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July 29th, 2010
by Nicole Melton
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The Remedy For My Bad Day: Just Shut Up And Sing

Dixie Chicks in Austin, Texas

I had a bad day. It was one of those that pretty much sucked all the way around. It happens – we all have them. And it was one of those overwhelming kind of days. At the end of it all, I felt as if I’d pretty much let just about everyone who was counting on me down. You know – you’ve had them. Just had a bad day. Blah.

As I was driving home, the only thought in my head was “I gotta get home and relax. Forget this crappy day! Chill.”

I walked in, ate dinner and tried to decide what movie I was going to watch. TV therapy is what I needed. Something to soothe my soul, make me feel better and get me out of my head. I needed to quit reflecting on the chaos that had defined my day

I bent down to go thru my DVDs and was looking for Knocked Up. It’s my fave. It makes me laugh and transports me to a happy place. Always. Not to mention, I have a crush on Seth Rogen and I want to BE Katherine Heigl in another life. As I thumbed through the DVDs, I happened upon Shut Up and Sing, the Dixie Chicks’ documentary. And, it turns out, it was just what I needed.

Here’s why.

I refuse to rehash the Dixie Chicks vs. George Bush drama. The subject is kind of polarizing, I know. BUT, it’s old as hell and I’m over it. For anyone not living on this planet in 2003, it happened when Natalie Maines, lead singer of The Dixie Chicks, proclaimed that they were “ashamed President Bush was from Texas.” I have my own political ideas and beliefs and so does everyone else. No need to go over all of that again.

But this documentary is really nothing short of amazing. Every time I watch it, I take a few minutes to look at myself and wonder. I ask myself hard questions, like “what do I stand for?” And I wonder whether I have the balls to really put myself out there and say what I mean, and mean what I say, at any cost. It’s fascinating to me to even consider it. The documentary details the Chicks’ career from 2003 (when all hell broke loose) until 2006, when they released their next CD, “Taking the Long Way” –mind you, a multi-Grammy Award winning CD at that. Like any band, their storyline has trials and tribulations, but it’s the political overtones that make the film so compelling. The documentary takes the audience through the process of those artists being forced to reexamine and redefine themselves, in the face of much adversity and under pretty much constant public scrutiny. I found it inspiring. A breath of fresh air. Chicken soup for my soul.

Here’s the deal. I realized that I was compelled to watch the documentary tonight because I needed to feel like myself again. I got lost today. Yes, I had a bad day, but watching the film made me realize that I can really relate to the three strong women in the documentary, making their way through day-to-day battles. The Chicks’ battles were a little more public than the ones I had to deal with, but the message was clear.  Sometimes you win. Sometimes you don’t. And sometimes things are just gonna SUCK. For a little while, anyway. But, you find a way to make it right for yourself….and my way happened to be a little dusty DVD on my shelf.

What about you? Have you seen this film? Or another that really resonated with you the way this one resonated with me? I’d love to hear about it.

July 15th, 2010
by Teri Rogers
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What the Frack? This is What I Love About Filmmaking

I always tell people that the reason I got into this business is because it is such a powerful medium.  A single film has the power to influence – to motivate – to raise awareness – to change a point of view.  And making a documentary film, in particular, gives the filmmaker a unique opportunity to reach down deep inside and produce a piece of art that tells a story — a truth.  That gives the filmmaker a powerful platform that can affect change.   But you can see all that for yourself, if you just take a minute to watch this documentary trailer.

Gasland was directed by Josh Fox and it was the Winner of the Special Jury Prize – Best US Documentary Feature at Sundance in 2010 and it also screened recently at Cannes. Fracking is not only happening all across rural areas in America, it’s spreading to Europe and Africa, too.  Property owners are tempted by very lucrative offers from big energy companies and, given today’s economy, it’s not surprising that some opt to take the money and run.

I think this is a huge deal – and I agree with Josh that this is a situation that deserves a big spotlight aimed right at it – and this documentary definitely does that. If the trailer intrigued you at all, and you want to do more, visit the Gasland website. Request a screening in your city. Make a donation. If we all just did a little, we could make a huge impact.

And that, my friends, is why I LOVE documentaries. I love watching them. I love making them. I love their inherent power to make a difference.

March 3rd, 2010
by Michael Ong
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Let me edutaine you…

Fun infographic!
Well-designed edutainment
with facts and figures.

– Michael Ong

JESS3 / The State of The Internet from Jesse Thomas on Vimeo.

Footnote: Jesse Thomas did a fantastic animation on Vimeo, comprised of a series of fun factoids on the state of the Internet. All fascinating contents aside, the presentation of the facts are witty and entertaining. I’m a big advocate for camouflaging complicated and voluminous information and making it fun and entertaining. This piece reminds me of the motion graphic we worked on for the documentary, “The Next American Dream”, which has 226 airings on 90 PBS stations in 59 markets in 22 states so far. As the Art Director for this project, the challenge I posed for the motion design team was this: “How could we translate a long and confusing statement into something as simple as it can be? And most importantly, it has to be entertaining.” I’m proud to say that we successfully made the otherwise arduous textbook facts into a living-room friendly material. If you have the opportunity, watch The Next American Dream sometime – I’d love to know how you think we did. (How many times did I say entertaining?)

January 21st, 2010
by Nicole Melton
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Stories Beneath the Surface

So, who likes documentaries?

A show of hands…..  :)

Well, I do. In fact, I love them. I love the organic nature–the actual HUMAN aspect. It always amazes me what a camera can capture when somebody is not scripted. I mean, that is real. Real life. THAT interests me.

Maybe its because I am a former newsie. Yes, in a past life I was a TV reporter. ( I had the hair–the blond bob. You know what I am talking about.) I was out finding the stories that would *hopefully* lead the 6 pm and 10 pm news. My beat was crime. Sounds glossy and glamorous, right? WRONG. I worked on so many shootings, rapes, burglaries….blah. I found myself de-sensitized to humanity. Fast forward to today (and minus the bob). It seems that my news background is feeding/fueling my curiosity and passion for real life stories.

One of the last docs I saw was on Roman Polanski. “Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired” was an HBO Films piece. I must say HBO Films ROCK!! They have such intriguing docs. Fantastic!!!

One of my faves was on Ted Haggard–“The Trials of Ted Haggard”. Remember that guy? Let me refresh—God fearing minister who admitted to “sexual immortality” and some drugs. Banished from his church, etc.

The filmmaker was Alexandra Pelosi. I love her. So does THAT name ring a bell? Yes, her momma is Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House. Great genes must run rampant in that family!!! Baby Pelosi did a great job. Her doc just draws you in.

Enough of my ramblings. I want to know what YOU have seen lately!!

Later!

Nicole