martin luther king, jr. day

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” On this day of remembrance for Dr. King and his visionary work, please perform at least one random act of kindness. Perhaps we’ll start an epidemic.

A reader’s advice to writers

A re-post of a ‘Salon’ article.

A reader’s advice to writers

Posted using ShareThis

Lawn Facades

Lawn Facades

Originally uploaded by zachstern

Where I got my higher education, looking ghostly, looking like a dream, that is is.

Get Cookin’

Get Cookin’

Originally uploaded by Right Brain | Chris Piazza

Inspiration nation! Another fantastic camera toss photo. I have to get a camera soon! Every day I check back to this group, I am so inspired. I love this work.

Little Tokyo , Downtown LA

Little Tokyo , Downtown LA

Originally uploaded by chadbonanno

Not far from where I live.

“Vivra sa vie”: Shouldn’t Love Be the Only Truth?

The movie I want to re-make, about how a girl falls into prostitution to pay the rent.

“Vivra sa vie”: Shouldn’t Love Be the Only Truth?.

Vivre Sa Vie – Vivre sa vie on The Auteurs

Vivre Sa Vie – Vivre sa vie on The Auteurs.

From the article:

By Hamid Sirhan on December 19, 2009

back to Vivre sa vie

I have quickly become a fan of Godard’s work in the past week. I had previously enjoyed some of his films as part of my academic study in the past (‘La Chinoise’ in the context of the political atmosphere in 1960s France just before 1968) but the Auteur’s recent film festival (http://www.theauteurs.com/stellaartois (18+)) has given me a chance to experience more of his work for free. ‘Vivre Sa Vie’ is still available to watch today in the UK.

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Prostitution is a theme pervading Godard’s work (eg Yvonne in ‘La Chinoise’) but this is the first time I’ve encountered it as the central narrative force. He tells the story of Nana, played by his wife, a normal housewife who gives up her fantasies of being in the movies to become a prostitute. Through shifting camera work and long takes, Godard shows her working, waiting, smoking (a lot) and then, tragically dying, shot as neither a prime target nor as an innocent bystander by cruel pimps who see no value in her beyond they money they are paying and being paid.

It is a great (if depressing) work that manages to capture ‘60s France (note ’Jules et Jim’ showing at the cinema) and the vagaries of prostitution.Its political commentary never leaves the story floundering and Anna Karina’s performance is subtle and fitting. The film is all about Nana. The other characters merely serve to explain her life (or end it).

24 fps

In memoriam of a visual pioneer

“…[Dede} Allen departed from the standard Hollywood way of cutting — making smooth transitions starting with wide shots establishing place and characters and going on to medium shots and finally close-ups — by beginning with close-ups or jump cuts….”

from:

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-dede-allen18-2010apr18,0,3471234.story

Poet

Poet.

Guqin (goo-chin) master

Guqin (goo-chin) master.

Resolutions come & go…

Resolutions come & go….

Difficult Teachers

Difficult Teachers.

I wish I had th…

I wish I had th….