Heart of a Nation BLOG

Summer in Montana

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:12:00 -0400

July 1, 2009

I've been somewhat sidetracked while shooting for Voyage TV in warmer climes (the Caribbean & Vegas) and then last month, JJ and I held the 2009 ETP workshop for the Share Your Voice Foundation.

Regardless this has been a great time for gestation of the concept while waiting for funding and continuing research...should know about the former in late July - so fingers crossed!

This past week I've been helping JJ refurb an old RV (Bart is his name) and have been pondering on how brilliant it would be if RVs could also be hybrids or electric - there's so many on the road these days. Must investigate this angle...

In the interim while waiting for funding I find myself ensconsced in beautiful Northwest Montana for the summer and am inspired as I continue to find businesses and the pollies in this state pushing towards green initiatives.

The latest edition of a wonderful local magazine, Montana Living has a plethora of examples which show the movement to sustainable living is slowly becoming the norm.

And on a side note, observing a local NRA member driving a hybrid car in Kalispell also made me crack a wry smile...the times they certainly are a'changin'...

So while I bide my time in the Flathead Valley I'll continue to build the portfolio of stories and eagerly anticipate hitting the road in the next few months.

Spring has Sprung

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 16:22:00 -0400

A few months have passed since I conceived to shoot this documentary and I continue to research communities, individuals, stories of change and those amazing 'lemonade makers' across the nation who I'd like to include in the film. It's very exciting connecting with them, and I eagerly anticipate the day when I commence shooting. It's truly amazing how adversity can give rise to some of the most astounding and inspiring projects and opportunities and really bring out the best in people.

We are certainly living in a signiificant time in human history and it is intriguing to have a real chance to record the change as it happens.

That said - I've slightly delayed the start date for travel. So glad I did - with the snow storms and floods that have wrought their own brand of damage to so many of the mid-West and Northern States it seemed wise to wait until the early autumn months to travel, rather than take off at the end of winter! As an Aussie I need to repect that this country has four very distinct seasons and consider that travel could be impeded by a hastly or ill-planned trip.

This delay has given me time to take stock of the project's dimensions and creative potential, and also find some great people to get involved. From the one woman do-it-all idea to a tight doco' crew may be the way to go. Of course it all depends on securing the required sponsorship and anticipated budget.

Attending the LA TED conference was the catalyst for the variation. It was so inspiring and led me to meet Line Producer Rebekah Sindoris who's helped me whip a budget for a larger size project into shape and refine the documentary scheduling, in production terms - ie shooting on cards, delivery to editor, post schedule, etc.

Also I've had the opportunity to meet a few wonderful crew, and the idea of making a film as a larger project is taking shape and seems more feasible and appealing every day.

But, of course it all comes down to funding and that's the focus now. Securing TV distribution deals in both Australia and the US being the optimum outcome.

I'll update as things evolve and please feel free to send me links and stories from your community, or others you may hear about who are effecting change during these trying times.

And I leave you with a quote:

"We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are." - Anais Nin

I can see clearly now....

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 04:01:00 -0500

It didn't take long, but inspired concepts are like that...

Heart of a Nation is alive and well - and quite literally in motion.

I plan to be departing LA mid-February, and am very excited about this venture.

It has long been a dream of mine to travel America and capture the spirit of the people, iconography of the culture, urban settings and the amazing landscape.

Under the circumstances it seems even more pertinent to hit the road and give the vox populi an opportunity to share their voice.

I hold my first heroes accountable - those amazing women, Dorothea Lange and Margaret Bourke-White, the female pioneers of photojournalism who inspired me to want to pick up a camera in the first instance. And now, being able to combine my expertise in film with my love of photography is the best of both worlds. 'Manifesting Mary' is at work.

So I'm busy, busy, busy - planning the itinerary, refining the schedule, narrowing down the budget and polishing the prospectus. Also contacting Chamber of Commerces in each locale to discuss which aspect of their town/city/region has been hardest hit and getting some local knowledge in advance of my arrival and the shoot.

I fully intend to do this journey regardless of whether I secure investors, but would prefer to shoot on the best digital formats, to guarantee the best quality imagery - and that's what investors could make possible. We shall see...

I feel as though my life experiences: as a traveler, photographer, writer and filmmaker are coalescing into this one objective and critical moment in my life. Carpe diem indeed!

The inspiration from so many keeps coming: Jack Kerouac, Alistaire Cook, John Steinbeck, Alan Ginsberg, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Dorothea Lange, Margaret Bourke-White, Wim Wenders and I'm sure there's more to discover... Feel free to email links you think may further spark the flame and feed the fire.

Fifi l'amour - thanks for suggesting Elizabeth Gilbert's - Eat, Pray, Love. Humour is always appreciated at times like these.

Thought I'd share a pic from one of my previous big adventures - Kiliminjaro.

Scuttled

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 21:15:00 -0500

I went to work at Disney today and slipped into my usual routine without a care.

Mid-morning however, I was called to the HR Director's office. And in 30 short minutes my world completely turned upside down and the light shifted to a different hue.

I joined the rank and file of the unemployed, and became one of the many across this country who have fallen prey to the 'economic downturn'.

Gone is the comfort of a regular paycheck, health care and the perks of working in corporate America as well as the sense of camaraderie with fellow workers who have become friends over the past 2 years.

What a shock to the system.

Yet there's no recriminations, and frankly no shame in my situation. It's just like be transported into an alternative universe where everything is slightly a-kilter. I am sad to be leaving such a brilliant team, but won't miss the 9-5 grind.

On January 20 at his Inauguration Barack Obama said, "Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America".

And so it shall be. I shall pick myself up, dust myself off and start all over again....

Somehow, some way, I will reshape my future into something bright and sparkling. I find myself freelancing once again...

There's surely many who want to tell their story out there, in towns all across America.

And that is something to think about....