Film and Television can make a difference

As indicated on these pages in January, I think “Battlestar Galactica” is fracken great. However, I didn’t really understand how important the series was until I attended a panel last week hosted by Geoff Boucher (LA Times Hero Complex) as part of the LA Times “Envelope” Emmy screening series. Writer/creators Ronald D. Moore and David Eick were there, as well as stars Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnell, but the surprise was that they were joined by United Nations Senior Human Rights Official, Craig Mohkiber and United Nations Senior Political Affairs Officer, Stephen Siqueria. I guess last March, this same group sat in front of the United Nations (video links here) and discussed issues ranging from human rights accountability to peace and justice in the world. They not only talked about how these issues related to BSG, but what we as nations can learn from the decisions made in the show, both by the military, demonstrated in the series by Admiral William Adama, played by Olmos, and, on the civilian side, by President Laura Roslin, played by Mary McDonnell.

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No Welcome to Chase Bank to California

The banks took billions in taxpayer bailouts, then turned on their own customers – hiking interest rates on credit card balances, changing fixed rates to variable, adding new card fees, reducing good customers’ credit limits. If at all possible, boycott Chase, find another bank, an honest bank. There are a couple. Several comprehensive credit card reform bills have been introduced in the House and Senate during the 111th Congress.

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Interactive Media as Art

It’s an incredible show. If you can’t make it to Los Angles, so much of Tucker’s art work is available to see on his website. And just like his art, there are many “Easter Eggs” to explore and lead you to his music, video and other art. It is a real interactive website. Also visit “All Hands on Board,” a social networking site of friends and fans of Tucker Stilley’s work. It is also another portal to his “Hole in Space” webcam. For me, he is a mentor to the real possibilities that can be achieved with new media, new technology and new ideas.

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Sharing what You know

I had the same experience a few weeks earlier when we premiered our documentary, “Houston We Have a Problem” on March 27th at AFI Dallas. The film, directed by Nicole Torre of New Angle Media is about the Oil Barons, Wildcatters, and roughnecks and their long struggle to feed America’s ferocious oil appetite. A real inside look into the oil culture and just how the country became so addicted to oil. The good news is Houston and many of the oil honchos believe we must go “Green” for a secure domestic energy future. The film played very well with great reviews on KERA (local PBS station) and even on IMDB. I was asked to be on a panel about documentaries and the effect of online media, joined by “Rock Prophecies” director John Chester and Pete Schuermann of “Haze.” Monitored by online S writer. The end discussion was covering the sticky issue of what is considered fair use. Once again, I enjoyed participating and learned some new things, as well as met some great new contacts.

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LA Splash – Filmmakers and Gamers Unite

Nice Article on the Need for Speed: Undercover in LA Splash magazine.

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IMAX, Witness Trees and Leonard Peltier

Last Night I saw the IMAX version of “Dark Knight” and all I can say is WOW! I have an IMAX movie I want to make. Actually, I’ve wanted to make it for a long time, but now maybe the time is right. For over 10 years, Singer-Songerwriter-Artist, Sandy Corley and I have been developing, “Witness Trees.” I don’t know how we got to this point, but speaking of sickening losses, something must be done now to free Leonard Peltier.

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