Grammy’s 2023 featured short-film: 2-06-2023 post
https://www.film-shorts.tv/wpress.cfonseca160/blog/2023/02/06/grammys-nominees-short-film/
Subscribers,

Today’s post was prompted by the Grammy’s (2023)  – 2-05-2023. I put a couple of other posts, to the back-burner as a result.

Inspired by the approaching Valentine’s Day, I find that one nominee’s award fits right in with the topic: love. So, I craft my post around that today.

As long as we might live, we all continue to have this commonality with one another – desire to live out our life; and in the inescapable entanglement with our own unique “story”. We can shape it, design it, work at it, chisel it, but there are always elements of the unknown – which interact in our days. If you’ve seen any of “The Matrix” movies, these “unknown” “elements”, are referred to as “the programs” and the unconscious mind.

Part of our living, is looking in “the mirror”, right? We watch how we age, we examine our internal feelings as they might correspond to our face. And, we like to watch stories unfolding on a screen, images depicted on a canvas, words fostering one’s imagination from a page, music penetrating the air, dance or theater on a stage, to name a few. As we watch Artistic content, we glamorize, we dramatize, we exaggerate, we watch others, we see ourselves, we identify.

Looking at the “reflection in the pond”, is one of the motivations for film and video format. Were you ever a fan of music videos? Like I? ‘MTV’ was a TV channel which brought imagery to the music, made for me in America. ‘VH1’, also. The channels would later morph into talk, tabloid, news, and emerging format: “reality”. Were you like me? Enjoying creative, artistic-imagery, set to song and to music? Most of the music that I was listening to… some of it had the music-videos created for those exhibited to foreign audience, that I had not seen here in those years yet. Those music videos were primarily broadcast to foreign countries, while local bands seized the market by storm; and seized on the local, domestic, market. It would not be until long after my University graduation-year, that I would see some of those music videos for my favorite songs (songs I heard long before ‘MTV’, during grade-school-elementary, and during early high-school ).

In recent years (this prior decade 2010) I would also find classical performances set to the musical-classics of prior centuries. For example, dance set to a piano performance of piano composer and performer F. Chopin.

Friends, one of the biggest draws to my pursuit of film school, was not an ambition of becoming an actor. Though it had been considered, my ambition was not that. No, the draw was my artistic-appreciation for contemporary music, narrative-writing for motion-pictures, directing of the actor for feature-film or stage, photography and cinematography, and the music-video format (which was new, bold, vibrant, and short-form).

One of the most driving-pieces of rock-video, in America, at the time (as I was in the middle of.. and nearly graduating high-school) was “alternative” rock-band/Seattle-scene: ‘Pearl Jam’s’: “Jeremy” (1992). The music video was so impactful, that I wanted to re-create art much like it. Having been so immersed in academics, a few exceptional classes in high school (cartooning & photography) motivated and re-attached the interests of my youth (through my mother) to the present day at that time. In my youth I had exposure to clay sculpture, oil or acrylic on canvass, painting with brush, charcoal sketching, pen, water-color painting, classical and jazz music listening, auditory recording of voice-diary (before days of “pod-cast”), classical piano-studies, vocal recording and mimicry singing (“cover”/”recreation”), digital synthesizer composition/song-recording. 

I straddled competitive-sports, academics, Catholic catechism, the classical Arts, music performance training, stage acting, college prep study, emerging contemporary music, but could never really help but see the drawbacks of any one of these, for career commitment in my country. To help me along my journey, the obvious course of action was to let go of the options and to reach out to get further refinement from UCLA TFT&New Media. 

Another example of contemporary music-video, among many, was ‘Sound-Garden’s’ “Black Hole Sun”. There were so many musicians, exploring the music-video outlet in those years. And, while most of my music-listening (prior to 1992) was NOT American-rock, that too became hugely interesting to me. Billy Corgan, was another musician seizing on the music-video format. As was ‘NIN’. And, these four (that I mention) were only among one genre that impressed my generation, in America, through ‘MTV’-America. Some of you may laugh, today, about the “Rick Roll” – pop music videos such as that of Rick Astley’s (“Never gonna give you up”), which bring to mind the earliest music video presence of pop stars such as Madonna’s early music videos. But, as I said, my interest in music videos was not limited to rock genre or any other single genre. I’d like to put a challenge to young, aspiring music-video directors: if you have any background in classical music, not wishing to become a performer yourself, consider creating imagery that enhance the classical music. Someone who is trained to study the music, has interpretive ability which translates into imagery.

For a brief period, there was also a music-channel that I found for about 1 year, named ‘Palladia’. This was a cutting-edge, music-video, TV channel, which presented lesser known or emerging artists with grandeur in images.

In my younger years, classical music performance (piano) was where my creative, artistic, energy, went to. Finger training, and muscle memory; timing, focus, and sensitivity, were learned. Thanks to my parents and dedicated piano teacher, songs of Mozart (and other classics) were my study at the piano. A few Elton John songs, and Ray Charles’ “Georgia on my mind”, were some of the repertoire taught to me for a little bit of fun-variety, to break out from the intricate and wild Mozart, the oh-so pensive, melancholy, Chopin, and the classics in general. To much disappointment of others who put their faith in me as a would-be performer (or tennis pro), I gave both of those up. I sacrificed those for film.

After University, I would see some of the music videos of my favorite songs that had been created before the ‘MTV’ invasion (or during it, but seldom airing in the USA). It was such a great “merger”/”marriage” of my own experience, to finally see some of the “old” music videos created in the 80’s, for some of the songs I grew up with but had not seen music video for yet. One example of that, is “Take on Me”, by ‘A-Ha’. 

My personal dream, back in the late 1990’s would come true when some few years later I worked with other students in intense collaborations on projects. While each of us had a thesis to present, what others might not know is: we had a number of other projects that would never be shown to any audience. Some of our projects, I believe have inspired professional “music-video” works and even ideas for films and for stage, later made by others who became commercially professional (or already were well known). Some of our projects have not been released commercially, to this day; and, have not been seen by a consumer-audience – for market, outside of our school.

For those who watched the Grammy Awards, 2023, on February 5th, I’d like you to know that I do not recognize (by name anymore) the majority of the nominees for Grammy’s. Emerging artists are coming in. While I might recognize a popular song, most of the names that I recognize are the mainstream Artists (who “everyone” hears on our standards- radio). Apparently (I’ve been told) some of the bands and musicians that I still like very much are finding avenues in the video-game industry. I find that very fascinating. I wonder how particular songs are matched to both the theme and the activity of the immersive video-games. I could see how a “science-fiction”, “Space Odyssey” type video-game, might feature some fanciful music from a band, perhaps: ‘Pink-Floyd’, for example.

I could point out to you the winners of this years’ Grammy’s whose names I know; and I could list the names of those Artists who were either nominated or who won – and whose style I generally like. On some level, all these winners and nominees are stars – really. Though I’m not a Taylor Swift female, teen, fan, I don’t deny that she has made a few interesting songs; and is a commercial success. Even, if groomed to be as such… she can stand on her own talents and merit. She won “best music video”, this year, in one category, for her: “All Too Well: The Short Film”.

As I am quite familiar with short-film format, I’d like you to know that I reviewed her short-film this week, which I found on ‘Youtube’ last night (and watched). Yes, her audience is mostly teen and female (right?). Her short film (about 15 minutes in length) resembles the aspirations and style of some American, college, film-makers. Those, of the late 1990’s; and, perhaps still. Rather than to be a student and to strive for commercial appeal, Ms. Swift (who already has commercial appeal in her work) aspired to create a kind of “student-work” of Art. She accomplished that in this short-film. A sort of regression.

What I’d like people to know, however, is that a “student film” typically is not permitted to have a large crew working on it, as hers did. Such was among our requirements, at UCLA TFT; and, the purpose of that rule was so that, “with less, we would create more”. When you have smaller budget, stricter rules on set, fewer options, you are forced to enhance creativity by making critical choices which enhance story and point without any meandering. Such was the strategy of our mentors. If you’ll watch the short-film of Taylor Swift’s, you’ll see that the credits include many people. Try to create that same short film with a team of four, filmed within about four-five days, with all kinds of restrictions and requirements, and you just might fail in mission. Unless, your story is more concise and unique.

But, to her credit, she has created the music (as a musician); also, written and directed the narrative well. And, emulated the film-school “style”, which was characteristic of the late 1990’s in Southern California.

What I like about her creation, is, the bridging of her music ability into self directed and self written short-form imagery – weaving it into drama (in and out). I think we ought to challenge other musicians to do precisely as she did. I want to see the depth of talent, that exists in popular musicians who dare to dabble in their own imagery. Not simply by telling a director what they want in look and feel; rather, by designing it themself.

Another thing interesting about Taylor Swift’s video, is that she appears in the film after a specific moment in the narrative. It’s an “overcoming” moment. What some younger people might not know, is that a heart-break can propel one to accomplish success. And, that’s what Ms. Swift conveys in this little home-spun tale (fictional?). A young lady’s heart-ache also becomes the fertile soil for a book’s conception/writing/publication; and, Taylor Swift is the now more mature author of the story, presumably looking back at her own heart-ache.

In my own life, (autobiographically); and certainly in many others’ life, heart-breaks are relatable to us. Again, we “look in the reflection of the pond”. Without experiencing any emotional loss, to our risk, one might never appreciate a later gain. And, stories often affirm us to carry on. That personal experience can lead one to very productive time: creation of some of the finest works of Art or personal growth in some other ways additionally. What good is a piece of art, which is not relatable or which teaches nothing? Not good, right?

My thesis project, was not a story about my first love and broken heart from a young lady. In fact, that first heart-break from a young lady, did not precede the making of my student thesis-film. Nonetheless, if you’re like me, you’ve experienced many little heart-breaks and many joys (both). “The first cut is the deepest”. That is from a song I like, in which the truth is declared: the first heart-break is the most painful one.

I often recall the story of Dutch Painter Vincent Van Gogh, “cutting off his own ear”. Did he do it, that he might prove his love for a particular woman? Is it true? Did he do that, for that reason? Or, was this fiction? Did he do that, because of jealousy for a rival? Because of a loss of another sort? Did others cause him to go insane, despite all the ability to paint?

In this short film that Taylor Swift wrote, she places herself as woman who tells her story, in a book, about a tumultuous “first-love” kind of relationship. A woman, with right to place her hopes on the “perfect guy”, only to discover that perhaps there is no such thing as a perfect anyone. One wonders, if the love was “the real-deal”.

We approach Valentine’s Day, friends. One of the Saints, he is, who risked it all for love. Won’t you take a moment to research and read about the life of this Saint? Catholics, have venerated the Saints – all of them – and continue to do so.

This month, on the 14th, I invite you (as I will look again, also) to research and to read up on why it is that Saint Valentine died. And, why his prominence was born of and for, love- sake. Let his story be our inspiration and our guide.

I share with you, also – those of you who are men, my other kind of love for you (known as “Philia”) – the type of love one has for a friend.

Yes, I too suffered a heart-break in a grandiose fashion, circa 2005. It happened. I’ve heard it said, “The first heart-break is common.” “The achy, breaky, heart-ache, was not the right one for you”. “It’s the one that prepares your heart for a true love”. Maybe the first one would have worked, too. Regardless, if you watch this Taylor Swift video, you might see the characters in the way as I did. As the first-love that is not forgotten, but that was not “meant to be” for whatever reason(s).

In “my story”, my true life, I too wrote a book. It, rather, was not of subject: heart-break; but, may have been inspired by one, in part. Its publication was a fulfillment of my promise to younger-aged people. One of the lessons in my book, is: “carrying on in life does not require dismissal of the truth”. As that might relate to a loss of love, one should not accept the lie that everything in one’s life that ought to happen, would happen, if one only did something better. No, sometimes things do not happen and sometimes an incident or twist of “fate” can derail one’s efforts. Nonetheless, one must carry on with hope for a new “fate”, to unfold. Sometimes, a story is centered on survival, or contexts such as war, resource conservation, morality, reconciliation. Some people go farther for love, than others do. Some will do anything. But, a point is, real love cannot be forced. I would go so far as to argue that nothing glorious in one’s life, can be derived by forcing it in. And, to be loved, one has to have capacity to love.

Won’t you please enjoy the amorous type of love this month, in your own life, if blessed to have it? Or, if you cannot do that adequately enough because “your love” is not with you yet face to face, connect over distance, through the heart. And, spend some time in “Storge” too. Even, if you frequently fight with a person (as do the characters in Ms. Swift’s short film). Fighting, it’s something that we do at times. Especially, with siblings, or parent, or child. And, the fighting is no reason to throw it all away anymore than you would throw away true, amorous, love.

I’d like to congratulate Grammy nominees: ‘Abba’ and ‘Coldplay’, this year. Two bands, among my favorites. I find ‘Abba’s’ personally-inspired stories about love (had, lost, regained, adapted) great to hear. And, ‘Coldplay’s’ sublime portrayal of human passion, longing for love, and finding it, equally fun.

In a few days, from today, I’d like to share with you a list of musicians whom I have embraced. What I mean by that, is that on some level I loved or love them. To be able to love, one has to relate. And, yes, all of us can relate and in that way interact with some of our most favorite musicians. Call it a stellar phenomena if you want. The point is, we all open our hearts to particular music, and we close the door on others.

While looking at some 3rd party website(s), listing the names of the nominees for the 2023 Grammy’s Awards Show, I recognize some of them which stood out to me (might have skipped, a few of the names):

Michael Bublé – Higher
Norah Jones – I Dream of Christmas (Extended)
Pentatonix – Evergreen
David Guetta
Beck – Old Man
Ozzy Osbourne
Björk
Robert Plant
Keith & Kristyn Getty
Marc Anthony
Christina Aguilera
Aaron Neville
Bonnie Raitt
Sheryl Crow
Ben Harper
Sean Paul
Shaggy
Mel Brooks (narration)
Jamie Foxx (narration)
Dave Chappelle (comedy album)
Hans Zimmer (visual media – inc. film and tv)
Danny Elfman (arrangement, instrumental or A Cappella)
Blondie
Ellie Goulding

Most of the other names, I do not recognize who they are by name.

Ms. Mary J. Blige was nominated this year for: “Good Morning Gorgeous”, which are words that I’ve said to the woman whom I love, before too! What a great title! Won’t you tell your sweetie the same, this Valentine’s Day?

Thank you for the music! Dare to love! Now, I have to get my Valentine her extra-special, customized-gift, ready for her. I know just what to give her. Not my severed-ear, I can assure you of that. In the coming days, I’ll have a list of some special musicians who found their way into my heart. While some of them are bands, or men, this upcoming list will try to narrow the list down to women whom I have engaged in “relationship with, from a distance”. When I say “relationship”, I do not mean actual interaction nor do I mean physical-sex. And, those I’ve not had any interaction with, are those whose musical lyrics have little or no applicable relation to my own life with them. But, maybe to yours? Those in my list, might be musicians whom you also have had interaction with, by opening your heart to them as well? Others, whom I have not had chosen relation with, may have (or do have) lyrics which would be a “fiction”, if applied to me.