Sally alerted me to this video, Mankind Is No Island, posted on Songy's blog, Style Discovery.
Songy writes: "This short film, winner of Tropfest NY 2008... was shot with mobile phone(s) by Australian blokes with a total budget of less than $60 AUD. Story matters. Technology and money do not."
This fits my mood today.
As I prepare to shoot the Death of Agamemnon on Saturday I see that I have been, honestly, a bit overwhelmed with all that moviemaking requires. It's a lot!
I wanted to gobble it all up at once, it's so good.
This movie reminds me that moviemaking is instead a matter of taking small bites and breaks for digestion--it must have taken the filmmakers a long time to find and shoot and edit together the words, for instance.
I'm learning to pace myself better on this project. Then I get to enjoy each bite more! instead of rushing to get on to the next one.
This video also fits because today is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Maybe it's my Mediterranean blood that relates to the High Holy Days of Judaism? Whatever. The need for atonement makes sense to me. And what better atonement than practicing compassion, which is what this video is all about.
It's also about listening and seeing each other.
In improv class, the teacher (who did say some helpful things) said that listening is the key skill in improv acting and that it starts with eye contact.
Listening also requires shutting up.
I am a rampant interrupter. Some of that is ebullience, which is great. Some of it is disregard, which I am willing to try to transform. Again.
Finally, the video reminds me to keep it simple. Money and special effects would not have improved this movie.
Yom Kippur is heavy lifting; but it ends in absolution, which sets down the lead weights. Basically it frees us to get out there, try again, fresh start, start where you are.
All good things.
As the Velveteen Rabbi writes in her Yom Kippur prayer, posted below,
"Transform our suffering into gladness."