Have you ever noticed that we never really leave Middle School? Cliques, politics, immaturity, assumptions... they never go away. Its like we're all stuck in a bad sitcom for the rest of our lives.
NOTE: As I've read that people with blogs can get fired over talking about work on the internet, let me say that all of this is theoretical and in no way represents my current work environment.
Here's a perfect theoretical example: Theoretically, I had two employees who didn't like each other very much. For the sake of argument, lets say that they sat next to each other in their cubicles, spending an excessive amount of time and effort NOT talking to each other. Let us then expound on the possibility that it got to the point where Employee One theoretically sent me and email, telling me that I had to tell Employee Two that her scented candle was giving her a headache.
I told them both that if they were over eighteen years old, they had to work it out amongst themselves... theoretically.
It's through past experiences such as these that I learned that management is more about parenting than anything else. Over my professional life I have spent more energy dealing with personal dramas and Three's Company-style misunderstandings than I have actually getting real work done.
So, for anyone in grades 6 - 8, soak it in, be one with it, relish in the dynamics of your current life, because you've got a lifetime ahead of you dealing with the same basic crap.
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Friday, August 19, 2005
Left Behind or Right Ahead?
One of my personal goals is to combine my passion for filmmaking with my passion for my faith and to start shooting some Catholic Christian films. As part of this process, I've been watching a lot of Christian films lately to see the competition and analyze what I feel they do right and what they do wrong.
Observation number one: Most Christian films are badly made. Their production values (lighting, sound, acting, story) are weak. The more films made with sub par production values, the more jaded current Christian viewers will be to products released in the future.
Observation number two: Where would we be without the Rapture? The most common story in Chrisitan films is the post-apocalyptic "now that all of our holy friends have disappeared, what the hell do we do now?" As for storyline, you can't really ask for a better premise than "what would happen if half the population on the planet suddenly disappeared?" However, an inherent problem with tackling such a subject matter is that it often requires a budget far greater than any of the current Christian filmmakers can afford.
As for these Rapture films, I've now watched The Moment After, Six and Left Behind 1 & 2. The Moment After is the best story of the lot, but LB series has much more $$ behind it, so it is satisfying on other levels. In the end, however, the LB story moves along very slowly. I never thought the Rapture could take so long. Six was unwatchable.
As a Catholic, one of the basic problems with these storylines is that they are strict Protestant interpretations of Revelations. They are great ideas, but it is certainly not the only interpretation. For example, another interpretation is that Jesus' second coming is revealed in the Eucharist everyday at Mass. Does the Lord really need to "come again" if he is available in the flesh in the Eucharist?
The most successful Christian film I've seen so far is called Flywheel. Its a touching story of a used car salesman who changes his life. I was pleasantly surprised at how many times this film moved me. It is a story that every Christian should see. I hope that the future of Christian filmmaking starts with the a high quality story and higher-end production values found in projects such as Flywheel and Moment After and LB.
The good news is that, if I can make a high quality product, I'll be at the top of the heap. There is a window of opportunity here and I have to take advantage of it. I just hope that the Christian audience will not be completely jaded by the time we're ready for our first release.
Observation number one: Most Christian films are badly made. Their production values (lighting, sound, acting, story) are weak. The more films made with sub par production values, the more jaded current Christian viewers will be to products released in the future.
Observation number two: Where would we be without the Rapture? The most common story in Chrisitan films is the post-apocalyptic "now that all of our holy friends have disappeared, what the hell do we do now?" As for storyline, you can't really ask for a better premise than "what would happen if half the population on the planet suddenly disappeared?" However, an inherent problem with tackling such a subject matter is that it often requires a budget far greater than any of the current Christian filmmakers can afford.
As for these Rapture films, I've now watched The Moment After, Six and Left Behind 1 & 2. The Moment After is the best story of the lot, but LB series has much more $$ behind it, so it is satisfying on other levels. In the end, however, the LB story moves along very slowly. I never thought the Rapture could take so long. Six was unwatchable.
As a Catholic, one of the basic problems with these storylines is that they are strict Protestant interpretations of Revelations. They are great ideas, but it is certainly not the only interpretation. For example, another interpretation is that Jesus' second coming is revealed in the Eucharist everyday at Mass. Does the Lord really need to "come again" if he is available in the flesh in the Eucharist?
The most successful Christian film I've seen so far is called Flywheel. Its a touching story of a used car salesman who changes his life. I was pleasantly surprised at how many times this film moved me. It is a story that every Christian should see. I hope that the future of Christian filmmaking starts with the a high quality story and higher-end production values found in projects such as Flywheel and Moment After and LB.The good news is that, if I can make a high quality product, I'll be at the top of the heap. There is a window of opportunity here and I have to take advantage of it. I just hope that the Christian audience will not be completely jaded by the time we're ready for our first release.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
The Lottery Mentality
When did we become a nation of pansies?
Is it just me or has this country turned into a bunch of people who have lost the understanding and value of sacrifice? I once read that 97% of all lawsuits in the world happen in the United States. Well, that explains it... everyone is out looking to "win the lottery," to get an easy payday.
And with that mentality comes the expectation that if life deals me a bad hand, I deserve to win the pot. Have we lost the meaning of the phrase "suck it up?"
Our founding fathers were clear...we are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Not the guarantee of happiness, but the opportunity to pursue it, to make our own happiness through personal responsibilty and achievement. Like anything else in life, it is the through the struggle we define ourselves and in overcoming obstacles that we find long-lasting happiness.
When has anything easy in life retained any true value? When are we going to re-learn that it is with sacrifice and struggles that something truly magical happens. How long before our country is willing to feel short term pain for long term gain, whether that be in our war on terror, social security, taxes, etc.?
I just hope we get it before it's too late.
Is it just me or has this country turned into a bunch of people who have lost the understanding and value of sacrifice? I once read that 97% of all lawsuits in the world happen in the United States. Well, that explains it... everyone is out looking to "win the lottery," to get an easy payday.
And with that mentality comes the expectation that if life deals me a bad hand, I deserve to win the pot. Have we lost the meaning of the phrase "suck it up?"
Our founding fathers were clear...we are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Not the guarantee of happiness, but the opportunity to pursue it, to make our own happiness through personal responsibilty and achievement. Like anything else in life, it is the through the struggle we define ourselves and in overcoming obstacles that we find long-lasting happiness.
When has anything easy in life retained any true value? When are we going to re-learn that it is with sacrifice and struggles that something truly magical happens. How long before our country is willing to feel short term pain for long term gain, whether that be in our war on terror, social security, taxes, etc.?
I just hope we get it before it's too late.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Marriage and Priorities
My parents celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary this year. Amazing. My wife and I happily celebrated our 13th Anniversary this past July.
The most important thing my parents ever taught me about marriage is about priorities. They were always very clear that God came first, the Spouse came second and Children third. As a child I was a little disconcerted that I wasn't higher up on the food chain, but how can you argue with supplanting God and your parents?
Another great lesson of marriage came from Father Bob Stevens who was our priest at our wedding. He said that he was always surprised that couples would get so offended by sexual infidelity because a number of other infidelities would have had to occur before the sexual one comes into play. If you prioritize work over your spouse, or a hobby over your spouse or even your children over your spouse, these are all infidelities. Yet we put up with them. Unresolved, however, they inevitably lead to sexual infidelity, because they all lead you away from your spouse.
In the end, marriage is hard work, but incredibly rewarding. My wife is my best friend. Her strength compensates for all of my weaknesses. Without her, I am less than half the man I am today.
As long as we keep our priorities straight, hopefully we can hold hands on our 60th Wedding Anniversary... just like my parents.
The most important thing my parents ever taught me about marriage is about priorities. They were always very clear that God came first, the Spouse came second and Children third. As a child I was a little disconcerted that I wasn't higher up on the food chain, but how can you argue with supplanting God and your parents?
Another great lesson of marriage came from Father Bob Stevens who was our priest at our wedding. He said that he was always surprised that couples would get so offended by sexual infidelity because a number of other infidelities would have had to occur before the sexual one comes into play. If you prioritize work over your spouse, or a hobby over your spouse or even your children over your spouse, these are all infidelities. Yet we put up with them. Unresolved, however, they inevitably lead to sexual infidelity, because they all lead you away from your spouse.
In the end, marriage is hard work, but incredibly rewarding. My wife is my best friend. Her strength compensates for all of my weaknesses. Without her, I am less than half the man I am today.
As long as we keep our priorities straight, hopefully we can hold hands on our 60th Wedding Anniversary... just like my parents.
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Divine Disobedience
During Mass this past Sunday, a particular phrase from the second reading stuck in my mind... from Romans, Chapter 11:
"For God delivered all to disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all."
What does that mean? That God has guided us to be disobedient so that he can show us His mercy? Or that, because of His mercy, we are delivered from disobedience?
The more I try to understand my Catholic faith, the less I know. It's like I have just finished reading the cover of a large book, only to discover that, with the turn of a page, there is a vast amount of information yet to digest and understand.
I'll probably finally understand it all about three seconds before I leave this planet... if I'm lucky.
"For God delivered all to disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all."
What does that mean? That God has guided us to be disobedient so that he can show us His mercy? Or that, because of His mercy, we are delivered from disobedience?
The more I try to understand my Catholic faith, the less I know. It's like I have just finished reading the cover of a large book, only to discover that, with the turn of a page, there is a vast amount of information yet to digest and understand.
I'll probably finally understand it all about three seconds before I leave this planet... if I'm lucky.
Monday, August 15, 2005
Controlled Chaos
Life is pretty hectic for most people. Increasingly so for me.
There are so many things I want to do, would like to do, have passion to do, have to do... all of them colliding into one big chaotic mess.
Currently on my to do list:
And those are just my personal goals. I also have to work the day job, attend all of the children's activities, church activities, etc... all of which I love, sans the day job. I don't hate the day job, I just don't have any passion for it. But, it affords me a house, health insurance and the freedom to pursue my personal to do list. So, in the end, its a necessary evil. And one for which I'm grateful.
I just feel so far behind in life. I feel like I've accomplished a lot and so little at the same time. Maybe its because we all set our goals unrealisitcally in our youth, or maybe its because I've lost the urgency... whatever the cause, I'm feeling frustratingly incomplete in a personal way, yet overflowingly blessed in a family way.
Weird. I hope I grow out of it.
There are so many things I want to do, would like to do, have passion to do, have to do... all of them colliding into one big chaotic mess.
Currently on my to do list:
- Finish converting my home office into a home theater.
- Write SEVERED screenplay.
- Write GABBY WELLS screenplay.
- Shoot MISSING commerical.
- Shoot SIN commercial.
- Write MUTE screenplay.
- Found a new production company.
- Oh, and start a new cable channel, of which I have no idea how to do.
And those are just my personal goals. I also have to work the day job, attend all of the children's activities, church activities, etc... all of which I love, sans the day job. I don't hate the day job, I just don't have any passion for it. But, it affords me a house, health insurance and the freedom to pursue my personal to do list. So, in the end, its a necessary evil. And one for which I'm grateful.
I just feel so far behind in life. I feel like I've accomplished a lot and so little at the same time. Maybe its because we all set our goals unrealisitcally in our youth, or maybe its because I've lost the urgency... whatever the cause, I'm feeling frustratingly incomplete in a personal way, yet overflowingly blessed in a family way.
Weird. I hope I grow out of it.
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