Monday, October 3, 2016

FADE OUT for Reel Cathedral





Hello everyone, 

It is most definitely with a heavy heart that I write this post. Heavy, but not without hope. 

I (Alexis) have been struggling a lot this past year with a creative depression. While I'm writing and creating personal projects more than ever, I find myself uninspired and despairing the current climate of the film and television industries. This has made me thoroughly unmotivated to talk about films or series lately, which is something I never thought would happen. 

I have come to a conclusion on a difficult decision... this will be the last post on Reel Cathedral. I will still leave this site up because I am proud of the work me and my guest writers have done. I want to thank everyone who has supported Reel Cathedral since my first posts in 2010. It's been a wonderful journey and I am so grateful for it.

There are a couple of reasons for this FADE OUT, and I would like to share them if you'll permit me. 

The first is personal time and energy. I need to shift my focus to my own creations. I have my novel to finish in the next two months, I am still waiting for word from Amazon Studios regarding my TV pilot submission (it's been almost 5 months! Let's hope that's a good thing because most are rejected rather quickly), and then I have a feature script to finish after that. Though I love discussing the video arts, my calling is to create and that must come first. 


The second reason is more abstract, but it's none the less a reality.  In my last podcast here The Trouble with Reboots, Remakes, & Rehashing I briefly touched on some of my angst regarding the current climate of film & television, and the lack of original, risk-taking storytelling. Overall, we are being served more of the same over and over again, yet as a mass audience we eat it right up and give feedback that we are satisfied with being served the same microwaved leftovers repeatedly. 

I, however, am not satisfied by this cultural shift. For example, I found The Force Awakens to be decent, but not great, and I'm really not excited for these live action Disney remakes, when I was once Disney's biggest fangirl. Though there are a lot of Blockbusters I AM excited for, I find myself primarily refreshed and inspired by quieter films from a more independent background.


I know I am not alone in my feelings, we are many. Yet, we who oppose the incessant flow of remakes and reboots, unfortunately have the quietest voice in the media and the masses. It would seem that now just isn't the time for the renaissance of the screen, but I hope it is soon. 

I am going to do small things to show my support for independent gems, and not give my money to any of these remakes (ex. I will not be seeing the Beauty & the Beast remake in theaters, try not to have a heart attack). This might seem dumb or pointless to some, maybe it is, but it's my conviction. Money is the only language studios understand, and though it will make little difference (kind of like my vote next month), I will stick to my guns on this and focus my energy and support on as much original and independent content as possible.




I can wallow in despair about the way things are, or I can shut up and do something. Even if I am never successful in my own endeavors to share my stories with the world, I am a creator and a storyteller, and I must be true to myself.

I will still contribute occasionally to Reel World Theology, so be sure to keep up with their fantastic site and follow them on their social media pages on Twitter and Facebook.

You can continue to follow me and my projects on Twitter @phoenicianrises. I love connecting with others on Twitter, so I hope to see you there! 

Thank you all again for 6 wonderful years of support and engagement. Reel Cathedral is an idea, and it does not end on a webpage, but lives on in those who want to think deeper and understand the stories they are being told. Peace and blessings to you all.

With love from, 

Alexis 



My personal logo created by Danielle Pajak. You will see it again.



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