Another Life Update (Northwestern Road Trip)

Hey, all! Hope everything is going well with you and yours and whatever else you're involved in.

My goodness - it's already September. 2015 flew by pretty quickly, I don't know about you. But just as I look towards the future with great optimism, so to do I look with the same optimism towards the final months of this year and the coming of '16.


So, here's what I've been up to since I last posted in February: I ended up quitting my part-time job at the Ralphs grocery store (believe me, I don't miss that one bit) because my parents (whom I'm still with) decided to travel the Pacific Northwestern coast. So after my two week's notice was fulfilled, we packed up our motor home and began our westward trek.


Our first technical stop was San Francisco, where we paid a visit to my older brother, who was settling into his new job at the international airport. It's always great seeing him, and we were glad that he was doing well and warming up to his job. The city itself was great as well: we traveled up and down the streets in rickety period trolleys, we drifted to the notorious Alcatraz prison in the middle of the bay, and we smelled all their was to smell at Fisherman's Wharf.

I personally made a stop at American Zoetrope and the cafe beneath the offices, so that was a plus for me. Sadly, Francis Ford Coppola was nowhere to be seen. And no, I did not go into City Lights Bookstores, although I regret not doing that.

We then moved on to Sonoma and Napa Valley. Being the amateur wine connoisseurs they are, my mother and father had to tour any and all vineyards we could. Sadly, since I was but one year under this country's legal drinking age (and still am, as of writing this), I had to skip the festivities.

After the Redwood Forest, the rest of Northern California just wasn't that impressive to me. It was a little too country for me; especially Arcata. But then again, SoCal just spoiled that for me.

. . .

Oregon was okay as well. Besides stopping off at the state aquarium, it was just another pass-through state, really.

. . .

Washington was as far west as we got. We had to see Seattle: the home of that city's most famous native son, Dr. Frasier Crane. We also saw the houseboats that were featured prominently in a scene from the 1993 romcom Sleepless in Seattle. Never actually saw the film (yet).

Then we ended up staying near Spokane, which decided to have a heat wave. But at least we had the pool to cool us off.

. . .

After crossing through the Northwest, we had to make our way to South Dakota. Long story short, as full-time RVers, this was the state where we arranged our permanent address to be (a ton of RVers choose South Dakota). So we had to stay there for a bit while we got driver's licenses and passports and whatnot.

. . .

Then we made our way down to the Southwest. Utah was a fun stop: to cross it off my bucket list, we visited the Golden Spike site, and they brought the historic steam locomotives out on the tracks (despite them being replicas, but pretty darn good replicas, at that).

We visited the beautiful Canyonlands and Bryce Canyon National Parks. There's nothing that beats natural beauty: the thousands upon thousands of pictures my mother took still couldn't do the site justice.

. . .

And then we finally wandered our way back into Southern California. Our home sweet home.

We ended up for a bit in San Diego until our old spot opened in Orange County. We arrived at our old haunt a week ago, and that's where we've been since.

. . .

Anyway, that's been the past four months in a nutshell. I gotta find myself another job, while I'm trying to get a freelance video editing service off the ground simultaneously, whilst also looking for crew jobs on commercials or small films. So that's been consuming my time, as of now.

I realize I haven't kept up as much as I should've, but a lot's been going on. But I plan to make it a goal to keep this site updated. Bear with me as I do.

On #CancelColbert

I use Twitter, and I'm not blind to any of the trends that come and go on this site. And as of currently, the Twitterverse is in a war of words concerning the hashtag #CancelColbert, referring to a Twitter campaign by activists wishing to have Comedy Central's staple news satire "The Colbert Report" removed for accusations of racism from its namesake host, Stephen Colbert.

So here's the basic rundown: in the latest episode of the show, Colbert made an attempt to mock Dan Snyder and his handling of the Washington Red Skins racism controversey. Snyder, the owner of the NFL team, has come under pressure from the Native American community to change the name of the team, as the term "redskins" carries racist undertones. This is something I don't disagree with, since you can just glance at the historical record of the 19th-century United States and see all you need to see when it came to relations between the American government/people and the Native Americans. Not a pretty thing.

In an attempt to make up for this heated debacle, Snyder has formed an organization called the Washington Redskins Original Americans Foundation, which, on its site, is said that its mission is to "work as partners to tackle the troubling realities facing so many Tribes across our country." Some might see this as a step in the right direction. For Colbert, not so much. I'm assuming he saw it as a double-edged sword kinda thing, for Snyder to try and save his reputation by raising charity but not changing the name of the team. I think it sounds a little dubious myself.

Anyway, with that full context now in place, Colbert was attempting to satirize Snyder's efforts, but to many, he tripped up big-time. He followed up with this quote from that segment of the show:

"I am willing to show the Asian community I care by introducing the Ching-Chong Ding-Dong Foundation for Sensitivity to Orientals or Whatever."

The exact same quote was tweeted by the official @TheColbertReport account (the actual tweet has since been deleted. This account is managed by the Comedy Central network; Colbert's personal Twitter handle is @StephenAtHome, and even he expressed shock at the former's using the quote). Many red flags were raised, and outspoken outrage was poured.

Suey Park, a writer and activist, took to Twitter with her first use of the now-widespread hashtag, calling shame to the way "comedians hide behind satire as an excuse to joke about things that aren't funny." Okay, agreed. Humor has its limits, and there's a fine line between jokes and insults that has been crossed many times, some with disastrous results.

But what's been used as collateral damage in her argument? White people.

To quote her first Twitter post directly: "#CancelColbert because white liberals are just as complicit in making Asian Americans into punchlines and we aren't amused."

Oh, it's the rhetoric that truly makes me disappointed. The icing on the cake was her statements during her HuffPost Live interview with host Josh Zepps:

"White men definitely feel like they’re entitled to talk over me. They definitely feel like they’re entitled to minimalize my experiences, and they definitely feel like they are somehow exempt and so logical compared to women, who are painted as emotional, right?" I believe she also went on to say that white men can't have valid opinions.

Here's where I draw the line. Those statements are nothing short of a personal attack and a grossly-exaggerated generalization placed on those who don't deserve it. I will agree to the fact that racism has been perpetuated by some white people. Just look at the 1960s, it's a veritable encyclopedia on civil rights struggles. Racism, and hate, in general, has been done by everyone, not just white people, but they seem to be the perfect scapegoat. But as times change and generations change, people change. Sure, there are still racists, and there will always still be racists. Hate will never be fully eradicated, and that's a sad truth. But there are more and more people who are on the side of justice and equality and will work to suppress the hate and promote peace in the world. And some of them are white; are you calling them racist as well?

I'm a white man. I don't talk over people. I share my thoughts but I also listen to the thoughts of others. I respect authority and those who are older than I am, when they deserve my respect. In some fields of study I know more than others, but there are many other things people are more experts at than I am. So, I wouldn't presumptuously call myself "so logical". I respect women and their accomplishments. So, no, her statements on HuffPost Live don't meet her generalizations of all "white men".

I've said it before and I'll say it again: not all white people are racists. Just like all police officers are not bad (that's another one going around) or all rich people are not corrupt and arrogant, these types of broad statements have no credence. It's sounds like nothing more than bombastic rhetoric to me.

I found this interesting quote on Facebook from Tae Yang Kwak, associate professor of history at Ramapo College of New Jersey:

"Is there such a thing as "white privilege?" Absolutely, and it is pervasive. Is there such a things as "white, male privilege?" Absolutely, and it is pervasive. Is every white man an idiot, incapable of valid reflection, analysis, or opinion? No. C'mon! Some of my best friends are white! (They are, but that was a joke.)"

I agree with Ms. Park's right to free speech; as an American, she is free to make her points and her opinions, and no one should minimize her importance and the importance of what she may say. But don't make loaded statements such as the ones she's been making, or be prepared to back those statements up. I will sit here any day and personally defend my honesty and my good character against any accusations I see made against me, perceived or direct. By lumping white people into her category of racist and indifferent, I suddenly become involved. And I will gladly explain myself.

I'm not a perfect person. I mess up from time to time, I make mistakes, I say things without thinking. I've been angry, I've been hypocritical and I've been wrong and I've hurt people close to me. But I own up to what I did, I say I'm sorry, I move on and I learn from my past. But that makes me human; just as human as Ms. Park and Mr. Colbert, and everyone else on planet Earth. But never have I held any racist feelings in my heart and I have never hated anyone because of the color of their skin. As Americans, and as citizens of the world in general, I believe everyone has the right and the chance at life, liberty, freedom and the pursuit of happiness. You, me, the neighbors, the guy down the block, the businessman, that guy at the bus stop, people in Japan, China, Germany, Spain, Italy, Britain, America, everyone in the world...we all should have the chance to be who we want to be.

I'm a Christian, and I live by the Bible. Jesus commands to show love and do good, even to your enemies, and to be an example for Christ in the world. But I know I will continually trip and stumble, because even though I have salvation, I am still a sinner. But I try my absolute best in my life and go out of my way to be kind to others, and that's all I can offer.  And I've found some who don't like me, for good reason or not, but that's something I have to live with, because not everyone is gonna like who I am.

And I'm sure that there are many, many more here like me, with white skin, great personalities, honest ethics and strong morals that stand for justice and equality for everyone on this planet; the oppressed, the free, and everyone inbetween and outside. These are the type of people that don't deserve the label that Ms. Park has put on them. These are not people who are racists.

The original @ColbertReport tweet was really mishandled, and I don't think it should've been tweeted in the first place, at least not without proper and clear context. But making statements like the ones the Twitter activists were making in the name of advancing social equality using white people as collateral? That's hypocritical and makes them sound just as guilty as the people they are accusing of being hateful.

"Hi, I'm Bill.": On the Set of a Professional Indie Film

Being a film student in my position, the opportunity to work on any movie that comes to town is like finding the lost mother lode underneath your backyard. Do you mine it or do you foolishly sell it off and cheat yourself out of a fortune? I'm sure you get where I'm headed with this.

One of my instructors at MPI passed a notice onto our Facebook group page that extra intern help was needed on the set of an independent feature being shot in the Troy/Detroit area. Since the film industry is starting to slowly bloom in Michigan, I was riding high on a wave of opportunities coming into the state. Also, this would've given me another chance to re-live the experience of being on an active film set, like I was a couple years ago...but that story's for another day.

The aforementioned film is called Dial-a-Prayer, brilliantly directed by Maggie Kiley and it stars the great William H. Macy and the very talented Brittany Snow, whom you've seen in Pitch Perfect.

I thought to myself: "Hey, an internship! It's not paid, but what the hell? The experience is all worth it." I'll be getting paid for this one day, and besides, everyone needs to start off at the bottom in this business. Hang up your pride, friends.

So on Saturday, March 8th, I headed over the production office/set, not knowing what I was getting into. I was excited, but nervous. I knew how strictly regimental these film sets operate, and I was determined not to screw anything up and have myself booted to the street. However, my apprehensions were lowered when I met with the set designer named Kim. She was very nice and very open about all that was going on. She gave me the rundown of the story (which I won't reveal in detail because the film hasn't been released) and filled me in on all the last-minute things that needed to be finished before shooting commenced the following Monday. Determined, I wanted to get to work.

That day was spent creating props and set decorations that would adorn the walls and office spaces of the shooting location. I also had some MPI friends come help out as well, so that was an added bonus. While this part of the production wasn't really my forte, I wasn't complaining. It was all very interesting, because as an aspiring director, it's important to understand how all the departments of a film production work, since I would basically be the boss. Like I said, the experience was all worth it.

But I was still eager to maybe see some shooting going on. So a few days later, I went back to the set on the 13th. This time, there was definitely more action.

They had to change the overall look of the set: the movie takes place over the course of a year or so, and as you know, seasons come and pass. It starts out around Thanksgiving, segues into Christmas, and so on and so forth. Like any office, they have decorations for the holidays. So, I was put on decoration duty with a friend from school. The cubicle area we were in was right across from where they were filming one of the scenes that day, so we got a pretty good look at the set and the acting. I couldn't have been more lucky to see this.

After a few hours or so, the cast and crew broke for lunch. I was shocked when everyone came in the room; this wasn't as big of a crew as I once thought. As a rough estimate off the top of my head, there were probably about a hundred people there, in total.

As I got out of the line, I noticed an empty seat at the table where the cast were. Who was sitting at a forty-five degree angle from the seat? Mr. Macy.

I could not have gotten to that seat faster.

I came upon the group as he was in the middle of telling stories about his experiences filming movies. This time around, he was talking about shooting the 1997 Mark Wahlberg vehicle Boogie Nights, in which Mr. Macy co-starred.

If you haven't heard of it, simply this: Wahlberg's an underground porn star in the late 70s. Enough said.

As he was going along with his stories, I had a small side conversation with a woman who was one of the supporting cast. I asked her what role she played; she filled me in. She asked what I was doing there, was I just visiting or was I part of the crew? I let her know my film school told me about the place and I came down to see what I could do.

As I said the words "film school", all eyes at that section of the table turned to me tentatively. I was met with "Oh, really?" "Wow!" "What school is this?"

This will be a moment that will forever live with me, in both glory and irony.

Mr. Macy leans over the table.

"You go to film school, huh?"

With a smile, he reaches his hand out towards me.

"Hi, I'm Bill."

(The angels sang choruses amongst the clouds. As I shook his hand, a heavenly beam of light radiated down and illuminated the spot where we were. Just kidding, none of this happened.)

I was so stunned, in my starstruck haze I didn't even think to introduce myself and tell him my name. I kick myself for that.

But we talked for a few more minutes, he asked me what I was going into. When I told him directing and writing, he quipped about giving me a call when I needed him for a role.

I just might take you up on that offer, Bill...

But long story short, after that day I was stuck back behind-the-scenes doing the grunt work. I never really got to sit down and talk with him again; the last lunch I was at, he was studying his lines. And we all know it's a grave sin to throw an actor out of their mojo. Hopefully, I'll run into Mr. Macy in Hollywood someday, and I'll be struck dumb if he actually remembers who I am when that happens.

So, that's my little story. If there's any sort of moral to it, it's this: when opportunities are presented to you, take them. Go for it, go all out and do everything you can, no matter how big or how small your part in it may be. You just might learn some valuable lessons and make some valuable memories.

UPDATE [9/21/2014]: The Hollywood Reporter had an article on the story I came across recently, published before filming began.