A strange month. I am still getting used to a new work regimen, because of returning to full time academia but also a 15 month postgraduate calendar rather than a 12 month undergraduate one. I would normally be at the start of a new semester at this point rather than halfway through a busy one. March will also be crazy, as we shoot 11 short films and prepare 9 more for May. It is quite a challenge staying energetic for it all rather than burning out, which in retrospect, definitely occurred while leading the BA Film in Bournemouth.
February has always been a month of struggling to maintain habits and hobbies. Partly because it is so short, but also because of that busy period at work. This February hasn’t been too bad. I am still struggling to cut coffee because I veer between wishing to reduce the caffeine (I am anxious enough) and then wanting it (I always find articles saying it is good for you.) Either I am a sucker for the coffee lobbyists or worrying about nothing. Thankfully I managed to make some music videos and master some songs, so the creative side of me is still being attended to. I am also managing to keep reading and watching films, which is better than some years where it can fall behind at this point.
It is still a difficult time in the world, which contributes to a difficult time at home too. I feel a bit of a dick sharing these toxic productivity updates while there is much more chaos in the world that deserves attention. I try to keep creative to keep grounded and stop myself from doom-scrolling. I know that neither seems to contribute to the world, but in some ways I feel that I contribute some hope and light rather than darkness, even if it is confined to a few people in my classroom. I would be happy with that small contribution. ‘Light’ can be dismissed as entertainment or a distraction. That’s a fair criticism. I don’t wish to distract or hide from the difficult world, but wish to expand a cultural dialogue using culture. I work with students from around the world. Yesterday I put Israelis and Iranians in a classroom together to discuss films. I want that world.
READ: Castle Rackrent – Maria Edgeworth, Excellent Women – Barbara Pym, Ivanhoe – Sir Walter Scott, Keep the Aspidistra Flying – George Orwell
WATCHED: King Kong, Gabo: The Creation of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Burroughs: The Movie, Strike, The Producers, My Scientology Movie, Christiane F., Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, The Adventures of Prince Achmed, Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs, Freaks, Kandahar, Little Caesar, Ride Lonesome
