course am referring to Reformation Day, the day when Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the cathedral door.

So many cute Reformation Day traditions.

Like kids knocking on doors (reminiscent of the knocking made by Luther’s hammer), requesting mock indulgences (candy) for good behavior (not “tricking”).

Or pumpkin carving – an expression of the need to “clean out” the old ways while maintaining the structure of the religion.

Even our Starbucks, which doesn’t seem to do much for Easter, is all dressed up for the church this time of year.

I have to admit, I don’t always understand what some of the costumes I see have to do with Luther.

Some are obvious. Like vampires, mimicking the nature of eternal life through the Blood.

Or ghosts, clearly meant to reflect the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit.

Or the pro-Catholic costumes, such as a Frankenstein I saw (I assume to show the monstrous consequence if all of the reforms were incorporated into the body willy-nilly); and a Jekyll/Hyde costume (commenting on the fractious nature of the church with all the splitting going on).

Clever.

But I still don’t get what the sexy pirate costume has to do with reformation.

A little help here?

(Hold on, I’m being informed that there is another holiday on the same day… Oh, Halloween. Right. That makes a lot more sense.)

Never mind.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

Documentary Style Acting Class

Every once in a while, an acting instruction technique rises up that revolutionizes the theatrical world.

Stanislavsky.

Adler.

Meisner.

Grotowski.

And now Betty and D.D.'s School of Acting Arts.

I think what caught my eye is their first tbd class to hit on-line: documentary style acting. I can't recall ever seeing any other teacher try to tackle that art form.

Here's the class -- I found it captivating. Well, maybe it's 'cuz I think the woman sitting center front in the class is hot. (Don't tell my wife.)



For more, check out the website for School of the Acting Arts.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

I'm Gonna Let It Shine

I'm in a good mood right now.

I just had lunch with a guy I went to college with. I've seen him once in the past twenty five years before today.

He was a senior when I was a freshman -- and he was my idol. Unbeknownst to him, his influence on me played a large part in the choices I made then that have led to the life I have now.

And we got to hang out, to catch up, to rejoice in each others lives. And I got to confess to him how much our brief interaction oh so many years ago has resonated through to today.

Add to that -- I just archived an Errol Flynn script from 1936; and now have an early draft of PRINCESS BRIDE at my side. And I get paid to look at stuff like this!

So I'm in a good mood.

The dust of old scripts has flared my allergies -- I don't care. I'm in a good mood.

Just skimmed the headlines of the day -- don't care. I'm in a good mood.

Found out a passel of my friends are sick (tis the season) -- and I do care. Really, I do.

But I'm still in a good mood.

So I share with you a little happy video. Ignore that it is a commercial. Just enjoy the light.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

PS Oh, yeah, what started the good mood was this post by friend Jeff. Yeah, that will start a good mood going.

Fire Next Door

I used to be the Managing Director of Taproot Theatre in Seattle. Cath and I lived on the same block as the theater (our bedroom was literally closer to the theater than the staff parking was).

Part of my job included being the first person the alarm company called when an alarm went off -- which made sense, as I could respond in my pjs and lose less sleep than other staff members.

Once we got called because a spider crawled in front of the motion detector.

A couple of times for no discernible reason (theory is that someone may have tried to get in the front doors, gave up but shook them enough to trigger an alarm).

Most exciting time was for a false fire alarm, but the fire department responded, and I raced through the building unlocking doors before the fire fighters would get to them so they wouldn't have to break them down.

Never got a call as exciting as the one Mark Lund got for Taproot this morning around 3:30 am.

That was for this:


(photo, as those below, taken from phinneywood.com, who have great on-going coverage on this story)

Taproot owns the building next to its theater, which comprises (oops, comprised) of three restaurants and a coffee shop. The flames are coming from one of the restaurants.

That building is completely gutted now.

Taproot was not touched by the fire (the firewall between the theater and the restaurants worked). However, the efforts to save the theater have left it in shambles. Ceiling tiles were seen cascading down their main stairs; holes were punched through the ceiling and walls to insure the fire did not spread; the basement is being pumped as I write this. Who knows how much the smoke damaged the building.

The quick and thorough response of the fire department saved the theater as well as the building on the other side (the one that I use to call home). Residents were all safely evacuated, and even the kitties in the adoption center on the block were brought to safety.

Taproot has secured space at the Seattle's Children's theater to finish their sold out run of ENCHANTED APRIL. They will lose just tonight's performance -- a miracle in itself that another venue could be secured so quickly.

Wish I was up there now; feeling helpless this far south. Just yesterday, Cath booked a December trip that would include a Seattle stay-over; the first one in years.

Feel like I should say something else right here; but it hasn't come yet. Know what I mean?

Prayers to the Noltes & Lunds & other Taproot staff. For the restaurant owners who no longer have a means for their trade. For the coffee shop -- an outreach to the community and social ministry, serving the homeless among other things.

Friend and fellow artist Jeff Berryman gives his account of the events.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

From the back: The tall barn like structure to the right is Taproot; to the left of the flames is the part of the neighboring building that housed the pet adoption center; the stairs to the left are the ones that would have led to Cath & my apartment.

Again, picture from phinneywood.com

Wild too Wild?

A nice article by Richard Clark that asks the question: is Disney too nice?

Well, really it is about stories told to children, and the nature of truth.

Talk amongst yourselves.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

Two Goods for One Smile

I am a tad stretched for time these days. I'm in post on two shorts I directed (one for BADD, one a doc for Cloud & Fire), I'm two scripts behind in script consulting, I'm overdue on writing two shorts I've promised people, and my own full-length screenplay rewrites are off -- on two scripts, a comedy and a sci-fi actioner.

What is it about the number two these days?

And I'm behind in my blog posts -- including the essay I intended on how the reaction to the Nobel Peace Prize signals the end of patriotism in America. Alas, it looks like I won't be getting to that for a while. And I really wanted to tell y'all how great I thought "Zombieland" was.

Another two I'm missing.

Add to that the depression over the church book burnings and the reminder of what's wrong with pundit driven news, and I really needed something good to focus on.

Maybe two somethings.

And I got 'em:

The Amazing Race combined with a Potteresque missed-the-train-got-to-get-to-Hogwarts adventure from Janet -- made my day.

And a little bit of art, as artists take their hand at re-imagining movie posters. My favorites: Spiderman and Ratatouille.

Take a load off, read, let a visual wash over you, and smile.

In fact, I recommend trying it twice.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

Dorian's Picture

Book club met last night to discuss THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY.

Can anyone tell me the significance in titling it "The Picture..." instead of "The Portrait..."?

Anyhoo, a few of my favorite witticisms from the book:

A conversational exchange regarding an American woman engaged to an English acquaintance:

“Is she pretty?”

“She behaves as if she was beautiful. Most American women do. It is the secret of their charm.”

“Why can’t these American women stay in their own country? They are always telling us that it is the Paradise for women.”

“It is. That is the reason why, like Eve, they are so excessively anxious to get out of it.”

In complaining when reasonableness is brought up in a disagreement (a bit representative of the "discussions" of today, eh?):

“How dreadful! I can stand brute force, but brute reason is quite unbearable. There is something unfair about its use. It is hitting below the intellect.”

After bargaining for a purchase:

“Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing.”

Outraged when accused of being a sceptic:

“Never! Scepticism is the beginning of Faith.”

Next month, Raymond Chandler. An English Gothic thriller followed by an American noir thriller. Should be fun.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

Laughing With

Thanks to Tamara for putting me on to this intriguing video by Regina Spektor.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

The Ode to Joy

Cath and I spent a goodly portion of our Saturday night listening to a radio broadcast of a classical concert.

Just down the street, the Hollywood Bowl overflowed with 18,000 guests -- holders of free tickets from all ages and sectors of our society. Many had never been to the Bowl, or to an LA Phil concert.

This was the launch of Gustavo Dudamel's tenure as the music director of the L.A. Philharmonic -- he insisted that his debut not be the gala opening that takes place this Thursday, but rather a free event that would include anyone who wished to show up.

The crowd was not typical for the Phil -- this crowd thought they were at a rock concert.

Patrons rushed the stage to be closer to the music; each movement was received with raucous applause and shouts -- the audience unaware and uncaring of the breach of protocol.

Mark Swed sums it up better in his article, but for me it was all pure joy -- the intent of choosing Beethoven's ninth, it seems.

Mark quotes "Leonard Bernstein once said that we can never express too much joy when it comes to Beethoven, and Dudamel took him at his word."

It seems LA is in for a new era of classical music -- seasons grounded thoroughly in the music (not just gimmicked out) -- but with the added element Dudamel brings: community.

This is music for the people, Dudamel seems to say with every action.

He started out the night by leading a youth orchestra -- a bunch of kids who have instruments to play only through the generosity of a non-profit organization. They are the future, and the future starts today, Dudamel reminded us.

He is mentoring a rash of young conductors throughout the season; he has committed to performing an inordinate amount of new works.

He conducts without a score -- the music is imprinted on the heart and mind.

And when he takes his bows, he does not do so from the elevation of the conductor's podium, nor standing in front of the orchestra. Rather he breaks protocol by stepping into the orchestra, bowing from the midst of the players, reminding us that he is but one element of a communal effort.

Such actions take two admirable traits to be treasured if ever found in an artist: humility and security.

Is he the greatest conductor of all time?

How the heck should I know? I'm no classical expert.

But I'll tell you right now: after only one concert, I'm proud to say he's my conductor.

The moment he was back stage, rather than rushing to the privacy of his dressing room, he took up a glass of beer (yes, beer!) with the rest of his players to celebrate a great night of music.

Here's to you, Gustavo, and welcome to Los Angeles.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

Favorite lines from Swed's review, in discussing the last movement: "In the opening, crazy made a sudden turn to grace..." and "Here, Dudamel tested limits. He took the final measures faster than reasonable but just short of impossible. A full moon rose over the Bowl’s hedges, as if elevated by the energy on stage."

We Have a Name

My video directing debut for BADD (I've directed live pieces before, but as y'all know, film is a whole other kettle of fish to bob for apples in. Ugh, not only a mixed metaphor, but a rather unpleasant image...)

Just my art,

Sean

Wildely Artistic

I need a break from politics.

Today’s big story is that one side of Washington believes that they are the only ones who should be allowed to claim the other side wants people to die as part of their health care system and liken it to Nazi Germany.

Meanwhile the other side is all hot and bothered because they claim they called dibs on those tactics, and are threatening to sue for copyright infringement unless they get an apology.

So I leave them behind, and think instead on Wilde.

This month is October, which means Halloween, which means book club is reading something creepy.

In this case, Oscar Wilde’s THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY.

A man trades his soul for youth – a nice companion to prior years DOCTOR FAUSTUS (soul for knowledge) and DRACULA (soul for eternal life).

I’m just getting into the book, but wanted to share a bit of Oscar’s preface (written as a target to critics who might over think his message).

The preface is a series of short statements about art. Here are just a few that caught my attention:

“To reveal art and conceal the artist is art's aim.”

“Those who find ugly meanings in beautiful things are corrupt without being charming. This is a fault.”

“No artist desires to prove anything. Even things that are true can be proved.”

“All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril. Those who read the symbol do so at their peril.”

“It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors.”

So – if anyone wants to clue me in to what he means by “Even things that are true can be proved” I would appreciate it. I have my own theories, but will bow to wiser minds.

I’ll be stealing the “To reveal art…” line in my teaching. I’ve always been a big believer that the best story telling is when the writer gets out of the way.

I also admire Wilde’s wit (who doesn’t, really?) – with the notion that the real sin isn’t corruption, but being corrupt without even bothering to be charming. Hee hee hee…

Just my thoughts,

Sean

HTKWAP/PDBWTAS: #4 Where the Wind Blows

“How to Know When a Pundit/Politician Doesn’t Believe What They Are Saying.”

Guideline #4: If one doesn’t know what one’s opinion is without consulting the polls/ratings first, one likely doesn’t believe in what one is saying.

There used to be a game show for kids that divided the stage into three numbered sections.

They asked the contestants – about a hundred kids if memory serves (and my memory rarely serves – it rather asks to be waited upon) – a multiple choice question with three possible answers.

The kids would race pell-mell, with a clock ticking, to one of the three locations. They were to stand in the area that represented their answer.

But here’s the twist – they could look around and see where all the other kids where standing, and during a second time period could race to a different answer.

After that, the kids standing on the wrong answers were eliminated from the game.

It was always fun seeing which kids would automatically change to whichever answer had the most number of people on it.

And which ones would hold to the answer they thought was right, even if unpopular.

And, of course, the sneaky smart kids that would intentionally run to a wrong answer, then switch as the crowd lemminged their way toward their doom.

I kinda picture Washington as a stage divided into sections, with a slew of elected contestants who don’t even bother to listen to the question, but only watch to see where the rest of the kids run.

If only there was an elimination element for those that got it wrong…

Just my thoughts,

Sean

Today's Reads - Swine, Wine and Whining

I’m coming off a crazy weekend (most of Saturday logging footage for a short doc I’m writing/directing; most of Sunday directing a short film I’m writing/direc… wait, you know I’m directing if I spent all day directing it. Duh. Good thing I caught myself, or I would have wasted a lot of space and time retelling you that I direc… wait. There I go again.)

I’m very behind in my reading, but as I catch up, I figure you can too.

Stephen Pastis writes one of my current favorite comic strips, “Pearls Before Swine.” Here is his take on whether loving your neighbor includes those next to you in your pew.

More wisdom from Pastis, as he explains what the items on display at the check-out stand have to say about us as a democratic nation.

Stuff Christians Like takes a look at the footprints poem on shot glasses. Can you say “bar ministry?”

(You might remember my own take on the Footprints and how it might be different if I was the walker in the poem.)

Recently, a screenwriter infuriated/inspired the web by telling you why he won’t read your eff-ing screenplay. Screenwriter/mentor Terry Rossio does up his own version by telling you at great length why you aren’t good enough to make it in Hollywood. Somewhat apropos to the last post and David's response.

If you aren’t a writer and have no interest in the business – skip it. If you aren’t a writer but are interested in the business, jump down to where he starts numbering things. (The first list is pretty dead-on.)

If you are a writer (or want to be) – take the time to read the whole, incredible long, infuriating, thorough thing.

By the by, for those worried about me as screenwriter after reading Terry’s thoughts, I want to point out that I play poker on Wednesday nights, not Friday. So I think I’ll be okay.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

Today's Thought

"Any criticism at all which depresses you to the extent that you feel you cannot ever write anything worth anything is from the Devil and to subject yourself to it is for you an occasion of sin."

- Flannery O'Connor

Where the Wild Jokers Are

You Don't Have To Listen. Really.

I’ve suggested that we should not continue to support television programs that we know are intentionally lying to us and reduce “debate” to screaming matches and name calling.

I have been told that my strategy is a poor one – that in fact we need to fully support the extremists – even though we know they are purposefully lying.

The argument seems to be “there is so much bias out there, we must support the extremists in order to provide balance.”

Hogwash.

I fully agree (as Linds points out) that everyone has a bias.

And I concede that in order to get a balanced picture, one should look at sources that lean right as well as sources that lean left. (see bonus thought below)

But we aren’t talking about supporting leaners, we are talking about supporting liars.

A leaner, while reporting on health care, might say:

“The health care bill will cost a measly $800 billion dollars.”

Or, leaning the other way, they might say:

“The health care bill will cost an overly extravagant $800 billion dollars.”

Then there is lying. The liar says:

“Not only won’t the health care bill cost a cent, but every American who signs on will get a free pony!”

Balance is not achieved by seeking out liars who lie in the opposite way as someone else lies.

That’s not balance; that’s psychosis.

Is there any other area where we would suggest such tactics?

Like in English class. Sure, some high school English teachers lean heavier on grammar while dismissing literature. And some may think that spelling is not an important skill and push a larger does of vocabulary.

But suppose your child had an English teacher so strict they strangle the language?

No e e cummings allowed (bad punctuation) – in fact, all poetry is out the window for being too indirect. Twain is tossed for using “ain’t.” Any student caught reading Shakespeare is immediately expelled due to his irregular use of contractions.

Who would argue that we must support that teacher by adding another instructor who intentionally teaches poor grammar?

My point is this:

No one is being served by screaming heads that are not capable of listening. That’s poison.

Please, fill your diet with meat and veggies, with lean and fat, with salad and dessert.

But don’t convince yourself that you must take poison for balance.

Our acceptance of Jerry-Springer-melee-chair-flinging style of political debate is damaging to us all.

In a world that accepts that as “balance,” Kanye West’s award show antics fit right in. The proper response would be fully supporting Kanye, and providing balance by hiring someone to interrupt Beyonce’s speech.

Thankfully Beyonce isn’t on board with that kind of balance; I think her solution was much healthier.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

Bonus thought: For those interested in swimming among the variety of leaners, Linds recommends realclearpolitics.com as a wide source of news content.

Pixar Leak

I'm working on an interesting post about politics and media -- really, I am. But things keep getting in the way.

For example, my day job expects me to do some work-related stuff during work hours. (I know! Can you believe it?)

And I'm writing and directing a short that shoots in a week and a few days.

And my wife asked me to do the dishes. (I didn't do them, but it took time wrangling my way out of that one.)

Add to that keeping up on the World Series of Poker (okay, didn't the dad with cancer just break your heart?), as well as end of world apocalypse movies (Children of Men, Doomsday and Babylon A.D.), that marathon of '80's Fantastic Four cartoons, and (clearly) watching for web videos to pass on to y'all, hows a guy to get anything done?

So instead, I give you some real Hollywood news -- a leak of the next Pixar project. I think this one will blow Finding Nemo out of the water.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

For Who I Am

This vid put a smile on my face. My friend Jim wrote the music; my friend Karen produced. As I understand it, their kids were involved in directing and acting -- so a family affair!

Enjoy.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

Clowns Can Be Intimidating If You See a Lot of Them In One Place

Would you pass the marshmallow test? No, but if I was in there with my brother, I would split one immediately, and use the second one to get a third. One and a half marshmallows, and no waiting period.

Friend David reminded me of this video – what it is like for a writer to get notes. I, myself, will often preface suggestions to writers with a “not this, but something like this.”

I’d like to believe I’m not as bad as this typical exec…

If you are afraid of clowns, this next vid is not for you. If you are looking for a ministry idea, and a combination of clowns and advice from the ‘70’s appeals to you, here ya go: (thanks to Mark for bringing this to my attention)

Sounds like good advice to me, especially the “don’t travel in groups.” Jennifer, care to weigh in?

Just my thoughts,

Sean

HTKWAP/PDBWTAS: #3 Volume Control

“How to Know When a Pundit/Politician Doesn’t Believe What They Are Saying.”

Guideline #3: If one believes that the best/only hope for defending their stance is to prevent the other side from being heard, chances are one doesn’t believe what one is saying.

Example:

Pundit #1: I think the real core of the health care issue is-

Pundit #2: NO YOU DON’T! YOU’RE A LIAR! EVERYBODY BUT ME IS HITLER! MY UNDERWEAR ITCHES!

As you can see, Pundit #2 has a pretty persuasive argument.

There is a place, so I am told, where individuals with differing points of view discuss their opinions.

They listen to each other.

They ponder their opponent’s words, weighing them against their own.

Then they decide, allowing the best argument – the one that makes the most sense, is the most reasonable, and is the most beneficial to all – to win the day.

That place is somewhere between Santa’s workshop and Never Never Land.

Here in the real world, we resolve issues the American way – whoever shouts loudest wins.

And so I offer (for free) a tactic for the Republican Party to win back the White House back in ’12.

They should groom Mary Murphy from “So You Think You Can Dance” to be their candidate.

Just imagine the debates. Mary starts with,

“We’re on the Republican hot tamale train to Washington! WHOOOOOOOOOOOO….”

She holds her trademark scream out for fifty-nine minutes until the cameras turn off – ain’t no soaring rhetoric going to get around that girl.

Of course she isn’t perfect.

She currently listens with respect to her colleagues before giving her own loud opinions.

But I am sure we can cure her of that deficiency before the primaries.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

Bonus tip: If the show you watch that claims to give you both sides of the issue spends most of its hour with people shouting over each other, you aren’t getting either side of the issue.

Time to find a new channel.

jmt