Film Fridays
This is my first ever FILM FRIDAY blog post and I’m beyond excited!
I am endeavoring to blog more regularly and this post is the start of one thread where I focus on filmmaking, my own film projects, film screenings, and movies I’m watching and getting inspired by (or not!).
PLUS, Friday’s are MOVIE NIGHT in my house! More on that later in this post.
Up to now, my blog posts have included all aspects of my work as an author, artist, curator, and filmmaker. Perhaps this was a reaction, a swing of the pendulum, from my past online. I once had a separate website for art, and another for writing, and another for my books. It was too much to maintain. A few years ago, I amalgamated ALL MY WORK into this one site. My blogging followed suit.
While I can’t go back to multiple websites, I am moving forward with blogging by dividing up my interests and work.
If you missed my Monday post (my first “Artsy Monday”), I laid out my game plan:
Artsy Mondays
Writer Wednesdays
Film Fridays
: )
This is an ambitious schedule. I recognize that. Already I’m thinking: WHAT HAVE I GOT MYSELF INTO?!?!?
Yet, I’ve spent a good chunk of this week reaching out to authors, artists, photographers, and filmmakers, all with the goal of sharing their work, celebrating creativity, and giving a platform for amazing projects and people who we all need to know about.
Creativity is contagious! That’s what I believe.
* Are ya with me?
On that note: Welcome to Film Fridays!
My Filmmaking Journey
I call myself an “Accidental Filmmaker.” This is because I have no training. I didn’t even decide that I want to become a filmmaker. It was a choice of passion for a cause that means a great deal to me.
My son Zachary passed away in 2010 and I lost myself. Completely. About a year after, I wrote a book that helped me cope, that I wanted to create to help others cope as well – and I didn’t stop there. My goal was to raise awareness for the journey of bereaved parents, grieving the loss of a child, and searching for healing. Being a visual artist, I felt that I needed to create something people could experience on a different level than a book.
That is when Expecting Sunshine was born in concept. I worked on the film for the next few years, collaborating with countless people, and together over one hundred individuals contributed to the film in their own way. Expecting Sunshine documentary film has gone on to win many awards and be screened around the world.
I didn’t know how to make a film, but I used my skills as a storyteller from my experience and education as a writer, and my visual eye from my decades as a professional artist and photographer.
I think I prove the theory that you don’t need to know exactly how things will turn out when you begin. You simply need the will and determination to see your project through, learning and growing as you go.
Learn more about Expecting Sunshine Documentary by clicking here.
I’m sure I will share more about my filmmaker journey as the Film Fridays continue. Thank you for reading!
Plus, I’ve got a new film project in the works… so stay tuned for more info on that in January!
Movie Night!
Against my children’s wishes, I am showing them my favorite flicks from the 80’s and 90’s. Yes, I’m that parent!
I truly believe I grew up with many great films and thus my kiddos must be exposed to them as well. Even just for the realization of what made their mom the woman she is today.
I remember almost peeing my pants with laughter when my dad showed me What’s Up, Doc? Have you seen it??? This movie goes all the way back to 1972 and stars the one and only Barbra Streisand! I need to plan a surprise attack and slip into stealth mode to let this film air on my family’s movie night. It’s always readily boycotted… but I’ve got big plans for this over the Christmas break.
For now, tonight I’m inspired by Metro Cinema in Edmonton, one of my favorite indie theatres. Tonight they are showing another of my all time favorites: Gremlins. Unfortunately, they are showing it at 9:30 pm. My little people can’t stay up that late. Well, they can, but they shouldn’t! So we will be turning on the movie at 5:30 pm.
For those of you who have forgotten what this 1984 flick is all about, let me remind you:
Gremlins
Billy’s father gets him a pet from China with three very specific instructions. However, when Billy does not follow them, it unleashes a horde of monsters.
This Gremlins movie trailer makes the film look way scarier than I remember.
Cross your fingers with me that this is not a disaster!
