Holland

Last week seemed to be a rough week for a lot of us. I went over to a friend's house last night, thinking I'll talk for an hour. Ended up staying for about eight?

While there, this video surfaced.



The whole time I was like, oh...this is cute, wow what great friends, what great parents, etc.

Then I saw the tunnel.

Jaw dropped.

This is HOLLAND!

What an amazing community. Holland is still one of my favorite places I've lived. And I can't help but want to show off this video and say, see! the people here are amazing.

Life Through Gary's Lens

I figure the less you hear from me, and the more you see from James and Gary, the better.

These two guys are great friends I made during my time in Japan. They decided to go back to Japan this summer to explore parts they had yet to see, all by hitchhiking.

See what they saw, see what they experienced.

Track #3 - Bright Whites

I'm listening to a radio live stream of one of my favorite musicians while at work right now. And this is what come to mind:

It was September, I remember feeling a little bit of nerves mixed with excitement as I stepped into The State Room, a concert venue in SLC. I was about to meet for the first time, someone I felt like I knew yet I had never met. I think a lot of us feel like this at times with our favorite artists, actors, etc. You spend hours watching/listening to the point where you feel invested.

Talking over sushi, K was just as fun as his music. 

After sushi, my friends and I spent the night listening to K blow the minds of the SLC crowd. 

My friends had never heard of him before, but were fans now. We picked up some merchandise, and K was nice enough to signed them. 

Basically, if you haven't listened to his music, you should. 

K, who performs under the name KISHI BASHI, is a fantastic guy, as well as a fantastic musician. 

(skip to 6:20 to hear Bright Whites)

Asian Parents

"That's your fault for majoring in what you did."
Thats what my mother told me, in addition to asking me why I was still living in their house.
"You've saved at least...$10,000 living here!" she claimed.
Her first remark implied that I should have studied something useful, or should already be in graduate school. LSAT? GMAT?
But I've settled for what?
Oh. That's right. Film.

I have never felt completely supported in my choice to study film. I am passionate about a lot of things. Sure, business is one of them. I love pitching ideas, I love selling things to people. When I see  something, hear something, or try something and love it, I can't help but want to share what I know. Down side of all of that is that I am horrible at selling something I don't believe in, and in this day and age there aren't a lot of companies I would really care to work for. And sure, law could possibly be a passion, but I don't know enough about it. And yes, I know with certainty that the arts (film, music, visual arts) are a passion of mine. And film is what I chose to study.

And so that leads me to where I am now. Unemployed and homeless to start off 2013. This weight I feel, this knot in my gut, is strangely familiar to how I felt around this time two years ago. Have I come full circle...in perhaps a not so good way?

Insta #2 - ROSEDATOCDALL

It was through this video that I was first introduced to this amazing artist. Ever since, I've been a big fan of her work; such a distinct style, and I hope to someday be able to collaborate or at least own something by her. 

This week I discovered her instagram, and I couldn't be more thrilled. I can't wait to get regular updates on projects she is working on! 

surprise!

From a stressful and overwhelming weekend last week, to an amazingly rewarding week this week. It's amazing how life's circumstance can change so quickly.

A few weeks ago I found out a film I had made my last year in school was being nominated for a regional emmy. I quickly contained any excitement, thinking that a student doc wasn't likely to win.

With so much going on in life, I felt the need to take the weekend to ponder and reflect over general conference, instead of going to the award ceremony.

So what ended up happening?

The last few days was filled with sushi, spirituality, and friends then topped off by a text that read something like this:

Since I wasn't there to give an acceptance speech, I'm going to use my blog to do so :)

First, Brad.
After seeing some of the Beehive Stories in a film panel years ago, I remember introducing myself to Brad as a film student with interest in docs. The following year Brad approached me and asked me if I would be interested in directing an episode on Millard County. Brad has and continue to mentor me through my documentary film career and I will always be grateful for his encouragement and counsel.

Sharon. Tom.
Just as influential to me as Brad. Sharon was my advisor throughout film school, and Tom, though I didn't get to know him until my last semester in school, has been a great example. These two have helped shaped me both in and outside the classroom to be the type of person and filmmaker I want to be. Both have always showed confidence in me as a person and filmmaker when I needed it the most.

Sisi. Dawn. James.
My friends during this crazy semester when things were quite the roller coaster ride. The list of what these three have done for me would be too great for a single blog post, but in just a few lines...Sisi, for really getting to know me and understanding. Dawn for always listening. James for being the best roommate both in Japan and in college. You three know me better than I probably know myself. For having faith in my ability to succeed in any path I chose, and especially supporting me in in film, I am forever grateful for your support, faith, and friendship.

Lorraine.
I can't thank you enough for taking a phone call from a stranger and allowing me to be a part of your family's story. I loved every minute of getting to know all of you!

Jane.
Thank you Jane for all you do to preserve and educate people about Topaz! and for introducing me to Lorraine. I appreciated your hospitality while we were there to shoot. I hope more people will take the time to visit the site and see the wonderful artifacts that remind us how we can learn from history!

and Skylar & Micah
Without Skylar this piece would not be what it is. He pretty much did all the work while I...watched. Skylar I felt really related to George and the whole story involving the internment in a very impressive way. His maturity and understanding is very apparent in the edit. Micah is a musical genius. He really adds so much personality to each of the Beehive Stories, complimenting each character. I look forward to collaborating more in the future!


I'm sure I'm forgetting to thank so many more people...but you get the picture. So many people are involved in one short doc. Thank you to everyone!

Track #2 - We Don't Want Your Body

Over the years I've talked with close friends who share physical insecurities. Perhaps its not what they lack, but what others emphasize, that adds to this? Do our own and other's looks suffocate us? 

Last night as I talked with a friend, the concerns weighed heavy. We needed to take a break! In the cover of the night we found the closest park and climbed and swung and laughed; back to a simpler time when life's challenges were choices like chocolate or vanilla, or wanting to stay up thirty more minutes. 

This flashback to innocence was quickly interrupted by topics of a more serious nature. Perhaps in later years these issues will seem just as frivolous  as those from our childhood.

The emphasis on physicality in the world around us has a way of jading or diminishing our perception. 

Sometimes noises from all around us confuse us.

And we just need to take a time out and play.

The drive home this song came on:

Though you might not be able to find a connection with what I just wrote and the lyrics to this song...for me, it just worked. 

DO NOT COLLECT $200

“GO TO JAIL. DO NOT PASS GO, DO NOT COLLECT $200.” Remember this?

Sometimes life deals you a chance card like this, and this past weekend was one of those weekends.  Luckily, just as quickly as I drew the card, I drew one of these!

Hal and Carly were coming to visit! I first met them in the heart of Tokyo on assignment for The North Face. We were there for a big TNF event and to shoot some new apparel. Spending a couple of weeks in a strange land with new people could be disastrous, but Hal and Carly are the type of people that go out to make the most of everything. Our time in Japan is something I will always look back to fondly. 

When I found out they were going to be in town to run the Bear 100 (a hundred mile ultra-trail marathon), I left work as soon as I could to meet up with them in the mountains. 

I could go on about the race, but I guess the thing I wanted to jot down was the importance of friends. Though Hal and Carly were already doing something super inspirational (running a crazy amount of distance for a crazy amount of time), its not just what they can accomplish physically that is inspiring. They live life to the fullest, and are continually bettering themselves and helping those around them to do the same. It's apparent what great examples they are by how others at the race interacted with this couple. Everyone loves them, and its not just because they are solid athletes. They are solid people. 

My weekend which started off pretty glum, ended pretty solid. 

Thanks to Hal and Carly!

Also, here's a bio video that Camp 4 made a while back...