Category Archives: Media & Society

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March 9, 2015

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Media & Society, Thoughts and Ideas

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The Heart of an Artist

Artist DefinedThe Artist is a powerful creature who makes a difference in our lives. He creates for us beauty from ashes, the oil of joy for mourning and the garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness. He makes us laugh in spite of our dire circumstances and brings a tear to our eye when we need to be reminded of our humanity. The artist is a healer of our soul and one who inspires us to be our better selves.

I’m giving an inspirational talk tomorrow night to a group of business people on the topic of artistry. It’s my hope that those in the room who have mastered their craft or developed great business acumen will consider how they might bring heart into their workplace.

Revealing heart through one’s art is a risky venture, especially for those who have been abused in life. However, I can also tell you that being accepted for who you really are is far more valuable than being accepted for who you might pretend to be.

The opposite also rings true. To be rejected for who you pretend to be generates an unprecedented level of bitterness, while rejection based on who you actually are tears the heart, unless you’re confident in who you are – then it doesn’t matter.

The amount of power we find within ourselves when we fulfill who we were made to be is tremendous. It makes me wonder if those who fear the strong are the ones who program society with the hope of achieving some form of a safe haven, without any divergence. The fearful are rarely strong enough to be themselves and hide behind a cloak of societal pressures and political correctness.

It’s therefore the artist’s job to bring awareness to the masses in hopes that enlightenment might grip the heart, mind and soul of the downtrodden. To that end, all artists who choose motion pictures as their venue of choice must find new ways of expressing themselves to bring insight and hope to those around them.

Artistry isn’t black and white, but millions of colors. It takes on different forms and may even be misconstrued at times. I remember one person shared her feelings after reading one of my short stories. She was so spiritually touched that she suggested I become a pastor. A man told me after seeing one of my patriotic works that he’d vote for me if I ran for office. A teenager who felt empowered by one story suggested I become an advocate for women.

The great thing about art is that it opens minds to consider things of the heart. These people weren’t impressed by my stories and films, but by what already resided within their own heart. My art just helped them to see the one thing they held deep within themselves. It only took a spark to fan into flame their dormant passion.

The day will soon come when the people who watch or read my art will no longer suggest I become that thing stirring within their hearts, but instead will embrace their own passion to make the world a remarkable place. For its art that brings each of us to the place we need to be in order to make life-changing decisions that will touch our communities.

Copyright © 2015 by CJ Powers
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February 23, 2015

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Filmmaking, Media & Society

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“Birdman” Oscar Wins Reveal Hollywood

birdmanBirdman took home Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Cinematographer. None of which were a surprise to me due to the current condition of the industry.

Hollywood was taken over by marketing and business years ago, which led to the increased production of sequels and hero films based on existing comic books. This movement generated large box office dollars due to the economy and Americas’ need for hope to survive. Unfortunately, it was at the cost of creativity.

The industry is filled with creatives who are desperate for something new and unique. They want to take artistic chances and explore their craft, but always fall short by being put on films that regurgitate the same stories over and over again.

How many times can they reboot Spiderman? Sony is working out the kinks on the third version with yet another actor at the helm.

Only 15% of the top 20 films last year were original movies. The rest were either sequels, adapted from books or superhero stories. For a group of creatives that thrive on making their own stories, three films out of the top 20 is a far cry from what would satisfy an artist.

I can’t imagine what it would be like for a painter to spend the majority of his day painting ad campaigns and only 15% of his time expressing his feelings on canvas. Nor can I picture a writer penning marketing copy for most of the day and only write a handful of words to fulfill his need to express himself within a novel.

But, some how people in the movie industry have become slaves to the business and marketing teams who have no need to express anything creative.

It’s no wonder that the past three years the top Oscars have gone to stories about the industry and the pains or the forced draught of the artists themselves. Birdman speaks volumes about the desperation for a story that is new, creative and risky. It’s a revelatory film of artists’ desperation in the new Hollywood.

Film is not about money. It’s about story and artistic exploration. Yes, some have turned it into a moneymaking factory, while others have forced it to be about political messages, but in reality it’s just another art form of heartfelt expression.

This awkward set of circumstances is what drove the majority of filmmakers to create independent films rather than studio films. It’s also what is driving filmmakers to macro studios and away from Hollywood. Even the best writers are leaving film studios for independent television projects that will be released in non-standard venues.

Today, if you want a great star to be in your movie, all you have to do is come up with a risky story that’s never been done before. If it has a character that has great depth and unique qualities, you’ll be able to get any true artistic actor to sign on. After all, Hollywood is bored and desperate for something new to explore.

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February 18, 2015

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Filmmaking, Media & Society

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Dealing with Nomophobia on Set

Many independent filmmakers face a cast and crew filled with nomophobia on closed sets. It’s a psychological issue that touches approximately 94% of people who fear being out of mobile phone contact. The term abbreviates, “no-mobile-phone phobia.”

Psychology Today released a report that revealed how people felt after misplacing their cell phones. Here are the results:

73% Panicked
14% Became Desperate
7% Became Physically Sick

The results of being without a cell phone for the length of a shooting day plays havoc with many people’s emotions during production. It’s a real issue that few producers are taught how to handle. The most experienced makes sure that their key players can get to their phones during breaks.

Unfortunately, there is another issue that starts to build in the film world. While networking is the only way for most to get their next gig and requires a lot of interaction, many find themselves so attached to their mobile phone that they become lonely regardless of with whom they are networking.

There are many ways of staying connected, thanks to mobile devices and the Internet, yet many feel alone. One expert noted, “It’s a great psychological truth that if we don’t teach our children how to be alone, they will always be lonely.”

A leading consultant for non-profits pointed out that Jesus, who spent numerous daily hours in public, took time to get a way for some alone time. This spiritual discipline is counterintuitive to the activities of a mobile society who no longer knows how to be alone. However, taking time daily to be without one’s cell phone brings understanding to the new emotions the practice brings into play.

In an industry where everything is about hurrying up and waiting, cast and crew are required to be content during those long periods without cell phones. Those who are absorbed by the desperation brought on with nomophobia may soon find themselves emotionally bankrupt and out of work.

The only sure fire way of working through the sense of withdrawal or dread, is to learn how to be good company with oneself. For it’s only those who aren’t afraid of being alone with themselves that can actually overcome the odd feeling that mobile phone withdrawal brings about.

Being able to live at peace without a phone, messaging, or other forms of mobile connectivity will help a person develop the self-control necessary to survive a film shoot. Practicing being without a connected device also helps one to get to know themselves and find self-acceptance. Being able to be alone in a room gives rise to self-control and the stamina required for being unplugged – A trait that’s required in filmmaking.