tuckergurl

The Launch of Reframe

The Tribeca Film Institute (now merged with the former Renew Media) recently launched Reframe. Their site describes Reframe as, “an innovative project which will help individual filmmakers, broadcasters, distributors, public media organizations, archives, libraries and other media owners digitize, market and sell their classic and hard-to-find films and video content using the Internet.”

I was asked to curate a list of films to appear on the site. I was feeling nostalgic so I decided to make a Coming Of Age list. Honestly, I had the hardest time coming up with a clever assortment of films so I kept the title vague. Of course I included some docs (Hoop Dreams, E Minha Cara: That’s My Face), some films that reminded me of my teen years (Smooth Talk, Metropolitan) and some more recent films that I thought were amazingly innovative and just plain good (Me and You and Everyone We Know and Half Nelson).

This list is by no means comprehensive. They are still adding additional films to the site so I change it all the time. I think they are a diverse lot. Check it out and make a list of your own!

(Cross Posted on Engine Feed.)

Not For Me

I was reading the blog of a person I don't know. I usually like her blog but every once in a while it is a bit too "precious" for me. I was unsure why. After today's entry, I know what it is.

She calls people "yummy". All the time.

And well, I think calling anyone over 18 "yummy" is cheesy.

I just do.

Whew. Glad I figured that out.

Twitter

I am now actively "twittering".  I sort of like just writing one sentance, sometimes non-sensical bits.  You can follow me on my blog or here.  It's so easy to do on my phone!

Shirari Has Arrived!

I know that many artist types read this so I had to give a shout out to my friends, Shira and Ari's new website, Shirari.  (Shira and I worked at Arts Engine together forever and  Ari has done a lot of great design work for me!)  This site is the much awaited (by me anyway) place for all of their creative endeavors.  They present their work really nicely and since design is a big piece of what they do, that is important. 

I know so many designers who have crap websites.  Why would I hire you if you have a crap site?  Yes I know you're busy designing things for other people.  I get that.  But you have to take time to make your stuff look good.  I think this site does that.

Mondo Beyondo 2008: Part One Completing

  New Media Institute - 33 
  Originally uploaded by tuckergurl

Note:  For those keeping up with my blog and thinking, "Hey, Angela has not posted in a few days.  I thought she was posting 365 days."  Well, my apartment has gotten new floors (pictures soon) so my computer has been offline for the past few days.  These entries were written in my journal and are now up on this site.  I thought it was better to do it this way then to write a bunch of short entries promising longer ones.

This picture made me think of the end of a big, big party.  It seemed a good completing photo.  Andrea (who I do not know but whose blog I am a regular follower) has issued a challenge to answer the following questions and declare 2007 complete. Because I have new floors, I have already had a nice process of renewal but I figured I would post some of my answers here.

1. What do you want to acknowledge yourself for in regard to 2007?
Overall, I think I was more productive creatively than I have ever been.  I also think that I have started putting myself out there with people more.  I also think that I am more forgiving of myself and my short comings.  I also think I was more proactive about my health than I ever have been.

2. What is there to grieve about 2007?

I forgive myself for gaining weight this year.

I forgive myself for not being in a relationship this year.  There seems to be two general theories around why folks are single.  Either being single is entirely your fault for not going out enough, never saying no to anyone (even the 21 year old Sean Kingston look alike who hits on you in the street).  Or there is a higher power who bestows love upon only a certain few.  Personally, I think finding a mate is a little bit of both.  Whatever the deal is, in a year that was chockful of weddings and babies, I forgive myself for being single.

I forgive myself for the creative projects I did not finish this year.

I forgive myself for the phone calls I never returned.

I forgive myself for taking things too personally sometimes.

I do grieve the loss (just in terms of proximity) of two of my closest friends. 

3. What else do you need to say about the year to declare it complete?

It's done.  It was an OK year.  I've had better and I've had worse.

The final step is to consider your primary focus for the year to come. What is your primary intention or theme for 2008? Is it the year of joy? the year of self-care? the year of partnership?
Stand up and say it proud, "2008 is my year of...."

2008 is my year of ...  My friend has the right idea.  This is the year of not getting complacent.  My job is in a good place this year.  Better than it ever has been in some ways.  But there are still a lot of things I want for myself and while I am single and no one depends on me for food or companionship, now is the time to do them.  I also think 2008 is the year of an European adventure!!

I'm A Joiner

View my page on Blog 365

Other friends/bloggers have inspired me to take on this challenge. I am going to blog once a day, everyday in 2008.

I used to use this space as a place to check in with myself and the world at a large. I want to return to that. Plus, I am big on challenging myself and I find that blogging actually gets me to write more overall. So call me crazy but more blogging in the future! Later.

Here are the rules:

- Blog everyday for 365 days.

- Feb.29th is a Free Day and will be the Blog365 day of rest!
(Thanks Leap Year)

- You do not HAVE to post to the same blog as long as you post everyday.

- No internet? Write your post locally and post it once you are back on the grid.

- Computer Broken? Grab some paper and do some old school blogging.

- A post is a post, not everything has to be in writing. Photos, YouTube videos, and the like are all considered content.

- Have fun, because that's the whole point!

My Article Is Up

I finally finished my article about my stint in Jackson, Mississippi for The New Media Institute. It was really hard to write even with a lot of great help. Initially, I was unsure why.

Katherine Dykstra's article, "Literary Laryngitis," in the November/December issue of Poets & Writers magazine talks about finding your voice. It resonated with me because she spoke about the different voices you take on for the different pieces that you write. Some people are able to have a consistent voice. For example when you read a David Sederis piece, you know it is David Sederis. But sometimes different venues require different voices. And finding your voice is a hard, hard thing.

When I was working on this piece, I realized that there is a voice that I have on my blog. I was not even aware that it was a “voice” per say but the more I look at past entries, I realize that my voice has a few certain characteristics: run on sentences, slang, random clauses with bits of tangential information. I am not saying that these things are bad. They are all fine for this blog but when I was writing this article, I had to use proper grammar and stuff. I had to explain what things were instead of just making the words into links. It was hard especially because though I know about new media, I am by no means a pro.

On the whole I am proud of it but it reminds me that writing is a lot harder than it looks.

Check it out here.

The New Will Smith Flick

If Will Smith, Don Cheadle and Denzel Washington were not big stars, black actresses would not get work. Playing the wife of any of these men seems to be the key to having any career in Hollywood. It is sort of depressing but true. Salli Richardson is Smith's wife in this flick. She was bigish in the 90s and is having a comeback.

A Father's Day Thought

I wrote this yesterday for The Huffington Post and I feel pretty proud of it. I thought it was important to write something on Father's Day that speaks a bit to people who do not have their parents around. Plus, it was on my mind.

The Huffington Post & Me

Hey loyal blog audience-

Starting today, I am now writing for The Huffington Post. Each week or so I will write some ditty about media or culture or other randomness. I am a bit nervous because blogging to this big an audience requires a pretty thick skin but I will do my best.

Check out my first post and write kind words.