Today’s filmmaking lesson: the quality of the camera only gets you so far. What matters more is the filmmaker’s taste and ability to tell a story. A film with a lower grade camera and an A+ filmmaker will create a far better film than a high-end camera and a mediocre filmmaker. A class can teach you about techniques and the technology. It cannot give you taste. It cannot give you the story. That is up to you. Yes, a camera will give you the settings you need, the resolution, etc. But what matters most is what you put in the frame and how that frame drives the audience to keep asking, “And then what happened?” Without that emotional need-to-know, the greatest camera in the world will do nothing for a filmmaker.
Tag: storytelling
Joy today: How making a movie teaches life lessons
Yesterday I had my first meeting to be considered as a director of photography on a small film. Still many more meetings to have and it’s by no means a done deal, but just the fact that this meeting happened at all so early on in my Double or Nothing Media venture is thrilling!
In my camera class we talked about the concepts of critical focus and framing each shot with the subject of greatest significance. Parallels between filmmaking and life aren’t lost on me. I’m grateful for the reminder and encouragement as I make massive changes in my life and career right now. It takes a village to start and run a business.
Joy today: On the passing of Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison taught me that prose can be poetry, that struggle can lead to freedom, that you get what you give in writing and life.
She gave me 2 priceless lessons: we all have time to write and never give up. As a single mom with 2 kids, Morrison wrote her first novel, The Bluest Eye, in 15-minute increments each day because that’s all the free time she had. It took her 5 years to write it.
She kept writing despite her novel’s low sales. 3 years later, her next novel, Sula, was nominated for the National Book Award. Her following novels received mixed reviews, but she remained determined.
In 1987, 17 years after publishing her 1st novel, she won the Pulitzer. If you have a dream project, work on it bit by bit. Don’t let critics sap the joy you get from your work. Toni Morrison lived her life with passion and unending grace. She taught me to keep writing.
You were the GOAT, Ms. Morrison. How lucky we are to forever inhabit your multitude of worlds through your gorgeous books. Rest in Power, because that is what you gave all of us—the power of our own language, our own stories. What a life. What a gift.
Joy today: The power of storytelling
We have only so much time and the stories that mean the most to us are the ones we need to take the time to tell. What I love best about storytelling is its urgency, how a good story won’t you leave you alone until you tell it. It will follow you around, tap you on the shoulder, and whisper in your ear. The longer you ignore it, the louder it becomes, until you just have to bring it to life.
Most of the time my tenacity is a real blessing. Sometimes, it causes me to take a path that I make harder for myself when it doesn’t have to be difficult at all. All I have to do is change my mind. (Haha – easier said than done!) All I have to do is decide that right now in this moment I have everything I need to tell the stories I want to tell, the way I want to tell them. (Also easier said than done but I’m getting better at this bit.)
The universe often has to give me the same lesson multiple times, especially if it’s a lesson I don’t want!, until I learn it and don’t have to go through it anymore. Maybe this is true for you, too. Maybe this perspective helps, and if it does, I also hope it helps you know you’re not alone. I’m right there with you and I believe in you. I believe in us. And I believe in the power of stories and storytellers to bring a better world into existence. So let’s just do that, okay?
Joy today: My camera arrived
Let the filming begin! I’m so excited that my camera kit arrived and I can start getting a feel for filmmaking with my hands, heart, and mind. Let’s tell some stories that matter, shall we? Take one…
Joy today: NYC’s Secrets and Lies storytelling show returns to Caveat on Tuesday, April 9th
We’re just one week away from the next New York City’s Secrets and Lies storytelling show at Caveat. Secret societies! Organized crime! Saucey ways that New Yorkers make a living! We’re cooking up something extraordinary for you with an A+ kickass cast. We can’t wait to see your gorgeous faces, tell you stories, and give you prizes from Untapped Cities! Grab your $12 tickets by clicking here and join us on Tuesday, April 9th at 7pm. Wondering what the show is like? I made you a little video to give you a sneak peek:
Joy today: Taking over Young Entertainment Magazine’s Twitter account
I’m doing a #YAAuthorTakeover on Thursday for Young Entertainment Mag ‘s Twitter account @YoungEntMag. I’ll be talking about my book, writing / publishing, turning a book into a film, etc. What questions would you want me to answer?
Joy Today: NYC’s Secrets and Lies returns on Tuesday, April 9th
I’m so incredibly excited to share that my storytelling show about secret New York City history returns on Tuesday, April 9th. We have an incredible lineup of storytellers, a stellar special guest, and a fun, timely theme of MONEY!
“Money makes the world go ’round” is a widely used saying invented right here in New York City so this month New York City’s Secrets and Lies is getting into the wheelin’ and dealin’ that’s been flying around this city since it began. Corruption! Extortion! Bribery! Organized crime! Greed! But there’s a catch: one of us has completely fabricated the story we’re going to tell you. Can you spot the lie that’s just too scandalous to be true? If so, we’ve got a big, fat prize with your name on it from Untapped Cities. Join us and test your knowledge of NYC secret history!
Tickets on sale now at https://www.caveat.nyc/event/new-york-citys-secrets-and-lies-4-9-2019.
Joy Today: NYC’s Secrets & Lies celebrates 1 year at Caveat
A year ago I was flyin’; I had just finished the 1st show of NYC’s Secrets & Lies at Caveat with a sold-out crowd. I had no idea what I was starting but I’m so dang grateful to everyone who’s been a part of this journey, on-stage and in the audience. So many of you have been beyond supportive of this crazy idea and there’s no way I’ll ever be able to say thank you enough. This is a collection of our casts to-date and I just adore them all. How lucky I am that this show brought them all into my life! Their stories have inspired me, moved me, and made me fall in love with our city even more. Join us for our 1-year anniversary show on Thursday Feb 7th with another set of storytelling rockstars. Doors at 6:30pm. Show at 7pm. Click here to purchase tickets on Eventbrite.
Cast members:
January – Sarah Laskow, Michelle Young, Allison Chase, Carla Katz, Alex Neuhausen, Bridget Randolph
April – Adam Wade, Vicki Eastus, Suzanne Reisman, Carla Katz
June – Hannah Frishberg, Sabrina McMillin, Cindy Mullock, Emerie Snyder, Tija Mittal
August – Ashley Semrick, John Bucher, Erin Hunkemoeller, Tom Rowley, Leslie Goshko
October – Erin Leafe, Zak Martellucci, Alex Taylor, Michele Carlo, Julie Gaines
December – Justin Mugits (street artist Blanco), Jackie Peters, Vicki Eastus, Dustin Growick
Joy Today: Hear about my love affair with science at New York City’s Story Collider
I’m over-the-moon about being part of the New York City Story Collider show, My Love Affair with Science, on Tuesday, February 5th at Caveat. I’ll be talking about my long and winding road of a relationship with science and how we got to where we are today. Tickets on sale now: https://www.storycollider.org/shows/2019/2/5/new-york-ny-my-love-affair-with-science
Christa Avampato 