So the Summer of Lisa has been going on for a week, and I must say I'm having a wonderful time. Summer of Lisa might extend to all four seasons. At some point I'll probably publish a record of everything I did every day, just so we can all remember that I actually did stuff. But today was a particularly fun day, since I ventured up to Los Angeles to visit with some friends and talk about movies more than normal people should. Course, we're not really normal people. We're full on movie freaks. 

So anyway, I ended up at Sony Studios, which is the first time I've ever actually visited a major film studio not as a tourist. You see, I know someone on the 'inside'. His name is Chris and he works in Sony's Repertory division, which means he takes care of the Sony's titles after their initial theatrical run. That means that when White House Down is finished playing in your local multiplex, Chris takes over and keeps track of it and makes sure that people will still be able to see it for a long time to come. This is pretty amazing when you realize how many truly wonderful films have come from Sony; films like Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, Annie, and old classics like On the Waterfront. I'm really simplifying what he does, but that's basically it. He's part of a talented team of people that keep films alive.

He was nice enough to invite me up, and he took me on a private tour of the lot, which is an enormous place. Somewhere in my brain I knew that studio lots were big, but standing in front of the doors of the sound stages, big enough for T-Rex to walk through without ducking, it kind of made my brain hurt. Those sound stages aren't just big, they're enormous. They make warehouses look cute. We walked into an empty one, and I wanted to run around and scream and do some cartwheels. I didn't (I was trying to be professional), but if I did, I could go on and on for hours and still not get all the way around it. 

And because of Sony's connection to Columbia Pictures and MGM, the lot has so much history. The sound stage where Esther Williams did most of her films? Yep, it's there. There's also a stage that fills with water, where Lifeboat was made. 
And the building I'm standing in front of in the picture? That's where they keep their Oscars (for Best Picture). All ten of them. 

We went in to look at them, and even though they're just small gold men with movie posters behind them, it was still pretty impressive. There's a lot of history behind that glass. I couldn't help but ask the security guard if he sometimes takes them out just to hold them for a few minutes. 

"Only for cleaning, which doesn't happen as often as it probably should."

Well, if they ever want to hire someone to do that job, I'll be the first to send my CV.

Benjamin Bratt is a busy man. But you would be too, if you were as talented as he is. He's one of those actors who manages to morph from role to role, whether it's comedy, sci-fi, or drama, he seems at home. I recently took a foray down memory lane to review some of his work. Full disclosure: I never watched Law & Order. Or Private Practice.

Still, Mr. Bratt has an entertaining and impressive body of work. Many of my California friends invoke the title of Blood In Blood Out as a film that has had a significant impact of their lives, whether they are Latino or not. If you haven't seen the film, it's interesting to see that it features some actors that were fairly new to the scene back then, but are now well known and respected actors, including Ving Rhames, Danny Trejo, and Billy Bob Thornton. The film plays out as a brother against brother drama, but is really an exploration of community, family, belonging, and forgiveness. Just under 10 years later, Bratt played the lead role in Piñero, a biopic directed by Cuban-American Leon Ichaso (who is known for directing the TV series Miami Vice). A fascinating film about a fascinating man, it moves between modes of storytelling that makes the film seem like an extension of the man, and Bratt pulls it off well. 

I did see Bratt on a couple of TV shows; Andromeda Strain and Modern Family. While he has great charisma and comedic timing as Gloria's ex-husband on Modern Family, it's nice to know he's able to play roles that aren't specifically Latino, like the scientist of Andromeda (and of course a doctor on Private Practice and detective on Law & Order). I know you didn't ask, but I'm just going to throw it out there: not enough Latinos are cast in roles like that, whether it's television or film. Bratt pulls it off effortlessly, because hey, that's what actors do.

And then a few weeks ago I saw him in a quiet film from Canada titled The Lesser Blessed that explores the coming of age of a young Dagreb tribe member of the Northern Territories. Bratt plays the boy's father-figure; a strong, sometimes absent presence in the boy's life that brings direction and peace to a tumultuous and confusing kid struggling with bullies, a crush, and remembering traditions. It's not Bratt's most high profile role, but it's a really good one. This film stuck with me for several days; the grayish darkness at what seems like the top of the world, the buttoned up parkas hiding who-knows-what beneath downy feathers and long underwear. It's a film for those who want something smart and different. I know I've never seen a film like this, from a place I literally know nothing about.

And for anyone who is wondering (or will let me brag a bit), I had the privilege of meeting him and his brother a few years ago at the San Diego Latino Film Festival, when their film La Mission was playing. Not only was it a powerful film that truly moved the audience, but the Bratts(Ben's brother Peter directed La Mission) were delightful. It's difficult not to like people who are charming, witty, smart, and hunky. I for one, look forward to seeing more great work from Ben (and Peter!).

In a couple of days I'm going to rock your world with a post about the ever-talented Benjamin Bratt, but not yet. Today I'm going to rock your world with a post about me. Aren't you excited?

So today is the first official day of summer, but if you live in California like me, pretty much every day is summer, so it's really just a date on the calendar. But that's okay, because I like dates. And lately, I've been thinking about what I'm doing with myself, with my life, in order to be better. Sure, I keep this amazing blog, but it seems like there must be more that I can do. And since today is the first day of summer, I hereby declare it to be the "Summer of Lisa"! Yes, I'm riffing on the madness of King George Costanza, and no, I won't be learning to play 'frolf'. This is going to be a summer where I do stuff. So, I hereby proclaim that I'm going to do something every day for the rest of the summer. And by do something, I mean get up, get out of the house, experience something, whether it's taking the dog to the beach (which is what we did today), gardening, visiting a museum, reading a book, or whatever it is that's not just getting to know my couch better. Because I plan to get to know my world better. 

So, I'll be looking for lots of suggestions for things to do in San Diego and near San Diego, that are free, cheap, or at least affordable. I'm looking for art openings, dance concerts, folk festivals, street festivals, beer festivals, horse shows, fairs, seminars, lectures, readings, plays, movies, poetry slams, car shows, nature hikes, book fairs, dog shows, cat shows, open houses, and so on and so forth. The sky is the limit (literally: no bungee jumping or skydiving for me!). Basically, the next three months are going to be one of those times I look back on fondly years from now, like how I look at my old days in the circus, or on the farm, and all the other nutty stuff I was doing before I got 'serious'. I may end up having some humdinger stories to tell you in the coming 12 weeks, so don't wander off. And like I said, if you know of something I should be doing, please tell me. If I can join the circus, you know I'm game for almost anything.

The other goal is to write more. Yes, blog more, but also write more. I've been writing since I knew how, from stories to plays to poetry to movies and so on. But it seems that somewhere along the way, life got complicated and I stopped writing, and I need to change that. So, I'm going to take Ray Bradbury's advice and write some short stories. One per week, to be exact. As he said: "You can't write 52 bad stories in a row."  So I'm going to make a go of it and see what happens. Maybe I'll share them with you. I'll keep you posted. They say writing is a habit and you have to feed the muse in order for it to provide (kind of like my vegetable garden!), so this is what we're going to do. Here's where I plan to get my inspiration:

1. A Writer's Book of Days, by Judy Reeves
2. The Pocket Muse: Endless Inspiration, by Monica Wood
3. The Writer's Book of Matches, ed. Michelle Ruberg
4. Now Write!, ed. Sherry Ellis

The film industry is changing. Anyone working in the industry knows that, even if they wish they didn't. And for people who don't work in the industry, there is still the belief that things aren't what they used to be. That somehow movies have changed.

What have been the big movies so far this summer? Man of Steel is getting all sorts of ink about great box office numbers. Iron Man 3 got the same. What kind of movies are these? Sequels. Or at least extensions of existing properties that have a known audience. There are action figures, stickers, games, comics, and all sorts of fan fiction.

Many of the conversations I keep hearing lament the lack of creativity in Hollywood, the reliance on sequels and comic book properties instead of original material, but no one seems to know exactly why that is, other than the vague statement of 'they're just out of ideas', usually uttered with a defeated sigh and exasperated shrug.

And then yesterday, I ran across this article, and a little tiny light came on. And the fingers are pointed at those little silver discs and people who pirate material instead of buying those little discs. Yes, pirates are the reason Hollywood can't make anything good. The irony is that normally pirates want to steal your booty, not your trash. But I digress. Anyway, the bottom line is that studios have seen their profits drop in the last 10 years, and now they don't know what to put on their reports. Now that they don't know how many DVDs they'll sell versus how many will be bootlegged, they're retreating to their foxholes and lamenting that their properties are being stolen by heartless thieves as they drive home in their new Mercedes to their six bedroom home in Malibu.

Yes, I have shed a tear for those executives. Now I'm over it. So is Steven Soderbergh, which he talked about in this video at the San Francisco International Film Festival earlier this year. But here's the bright spot. I think this could be the start of something amazing in the world of film. At least for independent film.

Independent filmmakers are small and quick. That means they can move and adapt in ways that is impossible for the studios. They also have a knack for technology, and are starting to think differently about the work they create. Nowadays, filmmakers can compete directly with major distributors, which is something that was virtually impossible ten years ago. They're also the ones making original films that are taking chances and giving audiences things they've never seen before. They also have the ability to churn movies out quickly and cheaply, where the studios are plugging along knocking over everything in sight because they're so big and unmaneuverable. They can't change direction once they're set in motion, but indie filmmakers can shift on a dime.

I'm seriously looking forward to what the next five to ten years are going to bring to the film industry. As long as we continue to ingest stories (which I predict we will), films will be here to fill our tanks. The way we do it might evolve, as well as the storytelling devices, but they will continue to be around forever. I personally would be happy to see the studios topple over into a more streamlined animal, like a Quarter Horse that can move in any direction at any time, ready to surprise you. I'd love to see inflated salaries shrink to something that makes more sense, and marketing reduced to the essence of stories in a sea of narratives. I think it could be cool. I think it could open opportunities for more filmmakers to make a living, instead of just a few making a killing. 

What would you predict?

What is a film geek? What is a cinephile? Well, WikiHow, not surprisingly, has the answer for you. If you look at both the lists, you'll notice that 6 of the step have absolutely nothing to do with movies. Cinephilia has to do with being obsessed with Titanic, among other things.

Well, no offense to WikiHow (it's my go-to site whenever I need step-by-step instructions, along with eHow), but being obsessed doesn't have anything to do with whether or not you're wearing a hoodie or sweatpants, or how many charm bracelets you're wearing, or what kind of glasses you sport. The truth is, cinephiles and film geeks are exactly like homicidal maniacs: they look just like everyone else.

Cinephiles and Film Geeks are basically the same thing. It's possible Film Geeks don't take themselves as seriously. They probably use words like 'lovely' or 'sublime' a lot less than most cinephiles. But there's one thing WikiHow did get right. Both cinephiles and film geeks love movies. They watch movies. New movies, old movies, funny movies, serious movies, long movies, short movies. Movies in English, movies in other languages, movies in color, movies in black and white. True movies, made-up movies, and movies in between the two.

Cinephiles devour everything cinema. So do film geeks. But the special thing about them is that they do it together. They talk about movies, the think about movies, the watch movies in groups. They're like schools of fishes, swimming towards a brightly lit screen in hopes of being moved, inspired, cajoled, and entertained.

In the end, I think that's the difference between cinephiles and film geeks. Film geeks are a clique. Not a closed, snobby clique like those jerks in high school, but a clique that always seems to be recruiting new members. New followers of the gospel, where they can meet up regularly and go to their cinema church. It's pretty fabulous, really. Which is why I'm proud to come out as a fully-fledged film geek. 

Yep. If this group had membership cards, I would have one too. And it's wonderful to meet up with my other film geek members. We all love different movies, quote different characters, and swoon over different actors and directors, looking skyward with coos of "she's so talented" or "that's my favorite". We make our top 10 lists (unless your Scorsese; then you make a top 85 list). And anyone can join.

So what do you have to do to join? It's easy! Watch movies. Enjoy movies. Go to the theater and sit with your fellow film geeks. Turn off your phone and turn on to the screen. Groucho Marx once said "I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member." I'm pretty sure he meant every club except this one, since he was definitely a film geek. 

Today I participated in a fundraiser for a great non-profit in San Diego called San Diego Writers, Ink. It's peopled with writers who help other writers become better writers, and whenever I participate in something they put on, I'm not disappointed.

But somewhere, deep down, is a nagging little voice asking me why I'm working to raise money for another non-profit besides my own. But that voice really needs to pipe down. Why? Because I'm working to raise money for the non-profit I work for every day. Yes, EVERY day. In case you didn't know, Media Arts Center San Diego has been around for quite a while, spreading the gospel of digital media and storytelling since its inception. That gospel has grown to include camps for kids, documentary classes for teenagers, partner programs with California libraries, and workshops for adults. Everything from how to take pictures with your fancy new DSLR to how to build your own steadicam.

Oh, and we also show movies.

That's my job. I often get an odd reaction from people when they find out what I do. "You mean you get to watch movies? All the time?"

Yes, all the time. I'm lucky enough to have a job that includes something most people (including myself) enjoy. I get to watch movies, meet filmmakers, and sometimes visit film festivals. I'm not going to tell you that it's not as glamorous as it sounds, because you wouldn't believe me anyway, and that's like complaining that your Maserati doesn't purr at 20 mph like it does at 80. Small potatoes.

So yes, I do love what I do. I love watching movies. But I also feel like I'm participating in something that matters. Yes, the education programs that are provided by Media Arts Center are wonderful. There is a wonderful staff of people that attend to all the details and ensure that they are enriching for kids young and old. The video production programs are also wonderful. Media Arts has managed to help a plethora of organizations that don't have access to the digital media tools and knowledge that we have in order to help them send their message around the internet and back again. Because that's what we do: provide access.

So now we have this Digital Gym, where you can get training on all things digital, like the YMCA, but for your brain and creativity instead of your body. And we also have a movie theater, which is where I come in.


But how does that fit in? Sometimes I feel like I'm not doing enough, not contributing enough, or not do-gooding enough. And then I reflect.

I've been at the organization for six years, programming films for the San Diego Latino Film Festival, Que Viva! Cine Latino, Cinema en tu Idioma, and a number of other community screenings. We've partnered with the SD Asian Film Festival, the Jewish Film Festival, Horrible Imaginings Film Festival, and countless other community groups to get messages out and spur cross-cultural dialogue within the San Diego community. Now I program the Digital Gym Cinema, and I'm constantly asking myself, what is this film for?

It's simple, really. Film is for people. It's for ideas. It's for creativity and sharing. There is not one single filmmaker on the planet who makes a film to watch alone in their own living room. Films are made to be seen, by groups of people, to share something that filmmaker thinks is important. It's just up to me, as the curator of the Digital Gym Cinema, to try to figure out what the community most wants, or what the community most needs.

So if I may, I'd like to reflect on what's come along so far. A film about the danger of greed (The Brass Teapot). A film about a family dealing with the separation of living on both sides of the border (Aqui y Alla). A film about zero-emissions motorcycle racing (Charge). A film about French capitulation to the Nazis during WWII (La Rafle). A film about women in India as the country develops (The World Before Her). A film about the pollution of our land and oceans (Trashed). These aren't all of them, but they all have a story to tell that I think is worth telling. Some films were more well attended than others. I take no offense.

What I am always looking for is the movie that is simply a beautiful work of art. Something about it reaches down deep and pulls at you, whether it's the music, the visuals, the story, or a combination of all of those that keeps you in your seat for a couple of hours (or longer!) because you can't take your eyes and ears away from the screen. And sometimes I hear, "How is that helping people?"

I despise that kind of response. Movies are art. They contain art. They blend art. And I still believe in art for art's sake. Many years ago, I found myself in Paris at the Louvre. I went through the galleries and found myself in front of the Mona Lisa. I didn't stand there and wonder how that was helping people. I admired it, and the other works, as something that makes our lives a little less dull. An expression of something someone wanted to share.

Let me be clear: artists (and filmmakers) are not required to change the world. If Iron Man has taught us anything, it's that audiences don't expect movies to change the world. They expect something to be shared. A story, an idea, a thought. Some artists are activists, and I think that's great. Some are not, and that's great, too. But what all of them are doing is engaging. 

This is what I strive to program at the Digital Gym Cinema. So as we look forward, I'm excited about the variety of shares coming our way. A film about the coming-of-age of a teenager from the Dagreb tribe (The Lesser Blessed). A transgender story of impossible, unextinguishable love and romance (Laurence Anyways). A film about the complicated world of Somali pirates (Stolen Seas). A poetic journey from schoolbus to public transportation in Guatemala (La Camioneta). A film about two musicians who tragically died before their time, but not before their genius rooted (Greetings From Tim Buckley).

I sincerely hope to create engagement. What engages you?

Today we’re talking about music and film, two of my very favorite things in the whole wide world. Music is a form of expression that goes back to the beginning of time, where we created rhythm that somehow turned into a ticking clock that helped us measure the journey of the sun through the sky (Think about THAT next time the tic-tic-tic of a clock is annoying the crap out of you!).

Music infiltrates our worlds, our lives, our thoughts, in such ways that we don’t fully understand, but we know that it does. It can calm us down, pump us up, and research has shown that it can be used to improve your health. Some people even think it can make us smarter. Check out this article from CNN for the science.

In other words, music speaks to a primitive part of our being that we can never separate ourselves from. It is powerful, whether we like it or not.

And then there’s film. Film is a unique artform in that it combines all other forms of art: theater, visual art, performance art, dance, and yes, music too. It is a synergistic combination of different forms of expression that somehow amount to something greater than the sum of its parts. Film is, in short, magic.

Like music, movies affect us in ways we don’t fully comprehend.  There’s a great book by Colin McGinn called The Power of Movies that delves into how our minds meld with screens, in terms that even a non-scientist like myself can find engaging and understand.

Because of our close connection to music and film, it’s surprising that not every film is about music. However, there are several out in theaters, or coming soon that can vie for your attention, whether you love opera, folk, jazz, punk, or some other form of music.

Here are a few:
Violeta Went to Heaven
Greetings from Tim Buckley
Becoming Traviata
20 Feet From Stardom
A Band Called Death

So go ahead. Sing along. We’ll turn the volume up.