When did it become cool to be anti-patriotic and un-cool to be patriotic?

WOW! I got this off my FB account.

“I realize I never even knew what the pledge of allegiance meant in elementary school and now I find the tradition creepy and absurd. Almost as absurd as having to listen to the national anthem every time I wanted to watch a movie on base (true story). Apparently patriotism is meant to be force-fed.”- Author’s name withheld.

Incredible. While soldiers are fighting to protect our freedom and freedom to speak our minds out, this is what is streaming through the conscious of some people. It’s no wonder people are dazed and confused and have no trust in the government and authority anymore. I think both sides of the “parties” have gone to name calling and blaming each other and America is self-imploding. How can it be a win/win situation for both sides of the parties. No more band-aid policies. Each individual will have to make sacrifices in order for America to be the America where Americans were proud to be Americans.

This is where character counts. This is a very important time in America. As Malcom Gladwell states, we are reaching a tipping point. The term “We must study our history so we don’t repeat it,” was never so important. At least if we study our history, we would think twice about what we say and understand why people do what they do and say what they say.

If you don’t appreciate your freedoms move out of the country. When did it become cool to be anti-patriotic and un-cool to be patriotic?

I love our country because you can say these things without being blacklisted by the government.

Here’s my reply: “Without freedom you won’t be “force-fed” because you will have no choice.”

Banana game

Our niece was in town from New York. As we drive down the Pacific Coast Highway she would yell out banana every time she sees a yellow car. In the beginning it was annoying. But after a few drives with her, we got into the game. We would now be looking for these yellow cars, probing the streets looking for these yellow cars. Once in a while we would find these cars. 1 out of 20 cars someone was crazy enough to buy a yellow car that didn’t drive a taxi.

The banana’s are out there if you are actively looking for them.

Producers stimulate the economy

When a producer is looking to film a production, they are looking to make the best of what they have on a limited budget.

Being on a limited budget, they look to find the best deals. Most producers shoot outside of Los Angeles because they get a better tax break somewhere else. These tax incentives allow them more freedom to use money in other places to create their masterpieces because they are paying less taxes or get a rebate after they spend their money in that state or country.

When the producer decides to shoot in that said state, he brings with him a budget where he will be investing money in the local economy. Therefore he is “stimulating” the economy by hiring local labor and purchasing goods and services in the area.  It’s a win/win for the producer, he can pay his cast and crew more for their talent, the local economy and ultimately for you and I the audience who enjoy “the work!”

If the producer had a choice to shoot in Los Angeles or Vancouver and get the same “look” but could get more bang for his buck because the tax incentives or he is paying less in taxes, where do you think he’ll shoot at?

Failing Up

I love this article from the Olympics.

http://www.nbcolympics.com/gymnastics/news/newsid=163564.html#johnson+take+world

It talks about Shawn Johnson’s coach allowing her to make mistakes. True champions are not afraid of make mistakes. The average person points out those mistakes, but without risking it all for fear of making a mistake won’t get you the Gold medal.

We will see what happens to Alicia, we hope she gets back up and go at it again. And not give up. I understand how it can be discourging, but now she has that invaluable experience to get through. As an athlete, we all have those days and we move on and fight another day. She’ll be fine.

Plan, Do, Check, Adjust

They say “Goals are written in stone and plans are written in sand.” This is very true. You should have your goals but you have to be flexible with your plans because change happens along the way you don’t expect. We went to a workshop of new musicals on last Monday at Disney. It so happened that they were working on BUBBLE BOY the musical from the writers of Horoton Hears Who? and the movie Bubble Boy “The Greatest Movie” ever according to Cinco Paul. after the read, Stephen Schwartz and his panel gave great notes. This is a great example of Plan, Do, Check and Adjust. Here, the writers planed what they are presenting. And they did the “do” with very talented high school performers. Then they did the “check” The writers were given notes from people who have the fruit on the tree. If they listen to their mentors, then they will make their adjustments based on the notes and soon they will make it Broadway.

This goes the same for directors working with actors. The director blocks or “plans” the scene with the actors. Then the actors “do” the scene. Then the actor “checks” with the director to see if they are playing the scene right. And the director gives the actor something to “adjust” and than set’s another plan and rotates the pattern. But what remains the same in the scene is the goal. What does the character want in the scene? What are the obstacles the character must overcome to get the goal? The character has a plan but along the way there will be obstacles because if it’s to easy it will be boring, just like life. So the character does a P,D,C,A themselves until the goal is achieved. In a three act structure, “The Goal” is achieved in the third act. The 2nd act is P,D,C,A rotated numerous times until the lesson is learned and the hero achieves his/her goal or dream.

P,D,C,A can be applied in any aspect of life which is a great tool for anyone to use. 

A Day’s Work on a Roll

Rajeev’s film A DAY’S WORK that I help produce is on a roll. It’s gone on to numerous festivals and has been winning critical acclaim nationwide. I joined the cast and Rajeev at the Gen Art Film Festival in NY, my hometown, where the film won the Audience Favorite Award and Rising Star Award to Luis Chavez.

The film won the Audience award at AFI Dallas as well.

The Dash

You will die. How morbid. But it is a truth. Director Anthony Minghelle died suddenly of a fatal hemorrhage. He left a legacy of films that he made. His death was a surprise within the film community. He was young at 54.Knowing that you are going to die 40 years from now, or tomorrow, are you living your dream? Have you done all the things in life that you wanted to do?As I’m asking you this, I’m also asking myself.If I die tomorrow, have I done the things I wanted to do with this life? Through some one elses death, we are some what reborn. We are given life. If I die suddenly tomorrow, I better do what I can do today to LIVE the DREAM.By the way, a dream is not a job. Being a doctor is a job, being a toll booth collector is a job. A dream is lifestyle you want. Whether it’s helping the poor or living on the beaches of the world.What is your dream? When you die, how will you want to be remembered? Whose lives have you touched?Chuck Goetchel reminds us that the two most important dates is the day you were born and the day you find your purpose. Live the DASH.

Subway System

Ok. I’m not going to be discussing the subway system or mass transit although it’s a great system. What do McDonalds, Chipotle, Burger King and Subway have in common besides being a restaurant?…They are all franchises. McDonalds is the leader in the industry. Ray Kroc was a pioneer and visionary before his time that franchised the restaurant once owned by the McDonald Brothers out here in San Bernardino, CA.

Today, I ate my usual Italian BMT, on 6-inch honey-oat bread, toasted with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, honey mustard and redwine vinaigrette. Meal of course, chips and drink included.

When you enter the fine restaurant, the chime rings and the woman behind the counter greets you “Welcome to Subway.” She makes you feel important. Then you wait on online till it’s your turn to order as you study the menu. There are many sandwiches to choose from but I am a creature of habit and always seem to order the same thing every time I go to Subway. Step one, order your bread and choose your meat. Then add cheese and toast the bread if desired. Then move to your left or right towards the cashier. But before you pay up, you get to choose the vegetables and dressing you want to throw in your sandwich. Your sandwich gets pushed along the “assembly line” and finally to the cashier. You can pay by debit or credit or even cash. Yes people still take cash these days. And there your business is done. Enjoy your meal.

People say they don’t do business or like business, think again. Every time you exchange money or time for a product or service, you are doing business.

No matter which Subway I go to, they system is always the same, the way the sandwiches are prepared is always the same. You know the results you would be getting no matter which Subway you go to.

Next time you eat at Subway or any other franchise, count how many customers are being served. Then multiply that by $5.oo per person. Then find out how many Subways are in your city, then state, then country. That is the power of duplication a franchising principle. Now imagine you being the owner of Subway. Eat Fresh.

A Day’s Work in Beverly Hills

A Day’s Work, will be playing at the BEVERLY HILLS SHORTS FESTIVAL on Friday, February 29th (Leap Year!) 9:30 PM at the Fine Arts Theater in the THRILLER program.

Tickets here 

Hope to see you there!

Sports Heroes

Heroes do exist in sports today. It was an exciting year in college football and the NFL. The Superbowl is the epitome of the season, the NY Giants who faced their own “giants” the undefeated New England Patriots. The world already knows the result of the amazing upset the Giants TEAM pulled off. It was a team effort led by Eli Manning who believed when nobody else didn’t. What we admire about Eli is that he did not let the media or anyone else tell him that he did not stand a chance to beat the Patriots. He believed in himself and his teammates and most importantly his coach. Leadership author John Maxwell says “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” We all witnessed that as a nation that memorable Sunday. Brady is a great leader too. But in football, on any given Sunday, anybody can win. Eli was persistent and consistent. Eli’s refusal to get sacked is Eli’s “defining moment” to be played over and over again forever. That David and Goliath play, was the game changing performance which represented the American spirit through sport. No matter who you were rooting for, much respect was given to those who performed no matter what their given circumstances were. All excuses were left in the locker room and everyone on the TEAM, did their personal best to get the job done. Both teams are Championship teams. Whose team are you on? Go and be the difference maker and win one for the TEAM.