I was recently introduced to an amazing event called Pangea Day, which is basically a world wide film festival, where various short films by of all kinds from animated to documentary, made by all kinds of interesting people, are broadcast simultaneously at various places in the world. My friend Hanna was invited to attend because his thesis film was selected for the festival, and you read about his amazing experience with the festival at his blog.
Pangea Day is the brainchild of Jehane Noujaim, director and film maker behind Control Room, as the result of her wish come true for winning the TED prize in 2006. She managed to inspire thousands if not millions of people around the world to embrace each other culturally while raising awareness of many global issues. This woman is my hero. Here is her TED award acceptance speech.
I recently realized what it is I truly want to do with my life. I developed a love for film in my college years from my experience with theater, improv, and mostly sketch comedy. I have always had a strong desire to pursue these things as a hobby, but only recently have I accepted taking these hobbies seriously enough that I may have a chance at creating something meaningful with them. And as far as I can remember I have always had a desire in me to believe in the positive aspects of compassion and common good. Now I would like to seek ways to pursue both, and perhaps even find a way to bring them together.
This is already being done by some excellent organizations like Witness and Just Vision. I have a strong desire to be a part of such a wonderful thing. I would love to hear ideas that would build on this premise.
You can watch the entire Pangea Day 4 hour broadcast in 20 minute increments, or you can watch a 1 hour condensed version on the website as well. Please do, it is worth it, and you will be glad you did.
8 comments:
Yes do it! I always loved watching you! "wink"
Yea man, I've been feeling the same way for a while about filming again. It's just that I don't feel like I have anyone to do it with really, so I just write all my crazy ideas down when I get a chance to. I've taken to carrying around a little pad and pen everywhere.
But then, I thought, there is plenty I could do myself ...
Anyway, don't let time pass by thinking about it. I say start as soon as you can.
Did your screenwriting class spark this? If so, that's awesome. When I took mine it had me seriously considering doing fulltime grad school for that. I think you'd make a wonderful contribution to the world of film if you got the chance!
Penis Pants! This blog just got +5 Awesome Points because you commented.
Kyle, I have felt that way for the longest time. Which is why I am taking serious measures to pursue. I took a screewriting class just to explore that avenue, and now I am saving up money for a serious camera and editing tools. I plan on shooting my own stuff and hopefully finding good people who want to join in and contribute.
Pope! It wasn't really the screenwriting class that sparked it, rather the opposite; I was motivated and i took the class. However, it did in turn make me even more interested, and since then I have been mulling it around in my head, and I have just come to accept it: I want to do this seriously. I am debating the merits of full time grad school in film (that is for a separate post)... Ideally, I can combine an MBA and film degree double program somehow... Thank you for your words of encouragement!
Oh I forgot to add that, in fact, the Pangea Day event sparked my commitment to pursuing film as a serious hobby more than anything. Well, I guess it was more of a case of the straw that broke the camel's back type of thing. I can identify so much with what drives Jehane Noujaim and the goals she is trying to achieve, and that is what I want to do. Now I have to figure out how to do it with my limited resources... if you have ideas, I would be greatly indebted to you all for sharing and discussing.
Cool!
I think there are huge merits in film school, regardless of if you think it will help with the actual skill of writing. So much of the industry is networking, so you'll instantly be wired in to a bunch of professors and fellow students who have their own connections and stuff. Also, depending on the school, that in itself can actually be a boon in getting that first job. UCLA's program is top notch, as are some others, with lots of highly successful alumni, that again can help with networking. In addition, just having the added pressure of assignments and deadlines will actually force you to write. I find that as much as I intend to write in my free time, it's a huge task to really get me to do it.
You are spot on with that one Pope. The contacts one makes at film school is probably the biggest benefit. Second to that (for me) would be the structured learning environment. I find it extremely difficult to force myself to write in my free time. Part of it is that I can't get myself to write in one or two hour increments; I just need more creative time, like half a day.
My attempt to rectify that is to make myself a pseudo syllabus, where I schedule a few hours a week to do various film learning exercises (sometimes writing, sometimes film study) and approach it like it's a class I'm forced to attend. But it's still so hard, because I know it's not a real class, and I could easily just play some Grand Theft Auto 4 instead. Which happens sometimes...
Walid, I think this sentiment is all terrific, and you should not let it go. It doesn't sound like you will. I am available to help at any time, if I can be of any. Next time we talk, I will have many questions for you about your class.
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