The Micheaux Manifesto

My personal manifesto as a filmmaker is named in honor of Oscar Micheaux because he exemplifies my intentions as a filmmaker. As he I have also and intend to continue to have artistic, political and financial independence from the decadent, materialistic, and "anti-art" rule of the racist and sexist Hollywood system. I am a filmmaker, I specify the word filmmaker because I make and I intend to continue to make "films" not "movies". Another reason I specifically choose to use the word filmmaker and not director is because the term "director" implies an authoritative figure. I see film as an collaborative art form and I see the art form too lucid to have rigid boundaries of roles set for a director, producer, cinematographer, editor, music director or screen writer. I intend to transcend these imaginary boundaries and be involved in all aspects of film making throughout my life. I see these different roles complimentary and for me the lines dividing the roles have blurred and meshed together. My desire is to make films with a crew of friends not co-workers or colleagues. As a group of friends we share responsibilities and work side by side to achieve a group vision, as opposed to an hierarchical military like dictatorship. Just as I wish for myself independence as a filmmaker I wish for my fellow filmmakers freedom. Therefore I intend to make film not as a employee nor employer but as a team member. I am opposed to the employee/employer relationship and refuse to be on either side of that reality. I want to be involved in films that I "believe in", projects that I see as valuable, inspiring, challenging and fun. I believe that the process is as important as the product. I believe that the entire journey from conception to delivery should be a valued experience and no stage in the process should be perceived as any more or any less important. Further I believe that the energy and vibes of the filmmakers will be infused and reflected in the final product. If filmmakers passionately believe in and enjoy the project the film will be a success regardless of all else. Film making is an art and we have much to learn not only from the film but the process as well. The act of making the film should be approached with care and consideration. I believe that film making is the greatest art form and noblest profession. I want to create original films with unique topics and plots, utilizing creative filming techniques, I want to create film that is provocative, thought provoking and revolutionary, I want every aspect of my films to be innovative and offering new options to society. I want to create films that stimulate the audience and I believe that the process should equally stimulate the filmmakers and society. The history, challenges and techniques of Oscar Micheaux's are just as inspiring as his films. I intend to follow his footsteps, honoring his example.

I intend to create art in the form of film
To work on projects that I "believe in"
To value, learn and enjoy the process
To work with individuals that I "believe in"
To not limit myself with titles or roles
To be politically, socially and ethically conscious
To neither be oppressed nor oppressing of others
To never sell out

I intend to make Films not Movies!

Films Vs Movies
What is The Difference between a Film and a Movie???
A "Film" is made for artistic, political or educational purposes
A "Movie" is made primarily to make money while sometimes being entertaining


Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Light Journal Shadows are special

In my car in the evening the light diffuses through my tinted sunroof. Light enter from four more direction the front back and side windows. There is no round steering wheel shadow. The shadows in my car look like puzzle pieces randomly places throughout the car. The Christmas tree air freshener hanging form my rear view mirror creates a shadow on the dash board. Shadows are found on some surfaces while others are bright reflecting light. The floor is totally dark. I do not think that the light reaches that deep inside. My balled up jacket in the back sit reflects light and create shadows at certain angles and creases. My books are flat and the way they are laying they create perfect surfaces for light to bounce off. Ok so I just got a really deep philosophical revelation. As I look into my car searching for the difference in the light, shadows, light angles, reflection of light and surfaces I realize something. Film is the manipulation of light and sound. Light and sound is all around. My looking into my card observing the light is like looking at a film in some strange way. There is a connection. When I move and replace items in my car to see the reaction of the light and shadow it is similar to filmmaking. This is really deep but I understand it makes sense to me. It is hard to articulate but film is going on all around us all the time. Maybe not always deliberately but the same idea and concept is there. I once heard that cave mean would stare at fire at night captivated as we are to day staring at TV sets flickering light. I am even fascinated staring at flames of fire dance. The movement of light, the casting of shadows, the bending and reflecting going on all around us giving us stimuli. This is film… Ok now I have another profound Buddha moment. Shadow are special. Shadows are special because they are like our souls. Like an alter ego they reflect us. As a reflection of us they are in a way connected to us. They are us.
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Open your eyes and "SEE"

Sitting under a crowd of trees in the evening I notice that all that I suspected and more. I thought there would be interesting shadows and there was. I anticipated shadows of branches and limbs. And I did see this, however the positioning of the sun and the angle of the light dwarfed and distorted the shadows. The shadows were longer and slimmer then they should have been, or at least what I would expect. Even my on shadow was much longer than I really am. The shadows were also quite diffused, no sharp or definite contour lines. The shadows were very blurred. This was a slight surprise for me. Well more of a remaindered than a surprise. Sometimes we take for granted that light and shadow is simply a “black and white” reality. No, there is a middle ground. I remembered what I had learned and practice when I sketch. In drawing the important thing is to really “see”. The better you can “see” things as they are they better you can draw them. When we open our eyes and swallow down the images as they are we can regurgitate an exact replica on our canvas. But we have to first forbid all preconceived notions about what we are seeing and just “SEE”. Light angles and shadows are what give a drawing life and a realness feel. I am reminded all these things as I sit under the tree. So I look- deeply. I notice that when the wind blows the shadows move. I look deeply and it is hard to determine if I am seeing a rock, leaf or a shadow. The blowing wind gives me clues. Some shadows are darker than other shadows. I notice shadows on top of other shadows. This is weird how is that possible??? I notice shadows on the trees and the trees create more shadows. The light reflects and bounces off the trees creating different angles forming the effect of shading of the shadows and shadows on top of each other. Very interestingly I notice that the leaves are like little mirrors reflecting light. At certain angles the leaves are bright and shining. It is like a thousand pieces of broken glass glittering reflecting light and different angles then “faded out” becoming dull and dark with the slightest tilt of my head. Leaves are actually great reflectors of light. I would have not imagined that before. In filmmaking it is important to “SEE”, see with the eyes not the mind. The mind tells you lies and creates feeling and sensation. The eyes see. The eyes are cameras, with no preconceived beliefs or expectations. The eyes have no agenda, desires or fears. When we look and just observed we can recreate what the mind wants to believe. My mind did not think that leaves reflected light but my eyes observed it. My mind did not expect lazy shadows lounging on other shadows. If I would have attempted to artificially create a drawing or film a scene of the shadows under a tree I would have failed. I would have created sharp contour lines and dark shadows. Now I know that there is a variety in the shading of shadows. Shadows sometimes are blurred and distorted. The eyes see things as they are, the mind sees things as it believes.
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I have always loved this image. The meticulous craft work of the goldsmith. The glittering and shining of the jewelry against the color of her face and dark lips. The emotions pouring from her eyes. She says a lot but I do not know what. She is very beautiful though her face is concealed.

Fire’s dance is hypnotizing. It composition and substance is so unreal. Lucid and articulate flames grab hold of my attention drawing me deep into it. Lost in its color and shapes….So to this “still” seems to be moving.

I love the colors in this image, the shades of orange blue purple and pink. The clouds seem to be painted on.

This is a significant photo. It is significant because Malcolm X was a political leader and civil rights activist yet he is seen holding a rifle peeking through a window. Does this discredit him as a leader? Does it negate his message to empty rhetoric? Or does this escalate his position as true freedom fighter? Rebel ? Terrorist? Does it imply that the nation is in a civil war/race war? Malcolm X is presumably in his own home. What are the photographer’s intentions? What were Malcolm’s intentions in taking this photo? What was he saying? What does the photo say?

I love the use of shadow and light. The simple and straight forward style of the photographer rhymes with the facial expression of the “subject”. The make up looks like tears but why is he crying? I do not think that he is crying but some how he looks like he is.

This image is very intimidating and overwhelming. The image is shocking yet very simple. The sharp edge is like a razor. The image is also very hypnotizing.

I love the texture of this rust. I can almost feel the dry “rust dust” between my finger tips. Looks cold. The close up amplifies the coldness of metal and the particles of rust dust that I can not rub off my hands.

I love the geometry of this image. The sharp straight lines and the diagonals. Boxes, squares and rectangles. The curvy staircase seems to move like a wave or a snake.