#my favorite hobby is projecting on critical role characters

[avpdpossum]

me, starting a new show: alright, who am i going to diagnose with avpd this time

[animebw]

So I've been musing over the differences between Sunshine and School Idol Project over the past few days of semi-hiatus, and I think a few stray thoughts have clicked together. There's a subtle but critical difference in the way these two shows carry themselves, a difference that ultimately explains why I enjoy SIP more. And it comes down, believe it or not, to realism.

Like, let's be clear, all iterations of Love Live are farcical melodramas first and foremost. You are not gonna catch me calling any entry in this franchise a nuanced and grounded take on the human condition. But there's a subtle, meaningful degree of realism in SIP's character writing that just isn't quite there in Sunshine's cast. The girls of Muse, on some level, all come off as believable, if exaggerated, teenagers within their circumstances, while Aquors' characterization leans a bit more, for lack of a better descriptor, "anime quirky." As much as I love most of these characters, I'm always conscious of them as characters in a way that SIP mostly manages to avoid throughout its run.

To explain what I mean, let's compare the student council presidents, Eri and Dia. Now, neither of these characters are my favorite member of their respective franchises. But it's worth noting that when I look at Eri, I don't just see a character who is a student council president. I see a girl who is a believable student council president. Eri is mature, she's sensible, she's got a strong work ethic, and while she has her flaws, she's a natural leader who clearly feels comfortable taking charge and handling difficult situations (which makes Honoka's arc in the second season all the more compelling as we see her struggle to live up to that example). If I met her on the street and didn't know her already, it would probably only take a few minutes of conversation for me to assume she held some kind of leadership position. I don't have to stretch my imagination to wonder how a person like her could be a student council president, because it just makes sense that someone like her would be drawn to a role like that. It feels natural.

That is not the case with Dia.

Dia is, quite simply, a mess. She's overly intense, deeply insecure, quick to anger, and seems to consider dealing with other people an extremely difficult hurdle to overcome. If I was meeting her for the first time, I would assume her hobbies were sports or something else competitive before I pegged her for a leader. Which is not to say you can't write characters who don't quite fit the roles they carry out! But with Dia, it's not just that she doesn't strike me as leadership material; I don't see her as someone who would want to be student council president. I can't picture her looking at the kinds of tasks and responsibilities this job entails and saying, "Yes, this is the path I want to pursue. This is what makes me happy." Student Council President is a title she wears, but it doesn't feel like a life she lives, or a life she even wants to live. And we barely even see her do any council work in the first place, so it's not like we have a sense of how she operates in this position. There's just very little connection between the role she supposedly carries out and the character we're presented with.

Point is, when I look at Eri, I have no trouble believing that her journey in life naturally brought her to this point. When I look at Dia, I find myself asking how someone like her ended up pursuing this path when it feels like by all rights she should've landed somewhere else. It feels like "student council president" is a character trait slapped onto her rather than a natural extension of her as a person. She is a "student council president" not because it makes sense for who she is, but because "student council president" is a popular archetype in anime, so this show must have a "student council president" as well. And it just requires that extra bit of suspension of disbelief to buy into that Eri never demanded of me.

Yes, it's a minor detail. One might even call it a nitpick. But it's paying attention to those little details that made SIP's cast so easy to buy into. It's the difference between Maki being a rich girl who's family owns some vacation houses and Mari somehow becoming the goddamn school director while she's still a teenager. It's the difference between Nico's gremlin energy coming from a very recognizable brand of turbo-geek toxicity and Yoshiko just being so overwhelmingly chuuni. Not to mention how SIP grounds its characters' lives in subtle, genuine imperfections, like Nico's family situation forcing her to take on more adult responsibilities, or Rin's complex over her perceived lack of femininity, or Nozomi struggling to form lasting relationships after changing schools so much. As absurd and over-the-top as Muse's members are, there's a truth to the way they exist in their world that truly makes them leap off the screen. And as much fun as Aqours cast is, that subtle grounding just isn't there. They're quirky and lively and pull at my heartstrings, but they exist solely as fun characters, not as people I feel like I could genuinely get to know and share a connection with.

[fvriva]

Whole hog winter 🐽

Vamonos

Thanks for the ask! I missed my girlllll 🥹🥹🥹🥺🥺🥺

Autumn & Vernon | Cy & Newton

send an emoji + an oc (or order the WHOLE HOG)

✨- How did you come up with the OC’s name?

Winter Carthmarrow in a lot of ways was designed to be alongside Autumn Saffworth, especially back when the project was called Seasonal Depression as a goofy pun as opposed to Animus Vitrum. Carthmarrow combines the bone theme (to go along with Autumn's blood theme) with a sense of destruction and fire (Carthago delenda est).

🌼 - How old are they? (Or approximate age range)

18-21. Her arc is a little longer than Autumn's to finish.

🌺- Do they have any love interest(s)?

Winter has had a couple over the course of her existence, but I'm currently in the process of reworking hers.

Originally she was meant to be paired with Summer/Midsomnir Titania because they were designed as opposite spirits for each other, but I've been wanting someone more conniving for her ever since playing with @mitspeiler and his girl Elmindreda as her partner. I think based on that, she would do well with someone conniving and devious, but dense and headstrong in her own way.

🍕 - What is their favorite food?

She likes salads, wraps, protein bars, and protein shakes/smoothies. Lots of health food that can be eaten pretty quickly and on-the-go. She also likes black coffee.

💼 - What do they do for a living?

Winter is currently a magic student that specializes in fire magic. She expects she'll inherit a number of shares in the family business when she comes of age, given that Autumn is pretty much worthless for it and incompetent in the business world. In a modern au she's practically built to be a lawyer as well.

🎹 - Do they have any hobbies?

She has a few but they're not especially enjoyable. Mostly just working out, training, studying, maybe playing an instrument. That sort of thing.

🎯 -What do they do best?

Winter genuinely is very talented at learning new spells quickly. She also has impeccable fashion sense.

🥊 -What do they love to do? What do they hate to do?

She loves dancing. It's a skill she's cultivated for social/heiress reasons, but she especially loves to teach girls their first ballroom moves.

She hates actually putting up with the male partners she ends up with during those. It takes everything she's got to be civil about it. She also gets easily frustrated in general, as she doesn't take criticism well (even self-directed).

❤️ - What is one of your OC’s best memories?

It's a memory that's soured since she left home, but one time she was exceptionally good at some milestone or test or competition, and Blanche let her loose at a fancy boutique with the credit card. Her Aunt even bought her something to eat afterwards.

✂️ - What is one of your OC’s worst memories?

I think I will keep the duel canon, meaning that after throwing the match because she doesn't want to kill [love interest], Blanche stabs her in a way that will incapacitate but not harm her long-term, with the intent of shipping her off to marry some loathsome political ally.

🧊 - Is their current design the first one?

It's pretty close! Honestly the only thing that's really changed is the specifics of her dress and her jewelry. Her palette and a lot of her facial features have been pretty set since day 1. The main thing that's changed is her role in the story.

🍀 - What originally inspired the OC?

Todoroki from My Hero Academia. Winter was originally born out of a cartoony split-personality au for him before I turned them all into their own characters, and also girls. She's also heavily inspired by the Schnees from RWBY. And my love for hot, mean, misunderstood women.

🌂 - What genre do they belong in?

I could see her in basically any drama, especially something with a competitive social element like business-themed. However, she's in a high fantasy adventure story currently, on a journey of self-discovery.

💚 - What is your OC’s gender identity and sexuality?

Cis lesbian, she/her.

🙌 - How many siblings does your OC have?

No siblings as she was orphaned at a young age. Autumn is her only sister-figure.

🍎 - What is the OC’s relationship w/their parents like?

Winter was very close with her mother, Rosé, and her father, Enamuel, and they loved her very much. After they died when she was two or so she was taken in by her Aunt Blanche and Uncle Theros, who were always a little distant. It got worse when Autumn was born and they started neglecting her, but it got slightly better as she proved to be very talented where Autumn proved to be somewhat of a dud, magically speaking. It was never very wholesome or supportive of an environment though.

🧠 - What do you like most about the OC?

I like how she's got the mixture of the extreme competence and talent with the utter incompetence when it comes to intimacy and vulnerability. She also SUCKS but I can fix her.

✏️ - How often do you draw/write about the OC?

Rather frequently! I used to actively roleplay Winter and I really must say she's one of my favorites. I draw her quite a bit too.

💎 - Do you ever see yourself killing off the OC?

I don't think so. She doesn't get to weasel out of all the shit she's done that easily.

💀 - Does your OC have any phobias?

Even with her fire magic, she gets kind of nervous around uncontrolled large fires. She's also scared of intimacy, especially with her internalized homophobia.

🍩 -Who is your OC’s arch-nemesis or rival?

Ideally she would have one of each: a rival that pushes her to be better and better that she events falls in love with, and an arch-nemesis shitty betrothed that doesn't care about all that, just wanting to use her for her bloodline.

🎓 - How long have you had the OC?

Since late 2017, so 6ish years.

🍥 - What age were you when you created the OC?

I would've been 16!

[windblooms]

matchups.

hihi :’) way overdue – but here are the matchup requests that i received.  please check for yours below if it was sent in!  ctrl+f on desktop for your mbti/zodiac, or something you remember adding in if the post is too long to scroll through.

Hello! I'm INFP and 98% Type 4 & 92% Type 9. I'm a sun Pisces & moon Aquarius. I'm fairly introverted but can be kinda silly if I'm trying to be social. I'm also empathetic & sympathetic with plenty of self-confidence issues. My main hobbies are playing games, looking into social issues, thinking about game characters,etc. I keep bouncing between visions but Geo might be fitting since current Geo characters are a little more on the introverted side. Not sure if I'm late but wanted to try <3 I'm the INFP Pisces & Aquarius Geo asker and forget to mention that I'd like 1 platonic and 1 romantic!

romantic match-up: kaeya.

although it might be odd at first to pair him with a sensitive and introverted soul such as yourself, on the contrary, kaeya won’t have any issues relating to your emotional nature, even if outwardly it doesn’t seem so (behind his light-hearted and diplomatic dialogue, he’s got a transactional relationship with the knights he’s “loyal” to; his own brother is distasteful towards him; and he’s got an agenda that goes against everything he currently lives with.)  he’ll get a knack out of teasing you when the mood is fitting, and while he may not be the one to give you the best of pep-talks, his self-assured disposition does have its uses: confident words soothe over the creases of your worries and troubling thoughts, and when things are more light-hearted, the two of you will bounce off of each others’ playful mannerism.

platonic match-up: barbara.

barbara is a sweetheart who’s incredibly devoted to both her companions and her aspirations.  wholesome and energetic, she’s sure to keep you on your toes dancing, whether it be about how beautiful it is outside or the potential of a rainbow after a storm.  while she’s a clear extrovert, barbara is also insightful to the feelings of others – after all, an idol must understand her crowd! – so she’s sure to dial down the energy if you’re ever feeling weary that day.

hihi !! can i please submit myself for the matchups ? i'm intp-t, scorpio sun and leo moon. i'm 5'11, female, and am described to be a very energetic person. i like to think optimistically and have a special love for philosophy and chemistry !! my hobbies include reading and writing - i've also recently picked up baking. i think i would have a hydro vision in genshin - hydro users tend to be healers, and i think that's something i would specialize in. can i please have 2 romantic matchups 🥺

i'm the scorpio sun leo moon intp matchup ask !! i forgot to mention that my enneagram type is seven, sorry 😔

romantic match-ups: childe/tartaglia and jean. 

childe hyperfixates on individuals he deems strong.  while this usually translates into people who have experience on the battle field, in your case, he finds it admirable that you’re able to keep up with so many hobbies and interests.  your thirst for new experiences and stimuli is akin to his own sense of adventure, and your devotion to each and every one of them resonates with his own conviction to his aspirations.  you’re strong mentally, and when you interact, he always has to dedicate himself to you fully in order to keep up; there’s never a dull moment when you’re around him.

a workaholic in denial, jean’s position as acting grand master never gives her a break.  she’ll insist that she’s fine, that she’s content with her oversight of the knights, that they are her priority.  and while this is true, when you talk about how your interests range from chemistry to baking, it’ll remind her of the time she doesn’t have to do “normal people things.”  again, not that she’s miserable with the knights, far from it – it’s just that your life and spontaneity reminds her of the things outside of the knights that she wishes she could do, too.  your genuine energy never fails to make her smile – perhaps you were who she’s been waiting for.

hi, congrats on the 1k followers! i really enjoy your writing and i’m glad to see that you’re doing well! i hope the rest of 2021 goes well for you!

for the matchup event, i’d like one platonic and one romantic relationship. i'm an infp, 6w5, scorpio sun and virgo moon. my attention span isn’t the best and i’m an impulsive dumbass, but i still manage to get good grades somehow. i try to be sociable, but i have a habit of clamming up so i usually just end up sticking to the people i know. i’m kinda all or nothing with the effort i put into things; i run out of steam pretty easily so i tend to leave things unfinished, which i hate, but sometimes i’ll go wild and finish a semester-long project in one afternoon. overall, i really like helping others and being seen as reliable! i was really dependent on others in the past, and although i still kinda am now, i’m trying to be someone others can depend on.

as for hobbies, i mostly just play video games and scary stories. i’m also into a lot of crafts, particularly knitting and bracelet-making. i find the motions relaxing, but i enjoy it the most when i have someone to make things for.

as for my vision, i think hydro suits me best because it seems more support-oriented overall, which is the kind of role i’d like to have. however, that doesn’t mean that it can’t be used to do some serious damage if needed.

has lots of energy that’s hard to direct, but can plow through things they set their mind to.  likes security of things they know, and wants to give security as well.  creative outlets.  seems a bit finicky?  but insightful with their own emotions. 

romantic match-up: mona.

outwardly stubborn but inwardly self-critical, mona has dedicated her entire life to the stars, and it shows: her masterful grip on astrology is nothing to scoff at, and she’s arguably the most practiced mage in all of teyvat.  at first, she’ll be baffled at your impulsiveness and “lack of focus”: how will you ever get anything done? she’ll wonder.  but when you prove her time and time again that you can plow right through an obstacle just like scissors through paper, so long as it seizes your interest, she’ll take moments to think about her own outlook on life.  when she realizes your comfort in abstract, artistic past-times, she might ask cutely for you to teach her.  surely, if she can talk to the stars, she can make bracelets . . . ?  o-of course they’d be for you!  who else would they be for, if not someone she deems endearing.

platonic match-up: beidou. 

the personification of a tidal wave, beidou’s ferocity hits hard and leaves a mark.  the two of you will find it easy to bounce off of each others’ ideas – maybe even concerningly so to the rest of the crew – and hell, she might even sway you to sneak into a hilichurl village to steal some carrots if it’ll provide for some overdue fun.  lots of  pats  slaps on the back, and she’ll always beckon you over when she learns about something new, thinking that you might find it interesting, and when she wants someone else’s input.  she trusts your judgement like family, and knows that you’ve always got her.

hi! i would like to request a genshin character matchup (2 romantic). my mbti is infj and enneagram 2. i am a cancer sun and aries moon. i am calm and reliable, but i do have a mischievous side and use a lot of dry humor. when it comes to having fun, i like to enable others! i am also deeply passionate about community service. my hobbies include yarn crafting. my genshin vision would be cryo because i am highly motivated by love/emotion, can come off as cold, and love the ice aesthetic! tysm!

romantic match-ups: diluc and lisa.

often broody and contemplative, diluc has a whirlwind of thoughts in that hard head of his.  through your first interactions, he’ll piece together your intense devotion towards your loved ones and willingness to help others.  he’ll warn you that you should take time to consider yourself, too, and that it shouldn’t always be give, give, give, but those same traits in you that he worries about are the same qualities that draw him in.  once, too, he was as uninhibited as you, had the same energy.  perhaps it’s because you’re both so similar, both in internal hopes and mannerisms, is why he finds it easier to loosen up – even if he doesn’t immediately let go of that deadpan attitude of his when he knows you can come back just as hard.

she’s enthralled by your willingness to engage in her banter.  often, those she teases (flirtatiously or otherwise) leave with a red face and an adorable stutter, but it just so happens that you’re one to fluster her instead.  it’s been a long time since she’s met someone who can keep her guessing, yet is incredibly insightful to themselves and those around them.  she finds your qualities of fun and sincerity to be charming.  you’re a breath of fresh air compared to the stern knights she’s around all day, and she looks forward to meeting you after work, conversing with you as you walk down mondstadtian streets and eat over dinner.  there’s never a dull quip from your lips, and she’d love to hear everything on your mind.

hii hope I'm not making this too hard on u lol one romantic and one platonic please! either gender is fine I'm bi as Hecc mbti: enfp-t sun taurus moon aries I think my vision would be cryo because people say it's connected to loss and I've lost some pretty important people to me and also. I hate the heat I really like cards, wolves and the stars, my hobbies include working with robots and the general aesthetic of the mid 2000s, my favorite season is winter and I love buying ppl gifts ♡

platonic match-up: chongyun. 

immediately, your avoidance of heat and affinity to the calm will give him someone to relate to, and your attraction to the abstract will pique his interests.  (perhaps, once he’s become more confident with his exorcist abilities, he could pick up some of your hobbies?)  your practicality, in contrast to his often self-critical mindset, will ground him in times of need, and he’ll always ask you if he can help you out in return.  while he looks up to you as an individual, he’s honored to also be your friend, or at least someone you devote time to.

romantic-matchup: ningguang.

you both understand sacrifices and loss.  while it’s a rather bleak realization upon getting to know each other, your rationality and perseverance despite the past stirs her respect for you; your mindsets are incredibly alike, and she’ll often input your reasoning into her plans, and deem you a trusted associate of the liyue qixing.  in her demanding position, you are someone she can readily relate to and rely on.  in times when things are less hectic and the two of you can more freely relax, she’ll indulge in a shopping spree with you.  as someone who’s intimate with her in both profession and emotional relations, she’d love to show her gratitude. 

hi! i'd like to participate on the match up event!

i'm an infp, and also type six on the enneagram test, my sun sign is aries and my moon sign is pisces. i like arts in general with my favourite ones being music and painting, but i also enjoy writing and i spend a lot of time songwriting! also as a person i'm rlly clumsy and i kind of look mean bc of my resting bitch face lol. i think my vision would be anemo because i think it can be really useful in many ways and i like the reactions it has with other visions. i'd like two romantic match ups! i hope this was understandeable, as my english isn't the best. thank you! 💌

romantic-matchups: mona and zhongli.

mona will find your interest in the arts intriguing.  you always seem to get ideas at the most random of times, often startling her with how active your mind is.  and despite how she doesn’t reply much in return – she’s not versed in words or drawings, even if she won’t verbally admit it – you seem to be satisfied with her . . . reactions?  even if the most she can relate them to is astrology, it seems to be enough for you, so long as she isn’t uptight that day.  your creativity and attraction to the abstract gives her comfort: there aren’t many people in mondstadt who appreciate her profession, so even if you aren’t into the exact same things, she’ll at least know that there’s someone who looks forward to seeing her.

on his quest to “learn what being a human” is, zhongli encounters a myriad of occupations.  typically, the people of liyue are wound up with economics and realism, but your joy in the possibilities – how you can convey your emotions, through what mediums – of life has to offer reminds him of humanity.  with you, he’ll explore what mortals call “the small things” in life: akin to the spark of appreciation for flying lanterns, autumn-colored lights at night, feelings of wonder – that’s what you instill in him. 

hello!! id like a matchup please!! im an INTP-T and im Type 5,, im capricorn sun and libra moon. im a reserved person and kind of angry all the time,, and i get overwhelmed easily. im not that good with affection,, but me actually welcoming you into conversation or my room or smthn, or actually responding to you means something. im just scared to be open with affection because its always done me wrong in the past. anyways,, id like a platonic matchup and romantic matchup please!! thank u and congrats!!🥳🥳❤️❤️

hello,, im that Capricorn sun libra moon anon,,, very sorry to disturb you,,, but i didn’t mention what my vision would be!! i think id be pyro,, ive always been a bit cold or i usually shun people away,, so i think id be cryo!!!! or maybe hydro because im constantly having a mental breakdown LMAO(but i fr think id be cryo)

platonic match-up: sucrose.

while she’s constantly on-edge from work, sucrose will always make time to check on her dear friend.  after all, you do the same for her, even if you insist that you might not have the right words ready.  “partners in stress,” kaeya would teasingly dub the two of you as, but you don’t pay mind to him.  as quiet and reserved individuals, you find tranquility within each others’ company.  

romantic match-up: venti.

whimsical and regarded as a mere bard by most, venti puts up a convincing front.  but it’s just that: a front.  the real venti is concealed by a chipper voice and mercurial agenda, when underneath, there’s a solemn musician who’s burdened.  you’ll most likely be off-put by his facade, as he’s trained himself to constantly be lively – comes with being a performer – but will soon find that he understands your turmoil.  he’s not the best with sentimental words, but will instead convey his sympathies through strums of his lyre.  while it isn’t obvious that there’s security in freedom, he’ll be sure to encourage you that there’s a way.

Hello Al! For the match-up event would it be possible for me to ask for 1 romantic and 1 platonic? As for my MBTI I am an INFJ-T. As for the ennseagram I am 98% type five and 90% type 6. I am a Taurus sun and an Aquarius moon. I tend to come off as polite and often times a bit shy/reserved irl. I love learning new things. Conversations that have all parties thinking critically are definitely my favorites. My hobbies are writing, drawing, learning new things, reading, and playing video games. As for Genshin vision I'd have to say cryo. I've taken a quiz on quotev and got a tie between cryo and anemo. Cryo's description seemed to fit my personality better. I also seem to have a connection with the cold. Let me know if you need any more info. Remember to take care of yourself. ~Taylor💙

platonic match-up: albedo.

you both have your inquisitive sides, and albedo is more than willing to talk to you about his discoveries.  while he might not proactively reach out to you – more like, if you’re nearby, and he happens to catch you peeping at his work, he’ll engage with you.  he finds your takes thought-provoking and your candor respectful; a fellow of agreeable disposition, your calmness and supplementing nature also makes it easy for him to work.

romantic match-up: zhongli.

both intuitive and practical in your approaches, zhongli’s given a new perspective when you converse, or at least, a new thing to ponder over.  many regard him as stiff besides his gentlemanly disposition; your focused and insistent care will enrapture him as heartwarming, that there are “acceptable” vulnerabilities, but they’re not weak points at all – far from it.  your security and assuredness is harmonious with your emotion insight, making for a stable lifestyle that he easily molds into.  the conversations that the two of you engage in are nothing short of provocative.  just as much as he learns from you, he also provides with tales of the old days. 

Is - is the matchup thing still relevant? If not you can just ignore this message - its ok, i know ur busy :)

If it is still on tho, i wonder if i could get a platonic and romantic one?

Im a INFP-T(??), Type 4, pisces sun sag moon.

Im a dumb nerd with big glasses who loves t shirts with puns ot jokes on it. Im not sure about my hobbies, i just like anything that can make me think - memes, books, music, games with lore. I dont like boring, overly normal stuff. I have shitty sense of direction and i suck at math.

I think that my vision would be anemo since thats (i think) an element that requires both creativity and knowledge to work with, which is very special and interesting to me.

Thank you so much in advance! Or sorry if i sent this too late 😅

platonic match-up: xinyan.

both of you are free-flowing and seek excitement.  you’re the gasoline to xinyan’s match: you both feed off of each others’ knack for new things, stimuli, and the bold.  you could be walking down the streets of liyue, eating bags of mora meat, and then suddenly run down to the northern wharf to catch passing boats and playfully debate over which snobby aristocrat is being shipped off.  there’s never a dull moment between the two of you, and the plan is always no plan.  spontaneity is the name of the game, and it’s one that you can go at for ages. 

romantic match-up: beidou.

there’s hardly a moment to breathe on the crux fleet, that’s for sure.  be prepared to explore the entirety of teyvat with beidou, because she’s got you covered with all of your “new thing” needs, alongside your ocean-borne family.  she’ll find it humorous that you’re not practiced in navigation – ironic for a seafarer.  but steering is complex, and she’d gladly help you out in learning, just another thing to do in a day’s work. 

Hi! For the match up event, I'm 98% type 3 and a 97% type 7, I'm am Intp and my moon sign is scorpio, my sun sign is Pisces. I'm above than average in math and I like to draw from time to time, I've tried to learn the ukelele but ultimately failed. I'd like my vision to be an electro cause my fav color is purple and I like how the electricity sparks and stops my enemies, I'm also a fan fic writer and love manhwas

Hi! I'm the last anon that you reminded that should have put 2 romantic in the ask! Sorry about that, it just completely flew over my head

romantic match-ups: ningguang and childe/tartaglia.

your ambition knows no bounds, and your drive is a force to be reckoned with.  some may call your approaches headstrong, but your ability to take initiative is something that ningguang greatly admires.  it’s something she professes that you two have in common – granted, even if her economic tendencies are more cutthroat.  while the two of you have incredibly firm opinions that might send shocks across the room you’re debating in, ningguang trusts your rational thought and explorative mindset.  your like-mindedness, in this instance, brings great relief to her in her position.

childe is also someone who would take interest in you.  he’s not one for schemes like the rest of the harbingers, and would appreciate your straightforward approaches and the focused energy you put into each project/obstacle you face.  it makes it easier for him to speak his mind, and he’ll find comradery with you fairly easy to come by.  gradually, the zeal the two of you share can draw you into more adventures, and he’ll have someone he can call a trustworthy partner. 

Hello! For your generous match-up event, could I request two romantic matches please? My MBTI type is INFP and my enneagram type is four. My sun sign is Aries and my moon is Gemini. I am a quiet but curious person who can be really flirty and sarcastic in private. I am very caring to those I love. My hobbies including writing and drawing. For my vision, I think I would be cryo? I’m a secretive person who has trust issues and can be cruel. I love your blog, you’re so skilled! Thank you so much!

romantic match-ups: kaeya and jean.

you’re a trusted soul by all, even if many also regard you as reserved.  kaeya isn’t one to grow attached (it’s hindered him in the past), however after being paired with you on multiple missions, he’ll feel more at ease around you due to your good nature.  your duality is also a breath of fresh air, and each time he talks to you afterwards, he’s reminded that there are individuals who have others’ best interests at heart.  many knights will catch the two of you tossing jokes back and forth at each other, but for once, kaeya isn’t trying to swindle anybody. 

the acting grand master has a lot on her plate, but she finds that when she’s in your company, the tray is a little lighter.  she relates to your sincerity and good intentions, a welcome refresher in the world of forced diplomacy and tedious hours.  you also seem to know just the right things to say to lighten the mood, with a cute smile to top it all off. 

hello! Could I request 2 romantic match-up? I'm ENFP, enneagram 2w3. Sun Sagittarius, Moon Scorpio, Asc. Virgo. My hobbies consist of anything generally creative, gaming/anime, hanging out with friends esp!! I'm the type of person to show affection by physical touch and by gentle ribbing-- I love making other people laugh. I'm always down to do things, new or not, and an honest and easy-going person. My Vision would be Geo bc I think it reflects how I am as a person-- stable n loyal :) thank u!!

romantic match-ups: venti and beidou. 

no one would’ve thought that you and venti would be a pair – then again, when they consider your tendencies for jokes and charisma, it’ll all come together.  wherever the two of you go, laughter follows, like dandelions in the breeze.  venti hits it off with you almost immediately after you meet, your natural social nature enabling easy conversation.  you’re also very zealous with topics that pique your interest.  it’s a genuine, eager curiosity that he can’t help but consider endearing.

the two of you are always searching for new things, be it small islands in the horizon or neat little specialties that you manage to catch in the corner of your eye.  there’s never a dull moment when the two of you get going on ideas, and while you may be the more rational, beidou will always insist on adding some more “zest” into whatever you come up with.  if you push her, she might accidentally shove you off the boat with the playful enthusiasm of a golden retriever. 

Hiya~! Thank you both for doing this! For the character match-up, I'd like to request two (2) Romantic please lmao, with a side of French fries.

I'm an INFP, Libra sun/Scorpio moon. My external personality might lead ppl to think I'm a charismatic extrovert, but that's the face I show for the 5 whole minutes I'm socializing, and then return to my introvert turtle shell for the next week. I cycle through hobbies since I get bored quickly, but I always come back to music since singing is my passion. I know for sure my Vision would be Anemo bc I need to be free to feel comfortable and tend to react rather aggressively when I feel restrained 🤔

I'm deeply emotional, sometimes impulsive, and dislike relying on others. I tend to be cat-like in my affections... sometimes I Love, other times Do Not Want. Except for animals, they always get my love ❤ ehehe....

romantic match-ups: mona and kaeya.

mona considers your nature incredibly easy to grasp.  but don’t take it as an insult or offense – in fact, your simplicity is a constant in mona’s life: you like time to yourself, and when you’re alone is when your energy comes out.  she doesn’t have to worry about reading too much into your feelings when she can see that you’re independent.  your interactions are calm and reassuring; she doesn’t have to be uptight around you, because she knows you trust in her abilities and lifestyle, and security with herself and those she cares about is her top priority. 

kaeya’s able to relate to your social tendencies.  there’s a front that he puts up in front of his colleagues (purely for professional purposes) before reverting back to his natural state of mind.  he finds your distance understandable, and considers it something the two of you have in common.  when you talk one-on-one, it’s easy to bounce ideas off of each other about mondstadtian culture and other topics of interest; while your independent natures may lead to some time apart, there will always be fresh experiences waiting when you do meet again.

[astriiformes]

With bidding open for FTH2021 now, I’m happy to say that I’m doing two charity auctions for the fundraiser this year (and also signed up for the Regiment of Fan Laborers!)

For fic: Minimum bid is $10, and I will write a 5-15k story (depending on the size of your bid) for either Lord of the Rings or Critical Role.

For fan labor: Minimum bid is $5, and I will help you with beta services and/or sensitivity questions for writing asexual, aromantic, trans, autistic, or ADHD characters for Lord of the Rings, Critical Role, or Star Wars fics (length also depending on bid size).

I’ve got more detailed descriptions of the sorts of stories I’m especially interested in and some of the topics I’m unwilling to address on the auction site (and under the cut here), but if you’re looking for a quick, at-a-glance summary of my entries: I am most at home writing (or helping you with) gen fic, hurt/comfort, team bonding and friendship/platonic/queerplatonic stories, fun or interesting AUs, and aro, ace, and trans fic.

Check out my auctions here!

Astriformes Auction #1

Organizations this auction benefits: Life After Hate *, Manomet *, Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund *, Votebeat *, The Ace and Aro Advocacy Project

Type of fanwork: Fanfiction Fandom(s): Tolkien: Lord of the Rings (books), Critical Role Highest rating: M (Mature) Length/scope: Depends how much the bidder contributes. The minimum bid ($10) will get you 5k of fic, with an additional 1k per $5 added on after that (up to a 15k max)

Especially interested in: Just genfic, with the caveat that I count stories that contain canon couples but don’t center on their romances as gen. For LotR: My favorite character is Legolas and I like writing about any of his significant relationships (ex: with Gimli, Thranduil, etc). But I love all the LotR protagonists and will also gladly write ensemble stories (especially about the Fellowship) or ones centered on other characters. For CR: I can write Campaign 1 or 2. For CR1 my favorites are Percy and/or Keyleth; for CR2 it's Fjord and/or Caduceus. But since I love found family dynamics, I am also very open to writing ensemble or whole party stories. I love writing platonic/queerplatonic relationships, hurt/comfort, whump, AUs (both canon divergence or the out-of-universe kind -- let’s talk if you have an idea!), characters with mental illness, aromantic, asexual, or trans characters/headcanons (though for trans ones, I'm much more familiar with transmasculine topics), and autistic or ADHD headcanons.

Unwilling to address: No fics with significant romantic or sexual themes or content (a possible exception may be if it’s for a story exploring aromantic or asexual identity, definitely check with me to confirm though), permanent major character death, "genderbends," or AUs in which any of the protagonists are evil or bigoted. While I am willing to write dark/violent/intense situations (hence offering up to an M rating), the story must still end on a hopeful note (even if things are still not wholly fixed/resolved).

Notes: The 15k max mentioned in the bidding section is just to make 100% sure I can deliver on your bid, but it is entirely possible that I could end up writing more for a prompt that's a good fit! If you want to check in with me before the auction closes about an idea you have and see if it's one of those ones that really vibes well -- especially if you're considering making a fairly significant donation -- I would love to talk with you about it!

Minimum Bid: $10

Astriiformes Auction #2

Organizations this auction benefits: Life After Hate *, Manomet *, Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund *, Votebeat *, The Ace and Aro Advocacy Project

Type of fanwork: Fan labor Subtype(s): Betaing, Specialist expertise (about a profession, hobby, subculture, etc) Fandom(s): Tolkien: The Hobbit (book), Lord of the Rings (books), Lord of the Rings (movies), Critical Role, Star Wars: Original Trilogy, Prequel Trilogy, Legends / Extended Universe, Rogue One Highest rating: M (Mature) Length/scope: Depends how much the bidder contributes. Up to 5k for the minimum bid, plus an additional 1k per $2 added after that

Especially interested in: For Tolkien: Legolas-centric or full-Fellowship ensemble stories.

For Critical Role: Percy and/or Keyleth-centric stories for Campaign 1, Fjord and/or Caduceus-centric stories for Campaign 2, and full-party ensemble stories for either.

For Star Wars: Original Trio (especially Luke) and Rebellion-centric stories.

In general I am big on team bonding, fun/creative AUs, aro, ace, and trans fic, and hurt/comfort stories!

Unwilling to address: I can't help with fics with significant romantic or sexual themes or content (a possible exception may be if it’s for a story exploring aromantic or asexual identity, definitely check with me to confirm though), although if your story includes a canon relationship but doesn't particularly center on their romance, that's fine. No fics with permanent major character death, "genderbends," or AUs in which any of the protagonists are evil or bigoted. I would prefer stories that end on a hopeful note, even if they contain dark content.

Notes: I'm perfectly happy to offer either more early development story help (helping you with your plot or worldbuilding, brainstorming, being available for questions on certain topics as you plan, etc), after-the-fact beta services (reading over your work and offering constructive criticism), or some combination of the two -- whatever suits your own writing style best! I'll just want to establish which you want up front. I can help you with beta/sensitivity reading or specialty advice focused on a few different areas, among them: writing aromantic, asexual and trans characters (though note that I am mostly qualified to speak on transmasculine topics), ADHD and autistic experiences, and help with speculative fiction worldbuilding -- especially rooted in real-world science topics, particularly biology. I love helping people with really complicated ideas and with thinking about things like character voice and characterization or how to adapt canon to fit certain AUs. I also have some fandom-specific knowledge I can offer help with, as for LotR I am fairly familiar with Tolkien’s conlangs, and for Critical Role I am very knowledgeable about D&D rules, mechanics, classes, and spells.

Minimum Bid: $5

[thezodiaczone]

Aries Compatibility

ARIES + ARIES (MARCH 21 - APRIL 19) You're two high-strung, passionate Fire signs who both like to be the Alpha dominant. As such, you'll need to toss the hot potato back and forth, submitting to the other's rule—at times through gritted teeth. Acquiescence may not come naturally, but it builds a necessary trust. Aries is a paradox: you're the zodiac's infant (its first sign) and its gallant hero (you're ruled by warrior Mars). You want to save the world and be saved at the same time. You'll need to occasionally allow yourself to play wounded knight or damsel in distress, and let your mate charge to your rescue. However, don't spiral into neurotic helplessness or analysis paralysis. Nobody can beat a topic to death quite like you can—but that's what therapists are for, Aries. Neither one of you can be saddled with the emotional care and feeding of an adult baby. You're too independent for that. When your problems gain too much mental gravitas, it's time to move—literally. Disperse your Martian angst and anger with lots of physical exertion. As fellow adventurers, you travel well together. Try snowboarding, exotic bike tours, Costa Rican rainforest expeditions. Passionate sex is another antidote to prickly feelings for your high-touch sign. Like Aries Hugh Hefner, you have a champion libido (and an awesome sense of entitlement). Some Aries couples may mutually agree to flex the terms of your monogamy, although the jealousy it stirs might not be worth the trouble.

ARIES + TAURUS (APRIL 20 - MAY 20) The stubborn Bull locks horns with the willful Ram, nostrils flaring, heads bowed in determination. So begins a fierce but fiery courtship, as splashy and menacing as a Pamplona stampede. Aggression, however uncivilized, is part our Darwinian natures. It certainly is for your signs—who possess an arsenal of steamrolling tactics, from doe-eyed charm to old-fashioned philistine strong-arming. No weak-willed mate will survive your natural selection process. Nor should he. Neither one of you feels safe in the arms of a mate who can't protect you. Thus, your initial faceoff is simply a warning shot: Show me your strength so I can trust you. Once the fanfare is over, you make a great team—like British pop royalty Victoria (Aries) and David (Taurus) Beckham.

As tight as two mafiosos, you like to dress up and flaunt your natural superiority over the rest of the animal kingdom. The deal is sweet for both of you. Taurus gets an attractive show pony and a lusty mate to satisfy his Earthy libido. Aries has a lifelong provider and benefactor to supply creative freedom and endless playtime. Issues can arise if Taurus grows too possessive or tries to tame independent Aries. Indulgent Taurus will need to remain active to keep pace with the energetic Ram (read: lay off the nightly steak frites and vino). You both crave attention, but don't go looking for it outside the relationship, unless you want a real showdown. Like two tots in a nursery, you share a favorite word: Mine!

ARIES + GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUNE 20) ♥♥♥♥ You're the best of friends, so why not throw in some benefits? You certainly can…but not so fast. Your common traits are exactly what can snuff the spark before it combusts. Namely: impetuous, reckless, unstoppable drive for instant gratification. You want what you want, and you want it NOW. Sure, the adrenaline you evoke from trading edgy banter, bungee jumping, or playing footsie under the conference table might convince you that you're soulmates. However, this attitude will lead to an inchoate relationship, with the two of you skydiving into City Hall before you even know each other's middle names. It doesn't all come out in the wash, so check that laissez-faire attitude when you're ring shopping on the second date. That said, you do have the makings of a great match that's rooted in true friendship, intellectual chemistry and fun. The key is to pace yourselves and to continuously bring new adventures to the table. Boredom is the enemy; it leads to cat-and-mouse games and mental chess matches with each other. Remain active: get involved in a political campaign, build houses for the poor, take an eco-tour or scuba lessons. Host and attend lots of parties with your mutual friends, and busy yourselves with projects that satisfy your short attention spans. Above all, don't turn to each other for advice, unless you like impatient, tough-love coaching and draining circular conversations. Not exactly the soothsaying your sweetie needs in a rare vulnerable moment.

ARIES + CANCER (JUNE 21 - JULY 22) Aries is the zodiac's baby (its first sign); Cancer is its matriarch, ruling the fourth house of motherhood, home and family. Is this relationship doomed to be an Oedipal cliche? Not if you temper these traits through steady, conscious self-development. Otherwise, you easily lapse into automatic roles that polarize you into a parent-child (or master-and-servant) dynamic. Aries can be selfish—not maliciously, but in a crude, clueless style that leaves Cancer resentful and dismayed at the Ram's lack of nuance. Cancer knows how to play the nurturing giver, but this delicate sign needs room to be vulnerable, too. Aries loves to be coddled, but Cancer's maternal indulgences will create a spoiled brat or a demanding diva. Besides, while the Crab may have a tough outer shell, the true warrior is Aries, ruled by aggressive Mars. Your differences are many: Aries is a diehard independent and Cancer is a family guy; Aries needs freedom, the Crab's possessive grip clings tight. You'll need to compromise, or else the relationship can turn into a competitive, jealous hotbed. You can both brood with the best of them, and your dark days eclipse even the tiniest sliver of hope. Talk about depressing. Swear off the silent treatment and learn to communicate as two adult equals.

ARIES + LEO (JULY 23 - AUGUST 22) Aries and Leo are Fire signs who love drama, passion and extreme adventure. You're a flashy, outspoken duo that plays by your own bold agenda. Restless souls, you need lots of physical and intellectual stimulation—politics, inspiring conversations, startup businesses—you'll juggle them all, making it look so easy. Of course, your emotional meltdowns require a team of therapists and devoted friends to fix, and you should keep those folks on speed dial. Adrenaline is your favorite drug; no surprise Aries Jennifer Garner and Leo Ben Affleck fell in love while co-starring in the action flick Daredevil. Like this Hollywood pair, who refuses to walk the red carpet together on principle, you respect each other's autonomy. Fire signs are by nature independent. You both need to make your own mark on the world, and you don't like anyone stealing your shine. In fact, trouble starts when one of you eclipses the other's big moment or makes the other look foolish in public. Rule number one: don't compete. With your rash tempers, it won't end well. Instead, be each other's biggest fans and champions. As the relationship progresses, put more effort into dressing up, especially if you become parents. Because you're so comfortable together, you could end up bumming around in burp cloths and track suits, dulling the sexy edge that attracted you in the first place.

ARIES + VIRGO (AUGUST 23 - SEPTEMBER 22) The razor's edge between love and hate lives in this common but contradictory coupling. Your attraction feels so fated, it's impossible to resist. Fire-sign Aries loves freedom and risk, but helplessly falls for prudent, parental Virgo, an Earth sign landlocked by practicality and protocol. The tips of Virgo's gossamer wings are singed by Aries' flame—yet, into the fire the Virgin flutters. Both signs have a hero complex, and this relationship centers around fixing each other, or exposing the other to new ways of life. For the first six to twelve months, it's exhilarating. Arduous Aries hand-delivers Virgo's sexual awakening with passion that's tender and all-consuming. Cautious Virgo teaches the impetuous Ram how to slow down, prepare and look both ways before crossing. New facets of your personalities unearth themselves—how lovely! Once the hormone flood is no longer at high tide, however, there are glaring differences to negotiate. Virgo's well-intentioned criticisms feel like a character assault to Aries ("who cares how I fold my T-shirts? I'm still a good person!"). Aries' myopic selfishness makes Virgo feel resentful and unappreciated—especially after hours of listening to the Ram's diatribes with the patience of a paid analyst. At this point, you realize that you've spent way too much time together, and you've lost touch with the outside world. Roll out of bed and reconnect with your individual friends, hobbies and interests. Trust that the other one will be there when you return.

ARIES + LIBRA (SEPTEMBER 23 - OCTOBER 22) ♥♥♥♥ You're opposite signs who can match up well, but you sometimes baffle one another, too. Aries rules the self and Libra rules relationships. Libra is a lover; Aries is a fighter. Your polar extremes can be a great complement if you borrow what the other does best. Rash, temperamental Aries could stand to give others the benefit of the doubt, to look before leaping—something the wise Judge does well. Languid, overly accommodating Libra can learn to speak up, say no, and take action instead of pondering the possible consequences for a year. Although your differences can be irritating, they also make you a well-rounded couple if you play them right. When Aries needs to rant, patient Libra offers uninterrupted listening, capped with sage, sensible feedback. In return, Aries helps Libra overcome a mortal fear of conflict, teaching this sign how to stand up for his rights. As parents, or even business partners, you play the good cop/bad cop routine like seasoned pros. Just be willing to adjust your internal thermostats as needed. Hotheaded Aries will need to dial down the anger, lest all that concentrated emotion throw Libra's scales off balance. Erudite Libra will need to descend from that lofty, cultured perch and take a bold risk. (No, Aries does NOT consider ten years a reasonable time to wait for an engagement ring—and never will.) Compromise is essential for you to find a rhythm.

ARIES + SCORPIO (OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 21) Aries' ruler, passionate Mars, also wields minor command over Scorpio (whose main overlord is Pluto). Fierce physical attraction draws your signs together, but it's a game of sexual gunpowder and erotic explosives. Not that either of you is afraid of such things. No sign is as darkly intense as watery Scorpio. When mixed with Aries' concentrated fire-power, you stir up quite the hydroelectric charge. However, this match can only last if Scorpio has evolved from a ground-dwelling, vengeful scorpion into an elevated "eagle" state. Here's the fundamental challenge: Aries takes; withholding Scorpio takes away. When Aries reaches out his grasping hand, Scorpio's first instinct is to jump back, which wounds the sensitive Ram. Aries energy is consuming, which leaves Scorpio weak-kneed but scared. Aries will need to temper the raw desire, or at least mask it to avoid overwhelming Scorpio. Jealous Scorpio will need to stop Google-stalking Aries and hiring private detectives whenever the independent Ram goes out for a beer with friends. One way in which you're alike? You're both hyper-sensitized to abandonment, and may even shun each other in a self-protection paradox: "Go away before you leave me." (This tactic only guarantees another hot reunion tryst.) Selfishness can also be this couple's downfall. Scorpio is the sign that rules other people's resources—his karmic job is to create wealth from another man's pocket. Aries is simply born entitled. In a sense, you both live by the credo "What's mine is mine; what's yours is mine." Who will refill the coffers once you empty them?

ARIES + SAGITTARIUS (NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 21) ♥♥♥♥ Chemistry and simpatico build fast between these two Fire signs, and you find a twin soul in each other. You're both independent explorers, driven by lust, joie de vive and a breathtaking moxie that others mistake for arrogance. That brio and derring-do is the badge of your spiritual kinship—a primal mating call that draws you together. You share a blunt sense of humor, and naturally understand the other's need for space and autonomy (at least at first). Thrilling conversations traipse expansive terrain: philosophy, art, human nature, science, spirituality, dreams. Together, the impossible feels probable, and your natural confidence soars higher. Caution: the view from your rosy lenses can be a bit myopic. Sagittarius is a gambler and Aries is a charging knight—neither thinks far ahead. You'll need crash insurance for the times that your grand schemes don't reach your projections. At moments, you both lapse into overthinking, which can kill the celebratory vibe. Aries also has a greater need to for coddling and personal attention. At times, the Ram may resent competing with Sagittarius' busy career, social schedule and hobbies—and Sagittarius gets impatient with Aries' needy spells. When angered, your burning tempers can raze a national forest to ash. Be careful not to unleash a spiteful spark, for that's all it takes to destroy this treasured landscape.

ARIES + CAPRICORN (DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 19) Aries is the Alpha in most relationships, but here the Ram meets his match. In the Goat, Aries finds a more seasoned pack leader, and backs into a rare state of obedience. This weighty respect comes from Capricorn's ruler, wise old Saturn, the planet of maturity, authority and command. Capricorn is the zodiac's father sign; Aries is its firstborn child. It's the difference between a king and a knight, a queen and a duchess. Both are noble, but one is clearly the elder. This can be a dealbreaker for Aries in some cases, as too much paternalism makes this independent sign run for freedom. However, it usually works. Although Aries can be a hellish brat, Capricorn is unruffled and even amused by the tantrums, giving Aries space to act out. If you accept your cosmic roles, you can make excellent partners in both love and business. Aries is ruled by warrior Mars, and Capricorn is a four-star general by nature. You both see life as a battlefield to conquer, and with Aries' grit and Cap's determination, there's no goal you can't achieve. Earthy Capricorn excels at structure and planning, and is the terra firm beneath the Ram's restless hooves. Fiery Aries is a daring playmate who amuses, excites and entertains the sober Goat, especially in the bedroom (where Capricorn has a lesser-known lusty side). Aries is a flirt, and this can spark jealousy in traditional Capricorn. Over time, trust and mutual respect abolish the Goat's fears, and you make supportive lifelong partners.

ARIES + AQUARIUS (JANUARY 20 - FEBRUARY 18) ♥♥♥♥ You're laugh-a-minute friends who make a fine comedic duo, but the romance isn't as hearty as your side-splitting guffaws. You're amazed by how quickly the other delivers a hilarious comeback or a clever opinion, and it turns you on. Banter leads you to the bedroom fast, where the sex is playful and experimental (though not heavy on the emotional connection). It's as though you've met your twin; and alas, you may soon feel more like siblings than lovers. After a couple weeks, the Bickersons sideshow routine gets old, especially for Aries, and you run out of things to talk about. While casual Aquarius likes to keep the conversation light, Aries has intense, brooding spells that demand way too much emotional attention. For Aquarius, problems are solved with steely logic or left alone, but Aries is unable to curb obsessive thinking, which drives Aquarius mad. Your styles of affection are different, too. Cool Aquarius gets overwhelmed by the Ram's passion and physicality—there's way too much touching, grabbing and kissing for the airy Aquarian temperament. If you're determined to be together, push yourselves to go beyond platonic borders by traveling, taking classes, even performing on stage together. Closeness breeds more ennui than affection. Cultivate mystery through time apart. Your independent signs need to develop your own lives, then reunite with thrilling tales from the road.

ARIES + PISCES (FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 20) Aries is the zodiac's first sign, Pisces its last. You're the Alpha and the Omega, the dawn and the sunset. You're as far apart and as close together as two signs can get. Although your differences are vast, you also have a broad expanse of material from which to fashion your relationship. Your polar positions can actually make you a great match. Aries loves to be adored and spoiled, and generous Pisces will give everything in the name of love. In Pisces' worshipful gaze, Aries feels brilliant and boundless, and his insecurities melt away. This is important for the sensitive Ram, whose "wounded soldier" archetype is healed by the Pisces nurse. In this relationship, Aries is free to follow his natural hunting instincts; Pisces prepares a banquet from his conquests. The danger: You both have vivid imaginations, but with two dreamers at the helm of this romance, the ship can veer off course. Aries is a take-charge leader, but needs a strong second mate. Bravado and confidence don't come easy to insecure Pisces, who falls into feigned helplessness under duress. Moody spells are common for your signs, and digging yourselves out of emotional ditches can be a challenge. You'll need a council of advisors to help you manage aspects of daily life—accountants, lawyers, coaches, therapists. Aries can be naturally aggressive, where Pisces is passive or passive-aggressive. You'll need to adapt your communication styles in order to be heard.

[dear-wormwoods]

I'm just curious can you list the losers club from your favorite to least favorite and explain why

Ohhh this is so hard and here’s why: Richie and Eddie are constantly rotating who is in the top spot depending on like... my mood, or what I’m thinking or writing about the most. I know that probably comes as a surprise given that most of my meta is so Eddie focused? But god I just love Richie so much. It’s a head vs. heart thing with them, honestly. A year ago I would’ve absolutely said Eddie first because I was constantly churning out meta about him, but RIGHT AT THIS MOMENT the order is:

1. Richie. Gonna go with my heart on this one - I have a big giant weakness for funny-charming characters/people, so Richie has always been like, the “if I was gonna marry one of the Losers” choice since I first read the book in high school. And Richie has so much depth, but you have to really read between the lines to find it, so his chapters are fun in that way, too. I love him for the same reasons Eddie does - his “sometimes enchanting, sometimes exhausting charm”, his ambition, his willingness to go with the flow, his devotion to his friends, his intelligence, his fascination with music and theatrics, and also the way he’s just sort of an enigma. And then obviously Bill Hader, a long-time celebrity crush, had to come along and fulfill my wildest dreams by taking the role and pouring his soul into it. Lastly, in terms of writing, I have the most fun writing Richie. I write Eddie’s POV a lot more (on the rare occasions I write fic) because it comes more naturally, but I actually get the most fulfillment from writing Richie.

2. Eddie. If my heart belongs to Richie, my brain belongs to Eddie. I have spent countless hours analyzing every god damn word in his chapters and I think about him nearly constantly. He’s always been the Loser I relate to the most, but not because of his home life or anything (my parents are actually a lot like Richie’s - my dad is hilarious and my mom is just great, but as a kid/teen they didn’t get me at all because I turned out way weirder and more annoying than they anticipated and it was a Struggle to communicate lmao). Anyway, I relate to Eddie’s personality a lot, and just how his brain works. I too am always stuck in my own head, emotional and overly self-critical, historically reluctant to take risks because it’s safer to be stagnant, will bend over backwards to take care of other people to the point of not doing anything for myself because of codependent tendencies, etc etc. Analyzing Eddie gives me a lot of intellectual fulfillment and also helps me reflect on myself. This is why I refuse to baby him and try to explore and examine his flaws and mistakes. He’s the most complex character in the story and inherently so Brave and Good. (sidenote: I hate saying really positive things right after saying that I relate to him because it feels arrogant and like I’m saying that about myself, too, which I’m definitely not. Does anyone else get like that? Like, you relate to a character and openly praise them, but then feel like a giant asshole because you inadvertently said something nice about yourself by loving on a character you relate to?)

3. Ben. I love reading Ben’s chapters so much, he’s such a well-developed character and I feel his chapters are almost on par with Eddie’s in terms of being a joy to read and having a very distinct tone. If Eddie’s the guiding light of the group, Ben is the engineer. He has this sort of deep and natural self-confidence that I love. He’s got his hobbies, his books, and he’s just chillin’. He’s very self conscious about his body, but he’s SO confident about his mind and his heart. I’ve always found it fascinating that Ben’s IT manifestations are so impersonal and very typical movie-monster type shit, and I think it’s because he really doesn’t fear much. He doesn’t need to. He knows what he’s capable of and he doesn’t stop to ruminate about it, he just fucking does it. IT can’t really touch that. Also, as Richie’s mirror, he automatically gets a high spot on the list - we stan wildly successful but deeply lonely guys who spent their youth pining in secret.

4. Mike. I know a lot of people find the Derry Interludes boring, but I really love being able to dive into Mike’s stream of consciousness journal keeping. He’s truly the lighthouse keeper, and that’s a rough fucking gig. His love of lore and history is so relatable, though. And I love his relationship with his parents, especially with Will, and it’s great to have a prominent example of positive parenting to combat against the likes of Sonia, Alvin, and Butch Bowers. Mike really loves his parents and the Losers, and he’s so smart and sensitive and GOOD, even in the face of near-constant racism and 27 years of exhausting and lonely detective work. My only wish for him is to fucking leave Derry and finally relax.

5. Bev. I really love Bev, but she’s lower on the list because I find her to be a pretty underdeveloped character in the novel. This is mostly because Stephen King truly sucks at writing women, but knowing that doesn’t stop me from just not feeling super engaged with her chapters. In theory, Bev is great - and she was/will be great in the movies, too. She’s Eddie’s mirror, so admittedly a lot of my affection for her stems from that and the joy I get from examining their parallels (particularly in terms of how IT targets them both with their sexuality and dirtiness/cleanliness).

6. Bill. I have never really been super invested in Bill. It’s just like... too glaringly obvious that he’s a self-insert for Stephen King, so he falls flat a lot of the time, for me. Sometimes I like to think that’s intentional, because we get so much of seeing Bill through the Losers’ eyes with all their idolization and projection, so the “real Bill” never really stood a chance of living up to that image. Other times all I see is a self-insert. But I do really love the way his guilt over Georgie’s death is explored and how that guilt leads him to be selfishly single-minded in his quest for vengeance. I just wish more time was spent on that in his adult chapters and less on that cringey hotel sex scene.

7. Stan. Stan is last but I certainly don’t dislike him. It’s just... I’m really sorry but I think Stan is a super overrated character. I love his scene with the Standpipe and the drowned kids, and I think his friendships with Eddie and Bev are not given enough attention, and I love Stanpat, but overall... I just don’t think about him all that much. I’m really only able to get invested in Stan if it’s in relation to Patty. They just wanted a baby and a happy life, Mike.

This turned into such a fucking ramble. Hopefully it’s what you were looking for! 😬

[ghosttownaz]

Underground Uprising’s “Artist of the Week” - D. Carter

We are back with the Underground Uprising's "Artist of the Week" and this time we have a director/videographer to showcase!  D. Carter, the man behind "To the Top Visuals" is the first "AOTW" to  be chosen for their skills behind a camera and after you get to know him and his work a little better, you'll be a fan or an eager artist that wants to work with this diversely skilled man from Arizona.

Where are you from?  What was it like growing up there?

"I was born in Mesa, Arizona. Raised in the East valley of Phoenix, bouncing from Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Tempe. I've been here my entire life. I moved a lot, but mostly throughout the east valley. I love AZ, it is a place I'll always represent and call home. I've met several solid people who've played huge roles in my life. I've had a lot of great memories and a lot of bad one's. But I'm sure it's like that anywhere you are from. The one thing i love about Arizona is its difference in nature. You can go from the Phoenix desert at 120 degrees and take an hour and a half drive up North and be in cooler weather and surrounded by pine trees. Growing up here has been a long experience and journey. I don't know any other place better than I do Arizona."

What kind of videos/movies/tv inspired you as a kid?

"I grew up loving a lot of sci-fi and comedy films. "Star Wars" brings out my nerdy side and i could watch those movies over and over despite how many times I've already seen them. I also loved movies like "The Matrix" , "Romeo must die", "Predator", "Alien", "Rush Hour" "Chappelle show" and stand up comedies to name a few. As a kid I was heavy into "Pokémon" and "Yu-Gu-oh!" I don't care what nobody says that was my thing. Lol. I really enjoyed movies or shows where their was a main character who was separated from the rest "The one" or they had special abilities that no one else had. Some badass "lone ninja" type stuff. Lol. I actually try implementing that on my own projects. I think it's cool."

When did “To the Top Visuals” start?

"[It] originated as "Carterora Productions" about two years ago. As I was building my portfolio as an artist going by "D Carter", I needed content. I didn't have the money to afford photo shoots or music videos all the time with what I was trying to do. I knew I needed to put things out but I was limited. I hated that feeling. I originally invested into camera equipment with a business partner who had experience in multimedia in hopes to grow as an artist and build a business shooting music videos and doing photo shoots for other artists. My partner and I had conflicting schedules and (life happened) at the time and couldn't run it full force attacking it head on together like i was intending to. So I ended up doing it by myself. I started building relationships and taking on big projects like Weddings, Corporate videos, small business videos, artist photo shoots, artist music videos etc.. I really had no experience what so ever with a camera or knew anything about it. But I did my research and learned more and more over time. I had to learn the ins and outs of a camera, a drone, editing, all while having my own style to it. It was very over whelming for a while because I was also trying to be a music artist. Then all the sudden I was a videographer and a photographer.

I've had my fair share of gigs and the experience is really what took me to a new level. Although I still am the learner and have much more to figure out. It has skyrocketed my opportunities and building relationships being able to it all.  Until I met my manager, (Danielle Ellis) aka "The Matrix" We built a team together under the label "To the Top Music Management". She has helped me immensely to grow as an artist. We decided to partner and run the multimedia business I had built, together and rebrand the name to match what we had already started in To the Top Music management. To make things simpler, thus the name "To the Top Visuals".

Favorite director?

"I loved Tarantino films, Spielberg, and of course George Lucas for giving us star wars lol."

What do you both think of the current state of AZ Hip Hop?

"I think anyone can agree that Arizona is a hotspot for talent. I've met so many talented and credible like minded individuals who are all here trying to do the same thing. The driving direction in AZ hip-hop is in full acceleration. One day i believe AZ will be known for Hip hop like California, New York or Atlanta. One driving force will be Respect the Underground and what they have put on for the city, year after year. Especially with the showcasing of talent at each years Annual Hip hop festival."

Advice for up and coming creators and artists?

"My best advice, do what you love to do. Not because it's cool. If you truly love the ART and can dedicate your life to it, then take every opportunity thrown at you. I mean that as in right away. Not next week, next year, or when you're ready.. Because you will never be "ready". The time is now fam."

Biggest lesson learned in your career?

"My biggest lesson as a music artist, was to stop making music for other people. Make music that YOU like. Don't follow the trends. Separate yourself from the rest. I see to much of the same things nowadays. I also learned that this is a business, not a hobby. You need to have both a business mindset and a creative mindset or else this will be very difficult for you. It was for me. The last important thing I learned is don't listen to what people think or criticize you on about your art. And that goes for the multimedia side as well. Your art will never be good enough for some people and that's okay. You have to accept that. The ones who enjoy what you do will follow."

What are you most proud of, what is your biggest accomplishment so far?

"What I am most proud of in this journey in the music business and multimedia business is the experience itself. Never did I think 4 years ago I would be where I am today, strategizing and executing a clear vision with Mic Myers, Talika, KMRN, Genesis, and Drk Matr, all of which are a part of our label “To the Top music management” as well as hosting Hip-hop night at Good Time Charlis in Chandler. I've worked with or had the opportunity to surround myself with several successful artists and media artists such as Whitney Peyton, Sincerely Collins, Fat Belly Filmz, Shot by Dub, Delly Everyday, Bag of Tricks Cat to name a few. I've collaborated with super producer Kato on the Track, on a beat and had the opportunity to meet and learn from him. I've taken pictures of several local artists whether it be photo shoots or performance photos for groups like The Kotton Mouth Kings... The opportunities are out there.. I'm proud of my journey and I cant wait for what's next."

Who would you like to collab with in the future?

"I would love to collab with Futuristic one day, but I'm sure everyone would want that since he's one of the faces of AZ hip hop right now.. J Rob the Chief is another artist i believe is next level. I'm open to collabs with anyone who is serious about this honestly. Eventually I'd like to expand outside of AZ and collab with other we'll known artists. But overall I want to grow and help others grow too."

What’s the next move for To The Top Visuals?

"To the Top visuals has a few videos coming out that we are excited about. One of which being Whitney Peyton. She is an incredible talent and has given us the opportunity to collab with her. So stay tuned for that. Otherwise, To the Top Visuals is open for business and taking all inquiries for video, photo, beat production, studio recording, album art or cover art, or even if you need help learning the business side of music etc.. So hit us up we got you!"

by: Steven Sandage

[night-filled-mountain]

1. If you could spend one month living in a secluded valley with a river running through it, who and/or what would you bring with you? 2. What are some of your favourite fanfic and/or story tropes? 3. If you could be any kind of tree, what kind of tree would you be?

These are so much fun!

(1.) Things I would bring with me…I assume this is more of a hobby than a survival question (like, I’m imagining a nice cabin pre-stocked with food and clothes and a bed and such). So, I would bring:

Way too many books

A…computer? typewriter? No Internet connection, just to write stuff. I would try and get SO much writing done, though I am aware that my ambitions are always greater than my focus, energy, and drive. 😛

Some means of playing music

A swimsuit! So I can swim in the river! (…Skinny-dipping would also work, I suppose.)

Scented candles/incense/oils

Bath bombs

…That’s about it, honestly. I’m pretty boring. >_>

And people I would bring with me…oh, I am so tempted to go alone, but the solitude would get to me eventually. I’d bring my husband, with strict instructions to do his own thing and support my writing frenzy! In the evening, we could skip stones on the river and watch the sun set and have bonfires.

Alternately, I’d bring my dad, who would ABSOLUTELY LOVE the secluded-valley life. We would just read a ton of books, separately and together, and have a lot of philosophical discussions, and swim and enjoy nature. (I live far away from him now, and miss him very much.)

Final option is bringing my whole found family (husband and our two mutual best friends) and just playing D&D for a month straight. This could be awesome and I love them all to death, but I think I’d get socially overwhemed pretty quickly in such a confined space.

…I definitely overthought this one.

(2.) For Critical Role fic specifically (which I don’t read much of), I like things that don’t take place during the campaign or interfere with canon. So, stuff like “Nott and Caleb’s time in jail together” or “Bren at the Soltryce Academy” or “when Molly first joined the circus.” (I did, however, once read an amazing AU where Bren never left the Academy, became a vollstrecker, and eventually started a side project at the Cobalt Soul library and met Beau.)

For general tropes, however! Some of my favorites are:

Extremely slow-burn romance (if there’s no kiss till the third installment of a trilogy, that’s fine with me)

Unconventional relationships (either platonic or romantic), where characters come together who you were not expecting to, who are awkward and prickly or skittish and wary and yet somehow fit, who were not initially telegraphed as love interests/BFFs but organically develop chemistry

ANGST (…such a shocker, I know) and its delicious cousin, HURT/COMFORT. Trauma, trauma, trauma, followed by healing, healing, healing. I mean…this is just always my thing, regardless of medium.

Aaanything that makes me cry. I have read more “Vax guides his friends to the afterlife one by one” fics than I care to admit. Also “Vex, Keyleth, and/or Gilmore piece their lives together post-Vax” fics. Anything that lingers on powerful, heartbreaking events and the aftermath. I guess this ties into the whole hurt/comfort, angst/healing thing. (Or, as I’ve said before and @kimabutch has quoted me on: “The tension breaks and everyone is so incredibly tender.”)

Redemption arcs WHEN THEY ARE VERY WELL-DONE. (If these are done for the wrong characters or in the wrong way, they can rapidly become my worst nightmare. There is nothing quite as skin-crawlingly gross for me as an unearned redemption arc.)

(3.) Evergreen all the way. Maybe a Douglas fir, because Christmas trees. Something hardy and green and fragrant and cheerful. Something that stands unflinching in the face of 4:00 sunsets and New England winters.

[bookenders]

11/11/11 Tag Game!

Tagged by @writer-by-the-window​! Thank you thank you! I love doin’ these. Everyone comes up with such good questions! 

Rules: Answer 11 questions, ask 11 questions, tag 11 people.

1. Did you outline your wip or are you writing by the seat of your pants?

Both! Ish. I usually write by the seat of my pants, but I am outlining this time since it’s a longer project. Everything I’m outlining is being written from said pants seat, though! It’s a surprise every time I sit down. Ba-dum-tss.

Who’s your favorite character to write about and why?

In H2H, I like writing about Oz and Harry. But I also like writing from Gemma’s POV, which is good, since nearly the whole story is from her POV. Oz and Harry have such a fun dynamic. He’s a cactus, she’s the cactus wren who makes the cactus habitable... Okay bad metaphor, but you get what I mean, yeah? 

Gemma is a big nerd who gets excited about things and feels pretty strongly, even if she doesn’t care to show it a lot of the time. And her thought process is fun to write, too. She’s very different from other characters I’ve written. She’s super intuitive and perceptive. 

I’m looking forward to writing about Mel, too. I have a lot of info about her that’ll be revealed in the story and my friends, it’s juicy. Like a mango.🍑 (there is no mango emoji how dare)

  What’s your favorite medium for storytelling other than novels(TV, movies, video games, podcasts, etc)?

Ooof. Favorite to create? Interactive storytelling, like with Twine. It is Difficult. I enjoy it. I did one and am working up the courage to do another. Or I’ll go back and fix the one I did. Who knows?

Favorite to consume? Can it be a tie between video games, TV, and movies? Because I just started getting into podcasts after The Adventure Zone, and the only streaming I really watch anymore is Critical Role. I wanna get into Starship Iris though! Looks super cool. 

I’m a huge ho for video games. Especially RPGs. I have played Dragon Age: Origins too many times for it to be considered a hobby at this point. I was a big WoW gamer, too. And Assassin’s Creed. And pretty much anything with a good story.

How long have you been working on your WIP?

Since late October 2018! Not the longest I’ve worked on one project though. My thesis took me a little less than a year. I thought I’d be finished by December. HA.

What are some of your least favorite tropes in fiction?

Rape/non-con for character development. Fridging characters and the ever so popular Disposable Woman. Magical Healing Penis. Romanticizing horrific circumstances and serious & terminal illnesses. Some things Me Before You did. To name a few.

Do you have any writing role models? If so, who are they and why?

My biggie is Laurie. Halse. Anderson. Read Wintergirls when I was a kid. Taught me that people do actually like to read the dark stuff, which is the opposite of what a lot of people told me. She’s a badass who lives in the woods and writes amazing books about difficult subjects that people, especially younger people, need to read about and be aware of. 

AND I’M GOING TO A SIGNING THIS MONTH. I GET TO MEET HER. AHHH.

(Also, if anyone likes Tom Leveen, author of Party, Sick, Mercy Rule, and Random, I can vouch for his extreme coolness. He subbed for my YA Lit professor one time and taught us all about how to handle the business part of becoming an author.)

What do you like the most about your writing?

How emotional I can get with so few words. I’m real good at making readers cry. Hehe.

What are some songs that you have on your writing playlist right now?

My Heart to Heart playlist is right here! And I have individual character playlists that I’ll be posting once I’m “finished” curating them. If I’m ever finished. 

Do you have any characters based off of real people?

I try not to. I think it gets a little weird if I do that. I’ve only recently started letting myself be inspired by people I know. Like Mary is definitely based on one of my aunts, and Harry has some qualities that I stole from my best friend. I gave Mel my love of fanny packs/bum bags if that counts. I love how weird they look and how useful they are! You get made fun of for wearing one to Disneyland on a class trip until you are the Keeper of the Wallets. Then who’s laughing, fools?

How would you describe the aesthetic of your wip?

Warm apple pie, cumulus clouds, walking down the street at sunset holding hands, smoking beakers, one of those electricity balls that look like bottled lightning, kitchen giggles, Saturday morning Scooby Doo marathons, plant sprouts pushing their way out of the dirt, neighborhood block parties, that brain-pokey feeling when you know something isn’t quite right.

Favorite line you’ve written?

From the story I read in front of like 80 people:

Looking at something pretty only makes you feel good for as long as you look at it, for that one tiny slice of life, and then you blink and turn away and it fades, unless you’re lucky and it keeps cropping up behind your eyes when you go to sleep at night.

My questions!

Do you own and fun socks? What are they?

How many notebooks do you have? What do they look like? How full are they?

Grab the book nearest you. Turn to page 70 (or 16 if it’s a tiny book). What is the 8th line on that page? How do you feel about it?

Have you read any short stories? What’s your favorite? 

Have you ever tried knitting? Do you still knit? What about other crafty things? What do you make?

Of the books in your living space right now, which has the coolest cover?

Do you know any camp songs? What did you used to sing in school, or at recess?

What’s your favorite fairy tale? How would you twist it?

Are there any cool local events where you live?

What’s your favorite sea creature? 

Do you like turtles? Why?

Bilbo Taggins: @aslanwrites, @quilloftheclouds, @mvcreates, @drist-n-dither, @carumens, @hannahs-creations, @haileyavril, @nightskywriter, @penzag, @capricious-writes, @mythwords

[charliejrogers]

Paddington (2014)

Sometimes you watch a movie and want to be challenged. You want your head to explode. You want to get lost in a world of plot twists and double-crosses. Other times you don’t. TV more often than movies fills the role of comfort food for people looking for passive media, but let’s all take a moment to recognize the power of a good comfort movie. Sometimes your comfort movie is that dumb rom-com you’ve seen 1000 times, other times a mindless action movie of good vs. evil. Many comic book movies certainly can fall into this camp, but really any series like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings can become comfort food whenever those fans begin to think of the characters more like old friends than avatars on a screen. And never is that more true than when a childhood friends makes their way onto the big screen.

I don’t believe I have ever read (or has someone read to me) a Paddington book. In fact, after writing that sentence I had to Google whether Paddington was a series or a single book. I’m not from the U.K. so please excuse my ignorance. It’s not that people in America don’t know Paddington he’s just not as popular here as he is across the pond. Therefore when this hit theater six years ago and I heard critics rave about it, I didn’t get it. Christ, it was even nominated for the best British film at the BAFTAs in 2015. There was Paddington, a family movie about a walking, talking bear, right next a serious drama about Stephen Hawking (The Theory of Everything) and the very adult ScarJo sci-fi film Under the Skin. Plus, think also I was at an age where I was “too cool” for kid’s stuff. I was in college, so why watch a movie that could make you happy when you could watch something that could project to others how smart you thought you were. All of this is to say that, I went into this movie without the advantage of nostalgia, something I suspected might have been boosting audiences’ and critics’ scores.

Paddington from director Paul King tells the story of one unnamed Peruvian bear who is among the last of his kind. What makes this particular species of bear so special is their uniquely high intelligence. The film starts with a black-and-white film reel documenting the journeys of the explorer who was the first among men to stumble upon this particular subset of bear, sometimes back in the early 1900s. The explorer first instinct is to hunt and kill the bear to bring back to a British museum, but he is eventually won over by the sheer intelligence of the bears. They are already master builders and have developed unique, modern-looking housing structures when the explorer first finds them, but quickly he discovers they can understand English,  can even reproduce it to some extent, and are adept at new technologies. The explorer leaves them with a phonograph and a record of him talking about how to be a proper gentleperson in London.

Fast forward some hundred years, and the original two bears the explorer essentially perfected their understanding of English based off the explorer’s record. They also know quite a bit about early 20th-century etiquette and about a hundred different ways to tell fellow Londoners that it is raining outside. And though now aged and frail, they have passed much of this knowledge onto their young nephew whose character can be summed up by the following four traits: 1) undying love for his aunt and uncle who raise him 2) utmost and strict adherence to etiquette 3) deep desire to belong to a home 4) obsession with marmelaide.

All four of those things turn out to be of vital importance when disaster strikes his home in Peru and he is forced by his aunt to seek a new home in the only other place they know: London! With only his uncle’s hat and a marmelaide sandwich on his head, the bear stows away on a freighter to London. He heads to the nearest train station as he has heard stories about how during WWI, orphaned children would show up to train stations wearing certain necklaces to signify their need for a home. The bear does just that, but the world of 1914 is very much different from the world of 2014. People don’t so much as look at the bear. If they do, they assume he’s a poor beggar, vendor of cheap goods, or just a plain con-artist. They’re too busy rushing this way and that. “In the age of technology, Britain has lost its way” the film seems to suggest. Or, more cynically, it seems to make a comment (albeit) on xenophobia and Britain’s lack of openness to immigrants, especially prominent given the distinctly colonial feel of the explorer’s documentary and his attitudes towards these “primitive” creatures.

Except, of course, this is a light-hearted family film. A fantasy film at that. For example, no one is freaked the fuck out like they would in real life by a talking bear roaming around a major metropolitan area, in some cases doing serios damage (albeit accidentally) to various property throughout town. E.T. this is not, so there’s no plotline of the government trying to snatch him up for research purposes, nor does this apparently talk place in our reality where the bear would become an instant viral internet star.

Instead, as a family film, the movie mostly focuses on the idea of “family.” The bear is eventually approached by Mary Brown (Sally Hawkins), the matriarch of the Brown family who are a well-off family who live in a cozy townhouse in a quaint London neighborhood. Mary is more empathetic to the bear’s plight than her ill-tempered husband Henry (Hugh Bonneville) who is a risk analyst who sees the bear for what he is: a risk! Still, he begrudgingly agrees to let the bear, who names himself Paddington, stay with them for one night, but then he’s off to the orphanage  institution for young souls whose parents have sadly passed on.

Mr. Brown’s not wrong about Paddington (voiced by Ben Whishaw) too. Despite his undeniably genuine nature and complete absence of my ill-will, he’s a natural klutz. His childlike innocence and curiosity finds him tinkering with things that just ought not to be tinkered leading to a movie defined by its many great misadventurous set pieces, such as when Paddington accidentally floods the Brown’s bathroom to when a pickpocket accidentally drops a wallet that he stole and Paddington begins chasing him around London in grand fashion, not understanding why the thief doesn’t want his wallet back.

More than anything, though, Mr. Brown’s hostility towards Paddington stems more from his concern for his children, specifically that his son Jonathan (Samuel Joslin) will end up being hurt either as a direct result of Paddington’s activities or will simply try more daring things inspired by Paddington’s free-wheeling and wild spirit.

What I love about the character of Mr. Brown, who truly seems to be the secondary character after the titular bear, is the way he is a true character and not a one-dimensional rule-follower. The way the film (comically) demonstrates that Henry Brown was not always Mr. Brown, but was a motorcycle-riding Wildman who was suddenly and permanently changed by fatherhood makes him an incredibly relatable character, and grounds this silly cartoon in something of a reality.

Less can be said about Mary Brown. Sally Hawkins does a wonderful job portraying her seemingly boundless kindness and love, but ultimately there’s not more to her character than just being nice and kind. Her only story arc revolves her relationship with the Browns’ daughter Judy (Madeleine Harris) who is a stereotypically moody teen who doesn’t want to introduce her boyfriend to her Mom because, as Paddington puts it, “she suffers from a terrible disease called embarrassment.”

But no one’s watching this movie to watch the Browns or learn about their characters. It’s nice that Mr.’s character is so well-established as it makes his little sacrifices and gestures to try to help Paddington so satisfying. One second he was pushing to get Paddington out of his home, the next he’s in a dress breaking into an archives to learn more about the explorer who originally visited Paddington’s aunt and uncle one hundred years prior.

This little detour to the archives relates to one of the two other sub-plots to the film. The first is how Paddington’s quest to find a new home (since Mr. Brown refuses to let him stay with his family forever) leads him to want to find the explorer (or at least the explorer’s family) since he figures they of all people would love to take in as family a bear whom their father had so loved. The second subplot (and the more hackneyed and boring plot) deals with Nicole Kidman’s Millicent, a deranged, taxidermist employee of London’s Natural History who has a nasty side hobby and collecting (and stuffing) rare animals. She hears rumors of a talking bear, she starts to hunt him. Kidman actually does a very good job leading a cartoonish seriousness to the role, but just the whole subplot feels very perfunctory, like the studio was afraid no one would want to watch a movie that didn’t have a clear bad guy. Add in a sub-plot to this sub-plot where the Browns’ sad-sack neighbor Mr. Curry (Peter Capaldi) teams up with Millicent in the hopes of being her lover, and you got my least favorite part of this movie.

Taking away the villain plot would deny the Browns the opportunity to rescue their little friend from the jaws of danger, and prevent me from seeing that tear-jerking display of love with which the film ends, so I suppose it’s worth it. With snow falling around them and love in the air, Paddington with its focus on the importance of family, is almost a Christmas movie, or at the least is a perfect movie for the holiday season.

It’s also funny for all ages. I can imagine sitting in a theater with children and hearing the little cackles of children as Paddington fights a shower head using a toilet seat lid as shield and toilet brush as sword. The film does not go for easy jokes. Its physical comedy is often elaborate, and there are plenty of jokes meant for the adults in the room that aren’t necessarily sexual in nature. For example, the Browns’ daughter is learning Chinese “for business,” which means she’s learning phrases such as “How do I get to the business center?” and “I’m being investigated for tax fraud.” But more than anything, it’s a distinctly British film in its humor, favoring throw-away lines and sight-gags over fart jokes. One of my favorites in the idea that Millicent’s office is full of taxidermied heads of exotic animals, and when she walks into her workshop on the other side of the wall, we see all the rear-ends of these same animals. Another pitch perfect moment is when a downtrodden Paddington finds himself at Buckingham Palace and having revealed the sandwich he keeps under his hat for emergencies, we find out what things the Queen’s Guard keeps under their Bearskins. It’s silly and ridiculous in a way perfect for a kid’s film.

I also love how the film gives us a view of the world through Paddington’s eyes, and I give much credit to the film’s director Paul King for translating for us through film Paddington’s essential innocence. Twice, once towards the beginning, and once at the end, the film presents us with a toy-house that is an exact replica of the Brown’s home and we can actually see the Browns walking about and interacting in this odd meta-moment as Paddington narrates their goings on and provides his interpretation of what is happening. It lends an air of frivolity to our lives. Yes, the world is sad an hard, but for those innocents, the children, it’s a world of wonder and curiosity, a dollhouse in which anything is possible.

In the end, this movie is damn near perfect comfort food. It’s family focus creates a heart-warming tale that helps tries to inspire us that, despite our splintered isolated world, the world can be a place of love and welcoming. I wish the villain weren’t such a drag, but I am happy to report that despite not having any contact with Mr. Paddington in my life previously, I fell in love with his character almost instantly and am very happy to count him among my cinematic friends and follow him on any of his next adventures.

*** 1/4 (Three and one fourth stars out of four)

[goldeagleprice]

Q. David Bowers on Bill Bierly’s In God We Trust

(Pelham, Alabama) — In November 2019 Whitman Publishing will release William Bierly’s In God We Trust: The American Civil War, Money, Banking, and Religion. The 352-page hardcover volume will be available from booksellers and hobby shops nationwide, and online. Here, numismatic historian Q. David Bowers shares his thoughts on the book.

Bill Bierly’s In God We Trust is one of the most detailed, intricate, and fascinating books in the field of American numismatics—and in American history in general.

The national motto “In God We Trust” is familiar to all of us. Look in your pocket change or wallet and you will find it on every United States coin and paper bill. Before reading the manuscript to Bierly’s book I thought I knew all about the subject.

1864 two-cent piece, PF-65. Hover to zoom.

Some years ago I wrote an article, “God in Your Pocket,” for my local Presbyterian Church, telling of the motto’s use on coins. I knew it appeared on pattern coins in 1863 and in 1864 made its first appearance on a circulating coin, the bronze two-cent piece, a new denomination introduced that year. I had the obscure knowledge that “In God We Trust” is the motto of the State of Florida and was used on certain National Bank notes issued in that state in the second half of the 19th century.

I also knew that the $5 Silver Certificates of the Series of 1886 illustrate the reverse of a Morgan silver dollar of that year, with the motto as part of the design.

But what I didn’t know were 101 other details—make that many more than 101 different details—as to how the motto came to be, how it was used over the years, and the wide cast of characters in the Treasury Department and elsewhere who participated in its use on money.

All too often, books, newspaper columns, and magazine articles about popular subjects lack many details. For Whitman Publishing I wrote a volume on President Ronald Reagan, and I read every book and important study I could find. There were very few details about his personal day-to-day life. Not to worry about the historical personalities involved with “In God We Trust.” While you might not learn the names of the protagonists’ pet cats or their favorite dime novels, there is not much else missing in Bierly’s excellent narrative. Dozens of cast members play cameo roles and small walk-on parts.

It is probably correct to say that no other researcher could add to Bill Bierly’s efforts! He collaborated with professional numismatists, leaving no stone (or coin) unturned in the creation of this book. Commonly believed myths and misunderstandings he examined, debunked, and corrected. Hundreds of historical images were collected, many of which have never been published in a numismatic reference, to which have been added beautiful photographs of rare coins, patterns, tokens, medals, and paper currency, including close-ups of important characteristics. All of this required a lot of work, creativity, and careful attention to detail.

Further on the subject of detail: I enjoy learning about and digging deeply into previously unexplored subjects. I have written books on the Waterford Water Cure (a health spa in Waterford, Maine, that counterstamped coins as advertisements), The Strange Career of Dr. G.G. Wilkins (about a countertstamper who was a dentist, also operated a restaurant with a caged bear in front, and was suspected of passing counterfeit money and also burning down a neighbor’s barn), and, for good measure, books about Alexandre Vattemare (a French numismatist who visited America and became important to the development of libraries here), and Augustus G. Heaton (the teenaged coin dealer who founded the American Numismatic Society in 1858).

Each of these books was popular in its time, despite their obviously obscure subjects. Readers find satisfaction in a well-told story that brings new depth and insight.

That is precisely what we get with In God We Trust, debuting this holiday season. Anyone with a combined interest in American history and numismatics will find a new world of important information, fascinating details, and previously unconnected relationships.

2009 Abraham Lincoln commemorative silver dollar Uncirculated obverse.

The motto “In God We Trust” is hardly history alone. It is so much more, and it means different things to different people. Today there are vocal critics who feel that it has no place on coins or paper currency. For that matter, some believe that God has no place in public (and in some cases, private) life. On the other hand, many more people do indeed believe in the Supreme Being. Sometimes it just seems the naysayers get all of the publicity.

“In God We Trust” has appeared on American money since the Civil War. William Bierly tells how the national motto came to be. (Photographs courtesy of Stack’s Bowers Galleries and the United States Mint.)

Bill Bierly’s In God We Trust approaches the subject respectfully on all sides, with color, personality, dashes of humor, and dogged pursuit of the truth. He has given us a smorgasbord: There is a lot to choose from. If you are a collector and strictly so, with no interest in the million points where numismatics touches American history, you can simply immerse yourself in the coins, paper money, tokens, and medals. If you are like me, however, and enjoy every historical highway and byway connected to American money, you will read and find pleasure in the entire book from start to finish.

David Bowers is the award-winning author of more than 60 numismatic books ranging from 90-page monographs to 900-page encyclopedias, hundreds of auction and other catalogs, and several thousand articles including columns in Coin World, Paper Money, and The Numismatist. He is a past president of both the American Numismatic Association (1983–1985) and the Professional Numismatists Guild (1977–1979). In his 60-plus-year career in numismatics, he has earned most of the highest honors bestowed by the hobby community, including the ANA’s Lifetime Achievement Award and induction in the ANA Numismatic Hall of Fame.

In God We Trust: The American Civil War, Money, Banking, and Religion

By William Bierly; foreword by Q. David Bowers

ISBN 0794845282

Hardcover, 6 x 9 inches, 352 pages, full color

Retail $29.95 U.S.

About the Author

William (Bill) Bierly was raised on a farm near Walkerton, Indiana. As a child, he heard stories from his grandparents about two of his great-grandfathers who had served in the Civil War. This led to a lifelong interest in that war and that period of history. At about age eight, he began collecting coins from circulating change. Following high school Bierly attended Northwestern University for two years and then completed a degree in sociology and economic development with a minor in Chinese studies at Indiana University. He then worked in India for two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in a dairy development project. Back in the United States, his interest in coins was rekindled. He soon went abroad again, working for three years in Osaka, Japan. Then in the United States, he operated a small business for five years, sold it, and entered graduate school, earning an MBA in finance from Indiana University and embarking on a 25-year career in commercial banking. With his overseas experience, Bierly focused on international banking, particularly Japanese corporate business and Asian correspondent banking. He began his career at the National Bank of Detroit, and he worked with J.P. Morgan Chase for much of his career; at various times at the bank’s Detroit, Chicago, and Columbus, Ohio, offices, as well as often traveling to Asia.

While thus engaged, Bierly continued to pursue his coin hobby, eventually specializing in Civil War–era coinage, in particular, pattern coins. Today he is active in several coin groups and clubs, most notably the Central States Numismatic Society, the American Numismatic Association, the American Numismatic Society, the Chicago Coin Club, the Michigan State Numismatic Society, and the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists, as well as the Civil War Token Society and the Liberty Seated Collectors Club. He sometimes exhibits his collection at major coin shows and frequently volunteers as an exhibit judge.

Bierly resides in LaPorte, Indiana. He has two children, Emma and Ken, as well as a granddaughter, Kiki.

About Whitman Publishing

Whitman Publishing is the world’s leading producer of numismatic reference books, supplies, and products to display and store coins and paper money. The company’s high-quality books educate readers in the rich, colorful history of American and world coinage and currency, and teach how to build great collections. Archival-quality Whitman folders, albums, cases, and other holders keep collectibles safe and allow them to be shown off to friends and family.

Whitman Publishing is the Official Supplier of the American Numismatic Association. As a benefit of membership in the ANA, members can borrow In God We Trust (and other Whitman books) for free from the Association’s Dwight N. Manley Numismatic Library, and also receive 10% off all Whitman purchases. Details are at the website of the ANA.

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[la-liga-zine]

Memory and Film: A Conversation with DIY Filmmaker Caitlin Diaz

At 28, Caitlin Diaz has had the privilege of working with world-renowned clients as a colorist, archivist, and filmmaker, amassing an impressive body of work that shows her nuance and passion for working behind the camera. She currently lives in Los Angeles, working freelance on various projects from her home studio, but her heart is and has always been rooted in the Rio Grande Valley region of Texas. As her "source of inspiration and security," Caitlin recently undertook her most arduous and personal project yet: an independently produced and financed feature film based in RGV about women and transformation. In our interview below, we trace Caitlin's deep connection to her hometown, her experience as a woman of color in the film industry, and the power of DIY culture.

Mia Rodriguez: You’ve said that your work “explores the state that is commonly and absurdly called existence.” What does it mean to you to exist in the modern world as a Latinx?

Caitlin Diaz: Existing in this world is very layered and I try to retain as many experiences as possible, good and bad. Being a Mexican-American woman from South Texas plays a huge role in my life and how I perceive the world around me. Living authentically is always my goal--being resilient, sincere and compassionate all at the same time. It’s a difficult balance, especially as a woman of color, but (in my opinion) necessary to strive towards.

MR: As a colorist and archivist, a lot of your work is intrinsically nostalgic. What are your earliest memories of film, color, and capturing memories? Was it a hobby that developed into something more?

CD: Nostalgia definitely is the spark when conceptualizing a new project. All of my films pull from the past to help me understand the person I am at the current moment. We’re constantly in flux. Memories help bind the chaotic nature of my evolution as something constant, something I can always go back to. I’ve always been interested in knowing more about my family history, cherishing the stories that my grandparents, parents, tías and tíos share with me. So I hoard old family photos, record the stories and digitize any and all home movies. I’m obsessed with the past: the idea of what was once there and now isn’t, how things (and people) have changed. It continues to fascinate me.

MR: Your work ethic and aesthetic eye have allowed you to work with big clients such as The Estate of Ana Mendieta, Calvin Klein, Swarovski and artists like Nick Jonas, Enrique Iglesias and Beyoncé. What was it like the first time you saw your work shared with the world in such a big way? What did working with these brands and artists teach you?

CD: My work ethic is a direct correlation to me being a woman of color (morena) in an industry dominated by white males. I’ve always felt that I had to prove I belonged, that I was capable. I'm not afraid to ask for help if I need it. I think it's important to know and accept your limits. Many times I've been thrown into a project with no prior knowledge, so I must ask questions in order to do my job properly. I love learning and hate when things get too routine.

When I began working in LA, I was exposed to a lot of new workflows and machinery. I learned so much from my colleagues and developed really great relationships and valuable skills. My favorite job quickly became film restorations—every step in the process requires an incredible amount of attention to detail. It’s a match made in heaven because I’ve always been attracted to methodical processes. The most rewarding aspect of working on a digital restoration like the Estate of Ana Mendieta or Belladonna of Sadness is knowing that you’re a part of something larger: preserving the material for future generations to enjoy. 

All these projects have taught me to approach my work with a more exacting eye. Currently, I work out of my home studio as a freelance film colorist and editor, so organization is always my top priority. I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned from working on big projects is to not allow stress or frustration to take over. Sometimes when things go awry (hard drives failing) or you’re up against a tight deadline, it’s easy to get caught up the chaos. But when you step back and take a look at the issue from afar, you realize the pettiness of worrying and you’re usually able to find a way to solve the problem.

MR: Recently, you’ve entered into the post production stage of your first feature film, Puras Ilusiones, which takes place in a fictional town in South Texas, part of the Rio Grande Valley where you grew up. A favorite critical theorist of mine is Nancy Duncan who co-wrote a book called “Landscapes of Privilege,” in which she describes the connection between identity and place, landscape and memory. She says that “landscapes are integral to our identities,” describes them as “emblems of our individual and collective memories,” and that “threats to the landscape are often interpreted as threats to identity.” What are your thoughts on the landscape of the Rio Grande Valley? What does it represent to you? What memories of yours and your family dwell there?

CD: The RGV will represent my core being para siempre. The geographical and social landscape of the area is what drives me to explore this connection. I love the history of the area, the people who inhabit it, the culture and its close proximity to/relationship with Mexico. At the moment, 45’s border wall and industrialization of the untouched coastline (LNG export terminals) are two major concerns residents of the area have. The Valley is constantly referred to as one of the poorest regions of the US and, being so close to the Mexico border, one of the most dangerous areas of the country. There is more to the Valley than the negativities the press focus on. Memories from my childhood are pleasant: riding bikes on unpaved streets, day trips to Camargo or Migel Aleman with the family, pumpkin empanadas, raspas and breakfast tacos, thrifting at the Ropa Usada (10 cents a pound!), palm trees, mesquite trees and chachalacas…I can go on forever. It’s a beautiful area that is constantly overlooked and under-represented in the media. The Rio Grande Valley holds a lot of weight in the conversation about race, immigration, gender inequality, income inequality, reproductive rights, LGBTQ issues and countless others. It’s important we share these experiences and stories with the rest of the world.

MR: Following that train of thought, how much of Puras Ilusiones is based on your own experience growing up there?  What makes you want to revisit and immortalize RGV now as an adult?

CD: Ironically, it was after I moved away from Texas when my interest in the RGV began to influence my work. I wrote Puras Ilusiones on and off for about 5 years. I pulled inspiration from memories I had and stories I invented based off old family photos. Both my grandmothers have wonderful stories from their lives. Nostalgia is always fun to explore. The land became a character and I kept daydreaming of desert ranches. I knew that whenever I decided to make the film, it would be shot on my family’s ranch in the RGV. So memories and historical events became the constant musings during the writing process. Last year in the midst of #NoDAPL, I read an article about a similar situation happening in the RGV. At the same time, it was the 50th anniversary of the 1966 Melon Strike—an event that sparked the United Farmworkers movement in Texas. The film evolved into a type of research project and a way for me to capture the beauty of the area.

MR: The plot of Puras Ilusiones is about female self-discovery, but it also tells the story of the grassroots campaigns, history of the land, and social justice activism you've mentioned is happening in the RGV region. Art and activism continue to be at the forefront of a lot of social change we see and have been seeing for decades. Personally, how do you see art and activism influencing each other, working together, to fight for justice? Do you believe art can be activism?

CD: Art and activism most definitely go hand in hand. The night of the 2016 election, I was extremely emotional, scared for what the future held and saddened by the possibility that I would never be able to make this film. The next day [my friend] Lauren texted me, ‘Girl, we HAVE to make your movie now.’ And that’s what lit a fire under my ass to get this production rolling. I realized this was my way of resisting the new administration, of addressing issues regarding gender, race and class through cinema, of disproving stereotypes. It gave me purpose and helped me harness pent-up energy. Sometimes we can feel overwhelmed by the news and social media, feeling like we always must have an opinion on every issue. A big part of activism is listening to others. Making this film was my way of meeting other people in the RGV who were resisting and hearing their stories. It was a way for me to give back to the community that shaped me into who I am today. The film became a tangible way for me to fight back. 

MR: As your first personal, narrative film project, what has it been like directing and guiding your cast? Did you work organically off of their energy and chemistry or was there a set script and storyline? What have you learned from working with veterans and newcomers alike?

CD: I’m used to making films in a pretty isolated way. My previous work is all paint on film, so my process was working alone in my studio painting, splicing, editing, coloring. I love documenting objects/places in life and cutting them together to express a feeling or memory. Puras Ilusiones was a huge departure from how I had previously made films, so I approached it as a large-scale collaboration. I worked with trained actors and non-actors resulting in a range of experiences. Individual activists and organizations such as Save RGV From LNG and La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE) also joined the cast and crew, which allowed us to showcase the work they are currently doing in the Valley. Resistance in the area is strong and it deserves to be talked about.

My crew and cast were completely invested in the project and it really showed. It was a wonderful experience to work with people who share a passion for what they're doing. There isn’t much dialogue in the script, so I encouraged my actors to improvise and inject a lot of their own experiences into the characters. There were only 10 of us on crew and we had a ton of gear to lug around. It was a grassroots, DIY production which meant we were constantly problem-solving. But it made the feeling of accomplishment stronger at the end of each day. We were also shooting all 16mm, which was a first for a lot of my crew. Our budget was extremely tight so we had to wait until we wrapped production to send all the film to be processed and transferred. My DP Lauren Pruitt and I were on edge for weeks until the footage arrived in LA. It looked so beautiful, I think we both cried a little out of relief.  The biggest takeaway from production was the importance of enthusiasm on set. It was important to me that anyone involved was having a good time and never bored. It was wonderful to have such a lively crew and cast, especially since we had to work in the harsh Texas heat during many outdoor shoots. It also reaffirmed my belief in DIY filmmaking--not needing permission from anyone to make a film, not letting it become an elite art form. It can be done, but it’s a huge undertaking to see it through.

We've seen in recent years a huge resurgence of DIY ethics in film, print, art, and online media; people really going back to their roots and creating things locally as self-taught artists. You're a huge believer of DIY culture and your volume and quality of work are proof that sometimes, you really do have to do it yourself. Can you tell us more about how DIY culture drives or inspires you? As an artist of color, have you found freedom through DIY?

DIY culture became a very important part of my life in my formative years. Throughout high school, my friends and I would put on shows, mostly bands we had formed, in various places around the Valley like the local VFW or after-hours in the parking lot of a hardware store. Similarly, my sister and I would spend our weekends thrifting across the Valley, bring our haul home, cut it up and sew it into something new. We created the clothes we wanted to wear, the music we wanted to hear, the art we wanted to experience. There was a lot of that happening in the Valley while I was growing up; it came as a very natural way for us to express ourselves on our own terms. 

The passion to create without hesitation stayed with me as a moved further and further away from the Valley. It’s pushed me to experiment with film. DIY culture forces you to stop making excuses. And in filmmaking, there can be hundreds of reasons why you feel you can’t make a film. DIY allows you to have control of what you are creating and to realize that there is never a wrong way to execute your ideas. Punk is the essence of DIY—complete, unapologetic self-expression. DIY filmmaking gives you the freedom to share your point of view because you don’t have to answer to anyone else. 

MR: When can we expect to see the finished work and where would you like to premiere it?

CD: Puras Ilusiones is currently in post, which is probably my favorite part of the process. I’m editing whenever I have downtime between freelance work. My goal is to have it completed by late Summer/Fall 2018. I’d like to do a traveling screening throughout the RGV, specifically in the towns we filmed. I’m excited to share the film with the people who helped me make it and with the community that inspired it. Eventually, I'd love to have a 35mm film print made and screen the film on a larger scale so others can experience the beauty of the Rio Grande Valley.

MR: What does the future hold for you? Are there any other projects you’re currently working on or plan to start once Puras Ilusiones is released?

CD: My current goal is working with more female & female-identifying filmmakers, especially those who are trying to make their own stories come to life. It’s necessary to surround myself with others who are creating. I’m enjoying the editing process and taking my time with it because I hate rushing or forcing creativity. When I have ideas, I write them down. It’s hard to commit to a new project with the current one being in such a crucial state. But I definitely look forward to finishing the film and starting work on the next one.

 Puras Ilusiones is a self-funded, independent film. Caitlin is editing & coloring the film herself but will be working with others on music, sound design, visual effects, subtitling and additional film transfers. If you'd like to help with the costs of post, please donate to the film's PayPal here

To see more of Caitlin's work, visit her website 

[bewitching-elizabeth-olsen]

Press/Gallery: Elizabeth Talks Forging Her Own Path in Film and Advice from Her Older Sisters

PHILADELPHIA STYLE – With her talent and film career firmly established, Elizabeth Olsen’s focus shifts to forging her path and making her own rules.

  At the Cannes Film Festival premiere of Taylor Sheridan’s Wind River, Elizabeth Olsen climbs onstage inside the iconic Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes. Looking old-school glam in a plunging blush-colored Miu Miu gown, she takes in the scene, smiling as the audience delivers its enthusiastic applause and Sheridan introduces the film. It is not Olsen’s first time at Cannes, but from her perspective, it might as well be. “The first time I was here, I didn’t soak it in,” says the actress during our beachside stroll the next day. “I was overwhelmed, and I don’t have very many memories of being present.”

  This time would be different, she determined, starting with the decision to clutch her pink heels in her hand while onstage. “During Sundance, I had a bit of a panic attack when we were onstage. You have all the lights on you, and there’s really no point of focus. I hate it. It freaks me out. So, I thought, ‘I’m going to take my shoes off.’ And I remember every moment,” she says.

  As not even a 2am post-premiere photo call manages to rattle the actress, you get the sense Olsen knows not only how to navigate the chaos that is the world’s most renowned film festival, but is also competently steering a career that, in the past seven years, has launched her to fame far beyond what maybe even she expected. “Now that I feel a bit more solid about what I’m making and I have a very clear intention for myself, I’m a happier person,” explains the 28-year-old. “I’ve started to figure out how I want to function as a human being in the world and balance it with work.”

  She may feel like she is only now coming into herself, but from the outside, it seems like Olsen has always had a strong sense of direction. While the actress has, in the past seven years, made an impressive 18 films—ranging from well-received indies like Martha Marcy May Marlene to major blockbusters like Godzilla and The Avengers films—her love of acting and performing was established long before her 21st birthday. Elizabeth Olsen Wind River Ingrid Goes West

  The youngest sister of twins Mary-Kate and Ashley made her on-screen debut at age 4 in her siblings’ films, before deciding at age 7 she would not pursue the same path as her famous sisters. “I did try and audition when I was younger. I thought, ‘Well that sounds fun. I see what my sisters do.’ I went on a few auditions, Spy Kids being the first one, and they asked me to read the script. It looked bigger than the Bible to me,” Olsen recalls. “I didn’t understand why I would ever read something that big. I realized I would miss out on after-school sports and forfeit things I enjoyed doing at a young age. My dad had me write a list of pros and cons, and the cons side was bigger. I decided to stick to my after-school activities.”

  Despite the 15-year hole in her résumé, Olsen never gave up acting. “The [activities] my family [came out to support] me in were probably painful to watch,” she laughs. “From ballet recitals to plays to some experimental things—it was constant. But [these] were hobbies, not a job.” They were, however, the things she cared about the most. After high school, Olsen enrolled at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she learned the discipline of the craft, even spending a semester at the Moscow Art Theatre in Russia. “All these teachers [were] trying to scare [us], letting [us] know that [acting] is hard and you’re going to be rejected 99 percent of the time. Every time someone said it to me, it was a challenge, like, ‘I’ll show you.’”

  That, she did. Olsen’s breakout role came as the titular character in Martha Marcy May Marlene, about a young girl who, after several years of living with a cult, manages to escape. The film, which garnered numerous critics’ awards and brought her to Cannes for the first time, launched a noteworthy career out of the gate. “I’m so lucky [director] Sean Durkin wanted to go with someone who had literally no film experience,” says Olsen. “I think the reason Sean liked the idea was because I didn’t know what I looked like on camera, and I didn’t care about what angle of my face looked good. It added to the awkwardness of Martha.” The experience, which Olsen says took place during a restless time in her personal life, cemented her love for acting. “My favorite thing about working and being on set as an actor is having to be so present in what you’re doing,” she says. “It’s such a relief—it’s almost meditative. The only thing that matters is the moment.”

  Her glorious debut was more luck than strategy, Olsen admits. She eagerly tried out for guest roles on TV procedurals like CSI and Blue Bloods early on in her career, reading every script that came her way. “[In the beginning] I was like, ‘What? You want to hire me? Sign me up!’ I was a mess,” she laughs. “But, now, there’s more of an intention behind it. I’m happy to go from one project to the next, but there has to be a reason to do it. And if there isn’t, then I’m going to be unemployed and figure out how to keep myself busy.”

  She was immediately drawn to no-nonsense FBI Agent Jane Banner in the thriller Wind River, which recently hit theaters and required learning how to operate a gun and assert authority in dangerous situations. “I’m scared of everything, and I get to play someone who is in control and confident,” she says. “To get to find that inside of you is a thrilling thing to do.” Olsen also looks for films with social commentary, like Ingrid Goes West, where she stars as a social media influencer who becomes the obsession of a mentally unstable fan. “I’m hoping to generate a better through line within the work I’m interested in and the work I find intriguing,” she says, “which doesn’t mean it’s all serious and poignant messages. I also think a sense of humor is important.”

  The world of social media is still a mystery to Olsen, who only started exploring Instagram as a way to research her character. Even the idea of a public persona appears to perplex the actress, who, early on, received tips from her sisters about life in the spotlight. “They’re very tight-lipped—notoriously so—and I was not caring what I was saying [in interviews] because I’d assumed no one would read it,” says Olsen. “That’s when we’d have conversations. They’d say, ‘You know, even if you don’t think anyone’s going to read this article, someone might pull the quote later for [something else].’ It’s all part of how you hope someone interprets you, and how they frame who you are and the work you do.” That advice is now what keeps her from divulging much about her private life, which, according to news sources, currently includes musician boyfriend Robbie Arnett. “If it only involves me, then I’ll share it, but if it involves another party, ever, then I won’t,” she states. “I don’t want to tell anyone else’s story.”

  Olsen’s story is that she is laying down roots. For the past 2 ½ years, she has lived in Los Angeles, where she was raised, and feels like it is home. “In New York, I felt so confined to such a small space, and I would feel guilty if I wasn’t out all day,” she says. “[Here] I have friends over for dinner more nights than I don’t. I take advantage of having a deck. I cook more than I ever did in New York. I don’t feel bad about being in my home.” So much so that she eventually sees herself filling it with a family of her own. “I just bought a house for the first time. It’s very exciting. I’m renovating it right now, which has been so much fun and stimulating creatively,” she says. “But I was also thinking, ‘There’s this small room upstairs, which would be good for a kid.’ I don’t know where things will lead, but I do think about it in that way: ‘I think I could raise kids here.’”

  That, however, seems to be way off in the future. At this point in time, Olsen looks forward to another milestone. “Your 30s sounds like the best decade for a woman. I can’t wait!” she exclaims. “I still deal with so many anxieties of how I come across. I’ll go home at night, spinning with a guilt complex of, ‘Did I say something stupid to that person who I respect? Do they think I’m a freak?’ I don’t want to think like that anymore. What’s so beautiful about being older and wiser is you are sitting heavier in your shoes with your feet on the ground.” Or, as the case may be for Olsen, with your shoes clutched in your hand.

        Gallery Links:

Studio Photoshoots > 2017 > Session 029

Magazine Scans > 2017 > Philadelphia Style (September)

Magazine Scans > 2017 > Modern Luxuries Boston (September)

Magazine Scans > 2017 > Angeleno (September)

Magazine Scans > 2017 > Modern Luxuries Orange County (September)

Press/Gallery: Elizabeth Talks Forging Her Own Path in Film and Advice from Her Older Sisters was originally published on Elizabeth Olsen Source • Your source for everything Elizabeth Olsen

[quarkoftheimagination]

do all the oc questions ;) (prompt thing coming sometime soon idk)

You suck This is for Clark 1. What is your OC’s favorite color? Cobalt blue or radioactive green 2. Does your OC collect anything? What do they collect? little tidbits from computers or other electronic bits. 3. What kind of things is your OC allergic to? Shellfish, shrimp in particular 4. What kind of clothing does your OC wear? Formal to business casual pretty much all the time. lots of sweaters too. 5. What is your OC’s first memory? First memory? Probably his dad taking him outside for the first time. It was to the zoo when he was 5 or so.  6. What’s your OC’s favorite animal? Least favorite? Clark likes owls and other birds, he just thinks their cool. Least favorite would be a snake.  7. What element would your OC be? Ummmm. He already can manipulate electricity maybe air then 8. What is your OC’s theme song? Um… I say I’d Rather Drown and You’re Gonna Go far Kid 9. Do you have a faceclaim / voiceclaim for your OC? NOOOOOO 10. What deadly sin would best represent your OC? Pride. just just pride 11. What are your OC’s hobbies? Reading, electric tinkering, political blogging 12. How patient is your OC? How hot-headed are they? Not very patient with stupidity, repetitiveness, or lack of patience from other people, ok with most other stuff. Can’t stand his mom and will yell. 13. What is your OC’s gender / sexuality / race / species / he him/ gay/ alien 14. What foods does your OC like to eat? What are their least favorite foods? He doesn’t like spicy foods, and he’s allergic to shellfish but anything else is good. 15. If your OC could have any pet, what would they choose? Why? A cat. they kinda take care of themselves and he can have them on his lap. 16. What does your OC smell like? Burnt circuits and expensive shampoo 17. How do they make a living? What kind of job do they want / not want? What is their dream job? What do they think of their current job? He loves his job as a computer engineer, can’t really imagine what else to do with his life. 18. What are your OC’s greatest fears? Weaknesses? Strengths? Fears he’s not good enough. Strength is his brainpower, including quick thinking. Weakness is his pride and his curiosity often gets the better of him. Very bad at letting go of things. Doesn’t really think people change as much as they say 19. What kind of music do they listen to? Do they have a favorite song? All song types are interesting, sadly likes indie or alternative bands. 20. If they came from their world to ours (if not already in our’s) how would they react? What would they do? He would catalog everything and be quite an annoyance to everyone. 21. What personal problems/issues do they have? Pet peeves? Stupidity, has trust issues. Bugged by people referring to him as ‘prince’ 22. What kind of student were they/would they be in high school? An asshole nerdy kid. 23. What is a random fact about your OC? He’s left handed because of a transporter incident. After words he took apart the transporter to figure out why it had happened. It’s how he got into computer engineering in the first place. 24. What is their outlook on life? What is their philosophy / what do they think in general about living? He thinks some people have too much power. Life is fun with all its knowledge and experiences. Most people are out to save who they care for and that’s it, others don’t care about anyone. Those people can’t be trusted. A person can upset an entire system if it’s failing badly enough. Believes fiercely in equality. 25. What inspired you to create them / how did you create them? Were they originally a fancharacter? What was their personality / design like when you first made them? Originally a fancharacter, pretty much the same. I based him off myself. w h o o p s. His physical design is much different now than before. 26. 26. Who is the most important person in their life? Why? Who is the least important to them (that still has an impact and why?) Kira, his sister is the most important. His mom is probably the least important. She could die in a ditch and he wouldn’t care either way. 27. What kind of childhood did your character have? Stuck in solitude learning about the people he might have to rule over one day. It wasn’t a happy time. 28. What kind of nervous habits do they have? Do they stim? Do they have any kinds of addictions? Chews e v e r y t h i n g. Nails, lips, writing instruments, sleeves. Nothing is safe. Drinks coffee too much. 29. If they could choose their epitaph for their grave, what would they choose? He’d put 'nothing is set in stone’ 30. Do they want to get married? Why or why not? Would they ever want kids? Do they have kids? Why? No, he’s afraid of marriage at this point. Again, his moms fault for having 2 spouses die and the other abusive. No kids either. Kira’s hard enough to raise. 31. What is their most traumatic memory/experience? What is their favorite memory? Traumatic would probably be either learning his dad died or the first time Kira died. Favorite would be the first day he was in public without having to worry about his parents. 32. If they could have one thing in the world, what would it be? The ability to walk. 33. Would they ever kill someone? What would someone have to do to push them to kill someone? If they would kill someone, why?  Yes, it wouldn’t take much either. He won’t go around killing people but sometimes he overestimates what it would take to knock someone out and whoops they’re dead. Mostly self preservation or to make a statement. Again, won’t go on a murder streak. 34. What social groups and activities does your character attend? What role do they like to play? What role do they actually play, usually? Clark likes public speaking at colleges or things like that, and he usually gets dragged to fancy people balls and stuff. Science conventions maybe? He would go to book festivals just to buy a ton of books regardless if he’d ever actually read them. 35. How is your character’s imagination? Daydreaming a lot? Worried most of the time? Living in memories? Pretty down to earth, good sense of thinking into the future. Always half wondering about his next project. A visionary when it comes to technology. 36. What does your character want most? What do they need really badly, compulsively? What are they willing to do, to sacrifice, to obtain? 37. What’s something that your character does, that other people don’t normally do? 38. What would your character do with a million dollars? 39. What is in your characters refrigerator right now? On their bedroom floor? Nightstand? Garbage can? 40. Your character is getting ready for a night out. Where are they going? What do they wear? Who will they be with? 41. What does your character do when they’re angry? Why? 42. Does your character have any scars? Where did they get them from? 43. What was the most offensive thing your character had ever said? 44. How does your character react/ accept criticism? very badly. Very very badly. He takes that shit hard. 45. If your character was given a slice of pineapple pizza and they HAD to eat it (or something bad would happen), how would they react? Do they even LIKE pineapple pizza? Yeah he likes it. He’d probably look at the person with a 'are you ok’ look first though 46. Your character is given a voodoo doll of themself. What do they do with it? Do they see if it actually works? Clark just starts stabbing it to see what happens and is genuinely surprised if it works/doesn’t work. 47. Can your character draw? What do they like to draw? Do they doodle? Clark mostly doodles and sketches technology designs, not good at people. 48. What were their parents like? How has that affected how they are as an adult? His dad actually wasn’t too bad, a little worried for Clark, but other than that nothing else extraordinary. He did support Clark’s weird quirks as a kid. He’s dead now, which lead Clark to believe that good things always come to an end and evil keeps on growing. His mom is a bit flighty and constantly just. Leaves her children. His step dad is    Something else entirely. 49. Does your character like candy? Do they get sugar rushes? What are they like when they get a rush? Clark tries to chew candy instead of other things, so yes. Sugar rushed he’s pretty jitter and talks a lot. 50. If your character was presented with imminent and unavoidable death/fatality, how would they react? Would they try to avoid death anyways? Would they try to make their last days count? He would just kind of be in denial for a while. (I’m immortal right? he isn’t completely immortal) but if set with a timeline he’d try to avoid death STILL because he is afraid of dying deep in his sub-conscious. Clark would try to make an even more of a lasting impression on people because he doesn’t want to be forgotten easily.

phew that was a lot 

EDIT: fixed the last answer because I was called out for my bullshit

[dancemotionusa]

Meet the Artists: Bebe Miller Company (BMC)

Bebe Miller Company embraces the task of international diplomacy through dance and cultural exchange in Colombia and Peru.

Meet the Artist: Lila Hurwitz

Hometown: Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; lived on the west coast of the US (Portland, OR; Seattle, WA) for 30 years, now back on the east coast on Rhode Island.

Education: 

BA, dance choreography & criticism, Hampshire College, Amherst, MA

Certified Feldenkrais practitioner

Hobbies or interests: Gardening; graphic design

Favorite representation of dance in a music video/web video:

http://www.trishabrowncompany.org/index.php?nr=711&page=view 

Your roles and responsibilities in the dance world: Dancer; choreographer; project manager; producer

Major influences: Trisha Brown; Twyla Tharp; Mark Morris; Bebe Miller

What is most challenging to you about American dance? I'm not sure this is specific to American dance, but so many dances to me don't live up to the potential of dance as an art form. When I see the one or two per year that are really incredible, it restores my faith.

What are the largest rewards of managing a dance company and/or tour?  What are the largest difficulties?

Largest rewards: Ensuring that artists share their work out in the world.

Largest difficulties: Ensuring enough resources so everyone is paid fairly.

When did you choose to work in dance? (Or when did it choose you?) I entered college intending to study visual art. After 6 months, I realized that I wanted to focus on making dance. My mother was a dancer, so I starting dancing at a young age and was exposed to lots of seminal modern dance works. 

You have superpowers! How would some of your powers help make the world a better place? My superpower would be used to convince wealthy people and corporations that supporting the arts is vital to the health of our world and an important way to use their money.  

What are you looking forward to experiencing during the upcoming residencies? Connecting with local dancers and others curious about dance. Seeing historic architecture and sites, eating great food!

What’s one thing you’re nervous about with these international residencies? Communicating in my terrible Spanish. 

What do you want people to know about you and your relationship to America? Or what do you want people to know about you, what you do, and where you come from? That I didn't vote for our current president. That part of my job is to give artists the support they don't receive from our government. 

What do you feel is your responsibility as a DMUSA participant? What do you think of using dance as a form of diplomacy? I feel responsible for facilitating that our company, our hosts and our colleagues feel comfortable interacting together (even when challenged). I think that dancers make great diplomats, at home and abroad!

Meet the Artist: Stan Pressner

Hometown: Born in Chicago, but after 28 years in New York City, I hope I qualify as an honorary native New Yorker. My family is originally from Eastern Europe.

Education: World Campus Afloat, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Hobbies or interests: Literature, sculpture, art in Light

Favorite representation of dance in a music video/web video: Stop Making Sense

Your roles and responsibilities in the dance world: Scenic designer, lighting designer, projection designer, theatre consultant

Major influences: Craig Miller, Tom Skelton, Gertrude Stein, Rembrandt, Virginia Woolf, Twyla Tharp, Pina Bausch, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, and many others!

What is most compelling about American dance to you? Or what is most challenging to you about American dance? There is an awful lot of bad modern dance in the world which is balanced by the very few sublime works. In other words, when it is good, it is great!

What are the largest rewards of working on a performance? The reward for me is in collaborating with choreographers in trying to achieve the sublime. I try to help them articulate their work in movement in other visual forms. 

When did you choose to work in dance? (Or when did it choose you?) Age 20, I got a phone call to design for the Chicago Moving Company, which had a large and varied repertoire of many wonderful choreographers. They called upon me to collaborate with Anna Sokolow and Dan Wagoner, at which point I was hooked. Their artistic director, Nana Sheinpflug, taught me to look at dance.

How would you explain your work to a 10-year-old? What would your 10-year-old self think if you explained your work to him/her today? I try to reveal movement in 4 dimensions. My 10-year-old self was fascinated by light, and so, would fully understand.

When you were told you’d be traveling to Colombia and Peru, what was the first thing you researched or wanted to know? I began to research the indigenous populations. I am fascinated by large number of distinct cultures and saddened by the number lost.

What are you looking forward to experiencing during the upcoming residencies? I always enjoy being introduced to new forms of dance and other art forms, but if I am honest, I most look forward to eating new foods and meeting new people.

What’s one thing you’re nervous about with these international residencies? I always wish that I was fluent in the language of anywhere I travel. Sadly, I am not fluent in Spanish.

Meet the Artist: Angie Hauser

Hometown: Born and raised in the American South including South Carolina and Louisiana. After many years in New York City I now make my home in the small town of Northampton Massachusetts.  

Education: Ohio State University, MFA in choreography;  University of South Carolina, BA in art history

Hobbies or interests: Arranging things

Your roles and responsibilities in the dance world: Making dances, performing dances, teaching and training dancers, chairing the Department of Dance at Smith College (Northampton, MA, USA)

Major influences: Bebe Miller, Chris Aiken, Trisha Brown, Yvonne Rainer, Vickie Blaine, Merce Cunningham/John Cage, Ralph Lemon, Darrell Jones 

Three words that describe my movement: Specific, weighted, poetic 

Your definition of dance in 140 characters or less: Dance and performance are connected for me. It is moving and being — in relationship to being seen (or not).

What is most compelling about American dance to you? American contemporary dance is constantly innovating, finding new places to inhabit and new ways to share ideas. American dance yearns to connect people, to make an impact, to catalyze the imagination and to make visible the human experience through individual points of view. 

When did you choose to work in dance? When I was 22 years old.      

You have superpowers! How would some of your powers help make the world a better place? Sharing the power of observation. Helping others use their full self to perceive the world around them including the most subtle details of people, places, objects, animals, and events. 

What are you looking forward to experiencing during the upcoming residencies? Meeting people who are curious about dance. Experience things I didn’t know existed.

Meet the Artist: Bronwen MacArthur

Photo: Julieta Cervantes

Hometown: Hanover, New Hampshire, a small town in a small state.

Education: Wellesley College (BA), Smith College (MFA)

Hobbies or interests: Hiking, swimming, cooking, reading

Favorite representation of dance in a music video/web video: Video for the song “Happy” 

Your roles and responsibilities in the dance world: Teacher, maker, collaborator, performer 

Major influences: My first dance teachers Vicki and Pepe DeChiazza, my family, music, the outdoors

Your definition of dance in 140 characters or less:  Using the knowledge and stories of the body, dance is a way to live in the world and make connection.

What is most compelling about American dance to you? Compelling things are: considering what North American dance even is; U.S. contemporary dance has been innovative and scrappy at times, doing a lot with little resources; U.S. dance includes so many styles and histories and has the potential to be generous, celebratory, and transformative.

When did you choose to work in dance? (Or when did it choose you?) When I was 14 and made the decision to leave home to go to a school where I could train intensively. 

You have superpowers! How would some of your powers help make the world a better place? Get everybody dancing - convincing everyone that they already do/can.

What are you looking forward to experiencing during the upcoming residencies? Meeting all the new people we will meet; getting to know my collaborators and our work more deeply.

What do you feel is your responsibility as a DMUSA participant? What do you think of using dance as a form of diplomacy? I am excited to discover the languages, movement and otherwise, we have in common and learn unfamiliar approaches and practices. 

Meet the Artist: Darrell Jones

Hometown: Tallahassee, FL

Education: BS in psychology, University of FL and MFA in dance, Florida State University

Hobbies or interests: Cooking, loving

Favorite representation of dance in a music video/web video: Flashdance was one of the first VHS tapes we got in our house. Don’t judge me.

Your roles and responsibilities in the dance world: Educator, movement researcher, performer, griot

Major influences: Mother, father, Steve, Bebe, Ralph, Min

Your definition of dance in 140 characters or less: Movement.

What is most compelling about American dance to you? There are forms of dance that are born and bred in this country.   

When did you choose to work in dance? (Or when did it choose you?) I made the decision in college and have kept saying yes to it.

You have superpowers! How would some of your powers help make the world a better place? I have the superpower and curse of extreme empathy. It works well on the stage but is not always the best option in life.

When you were told you’d be traveling to Colombia and Peru, what was the first thing you researched or wanted to know? The different types of food to eat. 

What is your most memorable moment as an artist, thus far? I don’t know if it’s happened yet.

Meet the Artist:  Michelle Boulé

Hometown: I’m from Illinois and have lived in NY for 19 years. 

Education: University of Illinois - BFA in performance, choreography, and teaching

Hobbies or interests: Healing arts, cooking, hiking, visual art

Your roles and responsibilities in the dance world: Teacher, performer, choreographer, enthusiast

Major influences: Miguel Gutierrez, Deborah Hay, Anna Halprin, John Jasperse

Three words that describe your choreography or movement: Let it happen.

Your definition of dance in 140 characters or less: Dancing connects us to possibility and potential.

What is most compelling about American dance to you? American dance has an embodied spirit that resonates with my heart! 

When did you choose to work in dance? (Or when did it choose you?) I started dancing when I was 5 and quit when I was 16 because of injury. Dancing found me again in my sophomore year in college, where I had synchronistically and unknowingly landed at a school with an excellent dance program. I’ve been dancing ever since.

You have superpowers! How would some of your powers help make the world a better place? My superpowers would remind us that connection is the most important thing we can experience!

When you were told you’d be traveling to Colombia and Peru, what was the first thing you researched or wanted to know? How can we eat some great food!?

What do you feel is your responsibility as a DMUSA participant? What do you think of using dance as a form of diplomacy? I look forward to entering a shared creative space with the local artists, where we are learning mutually from one another. My responsibility is in being present, respectful, and enthusiastically inspired!

Meet the Artist: Sarah Gamblin

Hometown: Born in New York, now living in Texas.

Education: Master of Fine Arts in dance from University of Washington

Hobbies or interests: Running, political activism, anti-racism work

Favorite representation of dance in a music video/web video: 

Glacial Decoy duet by Trisha Brown, on Youtube

Your roles and Rresponsibilities in the dance world: Performer, improviser, professor at Texas Woman’s University

Major influences: Bebe Miller, contact improvisation, Nina Martin, Wonder Woman, Michael Jackson, Flashdance, Madonna, Tony Montana

Three words that describe your choreography or movement: Momentum, line, groundedness

Your definition of dance in 140 characters or less: Dance is when your attention cycles between and among the body, the environment, between people and between thoughts while moving in space and in time for fun and for purpose.

What is most compelling about American dance to you? Or what is most challenging to you about American dance? 

Compelling: Irrepressibility

Challenging: Poverty

When did you choose to work in dance? (Or when did it choose you?) Dance chose me when I was about 19. I was in college, taking dance class and rehearsing, and I just could feel it that this is what I would be doing for my life.

How would you explain your work to a 10-year-old? What would your 10-year-old self think if you explained your work to him/her today? What I do is like Minecraft but with sweat and breath and weight. It’s like my nine years     old’s Aikido class but with different pants.

What are you looking forward to experiencing during the upcoming residencies? I’m really looking forward to sharing our work and interacting with other dance artists. I’m really looking forward to learning from the folks and     the places we encounter!

What do you feel is your responsibility as a DMUSA participant? I think my role is to be generous and to listen.

Meet the Artist: Sarah Lass

Hometown: I grew up in Denver, Colorado and I currently live in Northampton, Massachusetts. My family hails from Germany, Wales, England, and Norway.

Education: I received my BA in Russian area studies from Kenyon College in 2013. I minored in dance. In May of 2018 I will graduate with an MFA in Dance from Smith College.

Hobbies or interests: Writing—poems, essays, prose… I’m in love with words and what they can do. I like memorizing poems (especially in Russian) so that I can chew on them even when they’re not in front of me. I’m working on writing and compiling a series of personal essays right now. I’m also an avid reader.

Favorite representation of dance in a music video/web video: This isn’t a video, but it is web-based… Motion Bank! Everything on the site is fantastic. I think it’s an incredible platform and a rich representation of dance. That said, the dance film that is stuck in my head right now is Michéle Anne De Mey’s Love Sonnet. The other web-based dance resource I’m exploring right now is William Forsythe’s Improvisation Technologies.

Your roles and responsibilities in the dance world: Performer, choreographer, teacher, writer, supporter/advocate

Major influences: All of the teachers and choreographers with whom I’ve been able to work have influenced me. Chris Aiken, Angie Hauser, Mike Vargas, Barbara Mahler, KJ Holmes, Christina Robson, Donnell Oakley, Shayla-Vie Jenkins, Jennifer Nugent, and Chrysa Parkinson have all been particularly influential on my dancing (and person) through their teaching and/or mentorship and/or creative work. My Russian professor, Natalia Olshanskaya, while not in the dance field, had a tremendous impact on my life and outlook.

Your definition of dance in 140 characters or less: To dance is to interrogate, reimagine, and re-inhabit oneself and the world, again and again and again.

What is most compelling about American dance to you? I am consistently inspired by how resourceful American dancers and choreographers are. I see and feel this resourcefulness bubble up in the conceptual and structural content of works being made right now.

When did you choose to work in dance? (Or when did it choose you?) I was studying abroad in college and dancing very little. It was the most absent dance had been from my life since diving into ballet as a kid, and I felt what I’ve come to call “The Ache” more strongly than ever before: the need to do, to make, to engage with my world through physical research and expression. In the winter of that year abroad I met my grandmother in Paris and we went to an exhibit at the Centre Pampidou, where I (a former bunhead, now searching for something else) encountered the work of Pina Bausch and saw Trisha Brown’s Watermotor for the first time. The Ache grew stronger. When I returned to Kenyon for my senior year I took an Introduction to Dance History class with my professor Balinda Craig-Quijada and after the first lecture The Ache took over and has been driving ever since.

You have superpowers! How would some of your powers help make the world a better place? I’d like to have what I would call a “calming and clearing" superpower—the ability, in volatile or tense situations, to slow things down and create a feeling of spaciousness, ease, and possibility. I think people see and hear each other more clearly when they feel that way, so the possibility for understanding and meeting one another in a different way is greater.

What do you think of using dance as a form of diplomacy? I think dance offers an incredible opportunity for people to come together in new ways. Dance can be a meeting place. It is an opportunity to grow our understanding of one another, of how we are together, and of how we interact with our ecosystems in a way that encompasses and surpasses the verbal and the narrative-driven. It can invite and welcome us into places outside of what we know, outside of our comfort zones. I think it is only in pushing out into the unknown that growth and change are possible. I believe the possibilities for dance as a form of diplomacy are huge.

What is your most memorable moment as an artist, thus far? I recently got to perform with two of my most influential teachers/mentors. It was a very special experience and one that I will cherish.

Meet the Artist: Trebien Pollard

Hometown: Born in Warm Springs, GA, and now living in Buffalo, NY. 

Education: BS in mathematics education from Florida A & M University, MFA in dance from NYU Tisch School of the Arts

Hobbies or interests: Fashion

Your roles and responsibilities in the dance world: Performer, educator, creative director, advocate for social change

Major influences: James Baldwin, Alexander McQueen, Krzystof Kieslowski, Kara Walker

What is most compelling about American dance to you? Its varied perspectives and aesthetics.  

When did you choose to work in dance? I choose to commit to dance my sophomore year in college.

You have superpowers! How would some of your powers help make the world a better place? An empath. I’d get people to feel what others feel.

What’s one thing you’re nervous about with these international residencies? I’m nervous about being away from home for such a long time.

What is your most memorable moment as an artist, thus far? My most memorable moment as an artist is my trip to Brazil and Japan.