Muses Of Instagram

So a few days ago I was thinking about a photo assignment for class. I wanted to address the way we are exposed to images/art in the modern day, which is largely through social media like Instagram, and in what way this shapes our own self-image. If we consume and create images of ourselves as a way of knowing ourselves better - what does it mean when these images must adhere to strict "community guidelines"?

It certainly raises questions about how women in particular are/aren't able to express themselves. See: '5 Times Instagram Censored Women's Bodies' or Petra Collins' Essay on Censirship and The Female Body.

I started playing around with stickers and one of my favorite art books 100 Nudes in the Art of All Times  published by Giunti, and I couldn't stop. After amusing myself deep into the night, I decided to start an Instagram account for these works called "Muses of Instagram" - @thecensoredmuse. I have been told it is "genius" "hilarious" and "so dumb." All of which I appreciate, and none of which matters, because I'm pretty much just tickling my own fancy, man.

#MusesOfInstagram

Hello Spring

A letter to female filmmakers

A few months ago I attended the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival, where a short film I co-wrote and produced was screening. On the first night of the festival, there was a mixer for the filmmakers at the resort bar, which was simultaneously playing host to a rather spirited ‘Class of '64’ high school reunion, but that's a story for another time. An ostentatious young director in a tweed vest, let's call him Ned, approached my partner and I, striking up a conversation about the art vs. business of filmmaking. We swapped business cards, trade stories, etc. After a while, the conversation lulled and we stumbled onto the topic of Kimberly Peirce's re-make of Carrie. Ned started to divulge some strong opinions about the mediocrity of the film before boldly stating "I think we all know why it was so bad."

He then leaned over to my partner and whispered something in his ear. They both laughed, albeit my partner uncomfortably, then looked around the room like naughty schoolboys. "What did you say?" I asked amiably. "It's not polite to keep secrets." Ned looked at me with a sly grin.

"Well I didn't want to tell you, but since you asked. I said the film was so terrible because it was directed by a woman."

"Excuse me?" I asked. Perhaps I misheard him. "That's... sexist."

"No it's not! I'm European, I say whatever I want to. I don't believe in being politically correct. Women just don't make good directors." He replied.

I resisted the urge to throw up in his drink, but I did find myself staring at him with an expression my partner must have recognized, because he quickly stepped in.

"Unfortunately, I don't think there are enough examples of female directors for you to fairly make that assumption." My partner interjected.

"True. But if a female and male directed the same film, which would be better? Come on. Women make better producers. They’re too emotional to direct. They become too involved in the moment to keep track of the whole film. They lose sight of the whole story.”

At this point my mouth was hanging open like a dead fish.

"I've offended you?" He implored. "Is it because you secretly want to be a director?" He implored further.

Ten minutes later, after a thoroughly frustrating debate, Ned insisted that I had hurt his feelings and proceeded to demand I give him his business card back, repeatedly, for an uncomfortable amount of time. When I didn’t, he plastered on a fake smile and we proceeded to enjoy a very awkward elevator ride together.

So, what's the big deal? I met an asshole in a bar. The truth is, what bothered me more than Ned's asinine world view, was the lack of examples I could think of to put him in his place. How many times can a girl play the Kathryn Bigelow card? Believe me, that’s not the only card I played, I played every card in my arsenal, and so did a man next to us who overheard the conversation. But it was painfully clear, to all of us, there were simply not enough examples.

The fact is, in 2013, only 2 out of the 100 top grossing feature films of the year were directed by women. And even in the more female friendly world of indie cinema, only 18% of the year’s narrative features were directed by women.

Do not let these numbers discourage you. There is space for us in this business, a gaping space that desperately needs to be filled. There is increasing pressure placed on the industry to get more women behind the camera, and I have to say: it's about time. 

This is your call to arms. This is a rallying cry to women and girls, of all ages, who want to make films. My message is simple: do it. Please do it. Even if you don’t have the money. Even if you don’t have the time. Even if you’ve only ever been a production assistant. Know that you are not genetically pre-disposed to be a better actress, or assistant, or producer. If you want to be one of those things, that’s your choice, and that’s awesome! But if you have a great idea for a film, make it. There is no one more qualified to make it than you. Your story is important. You are not too pretty, or too shy, or too fragile, or too sensitive, or too bossy, or too emotional. (I know you already know all this.) You are ready. And the world is ready for you. There are a million and ten reasons not to make a film. Don't let your gender be one of them.

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(Two thoughts I'd like to add:

1. Cinema has not always been an inherently male-dominated industry. Alice Guy-Blaché's film 'La Fée aux Choux (The Cabbage Fairy)' was one of the first narrative fiction films ever made in 1896. And though pioneering women in film have, on the whole, been few and far between, many of cinema's "firsts" have been women. I.e. Lois Weber, Francis Marion, Maya Deren, etc.

2. ) To say that you should not allow your gender to deter you from a successful filmmaking career is not to say that I believe the lack of female directors in the industry is due to women sitting around feeling helplessly deterred by their gender. Indeed, most women I know don't view their gender as a deterrent at all. Unfortunately, the reality is that there are very real obstacles for female filmmakers to overcome. The vast majority of studio executives, and directors they hire, and cinematographers they hire (etc.) are white males. Plain and simple. It is a discouraging climate for us gals, no matter how self-assured. We must go the extra mile, make the extra effort, and take our careers into our own hands in a notoriously fickle industry. Inevitably, sometimes, this leaves us asking ourselves "is it worth it?" For some of us, it isn't. But for some of us, it is, and I hope this letter serves as a small reminder that what we are doing is worthwhile.)

Becoming: My first photo-essay

SNEAKY PEEKY: 'WAR PAINT' VIDEO STILLS

*UPDATE: The video is finished and it is fabulous!
CLICK HERE TO WATCH!
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It is my absolute delight to inform you that Moonflower Pictures' very first music video is now in post-production! After months of hard work in pre-production and on set, we have made it to the final and dubious task of editing!

Because I love you, I am posting an exclusive sneak peek at some stills from the video! I must say, I am actually not extremely embarrassed by my work this time! This will be the official debut of my production design and costume design work for film, and let me tell you, it was harder than I expected, but very rewarding, and I daresay addicting! The band we have worked so hard for is an up-and-coming band called Bright Beast. The track is called "War Paint" and you can listen to it by clicking their album cover pictured below!

Now for the stills:

Director: Alexandre Martins

Cinematographer: Guilherme Maranhao

Produced by: Moonflower Pictures

Concept by: Alexandre Martins and Courtney Jines

Production design: Courtney Jines

Costume design: Courtney Jines

Special thanks go to Annie Libertini of Libertini Arts for lending us her gorgeous handmade leather masks! A link to her Etsy account can be found HERE!

Strange Magic: DIY Flower Crowns & Art Installation by Rookie Mag

At last, the rookie road trip post is here! Feast your eyes, ladies!

And now for a few stylish little birds in attendance:

My Jeraffi (left) wears:                                                      

T-shirt- Vintage

Skirt- H&M in New York

Shoes- Urban Outfitters

Q&A:

Zodiac sign: Aquarius

Favorite mythical creature: Sphinx...no, a phoenix!

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Evangeline (right) wears:

Shirt- Gift from a friend

Shorts- Mom's

Shoes- Vintage Esprit

Q&A:

Zodiac sign: Aquarius! All our good friends are aquarius.

Favorite mythical creature: Griffin

Petra Collins wears:

Top: Vintage

Skirt: H&M

Q&A

Zodiac sign: Sagittarius

Favorite mythical creature: Mermaid

Tavi Gevinson wears:
Dress: Vintage
Belt: Vintage
Bracelets: Urban Outfitters / Swatch

Q&A
Zodiac sign: Taurus
Favorite mythological creature: Unicorn, I guess, but everyone probably says that. I like the three headed dog from greek mythology.

Dallas Jay Arce wears:

Shirt: Topshop

Skirt: Urban Outfitters

Shoes: T.U.K

Chokers: The Cobra Shop

Q&A:

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Favorite mythological creature: Mermaids

Eva Chambers wears:

Dress: Urban Outfitters Yard Sale

Vest: A store called Playclothes, but I think it closed. 

Purse: Thrifted

Q&A:

Zodiac sign: Aries

Favorite mythical creature: Unicorn