Behind the Scenes: Redlands Fire Department

This past week I started work on a documentary for the Redlands Fire Department. Perhaps it's a "guy thing," but at some point, every boy has dreamed of being a firefighter. I remember those days well, and now, here I am, nearly thirty years later, running around with a camera filming the real heroes of our great city.



Over the course of the next few months, you will see various videos about the great work going on over at the Redlands Fire Department.

The Liberation of Darrel Johnston

It seems that with each film I make I am continually moved by the people who open up their lives to me, and so it was no different with artist Darrel Johnston. I had the chance to spend a lot of time with Darrel, and during this time, I came to see him as a compassionate man whose work moved me on so many different levels, so much that we even purchased his work for our home.

In fact, that's how we came to meet him. Our friend Peggy Avila, a talented potter and staunch supporter of local artists, was having a show in Devore and we met Darrel. At the end of the night, we walked away with one of Darrel's sailboats.

Art is such a personal experience, and even more so, when an individual sets out to actually purchase it. I hope that you are as moved as I am by not only Darrel's story, but by his power to say so much with his work.

Many people have asked me how to contact Darrel so they can purchase his work. The best way to get in touch with him is by looking him up on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/darreljohnston.

You can also shoot me an email and I can forward his information to you. I am not at liberty to divulge all the details at this time, but there is talk of a big-name gallery putting a show together for Darrel, so I look forward to seeing how the rest of his story unfolds.

As always, thank you for your time and willingness to take an interest in my work.

stay the course...

We received good news about the documentary on Camp Good Grief: Special Victims Program this week. The film was well-received at the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors meeting, and they were able to see the amazing collaboration taking place between the District Attorney's Office and Loma Linda University Children's Hospital.

Here is the official press release.

The best part is that I have more amazing news to share about the documentary but I can't share it yet (until it's officially announced).

In a month I will be heading back up to reunite with many of the old campers and the new campers as well. This time, we will be putting cameras in their hands and cutting them loose. This is going to be part of the bigger documentary that we are putting together.

I am also excited about an upcoming shoot for Children Without A Voice USA that I mentioned a while back. The above shot is the location where I get to play with ten children for a few hours. A lot of people are on board to make this project successful so I look forward to sharing the final product with you in the upcoming month.

I guess I'm really writing this post to share with you a phrase that has really resonated with me this past year. It really has been the one thing that has kept me focused and committed to what I feel is right for me. This past week, as all these great things were happening, I couldn't help but reflect on that phrase:

Stay the course.

Uncontacted

Every now and then, I come across a piece from my peers that just resonates with me long after it's over. This short film on an uncontacted Amazon tribe not only pays tribute to the power that film can have in maintaining their livelihood, but it just reminds us how precious life actually is. Enjoy.

Picture Behind the Story...

It helps having a wonderfully talented wife who takes time out to glance over and shoot a still for me every now and then.

This shot was from the video I posted in my last post.

A Day on the Horizon

Today, we headed out as a family in search of locations (something we often do) and made a few pit stops along the way. While Gina was shooting with Madeleine, Ryder and I had a seat and started to play. I became so transfixed with this shot and the beauty of what was going on in Ryder's mind, I just decided to let it be exactly what it was.


Here's a shot of a lake I built earlier in the day...

The Art of Redemption and The Power of Moving Onward

This past week I started production on a documentary with artist Darrel Johnston. So far, it has been an amazing time--to say the least. I often talk about how filmmaking for me is such a selfish process. While I am committed to producing high quality work and telling stories that will hopefully inspire others to action or mere reflection, I really find myself doing what I do to satisfy my own curiosity.

When I was younger I used to do things, sadly, to impress others. I found myself looking at fads and what was in, and the latest trends in writing and film, and slowly I started to drift with the flow of traffic. Fortunately, it didn't last too long, and I made my way back on to my own path.

I won't lie. Doing my "own thing" hasn't always been easy or lucrative, and I have actually had people question my work (and my direction) because it wasn't a money-making endeavor. It wasn't leading me towards a feasible place where I could sustain a living. I was all over the place. What was I? A filmmaker? A Writer? A Playwright? A Photographer? A Teacher? A Journalist? I had my work called a "hobby" and nothing more. For a while it rubbed me the wrong way, but I ultimately shut out the naysayers and the doubters and pretty much any and all input. Truth is, I was ALL those things, and I still am. Thank God.

I have never tried to pigeonhole myself into a fancy label, or job title. I just did what felt right at the time, and now at 40 years old, I can see that everything is finally starting to converge and make sense. I am not defined now, by any means. I am just a lot of things, and those things make up the whole. And the things I do enable me to showcase my life force.

Which brings me back to Darrel Johnston, the subject of my documentary.

Darrel has taught me so much about life, like so many of my subjects. I am inspired (and always have been) by those who are able to push forward despite unfortunate circumstances in life. Darrel has done just that, and in doing so, he has created amazing art sculptures.

If you have somehow connected here with what it feels like to have been pushed aside or doubted or questioned or laughed at, block out those voices right now and listen to your heart. Follow your passion--even if it's not marketable. Don't get me wrong: Be smart, do what you have to do to put food on your plate and a roof over your head, but never give up. Never.

Move onward every day in the direction of your dreams or you will never forgive yourself.

Calling all Children (Ages 4-10)

UPDATE: Due to the overwhelming response, the casting call is currently closed.

Many of you are already familiar with the mission of ONWARD FILMS. For the past seven years, I have been dedicated to preserving and protecting the art of childhood through film and various other media.

For some time I have been wanting to film a short documentary series on individual children and their dreams and the power to utilize their imagination to build those dreams.

We've all been there, right? These films are meant to be nothing more than a reminder of the responsibility we, as a adults, have to nurture these dreams and allow children the opportunities to think big--to dream the impossible.

If you live in the Southern California area and you have a child that might be interested in being a part of this series, and you think they might do well in front of the camera, shoot me an email with your child's answer to the following question"

QUESTION FOR CHILDREN: What do you want to be when you grow up?

PARENTS: We can talk more in detail about what would take place. Depending on the concept we work up, the commitment would be no more than three hours. This is a non-commercial endeavor; therefore, there is no pay, but you will certainly receive a copy of the film and be featured on the web site and various other media outlets.

WHEN WILL IT TAKE PLACE: I hope to make this an ongoing project, but I would like to start filming in the next month and then continue thereafter.

Depending on the response, and due to time constraints, I might not be able to film everybody. I also don't want to have five films on children who want to be police officers, so I will have to use a little artistic discretion for the sake of the overall series.

Although I am designing a slightly different concept with this series, if you would like to see an example of where I am going with this take a look below:

ONWARD[ART]: DESERT CHRIST PARK

Here is the latest installment to the ONWARD[ART] web series. I had such a wonderful time during this shoot. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

For more information on how to help with the current restoration project of Desert Christ Park or if you are interested in visiting, please click here.

DESERT CHRIST PARK

Here is Part 3 of my elemental art form series, and while each one holds a unique place in my heart, this one was a little different because it gave me a chance to finally collaborate with my cousin Raul Adame. Raul is so passionate about his faith and belief in God, and he is just a generally all-around nice guy.

Whenever we meet up at family functions he has a new and exciting idea for a script or a short story. When I shot the statues at Desert Christ Park, I just knew that I had to have Raul. It was a no-brainer.

We both shared a laugh during the taping of the voice over, because the neighborhood dogs decided to chime in, so after several failed attempts, we ended up in Raul's garage next to his three lawnmowers.

(That's another story.)

I also knew that I wanted to release it on Christmas Eve, and so here it is.