Posts in Category: Videos
Feature Friday: The Bad Mother Video Q+A
You know you’re going to love this one, based on the title alone. The Bad Mother is a feature film in the making. It’s not quite finished yet and the creators, makers, hustlers and creative masterminds behind and in front of the scenes … need our help to do it. After watching the trailer, you’ll understand why this flm needs to get finished. As you wipe tears of laughter from your face.
I had this grand idea to do a recorded Google Chat Q+A with the creators based on that one time I recorded a hands-free breast pumping bra review. Technical difficulties aside, we figured out how to record our little G-chat and you can learn more about the project and why they need our help after the jump!
Hearburst: That Time My Son Recorded His First Album at 5 Years Old [VIDEO]
What else can I say? I’m feeling truly blessed this weekned, what a wonderful way to bring in the spirit of growth, renewal and energy. My boy has been wanting to “record his own album”, for months now and began as any serious songwroter does, by putting together lyrics and melodies with his success partner (his dad).
Here’s a little b-side roll of yesterday’s production session in Wyndham’s grandfather’s studio. We went to have some family time since we heard tell that the a certain bunny was making the rounds at their house extra special like, and ended up getting way more than ew bargained for!
This particular song, “Statues Are Picture of People”, was written by Wyndham right around the time that his dad was diagnosed with gout and he was wrapping his sweet little brain and heart around the entire concept, in trying to understand why his dad was rendered immobile from the once very active, wrestling jungle gym that he usuallu was. What amazing minds children have when given the chance to flourish.
(Things are looking much better now for Trev is that regard and he’s often back to his rowdy, scream inducing ways with the little ones, no worries.)
Soul Rewards: Dad Wears Boa, Daughter Has Giggle-Fit, Mom and Son Shake it Off [VIDEO]
Perhaps some of you might have noticed this new fitness journey I’ve embarked on, perhaps not. At any rate … the tribe of women who are keeping me accountable have gone a long way in restoring my faith in, well, myself. But more on that later. Right now we have a little dance party we’d like to share with you. It’s no big production, just us … my sweet family and I getting a little sweaty and having a lot of fun.
So, to my coach who asked us to rev things up mid month and “shake-off” any feelings of negativity or low-energy that we may be having, thank-you. Transformations are happening all over the place and one of my biggest “whys” … my family; is definitely presenting to be my daily source of affirmation and inspiration. Health and wellness revolve around every aspect of our lives, if we acknowledge and respect them as the roadmaps to a better life that they are. Not just for ourselves, but for those we love most.
And it can be as simple as a family dance party on a weeknight before dinner. Boas and tutus optional, although highly recommended…
Feature Friday For The Lovers: Introducing Digging Roots’ Single “I’ve Got it Bad” [VIDEO]
When Raven and ShoShona, of Digging Roots, approached me to work with them on a music video for their song, “I’ve Got It Bad” … I was both terrified and honoured. Yet, as it goes with many things in my life, I decided to abandon fear and dive in. It began with Shoshona and I writing the concept. ShoShona wanted to experiment with the idea of not taking themselves too seriously so I presented her with a series of tongue-in-cheek treatment ideas and we hashed out many different concepts and story-lines. As is often the case, our original concept was a much longer story. But, as also is often the the case, we didn’t have endless funds at our disposal so we reigned shots in to utilize who and what we had to work with. Which, from a professional prospective; was a stunning well of creative professionals of which to draw from anyways.
From there, Raven, Doug (the D.O.P, co-director, editor and my husband), Sarain Carson-Fox, Shona and I just went for it. We decided on a storyline of, learning to love yourself. How do you tell such a story without being cheesy? Comedic relief. Over five days, we shot tons of footage in Longboat Key, Florida. Even when Shona was stung by a stingray on the third day, she kept going!
This video is truly a labour of love. Our children, ranging in age from 2 to 18, all helped. My mom and Shona’s mom helped and together we were able to have fun, work hard and put together a really charming and FUNNY video. Our actress Sarain was a dream. Such a great sport with fantastic comic timing and to top it off … she’s gorgeous! Her character tells the story of how a woman who thinks she’s in love, finds what she was looking for in herself instead. In her darkest moment, she sees herself and saves herself from her own heartache. She is, in essence, her own prince charming.
To be honest, those five days of production helped me forget how much pain I was in from the Lyme Disease that was infecting and attacking my body. That’s when you know you’re doing what you’re meant to be doing.
Thanks to Digging Roots for having faith and thanks to Doug for spending so much time on this project.
Four Direction is The Seventh Generation
What does that mean? 7th generation is a term used to describe today’s Native youth, who are the 8th fire rising. I firmly believe that it is the Indigenous youth of today, led on a path so brightly burned by our elders…who will be the ones to induce the change in our communities and how we survive, succeed and are perceived/treated nation-wide. Outside of our communities. The road is long and the work is never-ending. I myself tire of it. Tire of the endless ‘innocent’ and ‘well-meaning’ questions. Of always having to hold grace in the face of ignorance. Definitely tired of the outright hate and racism.
Our children; the youth of today —they are what give me hope.
This winter, the Quinte Mohawk School in Tyendinaga partnered with arts-education organization Darkspark to conceptualize, record and release an EP of songs written entirely by Grade 8 students. Thus far, in what they’ve rolled out to promote their official release; has moved me and surged new hope into my veins. This class decided to write about the issues they face as young Aboriginal teenagers hoping to inspire awareness and create change within their community and country. They’ve decided to call themselves Four Direction and their EP ‘The Problem’ will be released on March 10th.
If DarkSpark is a name that sounds familiar to you, you may remember me mentioning it a while back when sharing a music video featuring the incomparable music prowess of DARKLARK. DarkSpark and DARKLARK, two hugely separate feats that straddle all that the team (D’Ari Lisle and Melissa Larkin) behind both — wish to do in this world. In making a difference to inspire change and as music/arts professionals. They’ve been releasing teaser videos with clockwork precision this week, showcasing some behind-the-scenes footage, candid shots and a lyric video (The Problem) for one of the songs from the album!
Check them all out below and do them (me, yourself) a solid and check out the blog/website and Facebook page below. Make sure to leave comments…encouragement is everything to these bright and brilliant young stars singing for change. You can pre-order the album as of noon yesterday and all proceeds of the EP will go directly to The Native Women’s Association of Canada’s Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women’s Fund. Not only should you buy the album because it’s for a worthy, underrepresented cause…you should buy it because you love good music and lyrics. The kind that gives you goosebumps and makes you think. Makes you proud. More aware, more humble and inspired.
Big Sister Is Watching [VIDEO]: How GoldieBlox Rages Against The BS Machine
If you haven’t heard about GoldieBlox, the Kickstarter toy company success story of 2013, then hello. Welcome parents of little girls who want their daughters to know they are so much more than a princess. I am impressed and altogether smitten with this company, its mission and vision, products and genuine desire to be a part of positive change in the landscape of how little girls think of themselves, what kind of role models they have and how they value themselves. The bonus? Metric, a fantastic Canadian band is the soundtrack. Awe yea.
Founder Debbie Sterling has brought the company a long way with a whole line of story, construction, movie-making and engineering sets for girls. (And clothes!) What’s the goal? Well, if it isn’t obvious already, GoldieBlox aims to disrupt the pink aisle and inspire the future generation of female engineers by giving these young inventors the tools they need to build and create amazing things.
Today I was presented with a brand new video created by the mad geniuses over at GoldieBlox, called: Big Sister is Watching, to promote their new Zipline Action Figure. Yea, a Zipline Action Figure. The video is feisty, excellently produced, short and to the point. It’s their way of raging against the BS machine and ending the reign of fashion dolls. Which, we all know is a mighty feat. Right here in my own home I am raising a Princess obsessed little girl. Suffice to say that I am stoked there is finally something else that I can introduce her to to. A new kind of ‘doll’ that helps to even out the onslaught of heels, lipstick and sparkle; with characters that are cool, interesting, smart, and relatable.
Feature Friday: Presenting DARKLARK’s “Gutter” [VIDEO]
Of course you’re in. What better way to start then, by sharing a brand new sound just curving its luscious hips around a release in the New Year of 2015? This is a well-crafted, live music video; the first take they filmed and the in the end…it became the chosen one. You are indeed in for a treat. That alone should make you press play, but I’m going to go ahead and prophesize that you just might FALL IN LOVE today during a climactic experience where music meets spirit…with the raw, gritty, sounds of DARKLARK.
I first met Mel Larkin on her farm in magical Prince Edward County. (We started an up close and personal piece showcasing her amazing home, farm, orchard and vintage finds. We’ll be getting back together some-time this fall to finish. If you love home tours and candid interviews with inspiring arts educators and music professionals, then Larkin’s home tour here on ROAR will be something to look forward to!)
This is a woman who isn’t afraid of that (dirty!) word feminism and her ideas on the term definitely include loving herself, being sexual, being smart and YES…appreciating men too. I’ve had the honour of hearing rough cuts of her baby, her main musical project, DARKLARK. They released a single for the project last year, ‘SISTERS.’ A 7″ vinyl single and a one-time printing, SISTERS was the response to a challenge given to Mel by Rich Terfry (aka Buck 65). He sent her this wikipedia link and asked her to write a song from the perspective of the long-passed Papin sisters. (Incestuous lovers and maids to aristocrats in France. The sisters lost it one day, after being worked 6.5 days a week for too long and violently murdered their masters. She takes the side of the sisters in the song) so yea – that’s just how gritty, dark and fabulous DARKLARK is, if you’re into that sort of throught provoking, musically gratifying and spell-binding thing. The single includes a quirky B Side called ‘The BREAKER’ that will never likely make it onto a proper record. They are in a very creative stage of this project right now with lot’s of writing, rehearsing and tweaking going on at the moment.
So when longtime collaborators Mel Larkin and D’Ari Lisle released a live video of their freshly mastered track, ‘GUTTER’…I was stoked. This video in all of its goddess-like, fierce, sincere, passion and emotion-filled excellence moved me to tears. Perhaps because Larkin and I have found a sisterhood in each-other, we share some similar pains from the past. Although that is the intangible thing about ‘GUTTER.’ Many people can relate to the kind of pain of being in a soul-sucking, damaging relationship without having to go into great detail.
The video was produced in Toronto by One Take Wonders and is as visually captivating as much as it is sonically mesmerizing. Enjoy!
AND I’M BACK, WITH A FRIEND THIS TIME: INTRODUCING THE NEW BLOG NAME & DIRECTION!
Without further ado, I’d like to introduce you to a good friend of mine – my new blogging partner Jennifer Podemski. Below is a video that we did (mostly) on the fly. Poke around the new layout – if you’re a previous friend of le petit reve, you’ll see some of the same and quite a bit of new. New categories, new breath, new life.
Jen is well familiar with being behind the camera – I however, am not. Which you will quickly discover, although we’ve been told that we have a good dynamic. The video is a lot longer than we intentioned and truth be told it’s been edited down. The ‘experts’ say that if we want to engage audiences new and old with blog videos, or vlogging as the official term apparently is…that we’re supposed to keep it short and sweet.
Clearly nothing short going on here. So please, tell us in the comments if you’d like to see more of the long or if you think we should pare things down a bit with our future vlogs; something of which we look forward to doing a lot more of! As we get more confident with letting the veil drop and converse as we would without a camera pointed in our direction…we’re hoping the content appeals to you as much as it does to us.
EVERY CHILD IS AN ARTIST (VIDEOS)
This morning I am woken with an extreme feeling of gratitude, on this my 37th birthday. Oohhh, it’s creeping in and I am reminded today, as many of us are on a birthday – the importance of caring for this vessel I that holds my brain and my heart, into middle and old age. The importance of our youth, the 8th fire rising.
I am reminded of the strong support system of friends and family that surround me, lift me up, care for me, dote on me and inspire me. Yesterday and today I’ve felt especially doted on and inspired. Today is going to be a good day and I want to leave you with the work of some of my favourite people in this world, big influences and loves in my life. This work that they are doing, makes all of the day to day madness worth it. Wake up and RISE.
Abby & Wyndham Take Toronto
The adventures of. Our end of summer bucket list is quickly coming to a finish…
You can see some pictures from our big city adventures – specifically Centre Island – right here!
Until the next. XO
CONNECT WITH JENNIFER
CONNECT WITH SELENA
