BridgeThink News - Issue 10
| July-August 2010
|
|
WELCOME to Issue Ten!
Greetings!
Hope everyone is enjoying their summer. In this issue we have a tribute to an
incredibly talented visual poet, some quick followup news and an article
on the film exhibition "To Tell A Story". So far this summer, we're planning our strategy for the fall and winter. Barring any special updates that come our way, look for the return of a new and improved Newsletter coming after September. In the meantime, please join us on Twitter and Facebook where we continue to report on happenings around the globe on a daily and weekly basis.
- The BridgeThink Team |
|
|
|
| NEW TO BRIDGETHINK?
|
  BridgeThink.org
is a new media resource connecting filmmakers, artists and business
across creative communities. With a focus on interdisciplinary projects that bridge traditional boundaries, we host global dialogues,
provide forums to post resources and publish a monthly newsletter. At the root of our thinking is the
crazy idea that when more people connect, the more they
accomplish. So, if you have something shaking in your hometown, let us
know! All it takes is
two people to connect for an idea to
ignite.
We invite you to become a Bridge-thinker.
Conceive, Connect, Create...
|
|
| ART, FILM & FINDING YOUR VOICE
|
  By Jennifer Raxter
Recently, I had the opportunity to not only visit one of the best creative resources in downtown New Bedford, MA but I also had the privilege of being let into the psyche of a local filmmaker who has a unique flair for humor and human insight. Throughout the month of June ArtWorks! Partners for the Arts hosted the film series, "Through the Lens," in which Massachusetts based filmmaker Chris Hassan kicked off the exhibition of DIY (Do It Yourself) film screenings. And all I can say is I hope this is the start of many screenings not only by this very talented filmmaker but also at this gem of a location.
Hassan exuberantly started the evening by appearing from behind a screen, ala WWF style, drumming to his own theme song (it wouldn't surprise me if it was an original tune written by this multitalented filmmaker.) He thanked everyone for coming and questions were "encouraged." Three short films were screened. Americance, Breadsticks, and Survivor Guilt were all written and directed by Hassan and dealt with themes that everyone has experienced at some point: being happy with where you are in your life, are you doing what you're supposed to be doing and overall, acceptance. Although Hassan admits the production quality of his films isn't equal to some financially backed independent films, you can't deny the quality of the story and subject matter this throw back to Godard chooses to show on screen. In a Hassan film a device as ordinary as breadsticks can become a percussive instrument tagging a joke and a metaphor for social ignorance all in one. The depth of personal observation fused with playful humor leads this viewer to believe Hassan is certainly doing what he is suppose to be doing.
Additionally, there couldn't have been a better host than ArtWorks!. This versatile art center continuously engages the community by presenting quality exhibitions in all realms of visual media. ArtWorks! recognizes that the local film community is steadily growing and that new media is the "bridge" connecting film with the arts. "Through the Lens" was actually part of the larger "To Tell a Story" digital art exhibit that showcased over twenty artists connecting narrative with both 2D & 3D mediums. Whether ArtWorks! is encouraging filmmaker's to tell their stories, organizing a show about the art of aerial movement, or breaking the boundaries of new mediums (as their newest show "The Edge" is billed), ArtWorks! lives up to its name by truly partnering with the creative community. It's exciting to see this org jump into the exploding world of new media and its many bridges to various creative fields. Just as Hassan is embracing his strengths, so is ArtWorks!
"To Tell a Story" was curated by Mark Medeiros and Karen Alves with the filmmaker series curated by Ryan Santos and Tommy Whalen. |
| FOLLOW UP NEWS - "Underground" Premieres on the West Coast
|
  The Mass based team behind the feature film UNDERGROUND had their film's west coast premiere in the Action On Film International Film Festival in Pasadena, California on July 27th. Writer, director and star, Will Berthaud Jr. along with producer, Jenny Lima, director of photography, Jeremy Traub and actor, Emanuel Ward were present to talk about the 5 year journey they embarked on to tell this story. The film's martial arts, athleticism and choreography was well worth their time! Congratulations Teamwork Productions! We're looking forward to your next project!
|
| Neighborhood Earth by Leila Kaas
| 
  Artistic Expression Lives Forever...
Hello,
BridgeThinkers. I recently returned from Sweden and now I am back to the US. I
had a precious year of experience and studies in Europe. I learned a lot being
close to so many different cultures and I am really happy to have embarked on
this challenging journey. But just when I arrived to the US I was faced with a
loss... A good friend of mine from LA had passed away while I was traveling back.
Lee Minh Sloca was a young and very active artist who used a great sense of
humor and intelligence in his poems, paintings and collages. I met Lee at the
LA Idealist Network, a group of friends interested in creating a positive
impact on community through social change. Together we connected with people
and organizations who wanted to make a positive difference in Los Angeles
either volunteering or organizing events and discussions about arts and social
change.
Lee's loss
made me think of the eternity and beauty of the arts. Specifically, that this friend is still
present in our world through the artistic expression and inspiration he left
for us. At his wake, while hearing his poetry recited by friends and
family and seeing his paintings and collages displayed on easels and on a
computer screen, I felt at peace and assured
that my friend and all of us will live forever through our expression... let's keep EXPRESSING every day of our LIVES.
As an homage and inspiration, I'd like to share one poem by my friend
Lee Minh Sloca.
Poetry Junkie
Hi, my name is Lee, and I'm a poetry junkie. I want to
talk to you about my poetic addiction
Whether I was speed-reading, rapping, slamming, or free
versing, those rhymes pounded straight to the
right side of my brain. Those
pulses and beats altered my senses of consciousness, giving me an
out-of-body
and an out-of-money experience! They inspiredme to do more, be more than who I
am,
almost like, a real human being.
My
problem started when I was spending more and more nights at open mic poetry
readings instead of
going home to deal with the wife and kids. This led to my
brushes with the law: reading while driving or
playing those damn poetry tapes
way too loud; needless to say, I had my poetic license suspended.
Read the rest of "Poetry Junkie" HERE.
Other poems by Lee Minh Sloca:
Be
Gentle, Verse, And Not a Curse
http://www.poeticdiversity.org/main/poemArchive.php?recordID=500
I Think I Can I Think I Can, Have A Fat Chance with Maya
http://www.short-humour.org.uk/4writersshowcase/think.htm
Where the Black Puddings Grow!
http://www.irishexaminerusa.com/mt/2010/04/06/ronnie_mcginns_poetry_page_152.html
Only If
http://www.dailylove.net/search?q=lee+sloca
A Declaration of an Average White Rice Picker - Stately
Constituted - from the Pigeon Body Language
http://www.asiancha.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=487&Itemid=208
|
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
|
| HAVE YOU CONNECTED WITH SOMEONE BECAUSE OF
BRIDGETHINK?
|
  We want to know! Tell us about your project and how you connected. The more you share, the better we get at connecting creative communities globally. We may even feature you in one of our newsletters!
Send us your news.
|
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
|
 
|
|
BridgeThink.org is a film and arts initiative dedicated to connecting filmmakers, artists and business across communities worldwide.
BridgeThink.org pursues this mission by building programs and hosting events that highlight interdisciplinary projects. By selectively partnering with like-minded organizations, we build programs which foster dialogue and interaction. BridgeThink.org also maintains a website designed to further this interaction through public forums and posting opportunities.
Although some of our members are filmmakers and artists themselves, our core team is comprised of professionals from various industries. Therefore, we are not a collaborative designed to promote our members' work. While some team members projects may be mentioned in our mailings and web material, they are selected alongside the efforts of all our partners with the express goal of promoting the organization's mission of fostering connection and dialogue. For a complete profile of BridgeThink.org team members and their roles please visit: www.bridgethink.org/blog/team
|
|
|
© 2009-2010 BridgeThink.org. All rights reserved. "BridgeThink.org Conceive, Connect, Create" and the BridgeThink.org logo are property of BridgeThink.org.
714 South Pacific Coast Highway, Suite B, Redondo Beach, CA 90277.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
