Transmedia

For the past year and a half, I've been strongly advocating for what I have been calling cross-platform outreach for documentaries:  a way to disseminate the information that filmmakers do not or cannot incorporate into a documentary film; to encourage a grass roots movement of participation and conversation;  to explore the often fine line between subject matter and audience; to crowd source stories and footage as a means to expanding the conversation or to cast your film; or to simply let loose some cool ideas that do not fit into a linear narrative.   

Crazy Creative

No clue whose car this is. Found it on Saturday on Central Park West in the low hundreds. Funnily enough: once I started taking pictures (unfortunately the inside pix didn't turn out) a whole bubble of other passersby took the time to stop and take pictures too.  Why did they need the license to take a picture by watching me? Maybe they didn't want to be 'left out', or didn't think to take one until they saw me pull out my phone?  It prompted a few fun exchanges about the "craziness", the possible message of the car and whodunnit?  To me the message was, that we as New Yorkers took a moment to stop our hurried (yes, even on a Saturday) lives and interact and smile at each other. I think that in itself is mission accomplished.  Thank you to whomever so lovingly decorated the car.  

The List – Or: Whatever it Takes

I have a list.  The list lives on my bathroom door (courtesy of Michael’s craft store and awesome pens that write on glass).  I see the list every day several times from the front as it’s meant to be read. I see the list once a day from behind as it’s not supposed to be read and I know the list by heart. 

There are only seven items on the list: it’s my job list, the über-to-do-list.  One through seven: the things that generate income or might generate income, my projects, my jobs, my films, my ‘stuff’.  It’s a very diverse portfolio.  Ever since I started the list good things are happening.  Why? 

Simple: I have the list. I look at the list many times a day, …but I repeat myself.  And that’s the point. I have a tendency to get completely immersed in what I’m doing to the point of (mild, very mild) obsession.  So the list gets me back on track.  

Item #1 is my obsession du jour, Item #2: need to schedule a half day to finish reading the article. Item #3: have to follow up with client. Item #4: a quick phone call to keep the ball moving. Item #5: need to invoice.  All my balls in the air and not, as pre shopping spree to Michael’s, two in the air and the rest collecting dust in the corner.  

ANY portfolio has to be diversified and so does mine as a small business owner and a filmmaker and a freelancer and consultant and a gym class teacher and a crazy woman.  What?  Yes, that too. I had a friend visit and I guess he couldn’t resist.  The day after his visit I realized that I had an item #8 on my list.  It read “crazy woman” and decidedly in a different hand. So, it wasn’t me sleepwalking.  I take my newest job very seriously: crazy woman, yes sir.

Stickman Addiction

I’m not one for video games or on-line games for that matter. I like Angry Birds, but wouldn’t play it for any length of time (although I did have a serious Solitaire addiction when I got my first Treo with stylus (remember Palm?), but that had to do as much with its nerve-calming properties as it did with the fact that my maternal grandparents loved to lay a “Pacience” (as it was called in Germany back then).

Anyway – I came across this website Draw a Stickman, thanks to Swiss Miss, that has your own stickman go on adventures. It’s interactive and it's cute. I love its message of creativity and if you play episode one and then two…. well you’ll see.



"My" stickman, episode 2 - Isn't he cute?