A Dark "Night" in Aurora, Colorado

You're sitting in a movie theater at the midnight screening of the highly anticipated film, "The Dark Knight Rises." The movie starts and about 20 minutes in, a man bursts through one of the exit doors, dressed in all black. You're think they've found a way to make the premiere more interesting by having someone become a part of the action. Suddenly, the man throws a canister into the crowd and it explodes, spreading gas all over the theater and then you hear gunshots, people screaming and others running for their lives.

For moviegoers in Aurora, Colorado, this was real life and it was not apart of the show. 59 people were injured and 12 people killed after a guns man, James Holmes, entered the rural theater and shot the patrons trying to enjoy the movie.

I woke up to this news as I was preparing to view an early morning screening of the same movie hours later in New York; another timezone. As far away as this incident was, entering the theater, I was immediately cautious of what was happening around me; surveying the exit doors as I watched the film. The news predicted that there may be copycats who would attempt to do the same thing at another and I didn't want to take that chance. After the movie ended (and it was a great movie, by the way) and I exited the theater, it was hard to accept that other people didn't receive the same experience I did, vice versa.

It made me think of the shooter, James Holmes, and how he robbed people of this experience and their lives in the process. Reports say Holmes' hair was dyed red, resembling The Joker, as he was quoted saying he was The Joker.

 

James Holmes, BATSHIT CRAZY

It's disturbing to know that someone took a piece of a fictional world, applied it to real life and tricked people who was trying to submerge themselves into this universe, through the movie, to harm people. This is one reason why I wish superheroes existed; to stop tragedies like this from happening. Why couldn't Holmes be inspired by Batman and burst through the door in a Dark Knight costume, rather than be inspired by evil and kill people? I would never understand what was going through Holmes' head or experience what those people in Aurora, Colorado went through, but my thoughts go out to the families affected by this tragedy and I hope them a genuine recovery.

In the movie, Gotham City experienced their darkest hour and eventually overcame. I hope Aurora  can do the same.

-Video Vix[o]n

Life on the Little Screen

Recently, I found about a couple of short film screeners which I was excited to attend and watch the works of some local filmmakers. I haven't been to a screener in a long time, probably due to me being involved with the inter-webs all the time. Sometimes, I forget that there are other people in NYC, beside myself, who are creating films as their passion. I also met some cool new filmmakers who showed off their pieces, and I have to say, the talent that I saw left something to be admired. Here are a few of the pieces I've seen.

JULIA DRAINS


WHITE SUGAR IN A BLACK POT

Click Title To Watch Trailer

TIED UP

As I continue my quest to create more films and earn my self-titled name of "Filmmaker," I realize that at some point down the line, I should step into the realm of screeners and "shopping" my films to film festivals and reach out to a different audience outside of Youtube. Creating online content is fun, but it's nothing compared to seeing the looks on people's faces watching your work and commending you for your good work. I don't feel like I'm at that point yet, but I'm getting there slowly. In the meanwhile, I'll continue to find out about more screeners and discover new filmmakers and their projects. Don't be surprised if you see my work at a film festival soon. 

-Video Vix[o]n