Kudos to Shake Rag Alley

Mineral Point, WI

Now that's a location that doesn't get much local press. I followed up on an invite from a fellow filmmaker/writer and ventured to Mineral point, WI during the past week. I signed up for Shake Rag Alley's Stage and Screen workshops for a full week. Hollywood veterans such as Joan Darling and Bill Svanoe treated us to their many years of experience.

Before I knew it, I was in my "Directing the Actor" class and learning a thing or two about acting and directing. Yes, I actually acted and directed for the first time with almost no nerves. And unbelievably, the positive feedback that I received from Joan Darling (a pioneer female director, having directed Mary Tyler Moore, the old Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman series and for Steven Spielberg) was stunning. I am still digesting it and toying with what to do next. At minimum, I'd like to think the same skillset one brings to acting and directing is what you need for writing, so I can just move forward with renewed confidence. Or who knows? Maybe I should act...or direct.

I'll let this gestate a while...

Kudos to African World Festival Crew!

I am venturing off the PR path for this post. I must say I thoroughly enjoyed my time at this year's African World Festival. From a media coverage perspective, I would have liked to have seen more. Diverse crowds in harmony, exploring cultural exhibits, amazing musical offerings-both local and national, and thriving families packed the lakefront grounds. Images that are real, but all too often missing from mainstream media.

As an image maker by profession, I was struck by how reality is often distorted by media owners. It comes down to choosing what to and what not to cover. Next year, I'd like to roam the grounds with a camera and will post these images throughout the World Wide Web-now that's using the medium! I guess I did ruminate on PR after all.