Flying High on Fame (Plus a Monday Movie Meme) #atozchallenge #IndieFilm

Actress Amy Smart at World Premiere of TYLER PERRY´S ´The Single Moms Club´ presented by Lionsgate in Los Angeles.There are two reasons why I believe someone would make a movie to aid in their pursuit of fame; because he (or she) either craves attention or wants to feel important. Both of those objectives might apply in some instances, depending on the person. Having come across some famous people and observed what they go through, I don’t understand why anyone would want to make movies just to be in their shoes.

People are yelling at you, shoving cameras and microphones in your face and shining bright lights in your direction – what person in his or her right mind would actively pursue the hardships of life as an independent filmmaker, just to have such an experience?!  That’s not to say I think there’s something wrong with wanting those things; to each, his own. I just believe film is not the best way to go about getting noticed or feeling like you matter – for many reasons but let’s just start with the basics.

1. Making films to quench one’s thirst for attention is a costly endeavor. It's cheaper to buy a luxury vehicle, become a mascot for a sports team or radio jockey. Better yet, get a tattoo -- that will bring attention real quick!

2. Making films because you want to feel important requires more effort than necessary for something that can be achieved through simpler means. Being in magazines, riding in limousines, walking red carpets and having your name up on the big screen are not the only ways you can feel important. Plus, this gets old really quickly and people aren't going to want to be around you -- except for maybe those who are also seeking a feeling of importance themselves; then it becomes a competition that creates conflict over whose interests are more important than the next man's/woman's. That’s an annoying cycle to be wrapped up in.

Tinseltown is fancy and we all become giddy over shiny things – I get it. However, we need not concern ourselves with these things if the work is are our priority. Once upon a time, a newspaper columnist did a write-up on one of my projects and I was not only flattered but also proud to have some legitimate press that could help bring attention to my work. On another occasion, I also appeared as a guest on a radio show when I was in high school and am currently making plans to be on a local NY-based television show, to promote ABYSS: THE GREATEST PROPOSAL EVER. Yet, I have no interest in ever becoming a household name. Save that for the birds!

Given that today is Monday, share on your blog or in the comments section, the first movies that come to YOUR mind when you think of the word FAME or the concept of someone trying to be FAMOUS. Here is my one selection for this week’s meme….since it’s theme song (by Irene Cara) was stuck in my head while writing this post:

Fame (Circa 1980)

Can YOU have success without fame?

Is fame an unavoidable side effect of a career in the arts?

Also, read yesterday's post about Entertaining the Idea of Giving it EVERYTHING You've Got if you missed it!

*Photo of Amy Smart at Premiere by Eric Charbonneau/Invision. Courtesy of Lionsgate/AP Images

Monday Movie Meme - The Big Impact!

The theme for this week's Monday Movie Meme is based on one of the questions from a blog fest hosted by Nostra at My Film Views and Karamel Kinema, in an attempt to expand upon it a bit: Life, Love and the Movies.

Share on your blog or in the comments section, movies that had a big impact on your life.

This can include movies that changed a small part of your view on life, films that you will forever cherish for their depiction of life as you see it, or films that moved you in some way, shape or form.

Here are my selections for this week's Life, Love and the Movies meme. They include films that were not mentioned when I did my post for Nostra's blog fest.

Booker's Place: A Mississipi Place

I'm glad to have been able to watch this documentary because it reminded me that settling for mediocrity is not an option. The importance of unity and putting your best foot forward, even when people are trying to bring you down continues to be all the more present in my mind, after watching it.

The movie also makes me even more aware of the fact that your enemies, whoever they may be, don't always come at you directly -- many are clever and use folks from your own community, circle of friends, workplace or family, to destroy you, which kinda reminds me of the movies "Malcolm X" directed by Spike Lee and "Panther" directed by Mario Van Peebles.

Street Paper

This documentary about a group of homeless men and women who are working as newspaper vendors was an enlightening movie to watch for many reasons -- two of them being that we are best to not take things for granted. Also, you can always pick yourself up and make your way out of an undesirable circumstance; sheer will and determination allow you to make your tomorrows better than today.

Walk the Line

I hold a special for this biographical musical drama about Johnny Cash, because it tells a great story of redemption. 

These are the few that come to mind at the moment.

What movies had a big impact on YOUR life?

Monday Movie Meme – Say Cheese!

My apologies for last week’s missing theme. Let’s get this Monday Movie Meme started with a new topic: Say Cheese!

Share on your blog or in the comments section, movies featuring photographers. This can include those who do it professionally as well as characters who are hobbyists.

Here are my selections for this week’s Say Cheese! theme.

Road to Perdition

Although it’s been a long time since I’ve watched this crime thriller starring Tom Hanks, I could swear there is a guy who takes pictures of dead people or something, in the movie. Correct me if I’m wrong about this though!

In Search of a Midnight Kiss

Guy meets girl who loves photographing abandoned shoes, in this romantic comedy directed by Alex Holdridge.

Born into Brothels

Filmmakers teach kids in Calcutta how to use still cameras to capture their experiences, which leads to the children’s’ growing interest in photography in this documentary directed by Zana Briski and Ross Kauffman.

Love Jones

Man meets woman who starts working as a magazine photographer but not before she starts snapping nude photos of him in this romantic drama starring Larenz Tate and Nia Long.

Blood Diamond

A journalist uses her photography skills to ease a potentially hostile situation in this thriller starring Jennifer Connelly, Djimon Hounsou and Leonardo DiCaprio. I know there are other scenes where she takes pictures, but, the one that comes to mind right now is when a group of village warriors are skeptical about her, Danny Archer and Solomon’s intentions. Oh, and there’s also the scene later in “Blood Diamond” where she takes some investigative photos but you’ll have to watch the movie to find out what that’s all about.

What movies have YOU seen that feature photographers?

Also, I’m over at the A-to-Z Challenge Blog today, in the feature: Meet Your Co-Hosts – A Word (or Two) about Nicole. Check it out to learn some things that you didn’t know about me.