Tag Archives: Maine Media Workshops

Places, Things

Rockport Harbor, Maine

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I’d been in Rockport for a week and hadn’t seen much of anything, outside of the Maine Media Workshop campus. The workshop was over and I was going home. I wanted to see the harbor. I’d heard about it, for years. Rockport Harbor was sort of the icon for New England coastal beauty. I’d heard it said, “Can’t get there from here” (spoken with a heavy Maine accent), but I didn’t believe it. So, I got up early on my last day and walked down east to the harbor. I’m glad I did. I shouldn’t have waited so long. I will go back, hopefully by boat, by sailboat.

Peaceful and Idyllic on a Saturday morning.
In Rockport, you must know which way the winds blow and, where the fish go.
Makers and fixers of boats.
Rockport Harbor boat house
Where boats and gasoline are invoked, No smoking, For Pete’s Sake.
Quiet, serene, tow private docks, this home on the slopes of Rockport Harbor is a sailor’s dream.
This aging vessel could use a new coat of paint, among other things, before setting out to sea.
If it can be fixed, Rockport Marine will fix it. I’m just not sure how they’ll get it back in the water.
Sittin’ on the dock of the bay, watching’ the fish swim away.
If you can see ’em, you can catch ’em.
If you’re going lobster in’, get yourself a good pink rope. Lobsters like that.
Plenty of lobster traps, but, is she seaworthy?
Fresh bait, anyone?
Maine lobsters have big claws–really big. Don’t forget your thick rubber gloves.
If the waves rock the boat, will they loose the traps, or is that how they do it?
Nostalgia and necessity keep your fish cold in the summer.
What to do, what to do–go to church, or go sailing–constant tension for the residents of this Rockport home.
I want some.
Don’t forget yours.
Glass water and blue skies–if I only had a boat…
Life preservers save lives too, if your boat is smaller.
An adventurous spirit might be sailing around the world in this boat, or, relaxing in Rockport Harbor.
“I’m calling everyone to sail away…”
The easiest way to get there from here…
Time for a new net?
Just another saturday morning in Rockport Harbor
Beautiful flowers adorn a bridge overlooking the harbor.

 

Mostly True Stories, Places

Maine Media Workshop

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First of all, this is not an advertisement; however…

A week ago, I spent a week in Rockport, Maine, attending the Maine Media Workshop. Maine Media has a number of workshops, most of which I would love to attend. In fact, I met several people who were spending their entire summer attending many, if not all the courses. I can understand why. Rockport is beautiful. The Maine Media workshop is exciting. The subject matter is engaging. And, most importantly, the people you meet are inspiring.

I was attending the Director’s Craft workshop, under the tutelage of Alan Myerson (look him up on IMDB, or, google him). I wanted to brush up on my directorial skills after spending the last few years exclusively working on documentaries. Alan was wonderful to work with. Under his direction, we spent the week working with some amazing actors. Alan took us through the process of auditioning, rehearsing, blocking/staging scenes and finally, shooting a scene. There were nine of us in the workshop. We had plenty of individual attention. We were able to explore our vision with the actors, and help the actors reach a level of performance that was awe inspiring. Alan was perceptive and insightful in helping us expand our directorial skill set. He was kind as he shepherded nine aspiring directors with widely varying skills and experience. And, he was responsible for bringing some amazingly talented actors.

Third Floor Sunset
The summer days are long. The sunsets are beautifully impressionistic.

Our days in the workshop were long, exhausting and invigorating. Each morning and each evening, I had a ten minute walk from my hotel to the campus, through a forest and past New England homes and farmhouses. One evening, long after dark, I stopped to consider the day. As I looked through the darkness enveloping a meadow, I saw hundreds, maybe even ten-thousand fireflies. Completely magical. Owl city must have been there before me. The next morning on my way back to campus, I stopped again, to consider the wild flowers where the fire flies had been.

Wildflowers
In a meadow near campus, wildflowers flourish.

On our last night of the workshop, Maine Media put on an all-you-can-eat lobster feed. There really isn’t anything quite like Maine lobster. After dinner, we watched a show of the weeks production work and then went out with our workshop group for a wrap party. I don’t think any of us were anxious to go back to the real world. However, we all knew that we could go back to our real lives and carry with us the gift of renewal and inspiration our week of hard work had brought.

I came to Maine with a hope to increase my skill set. I gained a wealth of new friends. I left Maine inspired by possibilities.

On my last day there, I turned on my still camera.

I don’t think I have ever seen such vibrant green as in Maine.
All you can eat lobster feed on the last night of our workshop.
70 Camden Street, Rockport, ME 04856
Spider webs are an indication that this hydrant doesn’t get a lot of use. It rains a lot in Maine.
Not sure what it says, but I like it.
In a meadow near campus, wildflowers flourish.
Although they say that if you don’t like the weather in New England, wait a minute. Fortunately, I liked the weather.
Time for a new coat?
I hope the roof doesn’t leak.
Even with more information I still couldn’t figure it out.
The summer days are long. The sunsets are beautifully impressionistic.
Not sure what it does, but it looks kind of cool.
The setting sun creates interesting shapes and lines on the third floor staff residence building.
The weather in New England is harsh. Anything with or without paint is weathered.
In the summer, the weather is inviting. In the winter, wood burning stoves are essential. I’ve never been so cold in my life as the winter I spent in Maine.