Tag Archives

SPOTTED DOLPHINS OF THE BAHAMAS!

EMAIL: [email protected]

Our hearts go out to the families, friends, loved ones, the world LGBTQ community, the survivors, and the victims of the terrible, senseless tragedy in Orlando, Florida.

Image by www.pxleyes.com

INSIDER TIPS

3 SIMPLE STEPS TO EFFECTIVE NETWORKING

by Melissa Cassera, Stage32.com blogger

If you’re a screenwriter, producer, actor, film director, etc. then you need to have a “network.” What is a “network,” exactly? It’s the web of relationships that allows you to do the work you love and get paid for it. Michelangelo, Shakespeare, Tolkien and Lewis all understood the value of building a strong professional network. Their careers wouldn’t have flourished in the same way if they’d locked themselves away in their offices, never attending parties, never introducing themselves to influential figures of the day, never forming friendships. They understood that nobody works “alone.” Everyone needs a tribe. It’s up to you to build your tribe, work your connections, and use your storytelling skills to create an online presence that says, “I’m somebody you definitely want to know.” READ MORE:

MOONDANCE BLOG EDITOR’S NOTE:

Attend important film festivals, like Moondance, for productive networking opportunities!

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(VIRTUALLY) EVERYTHING STORY

The response to (Virtually) Everything Story has been INCREDIBLE! Thanks to everyone who has written, sharing how much value they have gotten out of watching the free interviews in the Future of Storytelling Library! These the absolute TOP names in the industry sharing CUTTING EDGE information, which is going to put you years ahead of your competition. This is what storytelling is going to look like in the future! ~ Ken Lee, Michael Wiese Books

Here’s just some of what’s going to be happening & when…

Wednesday, June 15th

John Truby ~ Novels: The Number One Screenwriting Strategy Today: Why Being a Novelist is Your Ticket to Hollywood Success

Michael Hauge ~ Crafting Transformative Characters: Taking Your Characters From Identity to Essence

Friday, June 17th

Jen Grisanti ~ Writing A TV Pilot That Sells: Setting Up The Structure

Carole Kirschner ~ The Unwritten Rules of Hollywood: What They Don’t Teach You in Film School

Sunday, June 19th

Pamela Jaye Smith ~ Creating Our Next Mythologies

Thursday, June 23^rd

Michael Jorgensen ~ Power Narrative: the Secrets of Documentary Storytelling

Friday, June 24^th

Chris Vogler ~ E-Motion Pictures: How to Channel the Power of Emotions in the Body

“YES, I WANT TO REGISTER FOR (VIRTUALLY) EVERYTHING STORY!” CLICK HERE

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT TODAY

LIFE’S LITTLE LEAPS: THE NEW “NO”!

Learn how to banish toxic ‘people-pleasing’ from your life

By Lou Hamilton

A kid who brings an apple to the teacher has a mission. Get the teacher to like him or her and mark his or her grades higher. The manipulation is obvious and we scorn such tactics. And yet as we grow older many of us adopt such people pleasing poses. Not me, you say. But have you ever wanted to avoid conflict or tried to second-guess other people’s behaviours or reactions? Do you have a tendency to give up on your own desires and thoughts in deference to others? Does imagining that someone will get angry change the course of your actions? Is disapproval unbearable?

The trouble is people start to expect it when you hand out ‘yes’ like free candy. Like a drug addict you have to give more and more away to receive less and less appreciation. And the anger, resentment and bitterness grows like a fire-ball in your throat. Nice You on the outside is a thin veneer to the seething pit of snakes spitting venom on the quiet. People-pleasing depletes your energy and your reserves. You begin to feel that you have nothing left to give, but still people keep taking, because you let them.

So you decide enough’s enough. You take a stand. You start to say No. You start to value your time, your space and your self-worth. And what do you gain with your New No? You gain self-respect. You gain time. You gain rest and energy. You gain the ability to say yes to the things that you want to say yes to. You gain self-confidence. You gain the right to be direct and authentic. You gain space to breathe. You gain power over your own destiny. You gain inner strength. You will open the flood gates for your creativity, and when you do that your life will start to flow.

Lou Hamilton is a Creative Coach & she will help you get over your people-pleasing tendencies, so that you can get on with living the life you want. Email for a free consultation [email protected]

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The benefits of nature-walking, picnicking, hiking, climbing trees, observing wildlife, wildflowers and natural environments, seeing spectacular vistas, running and being out on your own in Nature or with friends or family works in subtle, ways. Such activities help maintain body, mind and spirit, and give a sense of belonging, of being grounded and one with the Earth. It is of huge benefit, enjoyed in no other way, and so, we need to do all we can ensure that these open spaces and unspoiled, native areas will be there for future generations to enjoy, too!

CAN YOU SEE ME?

“Can You See Me?” short documentary film, Lou Hamilton, director, UK

Take a look at this poignant & thought-provoking 10-minute short film by multiple-award-winning Moondance filmmaker, Lou Hamilton, UK (scroll down to 3rd one shown): Can You See Me? 100 West End stars transform London’s Trafalgar Square into a Flashmob aimed at raising awareness about child sex trafficking at: https://createlabproductions.com/films-2/

MOONDANCE SUPPORTS & RECOMMENDS:

GIVE WHALES AND OTHER OCEAN LIFE SOME PEACE AND QUIET!

By Tatiana Schlossberg, New York Times, June 3, 2016

Wild Atlantic dolphins photo by Atmo, Bimini, http://www.WildQuest.com

The ocean is loud: Ship propellers, sonar, oil and gas drilling and other industrial work make sounds, even if, like the proverbial tree falling in the forest, no one can hear it. But marine animals can, and all that noise has been shown to interfere with their behavior, since many of them, from whales to invertebrates, use sound for all kinds of activities, including to communicate, to find food or each other, to avoid predators and to migrate.

And while the ocean was never a quiet place — full of natural rumblings, clickings and chatterings — the problem has grown worse over the last 100 years or so, and significantly increased over the last 50 years in some places, much of it from commercial shipping, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

This whale and dolphin stranding was proven to be the direct result of sonar abuse.

So the agency, which manages and protects marine life in United States waters, released on Wednesday a draft for a strategy to reduce the effects of ocean noise, and invited public comment. The Ocean Noise Strategy Roadmap draft is an early step in a 10-year plan to quiet the oceans and reduce some of the harmful effects on aquatic species. The public comment period will end July 1, and a more concrete plan will be put in place in the coming months. READ MORE:

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NO OCEAN, NO US!

By Kristen Krumhardt, Guest Opinion, Daily Camera, June 8, 2016

Ph.D. candidate in environmental studies at CU Boulder

Have you thanked the ocean lately? In celebration of World Ocean Day (June 8), I want to remind everyone that, as distant as the ocean may seem, it sustains us and we impact it. Not only does the ocean provide one billion people with protein everyday (90 % of those who live in developing countries and have no alternatives), but also microscopic plants living in the ocean provide more than half of the oxygen we breathe. The ocean contains tremendous biodiversity, both valuable and beautiful. Coral reef ecosystems are especially diverse, providing millions with food, medicine, storm protection, as well as revenue from tourism. The neurological, psychological, and emotional changes that occur when we are near water are scientifically documented.

“We have an enormous impact on the ocean, not only through the physical connection of our watersheds, but also through the interconnectedness of Earth’s ecological systems as a whole,” says Vicki Nichols Goldstein, founder of the Colorado Ocean Coalition. Her motto is, “You don’t have to see the ocean to protect it,” Indeed, runoff from our cities & farms goes directly into streams, rivers, and, ultimately, to the ocean.

Not only are we connected to the ocean via rivers and streams, but also through the atmosphere. We can add “climate change modulator” to the list of services the ocean provides, as it absorbs both heat and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Thanks to the ocean, the world is cooler than it would otherwise be, given the amount of excess carbon we humans have pumped into the sky through the burning of fossil fuels. As the Global Ocean Commission frames it: “no ocean, no us.” READ MORE: (Excerpt & edit by EE)

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DEFEND THE (SMALL, BUT) MIGHTY KRILL!

Krill are the bees of the seas. Small creatures that play a giant role in our web of life. Without krill, the future would be bleak for Antarctica’s penguins, seals, and whales. But the fish oil industry has it out for krill. They are sucking up krill by the millions from Antarctica’s Southern Ocean, with some nations planning to expand their operations by seven-fold.

You’d think super-food krill would be safe from human interference in the frigid, distant waters around Antarctica. But the most biologically-productive section of the Southern Ocean has seen an 80% drop in krill, likely owing to climate change & the krill industry’s increased catch making a rebound even less likely. Fish oil supplements are surging in popularity. They’ve also contributed to the collapse of forage fish like herring and anchovies in some regions.

The most sustainable option for our oceans & the survival of marine life is to use vegetarian and vegan options — of which there are many.

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Video by Conch Salad TV

Atlantic Spotted Dolphins, photo by http://picscompany.com

SWIM WITH WILD DOLPHINS OFF BIMINI!

The Best Place To Swim With Dolphins In The Wild

www.wildquest.com

Please forward this news-blog to your creative artist colleagues!

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

CONTACT US!

EMAIL: [email protected]m

Moondance has always been, and continues to be, a “Green” event!

No trees or natural habitats were harmed in the creation of this news-blog!

June Moondance: Better Late Than Never!

by Elizabeth English on June 4, 2016

MOONDANCE ENCOURAGES, INSPIRES AND AWARDS INDEPENDENCE, INNOVATION AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION!

MOONDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2016 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES!

~ June 15th DEADLINE FOR LATE ENTRIES! ~

For your best chance to win, send in your entry RIGHT NOW!

See our Submission Categories HERE!

See our Awards Categories HERE!

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Moondance now offers feedback & professional critiques on screenplays, stage plays, and TV pilots that are submitted for the 2016 competition, for only $50! Select the FEEDBACK option on the FilmFreeway entry form, or the Moondance entry form. Meet our professional reader, Jasmine Sahu, at: https://moondancefilmfestival.com/meetouradvisoryboard/

Jasmine Sahu

The Moondance International Film Festival, featuring its distinct cinematic visions and bold film selections, has distinguished itself around the world as much more than an annual film festival! The Moondance is a unique community, a supportive, productive, and creative year-round collaboration between independent filmmakers and movie audiences, between writers, music composers and the world of top-quality filmed entertainment.

DON’T MISS THESE PLANNED EVENTS AT THE 2016 FILM FESTIVAL:

~September 4th & 5th, Boulder, Colorado, USA~

INDIE FILM SCREENINGS (documentaries, animation, music videos, foreign, feature & short films)
PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOPS FOR FILMMAKERS, WRITERS & COMPOSERS
PRODUCTIVE NETORKING PARTIES & EVENTS DAILY
CELEBRITY APPEARANCE & PHOTO-OPS
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
PRIVATE CONSULTATIONS WITH THE PROS
Q&As WITH THE FILM DIRECTORS
AFTER-PARTIES EACH EVENING
GALA AWARDS CEREMONY & BANQUET RECEPTION!

SUBSCRIBE to the popular Moondance news-blog for info, updates, articles, creative inspiration, & announcements:

www.moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

If you’ve already submitted your project to the 2016 competition, & have subscribed to the news-blog, thanks a million!

Check out the website for more info:

WHY “GOOD ENOUGH” IS THE ENEMY TO SCREENWRITING GREATNESS

INSIDER TIPS:

By Art Holcomb

You must be great. Your first script must be great in order to sell. Why? Because it has two challenges that it must meet. First, it must be better than the mass of other submissions from first-timers. Luckily, this may not be so difficult if you do a good job. Second, your work must be strong enough to shoulder its way through the ranks of established writers to find a place in the production budget. If the producer or agent who has just read it doesn’t want to give you a contract to purchase the piece, then your work, as it stands at that moment, simply isn’t good enough. In the end, you have to wow them. Anything less leads to a failure.

You must understand this. There is no middle ground, for there are only two types of scripts. A work is either: 1. Great-and-wonderful and anyone who reads it wants to buy it, or 2. Not good enough and it gets rejected. It sounds like a near impossible task, but time and time again, I have seen new writers embrace what is necessary to succeed. So I know it is inside each one of you to make your script great. READ MORE:

ENDANGERED SPECIES MURAL PROJECT

Art takes nature as its model. ~ Aristotle

Monarch butterfly mural in Minneapolis, Minn., by Roger Peet and Barry Newman

• Just as nature inspires art, art inspires actions to defend wild places and the wild creatures that live in them. With this in mind, the Center for Biological Diversity is launching an Endangered Species Mural Project, teaming up with local artists to bring endangered wildlife onto the streets through art in cities and towns around the country. Spearheaded by Portland artist Roger Peet, the mural project will feature wildlife species that are special to their regions, promoting an affinity for the natural world and the diverse species that help define it.

• “Everywhere on Earth is unique, with qualities that distinguish it from other places both near and far. One of those qualities is the biodiversity of a place — the plants and animals that call it home and may not be found anywhere else. Those species embody an area’s natural history and contribute to what makes it irreplaceable. They also have something to say about the future, as many are in danger of going extinct. And when we lose species, the places and lives we live become poorer and shallower places as a result. To help bring these species into the light, we decided to paint them on the walls.

Mountain caribou mural in Sandpoint, Idaho, by Mazatl & Joy Mallari

“The goal of this project is to create murals in towns and cities around the United States that focus on endangered species, fostering connections between people and the other forms of life that surround them. Whether that’s a fish in a river, a butterfly flitting from plant to plant, or a caribou chewing lichen off a tree trunk, we’re bringing together artists and communities to create big, bold images that will become part of the neighborhoods where they’re created, making it a little easier for people to care about the native species struggling to survive in their midst.” ~ Roger Peet

Arctic grayling mural by Roger Peet in Butte, Montana

START A MURAL PROJECT IN YOUR TOWN!

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT TODAY

“Good or bad, each of life’s events is a steppingstone to a greater tomorrow.” ~ Juanita Foster

Boulder Creek

MOONDANCE SUPPORTS & RECOMMENDS:

DRILLING FOR OIL OFF OUR COASTS PUTS US ALL AT RISK

When Shell Oil dumped nearly 90,000 gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico a few weeks ago, it was just the latest in a long line of reminders of what happens when we allow Big Oil to drill for oil off our coasts. Everywhere you look, oil companies are spilling crude wherever they operate. Meanwhile, month after month and year after year, we’re experiencing record high temperatures, which will bring the devastating impacts of climate disruption to our doorsteps, no matter where we live.

Scientists are warning us that up to 80 % of fossil fuel reserves must be kept in the ground, unburned, to prevent the worst effects of climate disruption, so ending offshore drilling is critical to protecting current and future generations. And given the greater difficulty of cleaning crude oil from coastal ecosystems — and the serious harm that pollution causes — ending risky offshore drilling is a no-brainer.

If you agree it’s time to move beyond dirty fuels, and keep them safely in the ground, take action today to make sure we start by putting an end to dangerous offshore drilling!

We all know the problems caused by dirty energy: Air and water pollution undermine our quality of life. Yet we have the solution. Clean energy saves money, creates good-paying jobs, and protects our health and climate.

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THE GREAT BARRIER REEF IS IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY

Scientists have just announced that 93% of the Reef is now ‘bleaching’ due to warming waters – a direct result of carbon pollution from mining and burning fossil fuels. And coal is the most polluting of them all. Together, we can bring an end to dirty coal. The evidence is black and white. Coal pollution destroys the things we love. So we will build a world without it. Clean air and water, free from coal pollution. Protected natural wonders and a thriving Reef. Clean politics, free from fossil-fuelled corruption. And a fair deal for the coal workers who deserve a just transition.

That’s why we’re building an unstoppable wave of global citizens who are willing to stand up for a world that puts people first, instead of coal. Now the world has promised to move on from toxic energy – and it’s up to us to hold leaders to their word. Will you take the next step with me and join the Coal Free movement?

Please forward this news-blog to your creative artist colleagues!

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

EMAIL: [email protected]

Moondance has always been, and continues to be, a “Green” event!

No trees or natural habitats were harmed in the creation of this news-blog!

Last Chance for 2016 Moondance Regular Entry fees!

by Elizabeth English on May 27, 2016

~ MAY 31^st DEADLINE FOR REGULAR ENTRIES! ~

MOONDANCE 2016 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES!

For your best chance to win, send in your entry RIGHT NOW!

See our Submission Categories HERE!

See our Awards Categories HERE!

Click on the links below for entry forms:

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If you’ve already submitted your project to the 2016 competition, & have subscribed to the news-blog, thanks a million!

LODGING RECOMMENDATIONS

EMAIL: [email protected]

PLAN NOW TO ATTEND THE 17th ANNUAL

MOONDANCE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

SEPTEMBER 4^th & 5^th

BOULDER, COLORADO USA

2016 FESTIVAL EVENTS

TRAVEL TIPS

SUBSCRIBE NOW to the popular Moondance news-blog for info, updates, articles, creative inspiration, insider tips, & announcements:

www. moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

MOONDANCERS WRITE US

“I am a first time film-maker, and I have just completed a very passionate piece about alcoholism and recovery. To be accepted to the Moondance International Film Festival would be amazing, because your mission statement is hands down the most positive and encouraging message I have seen. Not only that, but as someone who spent 8 years in Colorado, I would be honored to bring my inspiring film back to the state I love so much.” ~ Ryan Slattery

“In recent years, I’ve been inspired by the number of women who have spoken up about gender discrimination in the industry, and I’m very excited and grateful that Moondance exists to champion women’s voices. Thank you for providing a forum for diverse filmmakers! There’s been a lot of great work lately by women’s activists to make our storytelling more diverse. Because nearly 60% of women 15-50 are mothers, we believe that parenting should be a part of the conversation.” ~ Mathilde Dratwa www.momsinfilm.org

INSIDER TIP:

MAKING A GREAT PROMOTIONAL TRAILER

By Elizabeth English

Do you want to have a really good 2-3-minute trailer to send to producers, studios, film festival competitions, for your website & in social media ? Haven’t quite finished post on your film yet, but want to promote it now? How about making a trailer for your screenplay to help sell it, or to promote donations on a crowd-funding website for film production?

Great trailers are in a special class of their own; little polished gems that showcase your film, and make people want to see more! But film trailers can be more difficult to make really well than the entire film, itself. It can be more time-consuming, judicious editing must be a main concern, you have to tell the main story, theme & concept quickly, harder scene decisions need to be made, and you need to sell your film in three to five minutes, max!

Can you tell the main story, introduce the lead characters, show the main conflict, and give the viewer a visual, memorable impression in under three to five minutes? And, remember, you need to hook the viewer in the first few seconds! You probably don’t even have a full 5 minutes to do the job, unless the first 30-60 seconds are fantastic. READ MORE!

Geena Davis believed “Thelma & Louise” would change film for women

Photo-Pathe-Entertainment

Academy Award-winning actor Geena Davis says she genuinely expected the incredible success of “Thelma & Louise” 25 years ago to bring about real change for women in film. However, reflecting on the media’s reaction at the time, Davis said: “I totally believed it. As time wore on, I realized — so every few years a movie comes out starring women and does great. … Twenty-five years later, it’s astounding to realize that things have not changed in any way.” READ MORE:

MOONDANCE SUPPORTS & RECOMMENDS:

Medical aid where it is needed most. Independent. Neutral. Impartial.

http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org

At its core, the purpose of our humanitarian action is to save the lives and ease the suffering of people caught in acute crises, thereby restoring their ability to rebuild their lives and communities. In the countries where Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) works, one or more of the following crises is occurring or has occurred: In conflict zones, MSF does not take sides. We provide medical care based on needs alone. With more than 40 years experience, MSF are experts in rolling out emergency disaster response.

A large part of our work focuses on providing care to people caught in hidden emergencies. We work around the world to help provide people fleeing their homes with the medical care they need. In many places, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is able to have an impact beyond its immediate activities, reaching populations or pioneering the use of practices in ways that have far-reaching and lasting consequences.

Find out how you can support MSF’s lifesaving work.

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CAN CITIZENS SUE THE GOVERNMENT OVER CLIMATE CHANGE?

May 23, 2016

To protect the world they will inherit, youth advocates have begun suing the government for more aggressive action on climate change. Their arguments are often unconventional, but some suits are making progress. In Oregon, a judge allowed a lawsuit filed on behalf of 21 teenagers and children to proceed against the federal government, and in Massachusetts, youth advocates and nonprofits successfully sued the state for not living up to its 2008 restrictions on greenhouse gases.

“No issue is more important than the threat to the planet posed by climate change. The courts must ensure that the government takes essential action to prevent it as much as possible. The public trust doctrine requires that the government protect the nation’s natural resources; the failure to control carbon emissions imperils those resources in a truly unprecedented way. Ocean acidification, melting icecaps and ice sheets, biodiversity loss and extreme weather events — caused in part by man-made carbon emissions — all impact essential public resources that United States officials have a duty to protect for the sake of successive generations.” ~ Erwin Chemerinsky

“Young people worldwide have decided to stop waiting for the “adults” to look past personal political interests and immediate financial arrangements and address climate change. And the litigation they pursue could influence better policy. More broadly, we are seeing citizens take up the fight of climate justice, which frames climate change and pollution as an ethical and societal issue, as opposed to purely environmental. Environmental degradation is a social injustice because it almost always falls more heavily on marginalized groups across the globe — the young, poor, racial and ethnic minorities and indigenous communities. The good news is that groups unfairly disadvantaged through environmental degradation are fighting back. ~ Carlton Mark Waterhouse

“Litigation has always been an essential tool for solving social problems. And the science behind this social problem is clear: We must transition to 100 percent renewable energy and virtually eliminate greenhouse emissions in just a few decades to avert horrific harm to the planet’s most vulnerable people and our very web of life. Groundbreaking legal action is, and will be, especially crucial in combating climate change. That’s why lawsuits brought by young people to force more ambitious action are so important.” ~ Kassie Siegel

SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:

“”There are many things worth living for; there are very few things worth dying for, but there is nothing worth killing for.” ~ Tom Robbins

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“Wisdom is the quality that keeps you from getting into situations where you need it.” ~ Doug Larson

Please forward this news-blog to your creative artist colleagues!

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

EMAIL: [email protected]

Moondance has always been, and continues to be, a “Green” event!

No trees or natural habitats were harmed in the creation of this news-blog!

May 31st Moondance Film Festival Deadline for Regular Entries!

by Elizabeth English on May 21, 2016

“Master Bedroom” Andrew Wyeth

Don’t miss out!

~ MAY 31^st DEADLINE FOR REGULAR ENTRIES! ~

MOONDANCE 2016 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES!

For your best chance to win, send in your entry RIGHT NOW!

See our Submission Categories HERE!

See our Awards Categories HERE!

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OUR HOST HOTEL & FILM FESTIVAL EVENT VENUE:

St Julien Hotel and Spa

900 Walnut Street, Boulder, CO 80302

720-406-9696

http://www.stjulien.com

RESERVATIONS

The 4-star St Julien Hotel & Spa is within walking distance of more than 200 shops and 80 restaurants, just steps from the historic Pearl Street Mall, the beautiful University of Colorado campus, miles of hiking and biking trails nearby, and the winding, tree-lined Boulder Creek path, plus a the fabulous views of the magnificent foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

DON’T MISS THESE PLANNED EVENTS AT THE 2016 FILM FESTIVAL:

INDIE FILM SCREENINGS (documentaries, animation, music videos, foreign, feature & short films)
PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOPS FOR FILMMAKERS, WRITERS & COMPOSERS
PRODUCTIVE NETORKING PARTIES & EVENTS DAILY
CELEBRITY APPEARANCE & PHOTO-OPS
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
PRIVATE CONSULTATIONS WITH THE PROS
Q&As WITH THE FILM DIRECTORS
AFTER-PARTIES EACH EVENING
GALA AWARDS CEREMONY & BANQUET RECEPTION!

SUBSCRIBE NOW to the popular Moondance news-blog for info, updates, articles, creative inspiration, & announcements: www. moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

If you’ve already submitted your project to the 2016 competition, & have subscribed to the news-blog, thanks a million!

Check out the website for more details & info:

http://www.fauna-flora.org/support/donate/

EMAIL: [email protected]

Top-quality Indie film screenings (documentaries, animation, music videos, drone films, feature & short films); professional workshops for filmmakers, writers & composers; productive networking cocktail parties & events daily; celebrity appearances & photo-ops; private consultations with the pros; industry keynote speakers; Q&As with the film directors; after-parties each evening; gala awards ceremony & reception, and more!

MOONDANCERS WRITE US:

“I consider Moondance one of the best festivals in the USA, and it will be a pleasure for me to submit my film, hoping to be considered and making it to the final selection. I think it is important to give voice to the people who don’t have one. I want to share this story with as many people I can, and I hope we could have a window at your prestigious festival.” ~ Giulio Poidomani (Italy)

“It is an honor to submit for your consideration The Lipiński. Director Nate Townsend has for many years had a fruitful relationship with Moondance, having won in 2013 with the short film “The Painter”. Having attended in the past, we are aware of the incredible experience offered to filmmakers. We appreciate the opportunities that Moondance has provided us in the past. An acceptance to Moondance would be a wonderful honor and an exciting new chapter in an already wonderful relationship.” ~ John Hayden, producer (USA)

“I’m really keen on participating in your fabulous festival, as an independent female filmmaker from Iran. I am truly proud of my culture and history but as the matter of fact, almost all filmmakers from my hometown are faced with adverse conditions, especially, in terms of submitting their artworks to international festivals. All things considered, I believe that Iranian filmmakers do incredible work, despite all these limitations, and your prestigious film festival is a promising window for filmmakers.” ~ Tahereh (Iran)

MOONDANCE SUPPORTS & RECOMMENDS:

FAUNA & FLORA INTERNATIONAL‘s work spans across the globe, with over 140 projects in over 40 countries, mostly in the developing world. We proudly stand up for biodiversity and aim to show just how relevant it is to all of those who share the planet.

OUR VISION: A sustainable future for the planet, where biodiversity is effectively conserved by the people who live closest to it, supported by the global community.

OUR MISSION: To act to conserve threatened species and ecosystems worldwide, choosing solutions that are sustainable, based on sound science and take into account human needs.

Photo credit: www.neenicreations.com

Fauna & Flora International (FFI) is making a real difference to the planet’s biodiversity. By finding where we are needed most and forming successful partnerships, we have managed to save some of the world’s most beautiful, fascinating and threatened wildlife and ecosystems. In total FFI is directly influencing the conservation of over 13.5 million hectares of important conservation lands and sea. Our support for habitat protection around the world is helping to create safe havens where biodiversity can flourish. Here are some key success stories:

http://www.fauna-flora.org/explore/

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SaveAnimalsFacingExtinction.org

Lions have long been considered the kings of the jungle — but their reign may be coming to an end. The population of African lions is less than HALF of what it was just 30 years ago, and their populations have been wiped out across much of Africa. Experts say that unless something changes, African lions could be extinct in the wild by 2050. We can’t stand idly by while poachers drive lions into extinction. But if we don’t take action, soon there will be none left. Sign Your Name: Demand an end to lion poaching and help protect this species from extinction >> The public outcry over lion deaths is growing. With your help, we can & will send a message to poachers around the world that their actions come with severe consequences.

Add your name here: http://go.saveanimalsfacingextinction.org/Save-Lions

SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:

“If you’re not happy every morning when you get up, leave for work, or start to work at home, if you’re not enthusiastic about doing that, you’re not going to be successful.” ~ Ronald M. Kendall

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Photo credit: www.aftonvillage.com

“All manner of lessons were learned on the front porch. When the front porches disappeared, so did the stories and the wisdom with them.” ~ Philip Gulley

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“A sense of curiosity is nature’s original school of education.” ~ Dr. Smiley Blanton

Please forward this news-blog to your creative artist colleagues!

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

EMAIL: [email protected]

www. moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

Moondance has always been, and continues to be, a “Green” event!

No trees or natural habitats were harmed in the creation of this news-blog!

Moondance Merry Month of May Call-For-Entries & News!

by Elizabeth English on May 15, 2016

Blue Columbine, official Colorado state flower

MOONDANCE 2016 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES!

For your best chance to win, send in your entry RIGHT NOW!

REGULAR SUBMISSION DEADLINE: MAY 31

See our Submission Categories HERE!

See our Awards Categories HERE!

Entry Forms HERE!

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DON’T MISS THESE EXCITING EVENTS AT OUR 17^th ANNUAL FILM FESTIVAL

~ SUNDAY & MONDAY • SEPTEMBER 4^TH & 5^TH • BOULDER, COLORADO USA! ~

Top-quality Indie film screenings (documentaries, animation, music videos, drone films, feature & short films); professional workshops for filmmakers, writers & composers; productive networking cocktail parties & events daily; celebrity appearances & photo-ops; private consultations with the pros; industry keynote speakers; Q&As with the film directors; after-parties each evening; gala awards ceremony & reception, and more!

“Flatirons-Moonset”, view from Boulder, Colorado / Photo by Charles Pfeil www.ArrowPhotos.com

THE MOONDANCE MISSION:

Through top-quality indie films, writings and music, the Moondance International Film Festival promotes non-violent conflict resolution and inspires equality for women and girls, as well as encouraging awareness and action to resolve vital environmental issues and global humanitarian crises. We honor filmmakers, writers & composers who actively increase awareness, provide multiple viewpoints and address complex social issues.

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE to the popular Moondance news-blog for info, updates, articles, creative inspiration, & announcements:

If you’ve already submitted your project to the 2016 competition, & have subscribed to the news-blog, thanks a million!

2016 MOONDANCE VENUE ANNOUNCEMENT: Moondance 2016 will be held in beautiful Boulder, Colorado, nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. We look forward to meeting new friends & colleagues, as well as seeing old friends again, as we celebrate the 17^th annual Moondance International Film Festival, on Sunday & Monday, September 4^th & 5^th. Our fabulous event venue & host hotel, where we’ll be screening our films, holding workshops, as well as the awards ceremony & gala reception, is the luxurious 4-star St. Julien Hotel & Spa, located right in the heart of Boulder’s historic downtown.

St Julien Hotel and Spa

900 Walnut Street, Boulder, CO 80302

720-406-9696

http://www.stjulien.com

The luxurious 4-star St Julien Hotel & Spa is within walking distance of more than 200 shops and 80 restaurants, and just steps from the historic Pearl Street Mall, the beautiful University of Colorado campus, miles of hiking and biking trails nearby, the winding, tree-lined Boulder Creek path, and fabulous views of the foothills of the magnificent Rocky Mountains!

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~ SUNDAY & MONDAY • SEPTEMBER 4^TH & 5^TH • BOULDER, COLORADO USA! ~

SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:

The Ice House Cover, with a Lincoln stamp from 1869, Photo credit: Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Inc., via Associated Press

“Consider the lowly postage stamp: its usefulness consists of the ability to stick to one thing until it gets there.” ~ Josh Billings

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Photo credit: Dominique Browning

“When will our consciences to grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery rather than create it?” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

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“Strength in numbers is the delight of the timid. The valiant in spirit, however, glory in fighting alone.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

MOONDANCE SUPPORTS & RECOMMENDS:

Last Chance to Protect Yellowstone’s Grizzlies!

Thanks to vigorous conservation efforts, grizzly bears are once again part of Yellowstone National Park’s identity. But efforts to stabilize the region’s grizzly population have been jeopardized by a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposal to strip Endangered Species protections from Greater Yellowstone’s grizzlies. Management would be handed over to the states of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho — all three of which plan to start trophy hunts of grizzlies, while denying them access to prime, biologically suitable habitat on public lands.

Tell the Fish and Wildlife Service that grizzlies in the Yellowstone region are still vulnerable, and it’s too soon to delist!

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DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE

Osprey, photo: National Geographic

Anti-wildlife interests are using our National Defense bill to pass provisions that would dismantle protections for imperiled wildlife, despite the fact that these measures have absolutely nothing to do with national defense! This is a grossly inappropriate action by members of Congress who are completely preoccupied with pushing special interest agendas, no matter the cost. Have they no shame?

To state the obvious, these provisions don’t belong in a National Defense bill and both the Department of Defense and the White House oppose them!

Urge your senators to vote against any and all anti-wildlife measures in the National Defense Authorization Act!

Congress is grossly overstepping its bounds by advancing political agendas at the expense of imperiled species. We knew the 114th Congress would be anti-wildlife, and it has exceeded our fears with more than 100 attacks on the Endangered Species Act. This newest attack is just another blatant example of Congress substituting politics for science. Help keep anti-wildlife politics out of our National Defense bill!

Thank you for your interest in the Moondance International Film Festival!

Please forward this news-blog to your creative artist colleagues!

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

EMAIL: [email protected]

Moondance has always been, and continues to be, a “Green” event!

No trees or natural habitats were harmed in the creation of this news-blog!

CARPE DIEM (Seize the Day) Moondance 2016 news & call-for-entries!

by Elizabeth English on April 30, 2016

Do you know that merely gazing at a field of wildflowers

instantly boosts your mood?

carpe diem

MOONDANCE 2016 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES!

Accepting regular submissions through May 31, 2016

Extended deadline: June 15, 2016

Final Deadline: June 30, 2016

For your best chance to win, enter right now!

PLEASE VISIT THESE PAGES ON THE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO:

You may also submit your entry to Moondance

via Withoutabox or FilmFreeway:

DON’T MISS THESE EXCITING EVENTS AT OUR 17^th ANNUAL FILM FESTIVAL:

Lights, Camera, Action! The Moondance International Film Festival cordially invites all talented US & International filmmakers, writers and music composers to submit their films, written works and original music to our 17th annual competition.

“Flatirons-Moonset”, view from Boulder, Colorado / Photo by Charles Pfeil www.ArrowPhotos.com

ANNOUNCEMENT: We appreciate their warm welcome, but due to unforeseen circumstances, Moondance 2016 will not be held in Montreal, Canada. The film festival will be held, once again, in beautiful Boulder, Colorado, nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. We look forward to meeting new friends & colleagues, as well as seeing old friends again, as we celebrate the 17^th annual Moondance International Film Festival in September!

“Happy Moondance Winners”

Moondance features the very best of indie films, music & writing by talented artists from around the world, Plan now to participate in this unique competition and film festival! For the last 16 years, the annual Moondance International Film Festival has showcased many hundreds of top-quality award-winning indie films, and hosted filmmakers, writers, composers, actors, industry professionals and the media, from around the world. TAKE A LOOK INSIDE THE MOONDANCE PHOTO ALBUM!

INSIDER TIPS:

ON CREATIVITY

Excerpted from “One Hundred Names for Love” by Diane Ackerman

“What we airily label creativity typically blends so many features: risk-taking, perseverance, problem-solving, openness to experience, the need to share one’s inner universe, empathy, detailed mastery of a craft, resourcefulness, disciplined spontaneity, a mind of large general knowledge and strength that can be drawn to a particular, ample joy when surprised, the useful application of obsession, the innocent wonder of a child available to a learned adult, passion, a flexible grasp on reality, mysticism, a reaction against the status quo and preference for unique creations,

Revving up the brain doesn’t necessarily spur creative thinking. Vigilant calm works better. After all, the secret to good improvisation isn’t choosing the first thing that comes to mind, but the best thing. That means generating different possibilities, rotating mental images, juggling, rearranging, testing how each lurks in the mind, before settling on a solution.”

THE FIELD OF DREAMS: PLOT & STORYLINE

By Elizabeth English

“What we need is a story that starts with an earthquake and works its way up to a big climax.” ~ Sam Goldwyn

As in a farmer’s field, to reap a bountiful harvest, one must first plow the field and then sow the proper seeds for the harvest you desire. Your work as a writer is to plow, or plot, your story and seed it well with your characters, dialog and a well-defined, definitive storyline.

Action and conflict are vital elements in a successful, cinematic screenplay or story, as are subtext and back-story. Developing your characters and story arc are like abundant sunshine and rain; nourishment to benefit your harvest or script. First, select an interesting subject for your story! A subject that is of interest to a wide-ranging audience, and will be the kind of project many different types of readers and producers will select for a film production. A unique story, well-told is what gets selected and what wins.

What is story? What is plot? While story and plot might seem, at first, to be synonymous, in fact they are two different elements entirely. A plot is a narrative of events, with the emphasis on causality. Example: the plot of Taxi Driver might be summed up as, “Travis, an unstable and paranoid Vietnam vet, takes a job as a taxi driver, unsuccessfully tries to meet women, attempts to assassinate a presidential candidate, and finally fixates on saving a teenaged prostitute, killing her pimp and ironically becoming a kind of hero in the process,” The story might be, “Travis, an alienated young man, looks for and fails to find human connection in the urban jungle, where he finally explodes in a burst of violence.” The plot it what happens. The story in a script for a movie is why it happens, and how. A storyline is the development of characters and the unfolding of events within the plot.

As you can see from the example above, plot is almost always more complicated and long-winded than story. Plot is nothing more than the logical progression of events that is used to tell the story. Story is what the movie is about, and how it develops.

The storyline of a screenplay, book, film, or stageplay is its story and the way in which it develops the plot. A plot is always thought out in advance where B follows A, leading to some tension or climax. A storyline, which can be developed during the writing, doesn’t need to have any real tension. You could have a storyline of your day-to-day activities sitting in an office, but there’s no real plot to it. A story is a series of events recorded in their chronological order. A plot is a series of events deliberately arranged so as to reveal their dramatic, thematic, and emotional significance.

New Yorker magazine cartoon, by Isaac Littlejohn Eddy

A plot is a causal sequence of events, the “why” for the things that happen in the story. A narrative thread, or plot thread, refers to particular elements and techniques of writing to center the story in the action or experience of characters, rather than to simply relate a matter in narration. A story is a form and structure, used judicially, to tell about events, and cause the reader or film viewer to be interested – to want to know what will happen next or where it all is leading. A “storyline” is a series of events that occur through time; a “plot” is the telling of these events in ways that create reader interest.

Story is the chronological sequence of events, and plot is the causal and logical structure, which connects those events. While a narrative film’s plot is composed of events that happen, one after the other after the other, leading to a climax, its story is the essence of cause and effect. A successful screenplay is not composed of just the events, but includes the mood, the tone, and the theme. They’re both equally important, and you can’t have one without the other.

Elizabeth English

7SEAS PRODUCTIONS

MOONDANCE RECOMMENDS & SUPPORTS:

World leaders came together — on Earth Day – April 22, to officially sign a bold new plan to address the threat of global climate change, and recognizing the shared responsibility to take action on climate change, one of the greatest challenges humanity has ever faced, at UN headquarters in New York, where it’s expected to shatter the current record for the most countries signing an international accord in a single day. But this isn’t just a commitment for our leaders — we all have a role to play, and the time to act is now. The signing ceremony was an historic event — but what will it really mean for our planet at the grass roots? Click here to find out what’s next (and how you can help!):

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ADVICE FROM A TREE:

By Ilan Shamir

Stand tall and proud, sink your roots deeply into the earth, reflect the light of a greater source, think long-term, go out on a limb, remember and honor your place among all living beings, embrace with joy the changing seasons…

For each yields its own abundance: the energy and birth of Spring, the growth and contentment of Summer, the wisdom to let go of leaves in the Fall,  the rest and quiet renewal of Winter…

Feel the wind and the sun, and delight in their presence, look up at the moon that shines down upon you, and the mystery of the stars at night, seek nourishment from the good things in life … 

Be content with the simple pleasures: Earth, fresh air, sunlight & rain, your natural beauty; drink plenty of water, let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes, be flexible, remember your roots, and enjoy the view!

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT TODAY

Cornwall Path by the Sea, photo credit: Michael Weise

“Failure is only a postponed success, as long as one has courage, confidence, persistence and ambition. The habit of persistence is the habit of victory.” Edited from a quote by Herbert Kaufman

This news-blog is in honor of my mother, Leni, who won the Moondance Pioneer Award for her work as a child star in silent film, with Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Tom Mix & others. She passed away on April 17, in Boulder, at 101 years-old. ~ Elizabeth

* LENORE B. “LENI” CLUBB

LENI OBIT PHOTO

Leni was born in Elkhart, IN, to Bernard English & Ethel Giffin. Brother: David English, Grandfather: famed diagnostician James Plasters English. Married Roland Chesbrough 1940 D: 1974, one daughter, Elizabeth (Chesbrough) English, of Boulder, CO. Married Roy D. Clubb 1947, D: 1976. Three grandchildren, Ari, Nicholas & Christopher, of NY, four great-grandchildren, Sophia, Dimitri, Angelina & Jasmine. Leni was a child star in the silent film era, with Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton & Tom Mix, “Our Gang” comedies, a cameo role in “Lorna Doone”, and her own matinee series, “Strongheart”. Her partner of 50 years, Hallie Cash, died in 2007. Leni was a published poet, archaeologist, pine-needle basket weaver, sculptor & watercolorist, atlatl expert & founder of the World Atlatl Assoc., Girl Scout leader in Fairbanks, Alaska, & was the only female ever inducted into the prestigious Order of the Arrow, at Philmont Scout Ranch, NM, for her work with the Boy Scouts of America, and was a life-long world traveler. She passed away in Boulder, CO, April 17, 2016, “raging at the dying of the light”, at the age of 101+, with her daughter at her side. A memorial service date to be announced.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THE

MOONDANCE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Please forward this news-blog to your creative artist colleagues!

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

EMAIL: [email protected]

Moondance has always been, and continues to be, a “Green” event!

No trees or natural habitats were harmed in the creation of this news-blog!

Moondance April Call-for-Entries (May Deadline!)

by Elizabeth English on April 15, 2016

“It’s finally Spring. C’mon in & join us!

MOONDANCE 2016 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES!

Accepting regular submissions through May 31, 2016

For your best chance to win, enter right now!

PLEASE VISIT THESE PAGES ON THE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO:

You may also submit your entry to Moondance via Withoutabox or FilmFreeway:

DON’T MISS THESE EXCITING EVENTS AT THE 2016 FILM FESTIVAL:

SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT TODAY:

“Charlie”, photo by C. Anastasiadis

“Know yourself. Don’t accept your dog’s non-judgmental admiration of you as conclusive evidence that you are simply wonderful.” ~ Ann Landers

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“Let your hook always be cast in the stream where you expect a fish.” ~ Ovid

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“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can do that, you can make anything happen.” ~ Goethe

ENVIRONMENTAL ALERTS

INDONESIA’S ORANGUTANS SUFFER AS FIRES RAGE

Excerpts from an article by: Joe Cochrane • April 5, 2016 • The New York Times

Photo by Kemal Jufri

The blazes in the Indonesian regions of Borneo and Sumatra are an annual occurrence, when farmers clear land by burning it, often for palm oil plantations. The blazes have recently destroyed more than 10,000 square miles of forests, blanketing large parts of Southeast Asia in a toxic haze for weeks, sickening hundreds of thousands of people and, according to the World Bank, causing $16 billion in economic losses.

Multinational palm oil companies, giant pulp and paper businesses, the huge plantations that sell to them, local farmers and even day laborers all contribute to the problem. While it is against Indonesian law to clear plantations by burning, enforcement is lax.

The fires also killed at least nine orangutans, the endangered apes native to the rain forests of Borneo and Sumatra. More than 100, trapped by the loss of habitat or found wandering near villages, had to be relocated. Seven orphans, including five infants, were rescued and taken to rehabilitation centers here. The suffering of the wildlife is part of a larger story of corporate expansion in a developing economy crashing into environmental issues in an era of climate change.

CLIMATE-RELATED DEATH OF CORAL AROUND WORLD

Excerpts from an article By Michelle Innis, April 9, 2016, New York Times

Photo credit XL Catlin Seaview Survey

SYDNEY, Australia — Reports of damaged or dying coral reefs around the world have become a major concern. Reefs that take centuries to form can be destroyed in weeks. The damage off Kiritimati is part of a mass bleaching of coral reefs around the world, only the third on record and possibly the worst ever. Scientists believe that heat stress from multiple weather events including the latest, severe El Niño, compounded by climate change has threatened more than a third of Earth’s coral reefs. Many may never recover.

Coral reefs are the crucial incubators of the ocean’s ecosystem, providing food and shelter to a quarter of all marine species, and they support fish stocks that feed more than one billion people. They are made up of millions of tiny animals, called polyps, that form symbiotic relationships with algae, which in turn capture sunlight and carbon dioxide to make sugars that feed the polyps. In Indonesia, fish supported by the reefs provide the primary source of protein. Rising temperatures due to climate change have pushed corals beyond their tolerance levels.

FUN FACTS: THE BAGEL LEGEND

It is said that, in 1683, a Jewish baker in Vienna, Austria, was looking for a way to thank the king of Poland for having protected his compatriots from the invading Turks. He created a small bread in the form of a stirrup (‘beugel’, in Austrian German), which pleasantly reminded the king, who loved riding, of his favorite hobby.

Adopted by the Polish, bagels became the official gifts offered to new mothers upon the birth of a child. They are even mentioned in the civil registers of communities of that era. Bagels were also used as nutritious teething rings that babies could easily chew and manipulate.

When bagels arrived in Russia, they were given the name “bubliki” They were sold at market stands and on city streets. Because of their circular form, they were said to bring happiness, and were believed to have magical powers. There even seems to have been songs about bagels! “The Bagels’ Bagel Book” by Marilyn and Tom Bagel

Thank you for your interest in the Moondance International Film Festival!

Please forward this news-blog to your creative artist colleagues!

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

EMAIL: [email protected]

www.moondancefilmfestival.com

Moondance has always been, and continues to be, a “Green” event!

No trees or natural habitats were harmed in the creation of this news-blog!

2016 Moondance Venue & Event Dates Announced!

by Elizabeth English on March 31, 2016

The beautiful, historic city of Montréal, Canada, has welcomed Moondance to make its home there, and all are cordially invited to attend this very special 3-day weekend cultural event, September 23, 24, & 25.

Montréal, c’est si bon! This French-speaking city is considered the cultural capital of Canada, is a cosmopolitan celebration of Québécois style, and one of the world’s top waterfront cities. Canada’s most diverse metropolis, Montréal, is an historic city that favors classic style and elegance.

The second largest city in Canada, Montréal, was named North America’s leading host city for international events. French is the city’s official language, and Montréal is considered to be the historic heart of French Canada. The city is on the Island of Montréal. The port of Montréal, (the largest inland port on Earth), lies at one end of the Saint Lawrence Seaway, the river gateway that stretches from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.

MONTRÉAL INFO • CANADA INFO

DON’T MISS THESE EVENTS AT THE 2016 FILM FESTIVAL:

Our Valued Sponsors :

XII Tribes Entertainment • Red Carpet International • 7Seas Productions • LGMA • BMW CANBEC Official Festival Car • NARAT official Festival Travel Agency

To read the French version, click here.

CUISINE FRANÇAISE!

Here are just some examples of the delicious French cuisine you can enjoy during the 2016 Moondance in Montreal: escargots, croque monsieur, pot au feu, bouillabaisse, quiches, vichyssoise, croissants, cassoulet, crème brulèe, ratatouille, coq au vin, mousse au chocolat, profiteroles, and more!

MOONDANCE 2016 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES:

Accepting submissions through June 30, 2016

PLEASE READ THE FULL MISSION STATEMENT:

You may also submit your entry to Moondance via Withoutabox or FilmFreeway:

Have Short Films About Colorado?

COLORADO REVEALED VIDEO CONTEST

Sponsored by The Colorado Film Office and The Audience Awards

We are accepting 1-minute videos about what makes Colorado great and giving away a share of $15,000, commemorative Hateful 8 film strips and the opportunity for films to reach a new, global audience. There is no submission fee. Here is the link to the contest for more information. Here is an article about the contest.

www.moondancefilmfestival.com

Our thoughts and prayers are with those who grieve for those lost & injured in Brussels.
Nos pensées et nos prières vont à tous qui pleurent pour les disparus et blessés à Bruxelles.

Onze gedachten en gebed zijn met een ieder die rouwt voor de verloren en gewonden in Brussel.

Through top-quality indie films, writings and music, the Moondance International Film Festival promotes non-violent conflict resolution and equality for women and girls, as well as encouraging awareness and action to resolve vital environmental issues and humanitarian crises.

INTRODUCING THE 2016 MOONDANCE TEAM!

ELIZABETH ENGLISH

Festival Founder, Executive Director & Creative Director

MICHEL ZGARKA

2016 Festival Executive Producer

GEORGES LECLERE

2016 Festival Executive Producer – USA/ International

ALAN ROGERS

2016 Festival Executive Producer – Sponsorships

YSÉ BRISSON

2016 Festival European Executive Producer

We look forward to meeting you in Montreal!

A MOONDANCER WRITES US:

“Bravo pour aller en Canada. How did this move happen?–that must be quite a story. We plan to submit a new feature doc soon. BTW — Walking in Two Worlds will air on PBS nationally on Earth Day! We’re excited & pleased. Salut et avec beaucoup d’esprit!” ~ Bo Boudart & Aline

MOONDANCE RECOMMENDS & SUPPORTS:

WOMEN EMPOWERING WOMEN

Around the world, women hold the key to overcoming poverty and making change happen for themselves. The potential of women to transform their lives is unlimited – if they are given the opportunity to shine. This is what drives us forward and powers our passion for a more just and equal world. Our mission toward achieving our vision is to inspire and connect women, to harness their skills, creativity and influence, thereby becoming catalysts of change in order to transform the challenges and injustices faced by the most disempowered women and girls in the world. We believe that empowered women and girls can make a positive difference not only to their own lives, but also those of the wider community.

After a meeting with Nelson Mandela in 2003, “I was shocked and appalled by the fact that so few people seemed to be aware of what was happening, let alone taking effective action. As a woman and mother, I resolved to contribute to supporting the cause and amplifying the virtually silent voice of women and children. It was a life-changing experience, and I became resolved to do whatever I could to make a difference. The concept of The Circle came from the notion of women supporting, connecting and inspiring each other to become advocates and change agents, through our passion, skills and ideas.” ~ Annie Lennox

Together, as contributors to the global women’s movement, we bring attention to important issues, amplifying the voices of vulnerable women. Working with respected partners, we seek out and support impactful projects, such as through its partnership with Oxfam, The Circle, founded by Annie Lennox, one of the most successful female British artists in pop music history, and highly respected political and social activist, has funded the creation of community protection groups within 28 communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and to raise awareness about International Women’s Day, we were involved in supporting a short film directed by Sam Taylor-Wood (Fifty Shades of Grey) and featuring actors Daniel Craig & Judi Dench. The film has been viewed over 2 million times on YouTube. We support a broad range of projects that help women to become independent and confident – able to stand up for their rights, and influence change. We need volunteers to support the work of our members, and help us to grow and reach more women who are want to turn their lives around. READ MORE:

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OUR MISSION:

The African Wildlife Foundation, together with the people of Africa, works to ensure the wildlife and wild lands of Africa will endure forever.

In Africa, deforestation and climate change give real cause for concern. The African continent is anticipated to experience more than its fair share of climate change’s negative impacts. From extreme weather patterns to losses in crop productivity to an overall decrease in the quality of life for both the people and wildlife that call Africa “home,” the effects of a changing climate are only continuing to accelerate. Deforestation throughout Africa is also troubling—while the continent is home to 17% of the world’s forests, it is losing them at four times the rate of the global average. A key component of AWF’s climate change mitigation efforts are Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation projects. Your financial support will help us end poaching and wildlife trafficking. Your partnership is vital to our mission to protect Africa’s most precious – and imperiled – creatures. READ MORE:

SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT TODAY:

CHOOSE…

“…to live by choice, not by chance; to make improvements, not excuses; to be motivated, not manipulated; to be useful, not used; to excel, not compete. Choose self-esteem, not self-pity. Choose to listen to your inner voice, not the random opinions of others.” ~ Author Unknown

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“I am not what happened to me; I am what I choose to be.” ~ Carl Jung

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“Without passion, one is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the strike of the iron before it can give forth its spark.” ~ Henri F. Amiel

Thank you for your interest in the Moondance International Film Festival!

Please forward this news-blog to your creative artist colleagues!

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

EMAIL: [email protected]

Moondance Marches On; Come Join Us!

by Elizabeth English on March 17, 2016

Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success. ~ Henry Ford

Thank you for your interest in the Moondance International Film Festival!

MOONDANCE 2016 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES:

Accepting submissions

January 1 through June 30, 2016

PLEASE VISIT THESE PAGES ON THE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO:

OCEANIC PRESERVATION SOCIETY

You may also submit your entry to Moondance

via Withoutabox or FilmFreeway:

Lights, Camera, Action! The Moondance International Film Festival invites all talented US & International filmmakers, writers and music composers to submit their films, written works and film scores to our annual season, to take place in September, at our fabulous & memorable festival event location venue.

Moondance is known as the “American Cannes” of film festivals, and features the very best of indie films, music & writing by talented artists from around the world, Plan now to participate in this unique competition and attend this major film festival! The annual Moondance International Film Festival has showcased many hundreds of top-quality award-winning indie films, and hosted filmmakers, writers, composers, actors, industry professionals, celebrities, and media, from around the world.

The secret to our international success and longevity can be directly attributed to upholding our founding principles, goals, values and mission. We continually strive to inspire talented filmmakers, writers, composers and audiences, locally and globally, for the benefit of the community and the world. Maintaining the Moondance reputation for top-quality indie films, professional workshops, and productive networking events, is always the first priority. Our valued sponsors, donors, supporters, friends of the Moondance, as well as our staff, volunteers, competition entrants, enthusiastic audiences and festival attendees, are an integral element of our long-term and continued success.

DON’T MISS THESE EVENTS AT THE 2016 FILM FESTIVAL:

INDIE FILM SCREENINGS (documentaries, animation, music videos, drone films, feature & short films) 
PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOPS FOR FILMMAKERS, WRITERS & COMPOSERS
PRODUCTIVE NETORKING COCKTAIL PARTIES & EVENTS DAILY
CELEBRITY APPEARANCES & PHOTO-OPS 
INDUSTRY KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
PRIVATE CONSULTATIONS WITH THE PROS 
Q&As WITH THE FILM DIRECTORS 
NETWORKING AFTER-PARTIES  EACH EVENING
GALA AWARDS CEREMONY & RECEPTION!

People are the creators and the story-tellers. Not machinery, not conglomerates, but talented, inspiring, creative people. We want to put faces to all the stories you are telling in films, screenplays, short stories, music, and more! Plan to attend the 17^th annual Moondance International Film Festival in September. We want to get to know you!

TAKE A LOOK INSIDE THE MOONDANCE PHOTO ALBUM!

Click on album image!

INSIDER TIPS FOR ACTORS:

YOU CAN ACT ON CAMERA!

Insider Tips for Delivering a Great Performance, Every Time

By D. W. Brown

Here’s another must-read title from Michael Wiese Productions. In this book, a companion piece to the author of the acclaimed book, You Can Act: A Complete Guide for Actors, states“…an actor and a camera have a special relationship and the conditions for recording a performance have their own unique challenges.” He fills this important and detailed book with 32 principles of Acting on Camera, An Actor’s Manifesto, and many other examples of the challenges a film actor may face during the shoot, and with well-thought out solutions and advice in this easy-to-follow book. It is an acting insider’s guide to getting the best performance from yourself, for the film’s director, as well as for the ultimate success of the film, and for your future career as an actor who can be trusted to be relied upon, no matter the character he or she plays, or the circumstances of a film production. READ MORE:

WATCH THE VIDEO:

~ History of the World in 2 Minutes ~

Hold on to your seat and don’t blink your eyes for a second!! This is amazing. Seventeen year-old Joe Bush got a high school assignment to make a video reproduction. He chose history as a theme and tucked it all into a great 2 minute visual ride: http://marcbrecy.perso.neuf.fr/history.html

MOONDANCE RECOMMENDS & SUPPORTS:

LOLITA DESERVES TO RETIRE IN PEACE AND DIGNITY!

Watch Ric O’Barry as he makes an impassioned plea to the owners of the Miami Seaquarium to allow Lolita, the solitary orca held in captivity for more than 46 years, to retire in peace and dignity. Photo credit: ScubaFilmFactory / VIMEO: https//vimeo.com/157166898

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Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project encompasses Ric’s work around the world as he saves dolphins from slaughter and exploitation. Visit DolphinProject.net for more details.

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The Oceanic Preservation Society (OPS) is an Academy Award-winning team of filmmakers and activists, based in Boulder, Colorado, who are committed to sustainability and the preservation of our oceans and planet. OPS founder and director, Louie Psihoyos, takes us on a journey that illuminates the challenges facing species around the world. Join us in supporting Louie and his mission to save the planet.

WATCH THIS VIDEO:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxi6ZdgqhOU

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PROTECT THE GREATER YELLOWSTONE GRIZZLY: STOP THE DE-LISTING!

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has just released a proposal to remove Endangered Species protections from grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone region. Grizzly bears are an essential piece of the American West, a wildlife icon that has been integral to the Yellowstone region for centuries. Each year, visitors spend millions in the region, hoping to catch a glimpse of a grizzly, this beautiful and powerful symbol of our wild heritage. And as an apex predator, their presence is crucial to the health of wildlife in the Greater Yellowstone region.

Thanks to Endangered Species protections, grizzly bears are making a remarkable recovery after being hunted to the brink of extinction — but they’re still vulnerable. The proposal to de-list the grizzly fails to preserve this progress — in fact, it will reverse it. The bears’ naturally slow reproductive rate, loss of key food sources to climate change, and state plans to reduce numbers through methods like trophy hunts, all spell disaster. Get more details and take action HERE:

It’s critical that U.S. Fish and Wildlife gets this right, and this plan isn’t right. Speak out and demand a healthy future for Greater Yellowstone grizzlies today!

IF OBAMA WASN’T “BLACK” BEFORE, HE IS NOW.

artcreationforever.com

Article by Leonard Pitts, Jr.

Miami Herald, Feb. 29, 2016

Today’s column is for the benefit of one Dr. Benjamin Solomon Carson. He shouldn’t need what follows, but obviously does. No other conclusion is possible after his interview with Politico a few days ago.

The subject was Barack Obama and what the Republican presidential contender sees as the inferior quality of the president’s blackness. “He’s an ‘African’ American,” said Carson. “He was, you know, raised white. I mean, like most Americans, I was proud that we broke the color barrier when he was elected, but . . . he didn’t grow up like I grew up . . . ”

Want to know if you’re black? Try to rent a house in Miami. Try to hail a cab in Times Square. Try to win an Oscar in Hollywood. You’ll find out real quick. And there is something spectacularly absurd in the fact of Barack Obama being criticized as “not black” by a Republican.

Think about it: In the unlikely event he somehow managed to live the 47 years before his presidency without being insulted, bullied and oppressed by people who think they are white, Obama has sure made up for it since. Members of Carson’s party have called him “boy,” “uppity” and “ape” and have gone to extraordinary and unprecedented lengths to block him from doing . . . anything. So the good doctor can relax. If Obama wasn’t “black” before, he certainly is now. READ MORE:

SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT TODAY:

“Amelia”, photo by SKV

Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement. ~ Golda Meir

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Mahatma Gandhi

“The daring not only blaze new trails, the pave them for others.” ~ Source Unknown

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Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of that candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. ~ Buddha

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Love is the only force capable of transforming enemies into friends. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

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It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves. ~ William Shakespeare

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Please forward this news-blog to your creative artist colleagues!

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

EMAIL: [email protected]

No trees or natural habitats were harmed in the creation of this news-blog!

You Can Make a Big Splash at the 2016 Moondance!

by Elizabeth English on March 1, 2016

LET’S MAKE A BIG SPLASH!

MOONDANCE 2016 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES:

Accepting submissions

through June 30, 2016

Lights, Camera, Action! The Moondance International Film Festival invites all talented US & International filmmakers, writers and music composers to submit their films, written works and film scores to our 17th annual season, planned to take place in September 2016, our fabulous & memorable festival event location venue will be announced very shortly.

Moondance is known as the “American Cannes” of film festivals, and features the very best of indie films, music & writing by talented artists from around the world, Plan now to participate in this unique competition and film festival! For the last 16 years, the annual Moondance International Film Festival has showcased many hundreds of top-quality award-winning indie films, and hosted filmmakers, writers, composers, actors, industry professionals and media, from around the world.

PLEASE VISIT THESE PAGES ON THE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO:

Moondance is also accepting submissions at:

MOVIEBYTES members can get a $5 discount on Moondance entry fees until the regular submission deadline, with the special MovieBytes code! And it’s free to become a MovieBytes member.

WHAT’S IN THIS NEWS-BLOG:

CALL FOR ENTRIES 2016
NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES AT THE 2016 MOONDANCE
INSIDER TIPS: First Impressions
4 NEW FESTIVAL SPONSORS ANNOUNCED
MOONDANCE RECOMMENDATIONS: CASA Advocates for Children, Save the Monarch Butterflies
• SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
GNOME-HOMES KICKED OUT OF PARK

PEOPLE YOU CAN MEET AT THE 2016 MOONDANCE:

Our fabulous 2016 film festival program is simply packed with an incredible line-up of inspiring and top-quality, entertaining films from around the world, professional workshops and pitch-panels, celebrities, photo-ops, and productive networking parties, plus our not-to-be-missed gala awards ceremony and reception. Plan to come help us celebrate the 17^th annual Moondance International Film Festival!

Let’s do some productive networking!

Literary agents, story editors, acquisitions execs, film studio execs, development execs, producers, directors, film & script editors, career coaches, actors’ agents, film & music distributors, indie filmmakers, screenwriters, music composers & arrangers, playwrights, writers, film crews, lyricists, novelists, short-story writers, ghost-writers, script doctors, film festival directors, executive producers, film production funders, film buffs, the media, animators, costume designers, directors of photography, cinematographers, drone filmmakers, musicians, film-score composers, film production designers, book publishers, videographers, television producers , directors & show-runners, audio program writers & producers, website developers, journalists, line producers, sound designers, stageplay producers & directors, casting directors, script supervisors, location scouts, publicists, art directors, set designers & decorators, actors, acting coaches, film sales agents, film commissioners, foreign filmmakers, writers & composers, photographers, public relations specialists, and more! Plan to attend the 2016 Moondance; don’t miss your best opportunity to connect with the international film community!

Take a look inside the Moondance photo album!

Click on album image

INSIDER TIPS FOR SCREENWRITERS & FILMMAKERS:

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:

TITLES & LOGLINES

by Elizabeth English

Have a fabulous, unique idea for a movie? That’s wonderful, but you need to know how to turn your great story into a great logline. There is and always has been only one real secret to success in the entertainment industry: Tell a great story. Period. And you need to figure out how to tell that fabulous story in only 25 words or less! You need to learn how to get your script idea enthusiastically read by an agent and then a producer, director and actors. Learn what they look for in a title and logline. Your first impression to these movers and shakers is all about the fine art of pitching your film or screenplay, your TV series concept, your film, or story idea, via your eye-catching and memorable title and logline.

“SELL THE SIZZLE; NOT JUST THE STEAK!”

A great title for your film or screenplay is the first (and maybe only) introduction to an agent, a producer, director or studio. “You’ve got 3 minutes; pitch me what you’ve got,” is what you’ll hear from the entertainment industry movers & shakers who might buy your project. But you probably wouldn’t even get that meeting or a reply to your query letter, if you didn’t have an interesting title and logline that caught their eye.

You can almost always find that great, eye-catching title within your screenplay text, and then write a sizzling logline to go with it. Know how to “dress” your script for success, make it stand out from all the others, and get it noticed in the first round. READ MORE!

FOUR 2016 FILM FESTIVAL EVENT SPONSORS ANNOUNCED!

From the UK, Canada, New York & Colorado

The 2016 Moondance International Film Festival is very pleased to announce our first four event sponsors! Their generous support is greatly appreciated, and will make the 2016 film festival the best ever! For information on supporting the upcoming film festival, please see our sponsor pages on the website: www.moondancefilmfestival.com

RED CARPET ENTERPRISES was founded by Alan Rogers in 1996 and rapidly became a leading name in the organisation of exclusive corporate retreats for FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 companies across the globe. The company expanded into the organisation of individual trips and private events for HNWI, their families and groups of friends. The Red Carpet Concierge Club provides access to unique experiences and the unattainable. Rogers steered Red Carpet Enterprises to win the Vision 100 award for the top 100 UK visionary companies in both the private and public sector. Having achieved over a million miles of air travel, worked in over 54 countries, toured the world’s most iconic of cities and reviewed the most prestigious of hotels and resorts, Rogers and his team are perfectly placed to give advice on the worldwide luxury market. Red Carpet Enterprises & Concierge Club have also organised many prestigious International events making them the perfect partner for such a prestigious film festival. http://www.redcarpet.co.uk

XII Tribes Entertainment, a media company, was founded by industry insiders Ysé Brisson and Michel Zgarka. It is based in Canada with regional offices in Paris, New York, London and Los Angeles as well representation offices in Beijing, Singapore and Rome. It has extensive knowledge and expertise in securing funding and producing for the international marketplace. The company funds and develops all of its own proprietary Intellectual Properties. XII Tribes Entertainment has built over the past few years a fully multi-platform slate of proprietary intellectual properties ranging from theatrical feature films, Prime-time scripted drama, animation, factual & reality shows and is actively working in creating new streams of monetization for all of its properties. The company also makes substantial acquisitions of revenue generating media properties as well as further monetize its new technologies. www.xiitribesentertainment.com

LGMA, the global media consulting company, was first created in 2007 by Georges Leclere to promote Eco-TV programs including format game shows Go For Green! and District Green and drama series, GWEN. After 10 years as director of the United Nations Media & Television, Leclere headed the International Emmy Awards as well as the competitions and awards of the Banff World Media Festival in Canada, adding new TV competitions to its lineup. Today, LGMA is involved and partnering with the Seoul Drama Awards in Korea, the War and Peace Media Company in Russia and the Sichuan TV Festival in China. LGMA advises international companies on worldwide media ranging from classic television events to future visual media on any platform. www.lgma.tv

7SEAS PRODUCTIONS, founded by Elizabeth English, an award-winning filmmaker & screenwriter, in 2000, is a consulting company for screenwriters, filmmakers and music composers, offering insider tips, film & script editing, original screenwriting, music arranging, ghost writing, film & script consultations & creative input on storyline, plot, characterizations, loglines & synopses, as well as rewrites & polishes, at affordable rates. 7Seas Productions has also produced the Moondance International Film Festival annually. https://moondancefilmfestival.com/7seas-productions/

MOONDANCE RECOMMENDS & SUPPORTS:

Mission: The National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association, together with its state and local member programs, supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy so every abused or neglected child in the United States can be safe, have a permanent home and the opportunity to thrive. Read more about us.

CASA/GAL volunteers are appointed by judges to watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children, to make sure they don’t get lost in the overburdened legal and social service system or languish in inappropriate group or foster homes. Volunteers stay with each case until it is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. For many abused children, their CASA/GAL volunteer will be the one constant adult presence in their lives.

‪www.kidspot.com.au

Judges appoint CASA volunteers to represent the best interests of children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. Each year, more than 600,000 children experience foster care in this country. Because there are not enough CASA/GAL volunteers to represent all of the children in care, judges typically assign CASA /GAL volunteers to their most difficult cases. Read the stories of young people whose lives were changed by the support of a CASA/GAL volunteer.

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SAVE THE MONARCH BUTTERFLIES!

Imagine yourself standing in an open forest and watching in wonder as thousands of delicate monarch butterflies begin floating slowly in, settling down to cover every inch of every tree.

That’s what happens when one of nature’s most astounding migration events occurs each year in North America. Every autumn, tens of millions of monarchs take flight on a remarkable 3,000-mile journey from the northeastern United States and Canada to their ancestral wintering grounds in the forest mountains of central Mexico. Each migration follows the same route as it did the year before. Milkweed, the only plant on which monarchs lay their eggs and the only source of food for baby caterpillars, is disappearing all across the United States due to herbicide use and land conversion.

Now imagine this route being destroyed. Our ever-growing demand for food, fuel, and living space results in the loss of more butterfly habitat and more milkweed (the only food source for monarch larvae) every year. Further, illegal logging is ruining their wintering grounds in Mexico. Monarch populations have been on the decline for decades. The good news is that together, we can save them!

That’s why we’re launching the Monarch Squad today—a group of WWF supporters who are at the ready to help monarchs. As a member of the Monarch Squad, you will be part of WWF’s effort to save the monarch butterfly. Throughout 2016 and beyond, we’re going to restore the butterflies’ milkweed habitat and work with companies and policymakers to take critical action. Start today and take the first step toward saving these magical creatures. We’ve set a goal of getting 1 million supporters to come together with WWF to help us save the monarch butterfly. Will you join us? JOIN NOW

SOME THINGS TO THINGS ABOUT TODAY:

“If you watch how Nature deals with adversity, continually renewing itself, you can’t help but learn something.” ~ Edith Sitwell

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“Wind from the Sea” by Andrew Wyeth

“Art is the window to one’s soul. Without it, we would never see beyond our immediate world, nor could the world see within us.” ~ Lady Bird Johnson

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“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” Edith Wharton

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“The visionary starts with a clean sheet of paper – and re-imagines the world!” ~ Malcom Gladwell

GNOME HOMES KICKED OUT OF THE PARK!

By Deb Kiner, @ Pennlive,com February 24, 2016

Gnome Home by Steve Hoke

The 7-year-old girl had just finished her last chemo treatment. Her dad asked what she wanted to do – she said she wanted to see in person the gnome houses that she had seen on Facebook. Hoke was pulling a garden wagon full of the 38 gnome houses that since early December have been a wildly popular attraction along Fisherman’s Trail in Little Buffalo State Park, PA. Hoke offered her a gnome house. “That has kind of been the draw. It has just been a wonderful thing. We have seen so many kids out there,” Hoke said.

The gnome houses had been evicted by park management and needed to be removed by Feb. 29. Hoke was told the gnome homes “upset the balance of nature.” Hundreds of people have walked the trails, eagerly looking for the homes, sometimes adding little furniture, gnome statues, notes and coins. “That was another special part: the interaction that people had with those things. Each home had a saying – “Gnomes are nature’s work,” “Gnome home,” “Gnome throne,” “Smell the trees,” “Work hard; gnomes do,” “Dream big.” In the end, it may have been the popularity of the homes that led to their demise. “My ultimate goal was to get kids out of their houses and away from their electronics and go for a walk. That is exactly what happened,” Hoke said. READ MORE (article excerpted & edited by EE)

LET’S BUILD OUR OWN GNOME HOMES!

Please forward this news-blog to your creative artist colleagues!

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

EMAIL: [email protected]