Cognitive Daily: Casual Fridays: How does Star Wars end? Depends on how old you are
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Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Thunder Road - Springsteen
Well I got this guitar
And I learned how to make it talk
And my car’s out back
If you’re ready to take that long walk
From your front porch to my front seat
The door’s open but the ride it ain’t free
And I know you’re lonely
For words that I ain’t spoken
But tonight we’ll be free
All the promises’ll be broken
There were ghosts in the eyes
Of all the boys you sent away
They haunt this dusty beach road
In the skeleton frames of burned out Chevrolets
They scream your name at night in the street
Your graduation gown lies in rags at their feet
And in the lonely cool before dawn
You hear their engines roaring on
But when you get to the porch they’re gone
On the wind so Mary climb in
It’s town full of losers
And I’m pulling out of here to win
And I learned how to make it talk
And my car’s out back
If you’re ready to take that long walk
From your front porch to my front seat
The door’s open but the ride it ain’t free
And I know you’re lonely
For words that I ain’t spoken
But tonight we’ll be free
All the promises’ll be broken
There were ghosts in the eyes
Of all the boys you sent away
They haunt this dusty beach road
In the skeleton frames of burned out Chevrolets
They scream your name at night in the street
Your graduation gown lies in rags at their feet
And in the lonely cool before dawn
You hear their engines roaring on
But when you get to the porch they’re gone
On the wind so Mary climb in
It’s town full of losers
And I’m pulling out of here to win
Monday, March 30, 2009
Apocalypse watch
North Korea has a rocket on its launch pad, and California under/unemployed rate hits 20%.
Where's Superman when you need him?
Where's Superman when you need him?
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Politics, people...Empowerment!
More YOU can do in 1 MINUTE to make our world better. For you men out there, this is a fantastic way to protect and provide for your women! Be our hero!
From PLANNED PARENTHOOD'S EMAIL:
This month, we celebrate a real victory that will make a huge difference in the lives of women who have been waiting too long for a simple mistake to be corrected. Since Congress unintentionally sent birth control prices skyrocketing in 2005, affordable birth control has been out of reach for low-income women and college students — until now.
With your strong backing, Congress stood up for women's health by including the fix for affordable birth control in the Omnibus Appropriations Act. On March 12, President Obama signed the Act into law.
More than a victory, this moment is a reminder that supporters of women's health have the power to make real change — and that it can take months and years of public support before even commonsense measures are finally enacted.
That's why it's crucial for all of us to use the public comment period to show our support for the Obama administration's new HHS proposal. By adding your name to our list and showing your support, we can all look forward to President Obama restoring the rights of patients to receive complete and accurate reproductive health information and services, without fear that health care providers will withhold vital information and services based on their personal biases.
The deadline for public comments is April 9, so don't wait to add your voice.
From PLANNED PARENTHOOD'S EMAIL:
This month, we celebrate a real victory that will make a huge difference in the lives of women who have been waiting too long for a simple mistake to be corrected. Since Congress unintentionally sent birth control prices skyrocketing in 2005, affordable birth control has been out of reach for low-income women and college students — until now.
With your strong backing, Congress stood up for women's health by including the fix for affordable birth control in the Omnibus Appropriations Act. On March 12, President Obama signed the Act into law.
More than a victory, this moment is a reminder that supporters of women's health have the power to make real change — and that it can take months and years of public support before even commonsense measures are finally enacted.
That's why it's crucial for all of us to use the public comment period to show our support for the Obama administration's new HHS proposal. By adding your name to our list and showing your support, we can all look forward to President Obama restoring the rights of patients to receive complete and accurate reproductive health information and services, without fear that health care providers will withhold vital information and services based on their personal biases.
The deadline for public comments is April 9, so don't wait to add your voice.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Girls Rock - Last chance to MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!
Okay, dammit. Let's turn this nasty energy out there around...
Today is the LAST DAY to donate to my friend Brea Grant's Smackdown charity drive.
Girls Rock Camp Austin is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering girls and women of all backgrounds and abilities through musical education and performance.
It couldn't be easier or quicker to donate even five bucks through Paypal, and they're such a small charity even that will make a difference. Please step up, donate, pass the info on. TODAY ONLY!
Because we need more of THIS AWESOMENESS:
I want THE SQUIDS to be in PISTOLERAS. Rock on, ladies!
Today is the LAST DAY to donate to my friend Brea Grant's Smackdown charity drive.
Girls Rock Camp Austin is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering girls and women of all backgrounds and abilities through musical education and performance.
It couldn't be easier or quicker to donate even five bucks through Paypal, and they're such a small charity even that will make a difference. Please step up, donate, pass the info on. TODAY ONLY!
Because we need more of THIS AWESOMENESS:
I want THE SQUIDS to be in PISTOLERAS. Rock on, ladies!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Don't know what to do...
...with all this vitriol aimed against women. Read the comments to the article.
This whole subject is soooo loaded and complex.
The facts are that only 1 out of 10 films made feature a female protagonist, and that only 5% of the Writer's Guild is female.
For whatever reason, Hollywood does not want to tell women's stories, and does not want women telling any stories. Period.
No, there are not less female screenwriters. No, there are not less women consuming entertainment. That's all simplistic bullshit said by simplistic people who want things to stay the way they are. Like that UCLA professor who once dressed me down in class for an hour because it was such an unimportant topic that didn't matter to the heartland ticket buyers...
Should we blame these female screenwriters for promoting their sexuality and coming up with a PR angle that Hollywood and people want? Blame the female reporter who spun them like the vacuous Sex and the City girls? The NYT editor who chose to run the article in the style section instead of the arts? The anonymous internet commenters who call anyone with an opinion a feminazi?
Should empowered men and women circumscribe Hollywood and go build their own internet distribution empires, eliminating the barrier between artist and audience and the need to play Hollywood's reindeer games?
I don't know. I feel tired. I've tried to focus on partnering with men, empowering everyone, ignoring the negative, simply deleting the comments I get here from misogynists.
I don't know. My soul is tired.
You all take over for a day. This Watchman wants to retire.
On the 75th birthday of Gloria Steinem. How apropos.
This whole subject is soooo loaded and complex.
The facts are that only 1 out of 10 films made feature a female protagonist, and that only 5% of the Writer's Guild is female.
For whatever reason, Hollywood does not want to tell women's stories, and does not want women telling any stories. Period.
No, there are not less female screenwriters. No, there are not less women consuming entertainment. That's all simplistic bullshit said by simplistic people who want things to stay the way they are. Like that UCLA professor who once dressed me down in class for an hour because it was such an unimportant topic that didn't matter to the heartland ticket buyers...
Should we blame these female screenwriters for promoting their sexuality and coming up with a PR angle that Hollywood and people want? Blame the female reporter who spun them like the vacuous Sex and the City girls? The NYT editor who chose to run the article in the style section instead of the arts? The anonymous internet commenters who call anyone with an opinion a feminazi?
Should empowered men and women circumscribe Hollywood and go build their own internet distribution empires, eliminating the barrier between artist and audience and the need to play Hollywood's reindeer games?
I don't know. I feel tired. I've tried to focus on partnering with men, empowering everyone, ignoring the negative, simply deleting the comments I get here from misogynists.
I don't know. My soul is tired.
You all take over for a day. This Watchman wants to retire.
On the 75th birthday of Gloria Steinem. How apropos.
This is why you're fat
Great accompanying site to White Whine.
"The Slinger:
Hash browns covered with grilled onions with two side-by-side cheeseburgers, topped with a couple of fried eggs, sunny-side up and then covered with chili and garnished with two pieces of toast come on the side."
Jesus Christ, people! I have never in my life desired to consume even a bite of something like what is on that site, let alone my own carton of icecream, pan of pizza, or cheesecake.
Sigh. More inequities in the universe.
All it took for me to gain weight to become "LA fat" (bigger than a size 2) was off-the-charts stress from caregiving for mom, and no time to work out an hour a day.
What happened to the rest of y'all is on you and your cheese-and-pepperoni god.
"The Slinger:
Hash browns covered with grilled onions with two side-by-side cheeseburgers, topped with a couple of fried eggs, sunny-side up and then covered with chili and garnished with two pieces of toast come on the side."
Jesus Christ, people! I have never in my life desired to consume even a bite of something like what is on that site, let alone my own carton of icecream, pan of pizza, or cheesecake.
Sigh. More inequities in the universe.
All it took for me to gain weight to become "LA fat" (bigger than a size 2) was off-the-charts stress from caregiving for mom, and no time to work out an hour a day.
What happened to the rest of y'all is on you and your cheese-and-pepperoni god.
Is your soul tired?
TERMINATOR: SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES
Episode "Last Voyage of the Jimmy Carter"
Available for free on Hulu.
A gorgeous feat of storytelling from last Friday's episode. Bravura writing, directing, acting. The teleplay is credited to Ashley Edward Miller & Zach Stentz, directing to Guy Norman Bee.
THE SCENE: A sleepy, fed-up human handler tries to wrap things up for the night with the Terminator robot he is in charge of who is giddily engrossed in painting miniatures.
TERMINATOR: The eyes for example, the window to the soul. They're the window to the soul. I read that.
HUMAN: That's what they say.
TERMINATOR: Then I should choose my paint more carefully.
HUMAN: It doesn't matter, John Henry. It's a statue. It's an object. It doesn't have a soul.
TERMINATOR: It has eyes. Your eyes look tired. Is your soul tired?
HUMAN: No, my soul isn't tired. But I am. And I am going home.
There are more exchanges in this episode that make it more than worth your time, as a storyteller and a human. It's a five star episode.
Episode "Last Voyage of the Jimmy Carter"
Available for free on Hulu.
A gorgeous feat of storytelling from last Friday's episode. Bravura writing, directing, acting. The teleplay is credited to Ashley Edward Miller & Zach Stentz, directing to Guy Norman Bee.
THE SCENE: A sleepy, fed-up human handler tries to wrap things up for the night with the Terminator robot he is in charge of who is giddily engrossed in painting miniatures.
TERMINATOR: The eyes for example, the window to the soul. They're the window to the soul. I read that.
HUMAN: That's what they say.
TERMINATOR: Then I should choose my paint more carefully.
HUMAN: It doesn't matter, John Henry. It's a statue. It's an object. It doesn't have a soul.
TERMINATOR: It has eyes. Your eyes look tired. Is your soul tired?
HUMAN: No, my soul isn't tired. But I am. And I am going home.
There are more exchanges in this episode that make it more than worth your time, as a storyteller and a human. It's a five star episode.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
I just learned a life lesson from One Tree Hill
That's such a fucking wrong sentence. Nonetheless:
"Sometimes the beauty is in the attempt. We gave it everything we could, but it just didn’t work out."
Oh, and they had ANOTHER truth we already know:
HALEY: What’s the first thing I taught you about writing?
SAM: Tell the truth.
And yes I'm still drunk. Shut up. You with your happy happy life, and your frequent sex. Fuck off.
Now I'm watching HOUSE. And thinking about how I used to happily poledance to the themesong.
WILSON to House: I don't want you to be fine, I want you to be happy.
Happy. Everyone's bloody happy.
Seriously, where is MY happy life? Where, I ask ye...And how is it fair that I've had sex in my LIFETIME less times than Dr. Oz recommends IN A YEAR?*
I had a psychic tell me five years ago I was going to get cancer if I didn't start having sex, and I've STILL only had sex seven times since then.
I am soooo going to die of cancer. And tearful masturbation.
Sigh.
Did anyone else watch the BATTLESTAR GALACTICA series finale and think that the guy who played Sean Ellison should be my husband? Smitten, adoring puppy-dog eyes and all?
* The answer: 200 times a year.
"If you have more than 200 orgasms a year, you can reduce your physiologic age by six years," Dr. Oz says, basing this number on a study from researchers at Duke University who surveyed people about the amount and quality of sex they had. "They looked at what happened to folks that are having a lot of intercourse over time, and the fact is, it correlated." Frequent sex helps prove that your body is functioning as it is supposed to. "But in addition, having sex with someone that you care for deeply is one of the ways we achieve that Zen experience that we all crave as human beings," says Dr. Oz. "It's really a spiritual event for folks when they're with someone they love and they can consummate it with sexual activity...seems to offer some survival benefit."
EDIT: I guess you're really supposed to count the ACTUAL number of times you've had intercourse, which means I could double my number. Still nowhere near 200 times a year. Though then it seems the important thing is that you've had an ORGASM, which is dumb of Dr. Oz to equate with penetration for women....cut my number in half again...but then add on oral sex...and that Jeremy gave me two dozen orgasms in one night with his amazing hands...and I guess masturbation doesn't count as orgasm becuase I don't get the "zen experience we all crave as human beings".
This math is WAY too confusing and depressing, and still adds up to me dying from not having enough soul-connected sex. Fuck you all and your happy zen sex. Fuckers.
"Sometimes the beauty is in the attempt. We gave it everything we could, but it just didn’t work out."
Oh, and they had ANOTHER truth we already know:
HALEY: What’s the first thing I taught you about writing?
SAM: Tell the truth.
And yes I'm still drunk. Shut up. You with your happy happy life, and your frequent sex. Fuck off.
Now I'm watching HOUSE. And thinking about how I used to happily poledance to the themesong.
WILSON to House: I don't want you to be fine, I want you to be happy.
Happy. Everyone's bloody happy.
Seriously, where is MY happy life? Where, I ask ye...And how is it fair that I've had sex in my LIFETIME less times than Dr. Oz recommends IN A YEAR?*
I had a psychic tell me five years ago I was going to get cancer if I didn't start having sex, and I've STILL only had sex seven times since then.
I am soooo going to die of cancer. And tearful masturbation.
Sigh.
Did anyone else watch the BATTLESTAR GALACTICA series finale and think that the guy who played Sean Ellison should be my husband? Smitten, adoring puppy-dog eyes and all?
* The answer: 200 times a year.
"If you have more than 200 orgasms a year, you can reduce your physiologic age by six years," Dr. Oz says, basing this number on a study from researchers at Duke University who surveyed people about the amount and quality of sex they had. "They looked at what happened to folks that are having a lot of intercourse over time, and the fact is, it correlated." Frequent sex helps prove that your body is functioning as it is supposed to. "But in addition, having sex with someone that you care for deeply is one of the ways we achieve that Zen experience that we all crave as human beings," says Dr. Oz. "It's really a spiritual event for folks when they're with someone they love and they can consummate it with sexual activity...seems to offer some survival benefit."
EDIT: I guess you're really supposed to count the ACTUAL number of times you've had intercourse, which means I could double my number. Still nowhere near 200 times a year. Though then it seems the important thing is that you've had an ORGASM, which is dumb of Dr. Oz to equate with penetration for women....cut my number in half again...but then add on oral sex...and that Jeremy gave me two dozen orgasms in one night with his amazing hands...and I guess masturbation doesn't count as orgasm becuase I don't get the "zen experience we all crave as human beings".
This math is WAY too confusing and depressing, and still adds up to me dying from not having enough soul-connected sex. Fuck you all and your happy zen sex. Fuckers.
Spider-Man saves autistic boy
Oh my god, I'm totally bawling.
Okay, I'm a little emotional because I'm PMSing AND a friend is dying of cancer, but still...what a story. I'm looking for the good in human beings and finding it today in Thailand...
Okay, I'm a little emotional because I'm PMSing AND a friend is dying of cancer, but still...what a story. I'm looking for the good in human beings and finding it today in Thailand...
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Man up boys. It's time to SCREENWRITE.
Accountability systems are a fantastic, necessary thing for writers. Especially you assholes out there who have written 30 pages in five years and pollute my world by still calling yourselves writers (Yup. Don't think the rest of us daily writers don't notice you.)
So if you're a screenwriter who has ever been jealous of the wonderful results produced by NANOWRIMO, get your lazy butt over to SCRIPTFRENZY, pronto.
Here's what program director Jennifer Arzt said about Scriptfrenzy in an email to me:
It isn't a contest. It is a free writing event with no prizes or judges (we're a nonprofit), just a challenge: Write 100 pages in the 30 days of April.
It sounds very much like NANOWRIMO to me, which produces concrete results for writers. My 21-year-old nieces have written at least 3 novels a piece from participating in NANOWRIMO. How many of you calling yourselves "writers" can say that?
Go sign up, add one of their participant logos to your website/blog/whatever 2.0 account, and by April 30th you'll have the vomit draft of another screenplay done, and a little more self-respect and right to the privilege of calling yourself a writer.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Lessons EVERY artist needs
I'm a reviewer.
Not really news, right? I've been reviewing things here for four years. I have a following and people even reach out to me to review or write about things they're very attached to. Before this blog, I had reviews published around, some on a popular site. I'm in the top ten at Netflix, etc. etc. etc.
Why do I review? Because I live love breathe shit movies and television. Because sometimes viewers need a little help deciphering the propaganda hidden in the art. Because sometimes artists need a little help deciphering the propaganda their subconcious minds hid in their art. Because thoughtful, responsible examination regulates society, and keeps artists honest and doing their best. Because filmmakers should be able to be critiqued by their peers, and other filmmakers don't put their subjective opinions and tastes out there like I do for fear of burning an industry bridge.
Why else do I do it? To have a more balanced and informed opinion than what will be floating around on the internet.
Have you SEEN what is out there? Comments sections, messasge boards, everyman reviews? What people write on IMDb?
Let me give you writers and filmmakers a hint about the public and indie movies.
CONVENTIONEERS has a Spirit Award.
A SPIRIT AWARD. The highest award below an Oscar that a low-budget film can receive.
It has a 5 out of 10 rating on IMDb.
An F.
Look what the general public says about it on Netflix, where it has a 2.6 star rating out of 5.
Okay? Are we all on the same page now?
THIS IS WHY ARTISTS NEED TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SELF ESTEEM AND OUTER ESTEEM.
All the great leaders from Jesus to MLK have spent the majority of their lives downtrodden by the outside world. Constant negative feedback from outer esteem. But they had rock solid self esteem and they believed in themselves. Even when people wanted to kill them.
How many artists clamoring to have their work in the public eye understand the maelstorm they are asking for?
Let's go back to the people who don't like CONVENTIONEERS. Do you think this bothers Mora Stephens? No. She made a fucking great movie and she knows it. She doesn't care what Joe Schmoe or Iowa or Pakistan says, she made the movie she wanted to make.
Self esteem versus outer esteem.
Let's add another layer to outer esteem.
For directing CONVENTIONEERS, Mora received a Spirit Award on her mantel, an agent at a top agency, and has her next project in the works with stars and a budget in the millions.
She's not focusing on the portion of people who didn't get her movie. She has successfuly discarded them and embraced her "true fans."
And if she reads this post she's going to see that I am praising her and her movie, not slamming it. Even though I'm not lying and saying it's beloved by all. Right? She's got her shit together and she's ready to have her art in the world.
I recently had someone blow up at me over one gently-worded sentence of criticism in an otherwise glowing 4 out of 5 star review. Angry about the review because it suggested one area of improvement in the movie. ONE POLITIC SENTENCE. Angry to the point he irrationally damaged our acquaintance and hasn't made ammends. Over a huge favor I did him for free to try to get his movie seen.
SERIOUSLY, all you artists out there who can't take feedback in a class or writer's group. All you artists who cling to the negative and discard the positive.
GOD FORBID your work ever make it into the public. God forbid. Please, before you show it to anyone you aren't bribing, memorize the following:
1) If you want your work to ever be seen anywhere by anybody, you have got to learn self esteem or the reaction will destroy you.
2) PEOPLE WILL HATE WHAT YOU HAVE MADE. If you are expecting and think you are entitled to 100% praise, the reaction will destroy you.
Learn to find your niche. CITIZEN KANE, the most celebrated movie all time, has an 8.6 out of 10 stars at IMDb. (CITIZEN FUCKING KANE. Who the fuck are you, really?? CITIZEN KANE.)
Are you going to choose to focus only on the people who don't like you? If 12 sentences say "excellent" and the 13th politely says "room to improve", don't throw a hissyfit and throw out the 12 sentences before it. Don't attack the person for respecting you enough to think you could maturely and professionally handle feedback.
3) You WILL read or hear something you don't agree with. Because it's a REVIEW, not PR fluff. Don't shut down and go the hurt feelings route. Learn to distinguish the difference between "room to grow" and getting "slammed".
4) Identify who your friends are and don't chase those people away. Don't make them lie to you like they were your mom. Your mom can love you unconditionally by lying to you. People who actually care about you and your art will tell you where you can get better if you let them. That's the kind of unconditional love an artist needs.
And you can always get better. It's your JOB as an artist. What happens when your self-esteem can't handle anything but nice lies? You surround yourself with Yes Men and end up with STAR WARS 1-3 and INDIANA JONES 4.
5) If someone isn't in your niche, disregard their opinion without lashing out. You need to responsibly learn who to listen to and who to be able to listen to and say thank you but not choose to act on it. The higher your self esteem, the easier this becomes to judge and the more polite you will become. Because a critique either isn't correct for your art, or is awesome food for thought. Either way, the response is Thank You.
6) You're emotionally attached to your art. We all are. But if you overreact and behave innappropriately man up and APOLOGIZE. The art of apology is completely underrated, and is a beautiful thing if you mean it (Nope. I haven't received one.).
7) Don't go out of your way to do awesome things for people who've never done anything for you. Because they will always take you for granted and treat you like trash.
Sometimes supporting actually makes people happy. And sometimes no good deed goes unpunished.
Am I going to let one person's icky behaviour affect the reviews I'm doing tomorrow night and the day after? Or keep me from doing something nice for another colleague?
Nope.
Find your one thousand true fans (Kevin Kelly), and ignore the noise.
P.S. One of the great joys about receiving feedback on THE COMMUNE is how astonishingly diverse the reaction is to the actors. It always cracks me up. I have heard from multitudes of people who swear their opinion is absolutely right, and that x is the best actor and y is the worst in the movie.
Who are x and y?
Insert each of the top five names. They've all been both x and y.
Seriously chew on that.
Is that not a staggering comment on art and society and the subjectivity of opinions?
For every creation, there is an audience. Sort and discard. Find yours.
Not really news, right? I've been reviewing things here for four years. I have a following and people even reach out to me to review or write about things they're very attached to. Before this blog, I had reviews published around, some on a popular site. I'm in the top ten at Netflix, etc. etc. etc.
Why do I review? Because I live love breathe shit movies and television. Because sometimes viewers need a little help deciphering the propaganda hidden in the art. Because sometimes artists need a little help deciphering the propaganda their subconcious minds hid in their art. Because thoughtful, responsible examination regulates society, and keeps artists honest and doing their best. Because filmmakers should be able to be critiqued by their peers, and other filmmakers don't put their subjective opinions and tastes out there like I do for fear of burning an industry bridge.
Why else do I do it? To have a more balanced and informed opinion than what will be floating around on the internet.
Have you SEEN what is out there? Comments sections, messasge boards, everyman reviews? What people write on IMDb?
Let me give you writers and filmmakers a hint about the public and indie movies.
CONVENTIONEERS has a Spirit Award.
A SPIRIT AWARD. The highest award below an Oscar that a low-budget film can receive.
It has a 5 out of 10 rating on IMDb.
An F.
Look what the general public says about it on Netflix, where it has a 2.6 star rating out of 5.
Okay? Are we all on the same page now?
THIS IS WHY ARTISTS NEED TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SELF ESTEEM AND OUTER ESTEEM.
All the great leaders from Jesus to MLK have spent the majority of their lives downtrodden by the outside world. Constant negative feedback from outer esteem. But they had rock solid self esteem and they believed in themselves. Even when people wanted to kill them.
How many artists clamoring to have their work in the public eye understand the maelstorm they are asking for?
Let's go back to the people who don't like CONVENTIONEERS. Do you think this bothers Mora Stephens? No. She made a fucking great movie and she knows it. She doesn't care what Joe Schmoe or Iowa or Pakistan says, she made the movie she wanted to make.
Self esteem versus outer esteem.
Let's add another layer to outer esteem.
For directing CONVENTIONEERS, Mora received a Spirit Award on her mantel, an agent at a top agency, and has her next project in the works with stars and a budget in the millions.
She's not focusing on the portion of people who didn't get her movie. She has successfuly discarded them and embraced her "true fans."
And if she reads this post she's going to see that I am praising her and her movie, not slamming it. Even though I'm not lying and saying it's beloved by all. Right? She's got her shit together and she's ready to have her art in the world.
I recently had someone blow up at me over one gently-worded sentence of criticism in an otherwise glowing 4 out of 5 star review. Angry about the review because it suggested one area of improvement in the movie. ONE POLITIC SENTENCE. Angry to the point he irrationally damaged our acquaintance and hasn't made ammends. Over a huge favor I did him for free to try to get his movie seen.
SERIOUSLY, all you artists out there who can't take feedback in a class or writer's group. All you artists who cling to the negative and discard the positive.
GOD FORBID your work ever make it into the public. God forbid. Please, before you show it to anyone you aren't bribing, memorize the following:
1) If you want your work to ever be seen anywhere by anybody, you have got to learn self esteem or the reaction will destroy you.
2) PEOPLE WILL HATE WHAT YOU HAVE MADE. If you are expecting and think you are entitled to 100% praise, the reaction will destroy you.
Learn to find your niche. CITIZEN KANE, the most celebrated movie all time, has an 8.6 out of 10 stars at IMDb. (CITIZEN FUCKING KANE. Who the fuck are you, really?? CITIZEN KANE.)
Are you going to choose to focus only on the people who don't like you? If 12 sentences say "excellent" and the 13th politely says "room to improve", don't throw a hissyfit and throw out the 12 sentences before it. Don't attack the person for respecting you enough to think you could maturely and professionally handle feedback.
3) You WILL read or hear something you don't agree with. Because it's a REVIEW, not PR fluff. Don't shut down and go the hurt feelings route. Learn to distinguish the difference between "room to grow" and getting "slammed".
4) Identify who your friends are and don't chase those people away. Don't make them lie to you like they were your mom. Your mom can love you unconditionally by lying to you. People who actually care about you and your art will tell you where you can get better if you let them. That's the kind of unconditional love an artist needs.
And you can always get better. It's your JOB as an artist. What happens when your self-esteem can't handle anything but nice lies? You surround yourself with Yes Men and end up with STAR WARS 1-3 and INDIANA JONES 4.
5) If someone isn't in your niche, disregard their opinion without lashing out. You need to responsibly learn who to listen to and who to be able to listen to and say thank you but not choose to act on it. The higher your self esteem, the easier this becomes to judge and the more polite you will become. Because a critique either isn't correct for your art, or is awesome food for thought. Either way, the response is Thank You.
6) You're emotionally attached to your art. We all are. But if you overreact and behave innappropriately man up and APOLOGIZE. The art of apology is completely underrated, and is a beautiful thing if you mean it (Nope. I haven't received one.).
7) Don't go out of your way to do awesome things for people who've never done anything for you. Because they will always take you for granted and treat you like trash.
Sometimes supporting actually makes people happy. And sometimes no good deed goes unpunished.
Am I going to let one person's icky behaviour affect the reviews I'm doing tomorrow night and the day after? Or keep me from doing something nice for another colleague?
Nope.
Find your one thousand true fans (Kevin Kelly), and ignore the noise.
P.S. One of the great joys about receiving feedback on THE COMMUNE is how astonishingly diverse the reaction is to the actors. It always cracks me up. I have heard from multitudes of people who swear their opinion is absolutely right, and that x is the best actor and y is the worst in the movie.
Who are x and y?
Insert each of the top five names. They've all been both x and y.
Seriously chew on that.
Is that not a staggering comment on art and society and the subjectivity of opinions?
For every creation, there is an audience. Sort and discard. Find yours.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
The Craigslist Revolution will not be televised
The thousands of laid-off writers are FINALLY losing it... Righteous anger.
Seriously? Is Wayne Brady going to have to choke a bitch?
UGH!!!! NOTHING drives me more bat-shit crazy than technology issues.
Okay. Well, maybe not nothing.
I mean, I do get pretty upset about stinginess, intolerance, judgement, racism, exclusion, unfairness, sexism, war in the middle east, violence against women, clitoridectomies, lack of manners, coldness, inhospitality, traffic...
But after those things, NOTHING drives me more bat-shit crazy than technology issues.
My gmail account, for lo now a week, has been giving me this #$%$#^&@ error message half the time I go to send an email that says it hasn't been sent. Then I hit save and it says it hasn't been saved. Then I try to leave the compose area and it tells me not to because I will lose everything I've written. So then I hit send again...
End result?
About half the time I've really lost everything I've composed. The other half of the time, I now have 5 saved drafts of the email plus about 5 that have been sent to the more receiver. Often different drafts, because a writer is never done, and if you give me a second third and fourth chance at a letter I can MAKE IT BETTER.
End result?
Lis Fies looks bat-shit crazy.
As I am.
Sigh.
Seriously, where is gmail located? Am I going to have to fly to India to choke a bitch?
#08 error message my ass.
Okay. Well, maybe not nothing.
I mean, I do get pretty upset about stinginess, intolerance, judgement, racism, exclusion, unfairness, sexism, war in the middle east, violence against women, clitoridectomies, lack of manners, coldness, inhospitality, traffic...
But after those things, NOTHING drives me more bat-shit crazy than technology issues.
My gmail account, for lo now a week, has been giving me this #$%$#^&@ error message half the time I go to send an email that says it hasn't been sent. Then I hit save and it says it hasn't been saved. Then I try to leave the compose area and it tells me not to because I will lose everything I've written. So then I hit send again...
End result?
About half the time I've really lost everything I've composed. The other half of the time, I now have 5 saved drafts of the email plus about 5 that have been sent to the more receiver. Often different drafts, because a writer is never done, and if you give me a second third and fourth chance at a letter I can MAKE IT BETTER.
End result?
Lis Fies looks bat-shit crazy.
As I am.
Sigh.
Seriously, where is gmail located? Am I going to have to fly to India to choke a bitch?
#08 error message my ass.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Newest fishie
Haven't heard from Mom since last October. Was just starting to feel pissy about not getting a fishy, when I had lunch with Cindy Baer on Monday. Cindy of this fishy from 2007. We were leaving the restaurant and she said "Look! there's a ladybug on your hand!" Well, of course ladybugs were a special thing with me and mom. Cindy reached into my purse for my camera to try to get proof for y'all but the ladybug flew away.
ladybug logo credit
Monday, March 16, 2009
Apocalypse Watch: The robots are coming
Surprise, surprise. Japan has been hard at work on the Terminator Pleasurebot.
We are all going to die.
We are all going to die.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
At last, a little reverse ageism
Well, thank you mother nature for a small bone. A study says that babies born of older men have lower IQs, while older mothers produce healthier babies. Iiiinteresting. Add mutating sperm to men's concerns. Why do I feel like sending this article to all the men on Match who won't date women their age?
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Learn something new everyday
I did not know that the word "snark" was a contraction of SNIDE REMARK.
One to grow on.
Chech out Ebert's essay calling snarking "cultural vandalism." Time to call a moratorium on the snide remark? What say ye? Time to get back to being decent?
"What concerns me is that snark functions as a device to punish human spontaneity, eccentricity, non-conformity and simple error. Everyone is being snarked into line."
One to grow on.
Chech out Ebert's essay calling snarking "cultural vandalism." Time to call a moratorium on the snide remark? What say ye? Time to get back to being decent?
"What concerns me is that snark functions as a device to punish human spontaneity, eccentricity, non-conformity and simple error. Everyone is being snarked into line."
Things can only get better
Who knew Howard Jones was so apropos?
We're not scared to lose it all
Security throw through the wall
Future dreams we have to realize
A thousand sceptic hands
Wont keep us from the things we plan
Unless were clinging to the things we prize
And do you feel scared - I do
But I wont stop and falter
And if we threw it all away
Things can only get better
Wow wow wow oh, wow wow wow oh oh oh oh
Treating today as though it was
The last, the final show
Get to sixty and feel no regret
It may take a little time
A lonely path, an uphill climb
Success or failure will not alter it
And do you feel
Wow wow wow oh...
And do you feel...
We're not scared to lose it all
Security throw through the wall
Future dreams we have to realize
A thousand sceptic hands
Wont keep us from the things we plan
Unless were clinging to the things we prize
And do you feel scared - I do
But I wont stop and falter
And if we threw it all away
Things can only get better
Wow wow wow oh, wow wow wow oh oh oh oh
Treating today as though it was
The last, the final show
Get to sixty and feel no regret
It may take a little time
A lonely path, an uphill climb
Success or failure will not alter it
And do you feel
Wow wow wow oh...
And do you feel...
Friday, March 13, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Post Fact Productions
Check out friend of the blog Rachel and Lauren's new Avant Hard play PARABOX, March 13th-29th. Break a leg, ladies!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Monday, March 09, 2009
Shauna's B-day
One of my best friends from junior high was back in town having a big b-day party at Pig n the Whistle and The Roosevelt Hotel this weekend. First time I've been to either place, which tells you how plugged in I am to the Hollywood scene. But we had a blast.
The Suite:
Shauna and her husband Craig. He threw her a great surprise party!
Shauna, Stacey, Me. He was pretty happy about this:
The Suite:
Shauna and her husband Craig. He threw her a great surprise party!
Shauna, Stacey, Me. He was pretty happy about this:
This sex is on fire
Being a trained musician makes you a better listener, more sensitive lover. Good news for my datees.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Comment of the week
Re: Stat and Hero.
Changapeluda said:
"oh what black magical furrinesss!
I can picture your Hero in a bowler hat."
Changapeluda said:
"oh what black magical furrinesss!
I can picture your Hero in a bowler hat."
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Friday, March 06, 2009
More brilliance from Mr. Ebert
His own blog where he answers readers???!!!! I feel bliss!!!!
But seriously people, why doesn't ANYONE know how to properly use it's/its???? It's really not hard. Flames of rage flicking my face...
But seriously people, why doesn't ANYONE know how to properly use it's/its???? It's really not hard. Flames of rage flicking my face...
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Elizabeth Gilbert: A New Way To Think About CREATIVITY
I've been mulling over this topic myself for two weeks now. More from me soon. And now, the other Elizabeth:
Math is still hard
My new hero:
A Politician in West Virginia tries to Ban Barbie
Lincoln County Delegate Jeff Eldridge has introduced legislation that would outlaw the sale of Barbie dolls in his state.
"I just hate the image that we give to our kids that if you're beautiful, you're beautiful and you don't have to be smart," Eldridge says, "and I'd like to send a message to not only our children but parents and educators that let's push education over the importance of beauty."
Ohhhhh Jeff. You are a spectacular human being!
A Politician in West Virginia tries to Ban Barbie
Lincoln County Delegate Jeff Eldridge has introduced legislation that would outlaw the sale of Barbie dolls in his state.
"I just hate the image that we give to our kids that if you're beautiful, you're beautiful and you don't have to be smart," Eldridge says, "and I'd like to send a message to not only our children but parents and educators that let's push education over the importance of beauty."
Ohhhhh Jeff. You are a spectacular human being!
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
A Wrinkle in Time
I've been really really good about not sharing details about my love life, oui? Yes, I've noticed the steady decline in readership, you jackals, but none the less...preserving sanity and having a good life are paramount.
But I just HAVE to share this itty bitty tiny kernal.
I received an intriguing-feeling, smile-inducing email today through a matchmaking site from a handsome man just a couple years older than me who lives about 5 miles away and...get this...is a 100% compatibility match.
I'm pretty sure on this site I've never had above, like 94%. Pretty sure.
So if a wormhole opens up and disrupts the space-time continuum in the next week, it may just be us getting within ten feet of each other. Even if it's just close enough to lob our address books at each other, exchanging friends' phone numbers. Or exchanging clothes and deciding to play Freaky Friday on our loved ones.
But I just HAVE to share this itty bitty tiny kernal.
I received an intriguing-feeling, smile-inducing email today through a matchmaking site from a handsome man just a couple years older than me who lives about 5 miles away and...get this...is a 100% compatibility match.
I'm pretty sure on this site I've never had above, like 94%. Pretty sure.
So if a wormhole opens up and disrupts the space-time continuum in the next week, it may just be us getting within ten feet of each other. Even if it's just close enough to lob our address books at each other, exchanging friends' phone numbers. Or exchanging clothes and deciding to play Freaky Friday on our loved ones.
U2 Magnificent
Magnificent
Magnificent
I was born
I was born to be with you
In this space and time
After that and ever after I haven't had a clue
Only to break rhyme
This foolishness can leave a heart black and blue
Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love can heal such a scar
I was born
I was born to sing for you
I didn’t have a choice but to lift you up
And sing whatever song you wanted me to
I give you back my voice
From the womb my first cry, it was a joyful noise…
Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love can heal such a scar
Justified till we die, you and I will magnify
The Magnificent
Magnificent
Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love unites our hearts
Justified till we die, you and I will magnify
The Magnificent
Magnificent
Magnificent
Unicorn chaser
Because you're born alone, you live alone, no one understands you, and you're going to die alone...broke...:
The Louisiana pink dolphin.
Oh, and here are the LA meerkats.
You're welcome.
The Louisiana pink dolphin.
Oh, and here are the LA meerkats.
You're welcome.
As if Ryanair weren't heinous enough
They want to start charging to use their toilets. Douchebags.
From Chelsea Lately: Conservatives are the biggest consumers of porn, with Utah being the number one state. Can't say anything about that, too angry.
Chelsea also ripped The Bachelor a new a-hole. I wish she'd gotten into the REAL issue of ABC setting up the "winning" fiancee to be dumped on TV for the runner-up. Beyond evil on the part of the four main people who participated. You know about this, right? Check out my earlier post. I'm beyond pissed; we've finally gotten to the point where people are going to start killing each other over the horrible things producers tell people to do to each other for ratings. OH and thanks for being douchebags and WATCHING the show!!? Highest ratings ever in their history, you American jackals. I have no problem with that dumped fiancee going on an ABC killing spree.
Saw a great sketch on David Letterman of the courtesy phauxne call with Obama letting Bush know he's withdrawing troops from Iraq (woot!)...as Bush eats potato chips on the other end.
I swear, I don't know if Obama would have won without the devastating one-two punch of Letterman and Tina Fey, NOT to be underestimated in the court of public opinion. And Letterman has been in full-on sexy "Jugular Dave" mode against Bush for at least a year. Devastating. (Which, come on ladies...when Dave's like that, you know, "Let's hope for Berlin" hahahahaha mode, don't you just want that brilliant 70-year-old man to spank you while saying mean funny smart things about how you aren't good enough? Me-effing-ow. Love you and you're natty suits Dave. Keep eviscerating Hollywood starlets, sir. Their empty vessels are begging for it.
From Chelsea Lately: Conservatives are the biggest consumers of porn, with Utah being the number one state. Can't say anything about that, too angry.
Chelsea also ripped The Bachelor a new a-hole. I wish she'd gotten into the REAL issue of ABC setting up the "winning" fiancee to be dumped on TV for the runner-up. Beyond evil on the part of the four main people who participated. You know about this, right? Check out my earlier post. I'm beyond pissed; we've finally gotten to the point where people are going to start killing each other over the horrible things producers tell people to do to each other for ratings. OH and thanks for being douchebags and WATCHING the show!!? Highest ratings ever in their history, you American jackals. I have no problem with that dumped fiancee going on an ABC killing spree.
Saw a great sketch on David Letterman of the courtesy phauxne call with Obama letting Bush know he's withdrawing troops from Iraq (woot!)...as Bush eats potato chips on the other end.
I swear, I don't know if Obama would have won without the devastating one-two punch of Letterman and Tina Fey, NOT to be underestimated in the court of public opinion. And Letterman has been in full-on sexy "Jugular Dave" mode against Bush for at least a year. Devastating. (Which, come on ladies...when Dave's like that, you know, "Let's hope for Berlin" hahahahaha mode, don't you just want that brilliant 70-year-old man to spank you while saying mean funny smart things about how you aren't good enough? Me-effing-ow. Love you and you're natty suits Dave. Keep eviscerating Hollywood starlets, sir. Their empty vessels are begging for it.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
The Bachelor
Reality Steve is my hero. Good for him for taking on ABC's lawyers to tell the truth about this despicable show.
Monday, March 02, 2009
Vigilante mom strikes sex offender
People are often surprised by my black and white politics about this kind of thing, but you forget I learned to read on comic books. I am perfectly fine with this mom's actions.
Which aligns me with the relgious right in these matters. Greeeeat.
Very strange thing about me. With all my hippie socialist views, I'm ultimately always a commander, ready to sacfifice anything for the great good. AS a socialist hippie wanting to actually see changes in my lifetime. But also, part of why I can be a director, even as a woman, is that I "get" war and what it takes. I know it's not a democracy; that each person isn't equal, that sacrifices must be made.
Which aligns me with the relgious right in these matters. Greeeeat.
Very strange thing about me. With all my hippie socialist views, I'm ultimately always a commander, ready to sacfifice anything for the great good. AS a socialist hippie wanting to actually see changes in my lifetime. But also, part of why I can be a director, even as a woman, is that I "get" war and what it takes. I know it's not a democracy; that each person isn't equal, that sacrifices must be made.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Carolina Liar
Wait, I'm wrong
Should have done better than this
Please, I'll be strong
I'm finding it hard to resist
So show me what I'm looking for
CHORUS
Save me, I'm lost
Oh lord, I've been waiting for you
I'll pay any cost
Save me from being confused
Show me what I'm looking for
Show me what I'm looking for…oh lord
Don't let go
I've wanted this far too long
Mistakes become regrets
I've learned to love abuse
Please show me what I'm looking for
CHORUS
Save me, I'm lost
Oh lord, I've been waiting for you
I'll pay any cost
Save me from being confused
Show me what I'm looking for
Show me what I'm looking for…oh lord
Show me what I'm looking for
Show me what I'm looking for
Show me what I'm looking for
Should have done better than this
Please, I'll be strong
I'm finding it hard to resist
So show me what I'm looking for
CHORUS
Save me, I'm lost
Oh lord, I've been waiting for you
I'll pay any cost
Save me from being confused
Show me what I'm looking for
Show me what I'm looking for…oh lord
Don't let go
I've wanted this far too long
Mistakes become regrets
I've learned to love abuse
Please show me what I'm looking for
CHORUS
Save me, I'm lost
Oh lord, I've been waiting for you
I'll pay any cost
Save me from being confused
Show me what I'm looking for
Show me what I'm looking for…oh lord
Show me what I'm looking for
Show me what I'm looking for
Show me what I'm looking for
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