It has always been clear there is racism in the world, however cloaked it may be. There have always been people capable of great evil and others who stand by and do nothing. There is no lack of evidence of this in history and in everyday life.
Seeing the murder of George Floyd by a police officer on video was a horror beyond my imagination. A snuff film in real life with an officer paid to protect the public feeling he had every right to kill a fellow citizen, seemingly not caring that he was being filmed doing it. It was so personal- nothing abstract about someone politely trying to keep from being killed and a brute in a uniform who didn't care a bit.
With the history of lynchings and murders in our country, this piece of documentation makes entirely clear what horrors have gone on that we haven't necessarily seen. Nothing in the world will bring Mr. Floyd back to the family and friends who loved him- it is an irreparable loss. There are countless other people of color who have been subject to the same fate, it continues on at a terrible pace.
We need to be aware of and call out not only the people who perpetrate these crimes and who feel the right to mistreat people who do not look like themselves but the cultures and practices that allow this to happen. The evidence is in. Pipe up if you see injustice and discrimination.
The worldwide protests show there are people who care in the world. Beyond doing unto others, we need for those who have consciences to vote, to keep paying attention and to work on getting practical things done to protect everyone equally. I'm hoping the next generations stay focused on this because generations past and present have clearly not done enough to keep the bad guys from continuing this behavior.
Our Governor in New York announced that he has signed new laws for Police officers to wear body cameras while on patrol and is creating the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office. No good cop has anything to fear. We need to have ways to hold people accountable for their actions and this is a start.
Hoping that with the global attention, we can change the world and people's lives for the better.
Here's to the good in people and having that win out...
Thursday, June 18, 2020
Moving from 2019 to 2020 in the world of Film, Television and Pandemic...
In 2019, I reunited with Stephanie Maslansky, with whom I had worked years ago on MTV's first movie: "Joe's Apartment", a comedy featuring a young Jerry O'Connell and a bevy of large cockroaches ("Museum Bugs" who even had their own Roach wrangler), directed by John Payson.
Stephanie has since brought her terrific eye to a great many television series and movies. In 2019, I worked as her assistant designer on the first 9 episodes of "F.B.I." Season 2. Having done "Homeland" Season 6, I've got both the F.B.I and C.I.A. covered in the world of costumes, uniforms and raid jackets!
Later in the year (and into early 2020), I worked briefly with the wonderful Renee Ehrlich Kalfus, on "Godmothered", a film that had a crack Boston crew of artisans working at the costume/wardrobe end. It is a treat in a business where there are plenty of people with spunk but not necessarily a lot of training to encounter people who've spent decades doing theatre, ballet, fine construction and dyeing. We would marvel daily at the speed and quality of their beautiful work.
Moving along in 2020, when the global Pandemic struck, I felt oddly equipped for it, having spent so much time on "I Am Legend" in a post-apocalyptic world. It was strangely familiar. In this reality, however, it is like being in a bad movie that won't end, but we go on.
Plenty of friends and folks in the costume field pulled out their sewing machines and turned out great looking face masks early on.
I had concerns that if the masks didn't have adequate filtration that the wearers would get a false sense of security. I started out making "Shop Towel" masks- stapled together accordions with rubber bands for ear loops for family and friends. People who had researched and tested various materials found this material to be about the best choice available if you could not get the materials the N-95 masks are made of.
Afterwards, I set forth on a mission to make masks striking a balance between looks, safety, comfort and breathability. Given the Pandemic situation, items ordered online took a long time to land- it took nearly a month before my first fabric order arrived, so I started out with a handful of fabric bits on hand and sacrificial pillowcases.
Having gone through 20 odd prototypes, I finally settled upon a recalibrated version of a pattern found online- a "3-D" mask. I was able to deliver masks to my hard working Doctor at Weill-Cornell/NY Presbyterian and her team. Their hospital and staff have been through hell and it felt good to be able to bring a bright spot into their day.
Below are pictures of some masks made during my sheltering in place. More to come.
Wishing everyone good health, healing, patience and love in this crazy time.
Stephanie has since brought her terrific eye to a great many television series and movies. In 2019, I worked as her assistant designer on the first 9 episodes of "F.B.I." Season 2. Having done "Homeland" Season 6, I've got both the F.B.I and C.I.A. covered in the world of costumes, uniforms and raid jackets!
Later in the year (and into early 2020), I worked briefly with the wonderful Renee Ehrlich Kalfus, on "Godmothered", a film that had a crack Boston crew of artisans working at the costume/wardrobe end. It is a treat in a business where there are plenty of people with spunk but not necessarily a lot of training to encounter people who've spent decades doing theatre, ballet, fine construction and dyeing. We would marvel daily at the speed and quality of their beautiful work.
Moving along in 2020, when the global Pandemic struck, I felt oddly equipped for it, having spent so much time on "I Am Legend" in a post-apocalyptic world. It was strangely familiar. In this reality, however, it is like being in a bad movie that won't end, but we go on.
Plenty of friends and folks in the costume field pulled out their sewing machines and turned out great looking face masks early on.
I had concerns that if the masks didn't have adequate filtration that the wearers would get a false sense of security. I started out making "Shop Towel" masks- stapled together accordions with rubber bands for ear loops for family and friends. People who had researched and tested various materials found this material to be about the best choice available if you could not get the materials the N-95 masks are made of.
Afterwards, I set forth on a mission to make masks striking a balance between looks, safety, comfort and breathability. Given the Pandemic situation, items ordered online took a long time to land- it took nearly a month before my first fabric order arrived, so I started out with a handful of fabric bits on hand and sacrificial pillowcases.
Having gone through 20 odd prototypes, I finally settled upon a recalibrated version of a pattern found online- a "3-D" mask. I was able to deliver masks to my hard working Doctor at Weill-Cornell/NY Presbyterian and her team. Their hospital and staff have been through hell and it felt good to be able to bring a bright spot into their day.
Below are pictures of some masks made during my sheltering in place. More to come.
Wishing everyone good health, healing, patience and love in this crazy time.
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