My New Year's Resolution Movie
The Grinch. Charlie Brown. Rudolph. A Christmas Story. I got my fill of Christmas specials this year. Recently, I discovered a film that is my "new year's resolution" special – a documentary called "Lemonade."
Erik Proulx brought his film to the Detroit area last week (12/17) for a screening hosted by local studios RingSide Creative and Cola Creative. Lemonade shows the stories of several ad men and women who lose their jobs and are presented with the opportunity to redefine themselves. Don't see it as a pink slip, look at it as a blank page. That's the message the film tries to convey.
During the Q&A after the film, I asked Erik how he chose the subjects in his film. He said he wanted to focus on people who seized the opportunity and found some measure of success and fulfillment. His subjects became yoga instructors, opened coffee beaneries and launched "real" art careers. One man discovered this was a great time to even change is gender. Sure, you could try to balance the film by showing people whose transitions were still a work in progress or showed people who made attempts and failed. My question is: why?
With an unemployment rate of nearly 30 percent in Detroit, I like the fact that someone actually tries to deliver a message of hope. I see failure anytime I watch or read the news. I see defeat every time I talk to friends who are still unemployed after a year. It's inspiring to see happy endings, even though that's not the case for most of us.
I would be surprised if anyone can watch this film and not think about his/her "Plan B" or contemplate about his/her personal goals. I think that is Lemonade's true purpose – take time to chase those dreams. Don't wait for a job loss for that needed kick in the pants. And if you are cut, take a moment to recoup. Get past the fear and go after what you really want.
I hope others in related industries pool their resources and offer a showing of Lemonade. People of Detroit were grateful to RingSide Creative and Cola Creative for taking the initiative.
For more info, check out:
pleasefeedtheanimals.com (now on my blog roll)
I'm out. Class is back in session January 4, 2010. Have a good holiday.
- Clif "Professor Ad Man" Simmons
Erik Proulx brought his film to the Detroit area last week (12/17) for a screening hosted by local studios RingSide Creative and Cola Creative. Lemonade shows the stories of several ad men and women who lose their jobs and are presented with the opportunity to redefine themselves. Don't see it as a pink slip, look at it as a blank page. That's the message the film tries to convey.
During the Q&A after the film, I asked Erik how he chose the subjects in his film. He said he wanted to focus on people who seized the opportunity and found some measure of success and fulfillment. His subjects became yoga instructors, opened coffee beaneries and launched "real" art careers. One man discovered this was a great time to even change is gender. Sure, you could try to balance the film by showing people whose transitions were still a work in progress or showed people who made attempts and failed. My question is: why?
With an unemployment rate of nearly 30 percent in Detroit, I like the fact that someone actually tries to deliver a message of hope. I see failure anytime I watch or read the news. I see defeat every time I talk to friends who are still unemployed after a year. It's inspiring to see happy endings, even though that's not the case for most of us.
I would be surprised if anyone can watch this film and not think about his/her "Plan B" or contemplate about his/her personal goals. I think that is Lemonade's true purpose – take time to chase those dreams. Don't wait for a job loss for that needed kick in the pants. And if you are cut, take a moment to recoup. Get past the fear and go after what you really want.
I hope others in related industries pool their resources and offer a showing of Lemonade. People of Detroit were grateful to RingSide Creative and Cola Creative for taking the initiative.
For more info, check out:
pleasefeedtheanimals.com (now on my blog roll)
I'm out. Class is back in session January 4, 2010. Have a good holiday.
- Clif "Professor Ad Man" Simmons
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12/23/2009 10:24 PM
uberVU - social comments wrote:
This post was mentioned on Twitter by eproulx: An amazing write-up from one of the attendees at the Detroit screening of #lemonademovie: http://bit.ly/6VFOx6
Great piece, thanks for sharing. Best wishes in the new year!
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