The place where magic is learned.
I hate applause in movie theaters. It’s an elitist attitude to have, but every time the closing credits begin to scrawl and the crowd erupts into even a polite smattering of claps, I can’t help but role my eyes and scoff. I mean, it’s a movie. The actors can’t hear you rewarding them…
I encourage you to read this entire essay. Not because I want you to agree with me, or side with me, but because I simply want you to think.
Today marked an interesting change in me. Or, rather, something emerged in me which I knew was there, and utter shock brought it to the surface: Hopelessness. Today I logged in to my email provider, yahoo.com, and noticed a poll in the lower right-hand side of the page. “Are you celebrating Earth Day?” And while I myself am not “celebrating” the Earth, I will take a little time to show respect to the interstellar body which houses my existence, as well as the lives of over 7 Billion human beings, as well as countless other species of animals. So I checked “Yes, it’s important to me.”
After you vote, it shows you the results of the vote as is it’s current status. 68, sixty-eight, percent of voters voted “No, it doesn’t matter to me.”
Let me repeat that: “No, it doesn’t matter to me.”
I was surprised, considering how many humans I have watched turn out for days such as Saint Patrick’s Day, and 4/20, not a national holiday but certainly recognized by most of us as a day to smoke weed. And yet 68% of us do not find Earth Day important in any way and will not spend time celebrating it.
Considering that, yes, it is just a silly holiday, I delved in to the article further, and began to read peoples’ responses to each other. What followed can only be truly expressed to you, my reader, as an eye-opening event so colossal, I now truly believe that we are doomed and cannot be saved. The argument between voters surged back and forth over environmental issues, many of those in opposition to Earth Day citing that “…the environment is a Liberal issue…. it is good to see many people are not reading into liberal propaganda…. ideas like this are the result of democrats and liberals, just look at California. ” I had to sit down after I read those comments. Our planet, the only one that we have left, has become nothing more than fighting ground for the political parties to spit at each other over, and we the people are the fertile ground where the arguments have taken up root. We are so narcissistic as a race that we treat our own planet as grounds for argument. Instead of approaching the real issue, all we do is fight one another.
We waste our time drinking, drugging, lying, hating, and denying everything that makes us what we are, and yet we cannot truly celebrate anything that is good, and productive. We are literally wasting what time we have left on this planet, because we are ignoring the fact that we are destroying it. Every day, it becomes harder for people to ignore, and more and more people are losing hope. I am only 22, and I have none. I believe that we are doomed. It is not a personal choice, nor a belief that I want to be in possession of. But it is the only one I have. I am neither liberal nor conservative, Atheist nor Christian, because I DON’T CARE. It is not my place to question faith, or decide between two identical political parties, both of whom will not represent my best interests as a person.
And why? Why do we react this way? We are the most intelligent beings in the history of this world, but we cannot achieve even an inch of discussion over arguing and pointing fingers. Even though these are the principles we teach our children in kindergarten. We bicker, and we hate each other? What are we to do? I can only find myself in a position to discontinue writing, because I do not have the answers. I cannot alone convey what is to be done with us, but I can point out what has become of humanity. And you can say “well, I’m not one of those people. This doesn’t involve me.”
Well, it does. Everything involves you. You are a person.
The only actions that take place on this planet have selfish reasons behind them, as is our nature. I site “Kony 2012” as evidence of this. But I encourage the youth of this world, and those of us who will be left behind once our parents and grandparents pass on: Do something. If you’re going to get baked and eat ice cream, or drink until you piss yourself, wonderful. Good for you. But if you wake up, and think about the fact that you give nothing to this world, your guilt will be justified. I know mine is.
And it is time to change that.
I hope my writing makes you think, and you can hate me, or disagree, or argue about whatever. That is what we do. But just think about your life. And make it count.
Hello, I am a concerned film lover from the year 2012(in case you are viewing this in the future.)
Let me start by saying, I am a constant moviegoer and patron to a wide assortment of theaters all across my local region. I even travel to see most movie which are picked up for “limited release.” I site Drive as my favorite film of 2011.
But no, I am not here writing this due to my overwhelming desire to express my love for some movies which are released during awards season that are actually good. I am here, on tumblr.com, to convey a certain foul taste in my mouth left behind by movies which have been written, produced, directed and released in order to do one thing: Make money.
It is no myth that the average filmgoer enjoys their simple popcorn flick. I mean jeez, even I watched Transformers 1. There is fun to be had at the cinema, no doubt about that. But please, on behalf of many of us trying to break into the industry, it is time for change in the structure of making a film. And I am not referring to “Obama” change.
There used to be a fine line between an “Oscar-worthy” film and a “blockbuster” film: The budget. For summer movies, the budget used to be high and it would make thrice fold in profits. The good movies got tiny budgets and limited releases. I’ll sight “Shame,” directed by Steve McQueen, as evidence of this. These films are beautiful, and require a certain perspective on the art of filmmaking to bring the troubled characters to life. But… how did anyone get to see it, when it played in so few theaters? Oh, I guess they were busy watching Pirates 4 and laughing the night away. Other than that, many “Oscar-worthy” films which have been released are actually a real drag.
Moreover, it is time to STOP with the remakes, sequels and prequels. There are, for the most part, a sour attempt to reignite dying embers in order to draw out a little more heat. What my metaphor means is, it’s not worth it. The best film is a films left alone, with a few exceptions(but none worth mentioning as of late.) Enough Shrek spinoffs, enough with the pirates for God’s sake. You have these jobs, because you won them. You were the best at your craft. Now, entertain us and prove you’re worth it! Original stories may be a $$$ gamble, but if that is the case SPEND LESS MONEY. You don’t need 200 million dollars. In fact, say it. To yourself. Say: Two hundred million dollars. Now think about that. And times it by three. That’s called budgeting for a reboot, sequel or prequel. In other words, $#%# you.
Look, I know this may seem like garbage tossed forth from the mind, but can we please shift our focus back to smaller, better movies? You know what? Make superhero movies, please. Some of them are getting good. Just give us real reasons to enjoy them, other than shit blowing up and some terrible actresses boobs bouncing around like the few marbles they have rolling in their heads. We want entertainment, but from people with talent. Actors who care that they are acting, and put time into it. Not people who are in it for the money. This ensures that you’re giving money to the wrong people.
We want good movies, solid movies, entertaining movies. Above all else, though? We want movies which we don’t have to hate. You don’t need to make billions of dollars per year, when billions of people are starving across the globe. Make it about art, not $$$. Then maybe a balance will be struck.
Thank you.
We find ourselves at an inpass of sorts: The world is changing at a pace which would have shaken the foundations of ancient Rome and leveled the tallest heights of Mt. Olympus. I’m trying to think of why I’ve lost my creative edge in such a world, and find the grave in which my creativity has buried itself. Don’t worry, this is no bitch fest full to burst with self loathing and boiling post-modern self expression. I simply cannot find a physical essence in the world which inspires me to the point of emotional overloud. What could be to blame?
Perhaps video games? I’ve been playing way too many of those recently, and frankly have found nothing which I can take away from them that is positive. I’m not even sure there could be anything there. I just want to hop in a car and drive somewhere with the windows rolled up and the heater on full blast and see the fog blooming in the headlights in front of me and feel the world at speed under me. Even if only for a moment. The computer screen hurts my eyes, and makes me feel sick to my stomach.
I told someone close to me recently: “There are so many of us in this world, that no physical action we make can be considered original. Most of our ideas, even, have been expressed to some degree at one point. The only possessions we have, which set us apart from all others, are the moments we share between the people we love. And there is beauty in that.”
Fuck. Maybe such beauty is enough to base a story on. Why struggle with plot and beauty of surroundings, if only to give up the truly human nature in all of us. There is no need for a “character arc,” because when in real life do we experience a true arc of our own selves? I’m sure most of us will always be lazy assholes, so let’s choose to accept the things we can change. Let us love one another, as humans, and if we cannot finds ways to love, let us leave those behind who we cannot bring. The world is ending, friends, so let’s do what we can now. As you can see, instead of writing a book on all this crap, it’s all coming out in one nonlinear SPLOOG.
I think more than a few people around me consider me to be mad, or slowly declining towards such a mental state. If that is the case, so be it. But I’m glad I have what I have. Because some day I’ll be dead, and the only thing I want to be buried with are the moments I’ve shared with most of you. You being the metaphorical masses I am aiming my collected turd of the night at. Hope you’re all hungry, there is more where this came from. It’s called a brain. You know. You’ve eaten them before.
Someone give me an idea, a base point, and I will tell about it. Cheers.
New vlog! Check it out and stay updated!
Hello, friends.
It is time for me to reveal that myself and my colleague Andy Hawkes are currently in pre-production for a short film we have been planning out for some time. It is a clash of classic-meets-neo noir and post-apocalyptic monster horror. Our cast and crew are being drawn up as I write this, and soon there will be production stills and video blogs to be seen.
We are hoping to start shooting at the beginning of November and have a finished product by the dawn of 2012. Any questions, comments, requests or donations can be sent to chrism_jones@yahoo.com.
You have never seen anything quite like this, folks. Whether for better or worse, the envelope is about to be pushed. If you have any desire to help or come be a part of the action, send an email to the aforementioned email address.
-Chris
The cinema gods have spoken….
And my colleague, Chris Jones and I are working towards completing a script for our first short film. I’m happy to announce that this will be the biggest project I’ve worked on to date! This will be a huge learning experience because of the length of the piece and the cast and crew size.
Once the script is fully complete, I’ll be putting together a kickstarter in order to help fund the project. We’ll be collaborating with some local artists around the bay area to put together cool t-shirts, posters and other goodies.
Stay tuned kids.
A young boy comes to his grandfather, the hour late and later still than he had intended. The old man is sitting before the hearth in his hut, warming his gnarled hands against the chill of winter outside.
The boy draws his hood down and sits beside the old man, his hair dripping with melted snow. The old man hands the boy a bowl of broth and regards him with eyes shining with the light of the merry blaze before them.
“What troubles you, my boy?” the old man asked softly, plumes of breath billowing from his wrinkled lips.
The boy sighed.
“I have a trouble in my heart, grandfather. My soul is torn and I seek your wisdom in these times.”
The old man smiled, and set aside his bowl. He wiped his lips with elk skin sleeves and put his arm around the boy.
“There are two wolves fighting inside you, my boy,” he whispered. “One is good. The other is evil. All your life, these wolves will battle on the brink of your heart, fighting to sway you either way.”
The boy frowned, drawing his cloak tightly around him. His hand crept to his chest, feeling the slow pulse of his heart through his leather jerkin. He looked up at the the old man, whose eyes gazed on into the fire.
“Which wolf is going to win, grandfather?”
The old man blinked, as if caught up in some distant though half remembered from a long ago place. There was light in his eyes drawn out from other than the light of the fire. He look down at his young grandson, and almost wept with the innocence of the boy’s face.
“Which one will win?”
The boy nodded.
“Why, my brave boy, the one that you feed.”
-C
