Photo conversation

“This is the photo that launched a thousand ships, the photo that inspired VoiceThread. It might be the greatest photo ever taken.” (An unidentified founder of VoiceThread)

You might agree! You can see this striking photo here: http://voicethread.com/#q.b409.i3129. I find it hilarious, and it becomes even more so as its subjects attempt to explain their interesting facial expressions. VoiceThread might inspire you to create similar conversations. And maybe you’ll find your own writing inspiration in a photo.

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Text © Gwyn Nichols 2012. All rights reserved. WritersResort.com

Friday Flick: Two Brothers

Rick Stevenson filmmaker screenshot BYU TVFilmmaker Rick Stevenson vividly recalls certain observations he had in his childhood. (I LOVED his brilliant and candid introduction.) He was ambitious enough to follow over 60 children through 5000 days of their lives. This first documentary begins with six- and eight-year-old brothers. We watch as they outgrow their sibling upsets, become best friends, and grow into men. You have to suspect that being interviewed helps them live an examined, more fulfilling life.

This first one is dear to my heart because I’ve raised my sons in the same traditions, and because I’m raising sons in general, but I can’t wait to see the rest of these revealing and developing self-portraits. Storytelling means understanding our common humanity and our fascinating differences. It means being inspired by each other.

It’s a brilliant idea to borrow: capture your own growth and that of your young ones with a series of video interviews, perhaps as a birthday tradition. And it turns out that there’s even a private version of 5000 Days where you can upload video diaries as a time capsule, and later choose whether to submit them to the project.

The film will be available online for a little while here:

http://byutv.org/seethegood/post/The-5000-Days-Project-Two-Brothers.aspx

After that, you can find it here:

http://twobrothersthemovie.com/purchase/

Here’s a sneak peek at a future project. Maybe you’ll be the angel to help complete it.

http://twobrothersthemovie.com/about-us-2/

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Text © Gwyn Nichols 2011. All rights reserved. WritersResort.com

Screenshot from BYU TV’s broadcast of Two Brothers

The Apple of Your Eye

Novelist and English professor Mona Simpson delivered this eulogy for her brother, Steve Jobs. Not everyone will be remembered by millions, but anyone can aspire to succeed in both career and family contributions. I especially love Steve’s last words.

How will those you love be remembered? Even a couple of pages can convey the personality, values, and contributions of someone whose legacy matters to you.

You could go multi-media, like Apple’s memorial event (if you want to keep making the technology transfers), but remember Steve’s advice: “Simple can be harder than complex. . . . but it’s worth it when you get there because then you can move mountains.”

Related Post:

Stories from College Drop-Out Steve Jobs

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Text © Gwyn Nichols 2011. All rights reserved. WritersResort.com