Independent Filmmakers: Showcasing Work

February 24, 2012

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” ~ John Quincy Adams 

In today’s blog, we will be fulfilling a need for information for independent filmmakers about how to become visible on the filmmaking scene. 

Indie Filmmakers, have you written a screenplay and are looking for a venue to display your work? Big Vision Empty Wallet is a national place to pitch your work. The mission of this competition is to explore screenwriters and their work and discover the next great feature film. The grand prize of $100,000 will help the winner of the competition to complete their feature film. 

Although, this year’s finalists have already been chosen, you can vote for your favorite contestant’s trailer film on this site. http://bit.ly/w4PiHw. The final selection will be chosen on May 1, 2012 and will be based on the full screenplay which must be completed and submitted from March 1 to April 1, 2012. 

If you have a screenplay in progress, stash this information away and submit for next year’s competition. In the meantime, take time to visit the website Big Vision Empty Wallet to see if your vision could benefit and be improved from watching other filmmakers work. 

Think professionalism, marketability, quality, style and originality and all things fulfilling as you complete your project.  Essential to keys of life and successful business, too!

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Keeping a Marriage Intact

February 22, 2012

Marriage is a promise. Not just between the couple but to the community at large, to generations past and to those yet to be born. ~ Heritage.org 

Why do people decide to independently publish a book? Often times it is because they want to educate and inform. The author of Out of Focus …Again, Ann Kochenberger had exactly that motive in mind, when she decided to publish her book. 

Ann wanted to share, with others, her struggles with depression and how she has found personal success in living a fulfilling life despite having bi-polar disorder. This disease affects more than 17 million people, in the United States alone. 

Unabashedly, and with good humor too, Ann describes how her bouts of depression have affected her relationship with her husband of more than 30 years, her parenting and with her family, too. 

Finding My Way Back from Depression, Ann’s new e-book directly speaks to the coping strategies that saved her from debilitating symptoms of depression. 

Gary Kochenberger, PhD has much of value to say in his companion e-book Depression…A Guide for Caregivers from the role of being a protector and nurturer of a loved one with the disease. He shares his perspectives on how their marriage has survived, how the caregiver can be pro-active in learning about the disorder, some of the mistakes Gary has made, trigger points that a partner can watch for and help their loved one avoid.

If someone you know suffers the effects of bi-polar disorder, these companion books are great resources. The books are written from very personal and non-clinical points of view. The book in-print Out of Focus…Again as well as Ann and Gary’s e-books can be ordered on-line through www.outoffocusagain.com. The e-books are also sold through Amazon.

Both Ann and her husband Gary are dedicated to helping others who are trying to cope with a loved one with bipolar disease. As a couple, they frequently speak to groups and families about depression and bipolar disorder.

Check in on author Ann Kochenbergers’s blog on www.outoffocusagain.com. She  shares all kinds of information about living a fulfilling life with bi-polar disorder.

This blog brought to you www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.


The Art of Pleasing Palates

February 17, 2012

Do not bite at the bait of pleasure, till you know there is no hook beneath it.”
~
Thomas Jefferson

Did you ever want to take a sneak peak into what is inside the making of the dainty delicacies known as sushi?  Now you can. One of the top independent documentary films of the year is called Jiro Dreams of Sushi. 

This film is about an 85 year old culinary artist and the teaching of his craft to his son, whom he hopes will be the next tour de force within the world of sushi making. Can the son ever live up to the standards that are expected of him to take over the trade? After all, combining colors, textures and the right tastes to please high end palates is no easy task!

Sushi lovers, unite! This film is sure to be fulfilling for those who have always wanted to know more about the culture, schooling and economy that is behind making this food for very discriminating tastes. Over the past twenty years, sushi bars, a trendy alternative to traditional dining has appeared on the scene in urban centers, luxury-oriented centers and on commonplace streets and locales.

If you please, become familiar with sushi terminology before watching this film by going to this link http://www.sushiref.com/glossary/ . The Jiro Dreams of Sushi is said to be “mouthwatering” by Leslie Felperin of Variety and it is set to be released in theatres on March 9th.

Rather stay home and watch? You can place your order for the film through www.imdb.com. Don’t forget to pick up an order of your favorite sushi from your favorite sushi bar. Bring it home and enjoy this film while stuffing your mouth!


Adjusting for the Times

February 16, 2012

Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death.” ~ Anais Nin 

On Valentines Day, my “sweetie” and I took in the movie  “The Artist.” I flat out loved this cinema release.  It is the story of George Valentin and his fall as a silent movie star due to the introduction of “talkies” – movies with sound. His refusal to move with the times, and accept the fact that the movie industry was undergoing vast change led to his come-uppance with himself and the world in which he existed. 

If you go see this movie, be alert to the subtle imagery that was creatively incorporated in the production of the film. The successful use of small details in scenes artfully told the story without the need for words in this silent, black and white film. Very masterfully done! 

Thinking back to the film, I could not refrain from comparing the overtones in this theme to the changes that have taken place in our economy and also, in the publishing industry over the past years. Those who have survived having had the “rug pulled out from underneath of them” are those who have adjusted their attitudes, and moved with the times. 

There was little that I did not like about this film. Although James Cromwell’s role in the overall storyline was significant, I would have liked to have seen him more in the film. For those of you who have seen James Cromwell as an actor in A Lonely Place for Dying, http://bit.ly/mAvP5d  a film that has had 45 award nominations and it has won 15 awards for best film, you know that James Cromwell is very capable of having more than a supporting role. 

I look forward to seeing the Academy Awards on February 26th. It will be interesting to see how the movie holds up against all the rest that are vying for top spots.

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Being Receptive to Messages

February 15, 2012

On Monday  I posted a blog called the Art of Listening. I promised to share more information on All Things Fulfilling about H.A.Levin’s book “A History of Horses Told by Horses: Horse Sense for Humans.” So here it is ~ 

This book is told from the perspective of a horse. Thoughts are communicated from horse to human (the author) telepathically.  Essentially – What would horses say about humans and their world if they could talk? 

Hal, the author, is a spiritual healer who communicates with animals. Through his telepathic capacities he points out from a horse’s point of view, that our society has grown too complex, leaving a detachment between people and the natural world. The reason women and horses form particularly close relationships is that women are more open to inspiration and enlightenment. Horses want women to gain self confidence through their relationships with equines, so they will feel the ability to change the course of the world. How about it women? Are you up to the task?

Author H.A. Levin (Hal) travels to many countries to learn about various species of horses and how man and animal have accomplished  things together  throughout civilization. There are chapters on the history of numerous kinds of equine species, such as: 

  • sporting horses
  • work horses
  • war horses
  • race horses
  • performance horses 

This author has planned a series of books about the history of animals and their place in our world, please visit  http://bit.ly/AuzEE3 Habitat for Humanity is a publishing partner in the The History of Horses Told by Horses

For non-animal lovers,  ”Letters to An Angel: How to Love Life and “ Quotations for Successful Living“  are more books from H.A. Levin. They share with the reader how Hal has “learned to look for a rich and fulfilling life despite obstacles or fear of failure.” 

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Life. Live it, Love it.

February 14, 2012

Valentines Greetings from me to you on this winter white February Day from Steamboat Springs, Colorado. 

Love comes in all kinds of forms and unexpected ways, meaning something different to each of us. Today, I simply wish to quote one the brightest stars in history on the business of living life and finding personal fulfillment ~Albert Einstein. He said it all.  “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

“Make this day and every day about all things fulfilling in your life!

More independently published thoughts, words and views tomorrow from  www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

 

 

 


The Art of Intuitive Listening

February 13, 2012

Horses leave hoof prints on your heart” ~ H.A. Levin 

Steamboat Springs, Colorado is an interesting town; a mix of ski resort and ranching communities all wrapped up in beautiful scenery and people who have chosen a way of life that may not be for everyone. Once I began poking around this place, I found out it is an amazing microcosm of people with diverse talents and interests. A very friendly community, too! 

I met H.A. Levin (Hal) a writer and independent publisher back in June, when I formed a meet-up group, called She Writes Steamboat. It is a networking group of independent publishers who gather monthly. The mission of the group is to foster independent publishing success. Part way through our first meeting, I noticed a sole male presence quietly sitting in the back. 

After we wrapped up our meeting, Hal  (H.A. Levin) came over to talk . I don’t recall exactly how our conversation went but he said something like “I hope you don’t mind that a male writer came today, I saw the notice in the Steamboat Pilot that this group was going to meet.” 

I told Hal that I was delighted to have him, and that the name of the group that I had chosen had nothing to do with excluding the male population of writers. I am a member of an on-line group called www.SheWrites.com .  I wanted to our group to have affiliation with a national group.  We have since slightly revised the name of our meet up group to SHe Writes Steamboat, to encourage male independent publishers to attend, and it has worked! 

Since meeting Hal, I have learned that he has some very interesting talents and his writing emerges from his gifts of intuitive thought and communication with animals. In fact, in his book A History of Horses Told by Horses, there is some fascinating conjecture about women, their place in the world at large and the relationships that they have with horses. 

Amelia Kincaide, www.ameliakincaide.com author of the books The Language of Miracles and Straight from the Horses Mouth has this to say this about Hal’s book “Bless you and thank you for devoting your life to speaking for those who ache to be heard.” 

On Wednesday on All Things Fulfilling we will be featuring H.A. Levin’s book. Don’t miss out tomorrow either, I would love to share  a few minutes of  February 14th with you.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.


Independent Documentary Film of Stellar Proportions

February 10, 2012

The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man.”  ~Author Unknown 

Juan Mandelbaum of Le Monde, has called the independent documentary film Nostalgia for the Light  a “work of cosmic serenity, of luminous intelligence, with a sensitivity that could melt stone. At such a level, the film becomes more than a film. An insane accolade to mankind, a stellar song for the dead, a life lesson. Silence and respect.”  

Sounds serious, doesn’t it? 

The setting for this documentary film, directed by Patricio Guzman, is the Atacama Desert, the most arid place on earth. The stars in the skies from this place, 10,000 feet above sea level, are more clearly visible than from most locations on the earth. 

The intense desert sun has kept Pre-Columbian mummies  and corpses of other explorers who perished in the Atacama  intact for hundreds of years. Portrayed in this film are women who travel with astronomers on very personal missions of their own, looking for the remains of their relatives, political prisoners who were left there.

 The stunning landscape along with the exploration of horizons known and unknown in this independently produced documentary, by Icarus Films, has brought very fulfilling, favorable reviews. It has been an official selection and won awards at the most prestigious film festivals in the world. For more information, please visit http://bit.ly/fSS6io

To order this film and to watch a trailer of this documentary, please visit IMDB http://imdb.to/ciOxVq.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.


A Soulful Rise of A City

February 9, 2012

Today, I received by mail, my monthly issue of Kiwanis Magazine. The 97th Annual Kiwanis International Convention is being held in New Orleans this summer. The eclectic culture that permeates the city will provide a lively experience for Kiwanians coming together from all over the world. 

Hospitality and conventions are not new to this city. The spirit of the  “Crescent City” and its residents has always been joyfully shared with tourists through the city’s music, regional culinary delights and architecture. There are French, Cajun, Spanish, Creole, Carribean influences throughout the city and it’s people.

In 2005, deadly Hurricane Katrina hit the city of New Orleans. The images our country saw on television were beyond belief. At the time, our son was a junior at an outstanding high school with a state of the art film program. His school, Burr and Burton Academy www.burrburton.org sent him and another student, an outstanding writer, to Louisiana to produce a documentary film about the ravages of the storm on the city and its people. A contingent of other compassionate and giving students went along to do relief work – cleaning up and mucking out flooded houses. They did all they could, while they were there, to help families to rebuild their lives.

The film footage that our son returned with, after two trips to the scene, gave my husband and me an even deeper look at the devastation and the despair. Seven years ago, I thought “how in the world will they ever restore their properties and their spirits? There is so much to do.” 

The city of New Orleans has proven it has spirit and soul! The city has begun humming with activity again. Its people are fulfilling examples for others that we can rise above the worst of times with the right attitude.

 Welcome back, New Orleans! Welcome back. I am delighted that you will serve as host city to Kiwanis International this year.

For more information on Kiwanis International and the service club’s mission to improve the quality of life for children and families worldwide”, please visit www.kiwanis.org on-line.

There is also a new cellphone app for Kiwanis. Download it on your cell phone! I did.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.


Shorts are in Fashion at the Luna Fest

February 3, 2012

Happy Film Friday! It has been a busy week for me, so today our blog will be brief. I am looking forward to a fun event tonight to culminate the week. 

The Lunafest at the Bud Werner Memorial Library http://www.steamboatlibrary.org/  in Steamboat Springs,Colorado is on the calendar for tonight. It kicks off at 7 pm. The Lunafest is a film festival of “shorts” by and for women. If  this year’s Luna Fest is anything like last year, I am in for a fulfilling night of independent film entertainment. 

The Luna Fest is paired with Yampa Valley Breast Cancer Awareness Project and the Bust of Steamboat.  Between 5pm –7pm, an exhibition of inspired art will be displayed and auctioned off to raise awareness and funds for treating women with breast cancer. An award will be given for the Bust of Steamboat. http://thebustofsteamboat.org/

The Yampa Valley Breast Cancer Awareness Project is just one of many, many non-profits in this county with valuable missions. The volunteer efforts in this town is beyond anything I have ever experienced before. It is impressive, to say the least. 

I will return on Monday with more independent thoughts, words and views brought to you on the company blogsite of www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

Have a good weekend, everyone! I will let you know next Film Friday, which Luna Fest “short” film ranked the highest on my list.


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