How Do You Create?

How do you get creative? What do you do, or where do you go to spark your inspiration? Some people listen to music, others like to be around nature….I even knew a guy where his best ideas came from sitting on the old porcelaine throne! Haha! I think its important for everyone to excercise all types of ways to trigger their creativity. What if you’re getting an idea but you dont have music handy? What if you dont have to go potty? (When he told me that, I didnt even want to know if he was actually using the bathroom every time, eww!) Im not saying discard your secret creative weapon, just dont let it become your crutch. Try to write in silence one day. Or try an indoor photoshoot versus your standard outdoor. Create a script in a notebook (pen and paper) instead of you handy Macbook. Challenge your creative side to be more versatile, while keepinf your secret weapon for the really, reallt juicy ideas!

Be Creative....AND Educated!

My theme for the rest of the week is to seek facts. I feel that sometimes as indie artists, we (myself included) don't always attempt to find the correct way of doing things. Instead, we "wing it" or do it guerrilla style, slap a "this is my creativity" sticker on it and call it a day. In the indie world....ESPECIALLY in the indie world, this can't be acceptable!

I'll start with the fundamentals, with the example of indie music (it's just an easy topic...there's no beef anywhere, nor is this targeted to anyone specific.) We've all seen them before. Indie Hip-Hop artists that release a music video that has hardly any relation to Hip-Hop what's so ever.. That's because no one ever taught that music artist or the director doesn't know about the Nine Elements of Hip-Hop (bought into recognition by KRS-1). Those element's are:

1. Breakdancing
2. Rapping
3. Graffiti art
4. DJing
5. Beatboxing
6. Street fashion
7. Street Language
8. Street Knowledge9. Street Entrepreneurialism 

This is why most videos today are referred to as "Rap Videos" instead of Hip-Hop videos.

Also, indie blogs can be the worst of this crime. Just because you have an opinion that can be posted online, doesn't make it Journalism...because that too is an art form and has several different Elements that make it!

1. The pursuit of truth;

2. Loyalty to citizens;

3. Verification of facts;

4. Independence from those being covered;

5. The independent monitoring of power;

6. A forum for public debate and criticism;

7. Make the news relevant, interesting and significant;

8. Journalists should be able to exercise personal conscience;

9. News must be comprehensive and proportional;

10. The rights and responsibilities of citizens. 

Not all blogs follow this road map...and it is very wrong if they don't!

All in all...whatever your field is, read up on it!

The Power of Indie

The Indie (Independent) community has grown immensely over the past twelve years, and even more so since the recession. Artists are finally realizing that it doesn't take a "big break" to make a living for what you love to do. Even more-so, their audiences and fans have appreciated them more since then too! I have heard people would rather go to The Publick Playhouse rather than go see a marketed stage play, or take a trip to West End Cinema instead of their local movie theater. Simply because Indie art works have not been tainted by Hollywood money and standards, and viewers are starting to appreciate that. Let me explain.

Indie works (particularly films, musicians, and comics and this instance) aren't tied to being loyal to producers who control the creator or director's money. What [most] indie artists are concerned about is executing true artful tactics to the best of their ability. Musicians will concentrate on the use of instruments and choreography instead of flashing lights and moving stage pieces. A Filmmaker  will try to execute certain special effects while shooting on camera instead of doing it all in editing. I am a comic creator, and my inker insists on doing it by hand instead of photoshop!

All of these things are becoming more and more respectable to the artists viewers, and they are starting to realize how important it is to demand this type of lifestyle from their favorite indie AND mainstream artists!

Sneak Peak

The 3rd Annual Soul 4 Reel Film Festival starts this coming Friday.....and here's a quick glimpse!

Happy St. Patty's Day

Green gauf tape on my lighting board for tonight's event!

Comic Corner! X-Men: Phoenix Endsong

Check out X-Men: Phoenix Endsong on Marvel Comics apps: http://bit.ly/nOmazE

One of my favorite X-Men comics! (but I have a lot of favorite X-Men comics!) Featuring Jean Grey's resurrection as The Phoenix while Scott Summers has moved on and started a new relationship with psychic (and former villain) Emma Frost! If you're into comics, I suggest this one, it's a really good read that scratches one of those ''what if'' itches!

Soul 4 Reel Film Festival

My first post is just as good as any to get this in!

So, my 3rd Annual, SOUL 4 REEL FILM FESTIVAL is back! Next Friday, it goes down, and some extremely well done short films from around the world will be shown here. If you've never experienced a film festival before, this is the place to start. Movie theaters with Hollywood actors and budgets...well let's just say this...you've never seen a REAL filmmaker make a film before!

I will let you do your own research. Here's the schedule and an overview of the Soul 4 Reel Film Festival, happening next weekend!

CLICK HERE TO
PURCHASE TICKETS
Tickets also available at The Soul Factory:
7702 Marlboro Pike
Forestville, MD 20747

Soul 4 Reel 2012 Film Schedule

Friday, March 23rd

Screening 1 - Opening Films (7:30pm)

“Beard Punch” (USA) - Zak Stoltz

“B.O.B.” (Germany) - Jacob Frey

“Where’s My iPod?” (USA) - Jalen Hunter

“Interview Date” (USA) - Mike Lemeke

“First Taste” (USA) - F.C. Rabbath

“Captain Awesome” (Denmark) - Ercan Bozdogan

“Momentos” (Portugal) - Nuno Rocha

“True Beauty This Night” (USA) - Peter Besson

“Slug Invasion” (Denmark) - Morten Helgeland

“The Car That Ran Out of Gas” (USA) - Alex Beh

“Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns” (Canada) - Pardis Parker 

“The Future” (Australia) - Venetia Taylor

“The Replacement Child” (USA) - Justin Lerner

Time Freak” (USA) - Andrew Bowler

Saturday March 24th

Screening 2 - Family Films (12:00pm)

“Betram” (Denmark) - L’ara Gardarsdottir

“B.O.B.” (Germany) - Jacob Frey

“Dharma Dream Eater” (Denmark) - Rasmus Larsen Moller

“Elk Hair Caddis” (Denmark) - Peter Smith

“Before Sundown” (Australia) - Toby Morris

“Flap Crashers” (Denmark) - John Mallett

“Minnie Loves Junior” (Australia) - Andy Mullins 

“Office Noise” (Denmark) - Tod Polson

“Wing” (Denmark) - Asger Grevil

“Ride of Passage (Denmark) - Christian Bovinc Andersen

“The Dance” (Canada) - Pardis Parker

“The Mighty Hunter” (USA) Marty Walker

“They Came From Beyond the Sun” (Denmark) - Steffen Nielson

“Sidewalk Symphony” (USA) - Jonathan Salemi

“Train Bombing” (Denmark) - Sylvester Rishoj

Screening 3 - Long Shorts (2:00pm)

“Penny” (USA) - Benj Thall

“Illumination” (USA) - Michael Williams

“Something Taken, Something Left Behind” (USA) - Ru Kuwahata

“Playing It Safe” (USA) - F.C. Rabbath

“Long Story Short” (USA) - Ryan Darst

Screening 4 - Closing Films (6:00pm)

“Garbo” (Australia) - Venetia Taylor

“The Laundry” (USA) - Alex Beh

“Carnations” (Australia) - Lloyd Harvey

“Magic” (Australia) - Cameron Nugent

“Fair Call” (Australia) - Spencer Harvey

“Illumination” (USA) - Michael Williams

“No Offense” (USA) - F.C. Rabbath

“Office Mug” (Australia) - D. Edwardz

“Scone Wars” (Australia) - Roger Scott

“Sugar” (USA) - Alex Beh

“Sudden Death” (USA) - Adam Hall

Mission & Objective

 

The Soul 4 Reel International Film Festival spotlights truly independent short films (under 30 minutes) in every genre including music videos, created by new and established filmmakers dealing with “the soul of relationships”.  The goal is to enlighten, inspire and build the imaginations and lives of those who enjoy making films as well as those who simply observe by expressing what it means to have and be in a relationship. The competition is open to students, indie filmmakers, and music video directors from all over the world.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

Rocky McKoy and The Soul Factory Theatre have presented the Soul 4 Reel International Film Festival for the past 2 years. This three day competition features independent short films of all genres as well as music videos, dealing with “the soul ofrelationships.” "Relationships can be defined as love between a husband and wife, love for a pet, love between friends, a favorite material possession, etc."

The Festival has featured over 30 films each year from over 7 different countries. 

In addition to independent films, the competition hosts Q&A segments from directors in the industry as well as directors of films in competition. Most importantly, filmmakers enjoy the opportunity to meet and learn from
other filmmakers, an experience that comes from the premier showcase dedicated to short films and the people who make them.

Check us out on Facebook: Soul 4 Reel Film Festival

www.TheSoulFactory.com under "Upcoming Events"

AWARDS

Best Short Film

Best Director
Best Local Film (Maryland residents) 

Best Animation
Best Cinematography
Best Comedy