A Whole New World – Why I Make Movies #atozchallenge #IndieFilm

Early on in my days of wanting to be a film director, I longed for substantial achievements such as award nominations and wins, prestige and money, and satisfaction, above all else. Some of these results still matter, albeit not as much as they once did. Many of the trivial ones have lost their appeal altogether. So then, I had to figure out why the hell I am making movies. What’s the point? What is going to keep me wanting to participate in the madness of independent film? I’m still trying to find my way, and am closer to defining -- for myself -- what it means to make movies, after remembering a letter by Frank Ocean that I read, more than once. That’s when it hit me:

I want to create worlds that are rosier than mine.

No matter what the subject matter is for any movie I make, I can use my work as a tool to help people in some way, shape or form; and thus, creating rosier worlds for the people and causes that are in need of them.

• Maybe that means using films to promote education and build literacy skills among viewers who otherwise aren’t motivated to read and write on a regular basis.

• Maybe that means using films to help survivors of disasters to find a place to stay and get back on their feet.

• Maybe that means using films to help small businesses flourish.

Whatever it means, I think I can do this. I found the edge. Can you live there with me?

Also, be sure to read yesterday's post featuring two socially conscious film directors who share their views on VALIDATION!

Monday Movie Meme – The Musician’s Muse

The theme for this week’s Monday Movie Meme is all about the videos that are made around themes from films:

The Musician’s Muse.

Share on your blogs or in the comments section, movies that were used as the muse for themes in music videos by singers, rock stars and other artists. Here are my selections for this week’s The Musician's Muse theme.

A Clockwork Orange

The first time I watched Rihanna’s music video for her song “You Da One,” it was clear that she, along with her production and design team, were channeling one of Stanley Kubrick’s most unforgettable works.

There is no way one can watch Rihanna’s video and not think of “A Clockwork Orange.”

The Man in the Iron Mask

The producers behind Dru Hill’s “These Are the Times” couldn’t be more obvious in their attempt at recreating the themes from this action adventure film starring Leonardo DiCaprio to promote an R&B single.

What movies have YOU seen depicted in a music video, in one way or another?

Strength, Skyfall and Theme Songs #atozchallenge #Monday #movie #meme

“Let the Skyfall. When it crumbles, we will stand tall. Face it all together.”

British singer Adele penned and performed one of my favorite songs of all time – “Skyfall.” Winner of an Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Original Song, it is the theme to the latest James Bond movie of the same name. I find it especially inspirational because the above lyrics from this tune could be used by anyone as a sort of mantra for getting through tough times.

In the last 60 days, I found out that at least two people I know lost a close family member, two more individuals have been in and out of the hospital for serious health issues and several others have faced technological, legal, financial, physical and personal problems. This isn’t anything new – at any given time we are all dealing with like 99 problems and counting. Just last summer, I met a dude with lung cancer (I think it was in the lungs…it’s been a while, so I forgot the location of the cancer) who told me that he wanted to blow himself away. What does this song have to do with the unrelated difficulties these strangers’ are dealing with? The common ground they have in shared setbacks.

On Saturday this past weekend, someone said to me “At least you woke up this morning,” after I mentioned having a very long and not-so-pleasant week. I’m all too familiar with that saying, as it’s been repeated by many people over the years. In fact, I have developed a rather strong aversion to it because I could never understand the point of it. I always thought “What’s so damn special about waking up in the morning; especially if you’re still in the same predicament (or worse) than you were in yesterday?" Fortunately, I’ve began to realize that I may be looking at it all wrong. The special sauce in waking up in the morning is your ability to get out of or go through your predicament. This can be done even quicker if you learn from someone else who has already done it or is doing it, which is where Adele comes in.

I perceive the lyrics to the “Skyfall” song to be a testament to the fact that no matter what you’re going through, regardless of how bad it is, there is someone else who has either dealt with the same problem or is currently facing it now.

Although the friends and family that many people look to for solace in whatever issues they have, is an awesome source of support, there is also a sense of unity in the fact that you can find strength in strangers.

Men, women and even children whom you would have probably never met otherwise had it not been for you stumbling in life are now a source of strength. This doesn’t just work one way either – you might be a source of support or inspiration for someone and not even know it.

So, maybe that’s what’s so special about waking up in the morning – you just might learn something about someone that makes you glad that you did wake up – or you just might be the person who makes someone else glad that he or she woke up in the morning. I suppose, when you look at it that way, there’s nothing like knowing you have the world on your side to stand tall with when it seems like sky is crumbling down. Keeping on topic, the theme for this week’s Monday Movie Meme is inspired by Adele, Stumbling Blocks and YOU: Inspirational Movie Theme Songs.

Share on your blog or in the comments section, the most inspirational movie theme songs that you ever heard. It would also help if you add why the song(s) inspire you. I already made it clear what one of my top selections for this week’s meme is; now it’s your turn!

What are some of the most inspirational movie theme songs YOU ever heard?

How do YOU cope with the falling skies in your life?