At a time when innovation in this country is at an all-time low, I can't help but stop and wonder why that is. What happened in the past 100 years or so that has caused America to fall behind? More importantly, what can we do about it?
For my entire adult life, I have been surrounded by discontent and dissent. The first year I was able to vote, George W. Bush was elected to a second term in office. That election alone created a deep rift between the people of this country. It was virtually a requirement that you chose a side and fought bitterly for it. Then, during the course of his second term in office, Bush's approval rating fell so low that people on both sides were fed up with him.
I see a similar situation unfolding with President Obama. Everyone is so hyper-critical of every single move he makes, every word he speaks, that it is impossible for him to do anything right in their eyes. Some people are so adamantly opposed to anything he suggests that they disregard his proposals outright, without giving any consideration to the positive aspects of it or even offering an alternative.
On Facebook, on Twitter, and on virtually every other platform for expressing one's opinion, everyone seems to be complaining. They complain about health care. They complain about taxes. They complain about government spending. There is always something new for them to complain about.
But not one of these people offers any alternative. Not one of them looks for a solution to the problems facing our country. Everyone expects someone else to take care of it.
As a nation, we've become so pessimistic that we are becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. Many of us don't see a bright future ahead, because we are so focused on the problems at hand. We can complain all day long until we are blue in the face, but when it comes down to it, we fail to take any action.
This brings me to the heart of the issue. We are lazy.
LAZY!
We expect everyone else to take care of our problems. In our minds, there is always someone else who will figure out how to fix what's broken, and frankly, most of the "innovations" of the last several decades have only served to perpetuate and encourage our laziness.
We don't have to walk anywhere - we can ride a Segway (or drive a car, take a taxi, ride a train, fly in a plane...). We don't have to exercise to lose weight - we can take some pills or follow a fad diet or just have plastic surgery. We never have to leave our homes at all, thanks to online shopping and delivery services, not to mention online degree programs.
So, where does that leave us? The bottom line is, if we want to see America as a leader again, it's not going to happen through brute force and it's definitely not going to happen by itself. We need to make it happen! The future belongs to all of us, so why not invest in it? The next time you have something to complain about, why not try to think of some way to fix it?
If you want to fix America's innovation crisis, you're going to have to get up off your ass first.
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Hopkins and Natalie Portman
Screenplay by: Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz and Don Payne
Directed by: Kenneth Brannagh
"The powerful but arrogant warrior Thor is cast out of the fantastic realm of Asgard and sent to live amongst humans on Earth, where he soon becomes one of their finest defenders."
Starring: Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams and Kathy Bates
Written and Directed by: Woody Allen
"A romantic comedy about a family traveling to the French capital for business. The party includes a young engaged couple forced to confront the illusion that a life different from their own is better."
Starring: Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz and Ian McShane
Screenplay by: Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio
Directed by: Rob Marshall (Memoirs of a Geisha)
"Jack Sparrow and Barbossa embark on a quest to find the elusive fountain of youth, only to discover that Blackbeard and his daughter are after it too."
Starring: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jennifer Lawrence
Screenplay by: Jane Goldman, Ashley Miller, Jamie Moss and Zack Stentz
Directed by: Matthew Vaughn (Kick-Ass)
"In 1963, Charles Xavier starts up a school and later a team, for humans with superhuman abilities. Among them is Erik Lensherr, his best friend... and future archenemy."
Starring: Elle Fanning, Amanda Michalka and Kyle Chandler
Written and Directed by: J. J. Abrams (Lost)
"In the summer of 1979, a group of friends in a small Ohio town witness a catastrophic train crash while making a super 8 movie and soon suspect that it was not an accident. Shortly after, unusual disappearances and inexplicable events begin to take place in town, and the local Deputy tries to uncover the truth - something more terrifying than any of them could have imagined."
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively and Peter Sarsgaard
Screenplay by: Greg Berlanti, Michael Green, Marc Guggenheim and Michael Goldenberg
Directed by: Martin Campbell (Casino Royale)
"A test pilot is granted a mystical green ring that bestows him with otherworldly powers, as well as membership into an intergalactic squadron tasked with keeping peace within the universe."
Starring: Shia LeBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Tyrese Gibson
Written by: Ehren Kruger
Directed by: Michael Bay
"The Autobots learn of a Cybertronian spacecraft hidden on the Moon, and race against the Decepticons to reach it and learn its secrets, which could turn the tide in the Transformers' final battle."
Starring: James Franco, Andy Serkis and Freida Pinto
Written by: Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver
Directed by: Rupert Wyatt
"An origin story set in present day San Francisco, where man's own experiments with genetic engineering lead to the development of intelligence in apes and the onset of a war for supremacy."
Starring: Daniel Radcliff, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint
Screenplay by: Steve Kloves
Directed by: David Yates
"The end begins as Harry, Ron, and Hermione go back to Hogwarts to find and destroy Voldemort's final horcruxes, but when Voldemort finds out about their mission, the biggest battle begins and life as they know it will never be the same again."
Starring: Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving and Tommy Lee Jones
Screenplay by: Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely
Directed by: Joe Johnston (The Wolfman)
"After being deemed unfit for military service, Steve Rogers volunteers for a top secret research project that turns him into Captain America, a superhero dedicated to defending America's ideals."
Starring: Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford and Olivia Wilde
Screenplay by: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, Damon Lindelof, Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby
Directed by: Jon Favreau (Iron Man)
"A spaceship arrives in Arizona, 1873, to take over the Earth, starting with the Wild West region. A posse of cowboys are all that stand in their way."
Starring: Hank Azaria, Katy Perry and Jonathan Winters
Screenplay by: J. David Stem and David N. Weiss
Directed by: Raja Gosnell
"When the evil wizard Gargamel chases the tiny blue Smurfs out of their village, they tumble from their magical world and into ours -- in fact, smack dab in the middle of Central Park. Just three apples high and stuck in the Big Apple, the Smurfs must find a way to get back to their village before Gargamel tracks them down."
Starring: Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson and David Thewlis
Screenplay by: Lee Hall and Richard Curtis
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Based on the novel by: Michael Morpurgo
"Follows a young man named Albert and his horse, Joey, and how their bond is broken when Joey is sold to the cavalry and sent to the trenches of World War One. Despite being too young to enlist, Albert heads to France to save his friend."
Starring: Emma Stone, Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer
Written and Directed by: Tate Taylor
Based on the novel by: Kathryn Stockett
"A look at what happens when a southern town's unspoken code of rules and behavior is shattered by three courageous women who strike up an unlikely friendship."
Last night, shortly before going to bed, I watched a horrifying video of a tsunami ravaging the Japanese coastline. As the tsunami traveled across the Pacific, reaching the shores of Hawaii and later the United States, I was bombarded (happily) with multiple phone calls, texts, and Facebook messages from friends and family, who all expressed concern for my safety. Fortunately, Los Angeles was spared from any real significant damage. Throughout the day, I have had a steady stream of news reports on in the background as thousands Tweeted requests for aid. As such, it seemed only fitting that I compile a list of organizations that are currently accepting donations and offer a guide to those who wish to offer some level of support to the Japanese people.
Ushahidi
This is a Japanese site where you can report the location of people who are trapped or in need of medical attention, as well as text locations to be avoided, places to find assistance, and other tips. All of these are then displayed on a map on the website.
Google Crisis Response Page
Here you can find information on alarms/warnings, transportation statuses, blackouts, and local Japanese emergency phone numbers. You can also check the disaster bulletin boards.
Person Finder App
Here, you can try to contact loved ones in Japan, or connect with family and friends to let them know you are safe.
Salvation Army
Donate $10 by texting "QUAKE" or "JAPAN" to 80888. You can also donate online or by calling 1-800-SALARMY. Be sure to earmark your donations as "Japan Earthquake/Tsunami".
Red Cross
Donate $10 by texting "REDCROSS" to 90999 or donate to the Red Cross through Amazon.
Canadian Red Cross
Text "ASIA" to 30333 to donate $5 or find more ways to give on their website.
Second Life Teddy Bear Sale
Two "Linden Bears" (one wearable, one that sits) are now available through the Marketplace, ranging from L$300 to L$3,000. All proceeds benefit the American Red Cross' Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief efforts.
Earthquake Relief Wristband Sale
Lady Gaga designed the wristbands, which are available through her website for $5 each. If you like, you can add more money onto the payment. All proceeds will go directly to the relief efforts.
The Jewish Federations of North America
Donations to the Japan, Hawaii and Pacific Relief Fund may be made online or through your cell phone carrier by texting "RELIEF" to 51818. Donation may also be sent in the mail to: The Jewish Federations of North America, Wall Street Station, PO Box 148, New York, NY 10268.
Japan America Society of Southern California
Donate to the 2011 Japan Earthquake Relief Fund online, by mail, or by calling 213-627-6217 ext. 202. Make checks payable to "2011 Japan Earthquake Relief Fund" and send to: 2011 Japan Earthquake Relief Fund, c/o Japan America Society of Southern California, 345 S. Figueroa Street, Suite M-1, Los Angeles, CA 90071.
Save the Children
Donate online or text "JAPAN" or "TSUNAMI" to 20222 to donate $10.
ShelterBox
If you are a UK tax payer, your government will match 25% of your donation.
MedWish International
Financial donations may be made online. Find out how you can volunteer here. Medical professionals can also find out how to donate supplies. The organization is also sponsoring a benefit concert called Band Aid Bash in Cleveland on May 21st. For tickets or more information click here.
Operation USA
Donate online, by phone (1-800-678-7255), or by mail: Operation USA, 3617 Hayden Ave., Suite A, Culver City, CA 90232. You can also donate air miles through United Airlines, and shop online at the Operation USA Store or Apliiq (clothing). Operation USA is also requesting bulk donations of supplies from corporate donors.
International Medical Corps
Text "MED" to 80888 in order to donate $10, or you can find information on other ways to give here.
Music For Relief
Donate $10 by texting "MFR" to 85944. Reply "YES" to confirm the donation.
Direct Relief International
Donations may be made through the website, by phone (1-800-676-1638), or by mail: Direct Relief International, 27 S. La Patera Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 93117.
World Vision, Inc.
Donate $50 to the Disaster Response Fund through the website or donate $10 by texting either "4JAPAN" or "4TSUNAMI" to 20222.
Mercy Corps
Donate online or text "MERCY" to 25283 to give $10.
Groundlings Theatre and School
50% of tonight's proceeds will benefit the relief efforts. Future fund raising efforts will likely be announced on their website.
Oakland A's baseball team
The team plans to conduct a fundraiser during their upcoming game against the Seattle Mariners on April 3rd, which also happens to be Japanese Heritage Day. More details are forthcoming.
As always, I strongly caution you all to be very careful when donating money to any organizations. Sadly, scammers love to take advantage of these situations and it's your responsibility to ensure that your money is going to the right place. I would be wary of any charities that you've never heard of before and anyone who contacts you directly for donations, especially text-based donations. There are two websites that you can use to check the legitimacy of these organizations: CharityWatch.org and CharityNavigator.org. If you believe you are the victim of one of these scams, contact the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Finally, I should tell you that financial donations are preferred, since many charities lack the infrastructure and staff necessary to facilitate the proper dissemination of material donations, like clothing and food. Also, your charitable donations may be tax deductible. Here is a helpful guide to what can and can't be written off. Please, if you know of any other fund raising efforts, leave a comment below.
I'm a student right now - an online student. Needless to say, I don't get out much. This is something that has really been bothering me lately. There's so much that I want to accomplish, but I feel like I'm stuck in my apartment all the time. I don't want to miss out on opportunities to connect with people who can help my career, but I don't know where to begin.
I know I should be doing an internship right now, but I'm having a hard time focusing. Like I said, there's a lot I want to do. So, what do I do first? That's the real question. And how do I meet the people I need to meet in order to do that?
I suppose here is as good a place as any to lay it all out there. Here's a list of things that I KNOW I can do... that I KNOW I would be good at:
1. Screenwriting. Kind of a no-brainer, since that is what my degree will be in, but I know I can write well and tell an interesting story. The trick will be getting someone important to read it.
2. Acting. I've always been able put myself in someone else's shoes, to empathize with them. I'm not the kind of person who bottles up their emotions, containing them beneath a tough exoskeleton. And that's actually something I consider a strength, not a weakness. I keep those feelings right at the surface where I can easily tap into very raw emotions. Pretty important skill for any actor if you ask me.
3. Directing. Goes hand in hand with the last two, I know. Noticing any patterns here? But this is just another thing that I know I could do well. I like reading classmates' scripts and imagining how I would film them.
4. Casting. It's more that just finding a good actor. It's about finding the person the writer didn't even know they had in mind all along while the story was being written - the person who was born to play this specific role. This is something that could make or break a film. A good script is only the beginning. The right cast and crew make it come to life - make it a success. I would love to be the one doing that.
I'm kind of at a cross-roads right now. I can either get an internship, most likely at a production company or casting agency, give acting a go, drudging to hundreds of casting calls, or do the unspeakable - pay for more education in film-making.
Of course, there is another option, but it might be too financially risky to really pursue. I could write a fresh script from scratch, cast and direct it myself, using friends from the LA Film School and Full Sail. Even just writing a script and gathering the crew to film it independently would be quite an undertaking. Still, the feeling of having actually accomplished that would be... indescribable.
I will definitely post updates here if I do decide to take this on. In the mean time...
I struggled for a while trying to find the best way to start a blog. I have lots of ideas, lots of thoughts, but you always want that first post to be perfect, pristine...
Eh, screw it. This is what you're going to get.
I live in Los Angeles right now. "The City of Angels". I'm here because I am following a dream. (What a novel concept in this town, right?) I'm not just following one single dream, though. I have a great long list of things I want to accomplish, most of which revolve around the entertainment industry. I won't go into too much detail with that right now, though.
Anyway, I've been fortunate enough to be able to find a very nice apartment in a safe neighborhood, which, if you're not familiar with LA, is a pretty rare feat. I've also been fortunate enough to get a westward-facing apartment. Every night I get to see the most amazing sunsets over Culver City and Beverly Hills. I stand out on my balcony and watch planes coming and going from LAX, looking almost like birds in the sky. Really, you can barely tell the difference.
Today has been a strange day for me. I'm not even entirely sure why. I wouldn't say I'm depressed. I'm actually quite happy with the direction my life is going right now. Nevertheless, I felt like I spent most of the day in a haze, and not just the continual blanket of smog that is expected around here.
My brother-in-law is living with us and like so many others, he's looking for work. It's been a very tough road for all of us over the past couple of years (more on that later). He got pretty discouraged today and spent some time of his own out on the balcony, deep in thought.
Later, I went out there myself and gazed out at the city before me. I felt a sort of surge of emotions. Not sadness, but not really joy, either. It was that dull ache you feel deep down at your core when you fall in love. Despite everything we've been going through, and all of the obstacles that we still have to face, somehow I just know, deep down, that everything will be okay. Everything is going to work out. I can't explain it, I just know it.
In the end, everything we have will be because of what we've done, not anyone else. Our future is in our own hands. I could quote a million songs here, but instead I'll just use the title of this blog, which comes from the song "Awake My Soul" by Mumford & Sons:
