It’s taken me a wonderful while to get here, and I am grateful to the many people and ideas and moments that have crossed my path along the way:
| art museums with Mom skiing the enneagram Meri and Kathy USC Cinema School working as a clown during film school Wholebody Focusing, Kevin McEvenue “Mindset” by Carol Dweck the women of Abstract Expressionism process work “Power vs. Force” by David Hawkins talking way too late with Elyn Vipassana raw food, and not Armstrong Woods State Park Aunt Evy Speaking Circles with Lee Glickstein Debbie, David, Leela and Steve Abraham-Hicks | “Love Poems from God” the dream from Dad Ruth “Conversations with God” facilitation training walking with Laura Brené Brown Mark Rothko’s paintings “Cave in the Snow” Willow Vietor’s gift Nina Menkes’ films carpentry Elaine Aron TED “Cabaret” Shirley MacLaine Maine Workshops Vancouver Island … and every interviewee. |
My meanderings and my tenacity, as well as all that I’ve studied, have brought me to make this film and design the interactive, interrelated website that will be seeded by the interviews. I have a couple of academic degrees; yet, I am far prouder that I have been a seeker of human answers all my life.
I have a bachelor’s degree is in engineering with a focus on product design from Stanford. What I loved about product design was the emphasis on how to get to the real problem or need behind a client’s request and how to brainstorm to break free of any box or preconceived notion. Between Stanford and my master’s degree in film at USC, I most often worked as a carpenter, often building my own designs, sometimes managing crews, sometimes teaching.
Working as a carpenter allowed me freedom to study, travel, and pursue answers in workshops and time alone. In 1993, I spent six months alone in a VW Vanagon at the end of dirt roads all over the West. I wanted to see if I could find answers to questions that eluded me. I did find some answers, let go of some questions, and found self-love. It was a good trip. I came home feeling more loved and loving, and part of a greater human community. It was that trip that ultimately led me to film school and this project.
A few years ago, I had enough money (and raised more), to buy another VW Vanagon, cameras, and other film equipment allowing me to get more than half of the interviews done. Those interviews and secondary shots have allowed me to edit and clarify the structure of the film and design the interrelated website.
I’ve done all the quiet work to prove to myself that this film and website are, and can be, all that I’d hoped. Now, it’s time to raise money and involve others. Cheer me on – receive updates and/or donate to the film!