Contemplating the last two quarters studying film, animation and nature at TESC reminds me of the jump off point just before the next part of the journey. I am thinking of the Zen phrase "Do not say anything to completion" because nothing really ends...
So as I prepare for change, I look forward to the moving image of my life with botany and animation as the focus of the mind, keeping an open heart, and watch pending achievements move into another form...
Monday, April 1, 2013
Friday, December 21, 2012
Winter's Solstice 2012
The year of the water dragon is turning the corner and embracing the return of light into the world.
It is a reminder of cyclic forms in nature, which includes us. As things grow and mature the colors of live move with it. And as we enter a new calendar unwritten by the Mayans, may we all reach within and draw our the true light of our nature.
Reflecting on the past year: on the loss of loved ones, the continual opportunities to view oneself with a clear eye, and the ever creative present moments; i wonder at the miracle of truth.
Ever hopeful to remain in the present and to surrender to love.
Peace...Light...Joy...
It is a reminder of cyclic forms in nature, which includes us. As things grow and mature the colors of live move with it. And as we enter a new calendar unwritten by the Mayans, may we all reach within and draw our the true light of our nature.
Reflecting on the past year: on the loss of loved ones, the continual opportunities to view oneself with a clear eye, and the ever creative present moments; i wonder at the miracle of truth.
Ever hopeful to remain in the present and to surrender to love.
Peace...Light...Joy...
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
ruins and the entropy of death...
wow pretty heavy in the title area there...
it usually takes a month after end of quarter to process and blather about, hither and yon on my experiences...
and as I get ready for the second quarter past the last posting...I am partially processed...like a new loaf of velveeta still on the loading dock of life...
my last program "Ruins" the anthropological look at ruins (as in buildings, cultures, sociological environs).... added more layers upon the critical thinking processes (MediaWorks) inspired by the works of Russian and German filmmakers, avant-guarde experimental filmmakers, and texts thrown at us like lockboxes to times past linked to the present...the key was to jump in and see how it felt (still feels)...like any faculty worth their salt, we were guided and prodded into looking outside our own filter of experience...I find myself drawn to very divergent topics...picking them up...reading and researching a bit...feel a beginner's grasp and move on to the next...rinse and repeat...opportunities arrive by not obsessing and by allowing openings to make themselves known...familiar energies in new faces...found 16mm and 35mm film footage to animate and explore...the ebb and flow of what is available vs. what one tries to grasp...
at the same time...we had a dear friend pass away from cancer (she battled this like Patton facing the Nazi's--swinging at it with arms, legs, and sharp mind)...this was easter sunday at dawn... cheeky thing that...always pushing her way to the limelight....
at the normal one month period after my spring quarter when my process eases up, my awesome friend, sister, and spiritual mentor passed...we went down to central cali for the service...still grieving...still...the eulogy given by her partner was one of the most well thought out, clear, humorous, divinely inspired accounting of their life together...over 200 people were present and every single one of us there had a deep connection to her...
...now as I review my Intermediate Algebra book in preparation for Calculus and Physics defining 2D animation...I think of my dear Tibetan Buddhist friend who is in hospice, who I have been fortunate enough to help care for occasionally the last two and a half months...the doctors gave her till the end of June...it's almost the second week of September....I will have one more opportunity to be of service next week before class starts...I think about her many times during the day...
...I think about my mentor/friend many times during the day...
...I think about my easter rising friend many times as well...
...I move between freaking out about not finishing my int. algebra review before class starts...and about my transportation budget...and moving in between all of that are these deeply quiet, open, and present moments that I cherish and breath space into and if I am calm enough, if I allow everything to be as it is, continue to breathe and relax.... moments open up...opportunities present themselves...familiar energies arise within new experiences...a smile beams on loved one's faces...and I visit my garden to harvest my soul....
it usually takes a month after end of quarter to process and blather about, hither and yon on my experiences...
and as I get ready for the second quarter past the last posting...I am partially processed...like a new loaf of velveeta still on the loading dock of life...
my last program "Ruins" the anthropological look at ruins (as in buildings, cultures, sociological environs).... added more layers upon the critical thinking processes (MediaWorks) inspired by the works of Russian and German filmmakers, avant-guarde experimental filmmakers, and texts thrown at us like lockboxes to times past linked to the present...the key was to jump in and see how it felt (still feels)...like any faculty worth their salt, we were guided and prodded into looking outside our own filter of experience...I find myself drawn to very divergent topics...picking them up...reading and researching a bit...feel a beginner's grasp and move on to the next...rinse and repeat...opportunities arrive by not obsessing and by allowing openings to make themselves known...familiar energies in new faces...found 16mm and 35mm film footage to animate and explore...the ebb and flow of what is available vs. what one tries to grasp...
at the same time...we had a dear friend pass away from cancer (she battled this like Patton facing the Nazi's--swinging at it with arms, legs, and sharp mind)...this was easter sunday at dawn... cheeky thing that...always pushing her way to the limelight....
at the normal one month period after my spring quarter when my process eases up, my awesome friend, sister, and spiritual mentor passed...we went down to central cali for the service...still grieving...still...the eulogy given by her partner was one of the most well thought out, clear, humorous, divinely inspired accounting of their life together...over 200 people were present and every single one of us there had a deep connection to her...
...now as I review my Intermediate Algebra book in preparation for Calculus and Physics defining 2D animation...I think of my dear Tibetan Buddhist friend who is in hospice, who I have been fortunate enough to help care for occasionally the last two and a half months...the doctors gave her till the end of June...it's almost the second week of September....I will have one more opportunity to be of service next week before class starts...I think about her many times during the day...
...I think about my mentor/friend many times during the day...
...I think about my easter rising friend many times as well...
...I move between freaking out about not finishing my int. algebra review before class starts...and about my transportation budget...and moving in between all of that are these deeply quiet, open, and present moments that I cherish and breath space into and if I am calm enough, if I allow everything to be as it is, continue to breathe and relax.... moments open up...opportunities present themselves...familiar energies arise within new experiences...a smile beams on loved one's faces...and I visit my garden to harvest my soul....
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Appreciation
Here is a big thanks of appreciation to my partner, family and friends as I make this journey. I could not do this without you! Seriously I could not....so the update for this adult student is about what I am learning inside and out of school...the last two quarters taking MediaWorks has given me insight and skills to use for making documentary film/video...and it kept me busy enough that this is the first time I even thought about blogging. Film editing is serious business. Shoot 30 hours of video for 18 min DVD. That DVD btw will be shown at the Nisqually River Education Project Film Fest in conjunction with the Yelm Film Fest in May... my direct film animation/video collage was publicly screened earlier this month on campus. My cousin Egon and his wife Debbie attended along with my sweetheart. It was very exciting! I hope to continue to utilise this creative outlet moving forward to support change and awareness. This next quarter I will be studying Ruins: contemporary Urban abandoned structures how they came to be, how they are related to socio-economic environments, and I hope how we can help our world. Outside of school, well is there such a thing? Everyday brings opportunities to see yourself reflected in others as well as in the mirror...peace out campers...tred softly...
Monday, October 10, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
Existential meanderings...
Just finished watching a film with the divine missy M and took the dogs out for their final spin around the winter pond...
There must be a storm coming in because you could see the moon highlight the bands and swirls moving past...open sky...gauzing the moon not quite full...
There is an unusually bright light filling the space of a doorway...so bright the doorway looked as if it were floating on top of the pasture beyond the fence that separates the lawn from meadow...no rain yet, slight mist to the breath...fall has descended lightly this year...and a car along the street moves in front of the doorway denting light...
Each time I watch a film now...my attention is drawn to the lighting, how the shot is framed, how the sound plays off the cuts and actors moving on the z axis toward the negative space of shadow...
This is starting to move to real life...there is more attention to the focus questioning who or what is watching....am I turning this way or is the world on a tilt up...
Meanderings on dewy grass with jumbo jets reverberating off the bottoms of clouds... stepping in moon shadow...
There must be a storm coming in because you could see the moon highlight the bands and swirls moving past...open sky...gauzing the moon not quite full...
There is an unusually bright light filling the space of a doorway...so bright the doorway looked as if it were floating on top of the pasture beyond the fence that separates the lawn from meadow...no rain yet, slight mist to the breath...fall has descended lightly this year...and a car along the street moves in front of the doorway denting light...
Each time I watch a film now...my attention is drawn to the lighting, how the shot is framed, how the sound plays off the cuts and actors moving on the z axis toward the negative space of shadow...
This is starting to move to real life...there is more attention to the focus questioning who or what is watching....am I turning this way or is the world on a tilt up...
Meanderings on dewy grass with jumbo jets reverberating off the bottoms of clouds... stepping in moon shadow...
MediaWorks week 2
The tail end of week 2 is putting together my director's portfolio, which includes an essay about my experience. I think I need more coffee before I start down the essay road...maybe I'll just sketch out some ideas...then include my sketch out as well...
Just like last year the first few weeks of meeting new people, gestating new ideas and terminology, as well as figuring out which room this period's class is in...so taking ti one day at a time...and trying to not do everything film in my head and get outside...
Some of my favorite conversation....
"do you have the handout, were we supposed to download it, I can't find it on moodle, can I borrow yours?..." seems to be the collective whisperings during the last practicum meeting on Thursdays...
We've already shot one 'long take' on a Rebel T1 in video mode with manual settings. I realized after viewing the other groups that although MH's and our piece didn't suck...it was a bit conservative...but then again simplicity can be a beautiful thing...our groups ability to critique in a non threatening way is extremely helpful...thanks everyone! So a big thanks goes out to MH!!!! woot woman you rock, Thanks so much I had a blast making the film with you!!!! Now I need to let loose a bit more...seriously lol...
So this weekend I have the Bolex 16mm proficiency to read, umpteenjillion pages in the Filmmaker's Handbook, 3 articles, watch at least one movie in the genre we are reading about, finish my director's portfolio (essay), read chapter 3 of the Film Experience on Mise-en-scene, and if I have time finish reading vol 1 of Sergei Eisenstein's essays...oh yeah while all that is happening jot down notes on the main characters of early Film...
oh yes, today is work, tomorrow clients and Sunday it will be raining so it's PERFECT for reading!
Ok campers, gotta go! In the meantime, keep your moving image device OUT OF THE RAIN and watch that tracking on the z axis...it can be tricky!
Peace out,
Just like last year the first few weeks of meeting new people, gestating new ideas and terminology, as well as figuring out which room this period's class is in...so taking ti one day at a time...and trying to not do everything film in my head and get outside...
Some of my favorite conversation....
"do you have the handout, were we supposed to download it, I can't find it on moodle, can I borrow yours?..." seems to be the collective whisperings during the last practicum meeting on Thursdays...
We've already shot one 'long take' on a Rebel T1 in video mode with manual settings. I realized after viewing the other groups that although MH's and our piece didn't suck...it was a bit conservative...but then again simplicity can be a beautiful thing...our groups ability to critique in a non threatening way is extremely helpful...thanks everyone! So a big thanks goes out to MH!!!! woot woman you rock, Thanks so much I had a blast making the film with you!!!! Now I need to let loose a bit more...seriously lol...
So this weekend I have the Bolex 16mm proficiency to read, umpteenjillion pages in the Filmmaker's Handbook, 3 articles, watch at least one movie in the genre we are reading about, finish my director's portfolio (essay), read chapter 3 of the Film Experience on Mise-en-scene, and if I have time finish reading vol 1 of Sergei Eisenstein's essays...oh yeah while all that is happening jot down notes on the main characters of early Film...
oh yes, today is work, tomorrow clients and Sunday it will be raining so it's PERFECT for reading!
Ok campers, gotta go! In the meantime, keep your moving image device OUT OF THE RAIN and watch that tracking on the z axis...it can be tricky!
Peace out,
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