WINTER SOLSTICE 2015

In today's yoga class we did some continuos writing after our practice to ring in the new year.  The idea is you don't stop writing, you just keep writing whatever comes.

I wanted to share the unedited poem that spewed from my pen.  The question the teacher kept posing to us during class was, "What do you want to do with this brilliant life?"

MAKE CREATE

Fertile art that activates,

Brings joy and en lifts,

The ripe spirit of peacefulness,

That spreads like a virus,

and breeds with itself,

Inspiring the bursting light,

that binds, unites

Bring it now for us,

To Bask within,

To billow throughout

Bring it now

Now

It's time,

Fertile,

Ripe

Bring it now,

It's your pinnacle,

It's before you,

Waiting and ready,

To be released,

It's existence preconceived,

Here for you to enlight,

With that spark at your fingertips,

So true it can't be told another way

Honest conception beyond your perception,

It has germinated, it has seeded

See it, bring it now

For all of us, bring it light

Fear not, you will be carried

Beyond the past that burns embers,

Into tomorrow, fresh and new

 

Thank Dog for Gods

 

SABLE 1999-2014

She was born the year I finished high school as my guardian angel, although it would take me many years to understand that was what she was. I met her when we were at the same stage in our lives- wild teens.

I was usually angry at her. We had no communication and no relationship. Neither of us knew that was what we needed. We were wild teens and authority was not something we valued. She would escape, run wild, and cause trouble. So did I. She stepped out into the world at the end of her leash, pulling as hard as possible to get to the next thing, even though she didn't know what that was. There was never enough and she never tired, regardless of any thresholds that presented themselves. When she was unhappy, she destroyed things.  Just like me.

It was a dangerous lifestyle, and I had enough sense to know that I needed to regroup. I also somehow knew that she was my problem, and I believed that no one else could be asked to take that on. She couldn't listen, and I began to see that what she needed was even more from me. She needed my devotion. I made a pledge to her then that her life would be my guiding light, and I would make it my mission to ensure her life was as full as it could be. We started to communicate. She could hear my voice now.

It was many years of our youth that were spent surviving on the edge before we found a place for ourselves to stay put. A man who showed me how to love her, and his own dog who welcomed her with never ending kisses. The wildness in us was tamed, and we both earned each others trust. I didn't have to worry about her craziness anymore. She was living in the kind of bliss that I promised her, and rewarded me by being the most loving, loyal, beautiful creature that I've ever known. If this was still a mirror of my life, it's hard to imagine being worthy of that kind of brilliance.

Together we traveled to the Rockies several times. Bella Coola. Desolation Sound. Barkley Sound by boat and often to Tofino by car. All through the Gulf Islands on dozens of sailing trips. The Oregon beaches. Ensenada Mexico. Twice to San Diego and LA. Joshua Tree, the Grand Canyon, Vegas.

She faced every day with love in her eyes for every aspect of everything. Taking nothing for granted, she took it all in with passionate breath. Chased every stick and ball with 100% of the thrill that it gave her.

I watched in awe as our youth turns to age and it fueled her. With every recovery from near death, she seemed to become more hungry for life yet now finding it in the smallest things. Smells became so intricate that they deserved more attention. Not only did she spend most of her life not pulling at the end of her leash, but a leash was rarely required. She wasn't in a rush to get to the next thing, she was content to be with me.

Most miraculous of all was that every set back was simply ignored. Her back legs stopped working but she just carried onward at 100% and left them to sort themselves out. They eventually did. It took several seizures over several years before they would refuse to carry her, but she never stopped trying right up until the end.

I was blessed with many years of being aware that I would not always get to look into her loving eyes. I took as many opportunities as were possible to recognize that while I still was able to make sure she could feel my adoration for her. I made making her face light up with glee a priority and I have thousands of memories of the results from that effort. 

It feels silly to feel sad about the end of a life that was so well lived. Every moment was glorious to her. She loved in a massive way, and touched everyone that she passed on the street with the outlook that she carried. It warmed people to see how much fun she was having, and she stopped letting anyone else ever change that.

We were in sync in our emotional evolution until she surpassed me. The effect of her presence in my life can only be called magic. That love so pure and intense that it can only be called God.

These days describing myself as a filmmaker is met with informed sympathy to the plight of the film in industry in Vancouver.

I explain that this challenge does not apply to me specifically because regardless of the strength of the dollar or the tax credits, the same projects remain on my plate because I created them.  For the struggling independent there aren’t the same booms or busts.

It's best to keep our heads above ground and avoid saying, “You babies.  You want BC film production, then make it happen in BC instead of wishing daddy bigbucks comes up for a visit from the south.”  Only sometimes do I succeed in avoiding this unproductive negativity.

Today I experienced a new breed of production.  An indigenous effort that sounds like it is a project divinely inspired.  Hit ‘n Strum. 

Kirk Caouette (Writer/Director/Actor) explains it as a story that came to him as though he lost his mind.  He financed it.  He had the talented team around him that was sitting idle.  A month of prep, a month to shoot, and eight months to edit.  And it’s a spectacular film.  It’s exceptional in so many ways. 

It deserves to take off in flight at this moment, but with such a Canadian edge it’s best hope is for some meager exposure within the commonwealth.  American’s rarely buy films set in Canada.  It may receive an award ( or ten ) but it’s unlikely it will make bushels of money.  That said, the sales of the excellent soundtrack will probably cover the production costs. 

If as audience members we would vote with our dollar in the way West Coasters do at the grocery store, we would end up with the same nutritionally rich, non genetically modified bounty in our theaters as we do in our vegan/organic/informed food sources.  We see the successful effect of this action in Quebec’s unyielding support of the cultural products that reflect it’s own unique spices.

Let's dream that one day we won’t need legislated support, and the viewer who demands intelligent entertainment will go to Canada Screens or Superchannel and invest in the campaigns that support creative enterprise, allowing these avenues to then invest in the production of this new flavour of film. 

In the meantime, people who thirst for this kind of film can find it at the kinds of theatres who go out on a limb to program these offside stories.  With the continued efforts of the distinguished First Weekend Club we have a chance to hear about these fleeting opportunities during the flash of time that exists on an independent theatrical run.

I’m grateful that they’ve brought yet another exceptional title into my field of awareness.

Victoria Film Festival 2013

My first foray into the film community in Victoria was via the Victoria Independent Film and Video Festival more than a decade ago.  I volunteered for everything they would allow me to.  I saw a slew of films and met a unique collection of Victorians.

Originally born from the CineVic Society of Independent Filmmakers Co-operative, it is now its own animal and has been rebranded as the Victoria Film Festival.

The VFF holds little value in the festival circuit.  There are no buyers or programmers shopping its program.  A premiere here holds little cred.  Any festivals are, however, always wonderful opportunities to win awards and press coverage, as well as gain audience for your cause of online presence.  Personally, Victoria has become one of my favourite film events.

2013 was much less attended by the local community, yet still felt like a gathering of family that can only happen in our sweet island city.  This industry here is supportive, collective, collaborative, and far from competitive.  There's no doubt that I feel this place to be unlike any other due to the amount of time I have invested in it.

My last few projects have not fit into the VFF program, although they enjoyed sales and screenings at prominent festivals and on television around the world.  This year I decided to make a film for Victoria.

With the deadline approaching in three days, I reflected back on the last film I had screened in Victoria.



Back far enough in time that we can remember how poor online compression quality was.

I took my dog for a walk, pondering the VFF program tastes.  I have been so inspired by the way this animal friend of mine has adapted to old age.  I watched her leaping with glee at the simple and immense pleasure she enjoys from chasing and destroying sticks, despite having suffered and recovered from several strokes that had almost completely immobilized her.  She is a superhero.  A very simple poem came to me finally.



That 1-minute creation turned into a Gold Pass to this year's festival.  It saved hundreds of dollars, and got into any sold out film desired.  I love this short format, it's so freeing.

Huge thanks to the VFF programmers for supporting creative works and showcasing local talent beyond the marketable products.  I know several worthy films that were not included this year, and it leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of some.  We should remember that if there is more in store for those stories, they should be hoping for more than this kind of showcase.

We've Hit The Air

Except, air is a gas; you can't hit it...

www.skysthelimittv.com

Unsolicited reviews like these make my heart sing:

Greetings

I watched Skys The Limit last night (PVR) and was really impressed with Joni’s camera work and the program overall.

The photography was of the highest professional quality and matches anything I have seen on television.

The program about sugaring (maple syrup) was very interesting.

I watch these things without bias – I take myself out of CHEK and place myself as just a viewer in front of the TV.

I found Levi a bit stiff and he has to get rid of that ball cap which I saw in every scene – Suzanne has a lovely

natural style that comes across very well.

A really interesting program – sweetening is great – music and production excekllent.

I am proud to be associated with a program such as Skys The Limit by my mere association with CHEK NEWS.

-Bruce Kirkpatrick

The experience of launching a series is unique for me as a producer.  First of all the storytelling style becomes micro-stories due to the viewing format.  It's freeing because we get to keep moving forward, but somehow less satisfying than an epic.  The arc climaxes as often as possible, and we can fake closure (that is what she said).  The risk is also quite low, as you don't require 2 hours of someone's life.  That's a big request these days, you have to earn it.

The release is also quite constant and drawn out.  Thirteen releases weekly, over the course of several months.  Lather, rinse repeat.

What we end up with is a large supply of television content.  Six hours of airtime is actually worth some cash, compared to an hour-long one-off documentary that takes almost the same time to produce.  It's exciting and also a bit intimidating as we head into sales of the show.  Like selling ice in africa, to a bunch of hyenas.

Today I sit back and watched the first 8 completed episodes and I'm proud.  I remember the ideas in the field, the challenges, the small changes that made the world of difference, the personal hurdles that seemed too steep to leap- the final product becomes an amazing feat of collaborations.

The most amazing of all is that the end is neigh.  As much as I'm sure this project with need my coddling for years to come, there is finally room for something new.  The last time this happened I made some poor choices, investing in the wrong people.  This time I feel like I'm finally beginning my career, and am grateful for those lessons of the past.

I am surrounded by a spectacular team who is above all patient with me, and passionate about what it is we are doing.  My goal is to make that team even bigger (mostly so I can do less paperwork, more filmmaking) and I have a feeling that what I've learned so far will be very valuable in avoiding the pitfalls, allowing more time for the muse.

The Hamilton Bank Building

Another office has been absorbed into my collection in this 100 year old building.  This place continues to fascinate me with it's string of characters who each have different motives for congregating in this palace on the tracks.

What is that Thing that creates?  Where does it come from and how do we summon it.  With this wide range of mediums being practiced here the answers are broad reaching.  Opening our studios on June 1st brought this conversation forward for me frequently.

I spent May producing a series of short videos on the topic, and on the neighbourhood that inspires us.







Ironically, Kermodi has been broken into twice in as many weeks, windows are regularly smashed often just for pleasure, and we probably should have more security in place then we do.  Yet we are all still here, creating, watching the trains, smelling the roasting coffee and smiling about it all.

Some day I will come up with a smart, self-reflective one that can tie all of these together.

Christine Schuss showed her work in one of my studios and we are just about to re-hang the unsold pieces, which aren't many.  I'm looking for another new artist to show in August, as it's obviously a valuable venue for those who are putting together their first or second solo show.  Suggestions welcomed.

Life's Winter:
a long time coming for her

She denies it, forbids it, conquers it

Her eyes flash from youth to years with a blink

Although it hurts her
Let her run, let her leap

Smell every corner
greet every stranger
taste the breath of life

Life's too short, too fleeting, too small
Waste none of it, every moment is only now

Love all of it with the purity of a puppy
Without cost beyond vulnerability

We are all dancing on the edge with our eyes closed

Step smart, dance hard

Please