I’m expressly interested in the anthropological implications of narrative filmmaking. I think fiction films often present a less alienating path to empathy and understanding than documentary because of the degree to which the director and actors allow themselves to be vulnerable, and the control they can exert over this vulnerability in a context where everyone […]
Read more "EXCERPT FROM A SUCCESSFUL GRANT APPLICATION"
Whenever I’m feeling burned out with filmmaking, I go to the well of Cassavetes. Maybe he was a megalomaniac, maybe at some points he was a borderline compulsive liar. Certainly he alienated a lot of people, according to some of the anecdotes reported in Ray Carney’s Cassavetes on Cassavetes. But whatever else he was, he was someone who […]
Read more "CASSAVETES ON BEING AN ARTIST VS. BEING A PROFESSIONAL"
Theoretically there is the same amount of time in the day as when I was on Salt Spring in April, but the crackling energy of the city, even a small one like Edmonton, prompts you to squeeze so much juice out of the day, it’s hard to tell if the fruit was ripe to begin […]
Read more "From A Journal Entry, May 21st 2018"
The military mind must limit its thinking to be able to perform its function at all. Thus, in talking with a naval officer who had won a target competition with big naval guns, we asked, “Have you thought what happens in a little street when one of your shells explodes, of the families torn to […]
Read more "STEINBECK ON WAR"Once Ed said to me, “For a long time I didn’t like myself.” It was not said in self-pity, but simply as an unfortunate fact… “Then gradually,” he said, “I discovered with surprise and pleasure that a number of people did like me. And I thought, if they can like me, why cannot I like myself? Just […]
Read more "STEINBECK AND ED RICKETTS ON SELF-ESTEEM"From “About Ed Rickets” by John Steinbeck: “Adults, in their dealing with children, are insane,” he said. “And children know it too. Adults lay down rules they would not think of following, speak truths they do not believe. And they expect children to obey these rules, believe the truths, and admire and respect their parents […]
Read more "ED RICKETS ON THE NAIVETÉ OF ADULTS"
Additional excerpts from my journal from last week, our last week in France. More seems to have happened in 2018 so far than in entire previous years…it is odd and exciting. I just signed a lease on a new apartment. Back to the south side. Content to stay in Edmonton for now. There are stories […]
Read more "NOTES FROM FRANCE PT. 2"
