Categories
Truly Free Film

The Really Good Things In FilmBiz 2014

Let's look at the bright side!
Let’s look at the bright side!

Some rituals help keep us focused throughout the year. This marks the 4th time I have looked back at all the good things that occurred in the film biz and listed them out for all of us. Tracking them through year, keeps me from abandoning hope. Sometimes they may just be the silver lining in the storm cloud, but nonetheless they keep me going, keep me convinced that in fact we truly are: building it better together. I hope they do something close to that for you. It’s been a good year, and I have thirty two morsels to tempt you with. And of course the year’s not through yet, so perhaps you have some to add to this too. 

If you’ve encountered elements of this list earlier on my postings in Film Comment and on Keyframe, pay careful attention as I have weaved some new points into all for your reading pleasure. And if you like a little of the bitter to wash down the sweet, don’t forget the list of 30 Bad Things In 2014’s Film Biz here.

Categories
Issues and Actions

A Pledge To Sarah. A Pledge To Safety.

Bad decisions are easily made.  The strength of those around us offer insurance that such choices might be overcome. We all have to stand up for what matters most. Passion industries, particularly like film, are not driven by logic, or often ethics. We want to create beauty.  We want a career doing close to what we love. Power appears to be in the hands of a few specific individuals and often in order to please them, we are tempted to compromise our common sense. We have to protect each other.

If you have ever made a movie, you can imagine what may have happened on the set of “Midnight Rider” when on a pre shoot day, camera assistant Sarah Jones was killed trying to get a shot.  This is not the first time that a similar thing has happened on a set. We have all heard tales of bad choices made by producers, directors, assistant directors, and other crew.  We all know we can do more to limit them from happening again. We have to protect each other. We can do better.

In the wake of this most recent loss, a movement has started.  Please visit