SnagFilms Film Widget

This is just a test- trying out the snagfilms widget. Snagfilms is a very cool sight. Just happened to try it out using a video on health insurance- a subject that makes me NUTSO!
It's kind of annoying that when you click on the widget to watch the film it opens in a new window. On my browser at least that often gets blocked as a pop up. Why can't it just play where it is? Like Youtube does?

Leaping from Learning to Doing

Call2Action is making the move to reach out and be reachable. It is an interesting time. My nature is to be careful. Yes I am the girl who will research great weekend getaways only to realize I have wasted the weekend doing the research... So, this is an interesting moment. All the research I have been doing about social media is about to turn into action. All I can think over and over again is shit or get off the pot. I really wish there was a less scatological catchphrase but that's all I got.

Call2Action is about combining powerful films with tangible actions. On our site you can find or embed great content and attach it to meaningful action. Kinda like when you post stuff to your facebook page. But instead of just adding your own 2 centavos, you could bolt on a way to affect change. Pretty damn sweet if you ask me.

So the trick is that we are meeting people, and as is the usual scenario, our site is not up yet. We need a presence that people can return to. That's where the blog comes in. So, I am creating a company blog. Only it's mainly my blog. But for the company.

Identity is an interesting thing online...

I'll let you know how it goes.

A Very Long Hiatus

Too early to say "I am back and check out for regular updates!" I can say, I am interested in putting words and work out there again. But what? Normally I would say just write whatever but my thoughts are going down some disparate paths and I am not quite sure how to organize myself. Here are some things I want to write about:

1. I have learned a TON about online marketing, creating and joining online communities, harnessing the social internet for your cause, be it political, philanthropic or purely capitalist. Twitter, facebook, blogs, readers, social bookmarking, building a network, organizing your network, the works. 

2. I continue to learn a lot about managing an idea from inception to fruition. Issues around hiring and firing, meeting deadlines, asking for more (from your team or from your boss).

3. I am going through a dryspell acting wise and have been involved in some interesting conversations around how to keep artistic fires burning, and not slipping into cliched bitter actor mode. Seriously. I bore myself when I slide into that. Funnily enough I can;t stop from blabbing about it though. I am interested in starting and tracking a journey out of bitter cliche and into creative livewire. Or just not watching CSI reruns. Whatever.

4. I am currently researching some health stuff and seeing a sizeable gap in information around what I am looking for. I could possible create a blog and link list around that and create a community for people in search of info. This could also be hugely rewarding and give a sense of purpose in a situation where sliding into the illusion of powerlessness is inevitable.

Any and all of those things are interesting to me. I do not think the right solution is to write about all of it in one place. The thought of starting FOUR different communities is a little much though. What is interesting is that I can't seem to commit to one. One of my shortcomings is that I am an idea person, not a follow through person. Any tips tricks or other recs to help combat that would be great!

Raising the Bar

I see now the bar was officially raised for my work- in any field, acting or otherwise. Suddenly, I expect it to be interesting, engaging, collaborative, and fun.  I want my cast or team to be ready- to rally around one another in moments of fear or exhaustion. I expect to be in a respectful and courteous environment. And, I want to be paid a living wage for that.  Now, I know this is not the norm esp in the arts, and especially that last one, but I think it is worth striving for. Mahamoves started out as a tell all blog about my time working on Peer Gynt at the Guthrie. Those days were unique- challenging, inspiring and sometimes defeating-- all in the best possible way. In fact, we  were recently named Best Stage Production by the local MN press! Ultimately, I wrote about Peer Gynt because I wanted you all to have that same experience- or the equivalent, whatever your field. So, this phase of Mahamoves is my small step towards making that happen. 

I've been working in theater for a while now. Sometimes failing, sometimes succeeding. Recently, I was interviewed for the prologue of a play anthology, due to my involvement with Nibras, NYAACF and other Arab-American orgs. Reading a draft, I saw clearly how I'd been a charter member of an emerging artistic and political movement. And, it got me thinking. If I could go back and do some things again how would I do them differently? A day later, kismet led me to a friend percolating on some production possibilities. We talked for ages, and I suddenly realized that I had a lot to share.  And, I have a ton more to learn. I am guessing that by examining those successes and failures I might be able to move in the direction I want instead of the one I accidentally happen into.(A recurring theme on this blog...) And maybe you will have something to add (or detract, whatever!). Maybe you will read something that might help you shape a project or make a decision. So, I will write about something that I have come up against or that has been brought to my attention. Feel free to submit questions or ideas. Hell, write your own damn blog! Or write a comment that goes on for days... I don't mind. If you like what you read feel free to sign up for my mailing list or rss feed.

My hope this becomes a rich resource for us. Those of you who know me know that I am addicted to podcasts, blogs and research on a completely ADD list of topics. I love nothing more than to pass on a link or a tidbit or a contact to get someone moving! 

3 Things to give an idea wings

These past weeks I have been running around full of energy and inspiration. Call2Action is moving from strength to strength.  At Tribeca film festival and other meetings we heard a resounding need for someone to make taking action after seeing cause related media easier. The idea that such a simple service could create a groundswell for change was voiced again and again.

So C2A is on the verge of creating something that people are wishing for. It is incredibly exciting. The complete sense of involvement I feel has led me to wonder, what are the circumstances needed for inspiration, action, and energy to combine? Especially when salary is not commensurate with work. And let's face it- that is the case the majority of the time for us as artists or entrepreneurs. Here are my top three:

1. An idea you love

If you are anything like me (and let's PRAY you are not) you're attention is pulled about 7 ways per second. You are on the subway contemplating your hangnails, then the plight of Korean nail ladies, then South Park, then the general stench. Why does the A train always smell like sweet sweat? In certain situations (rehearsal, work) if that pull is not there one (I) might become disruptive, disengaged, and may even recruit others to my campaign of disengagement. I am working on that. But sometimes an idea pops in our heads that keeps us on it, and it alone. It arouses our curiosity and may even fill us with a bit of fear... We run away with it in a string of "yes, and" and "what if" so that the nail ladies are kept at bay.  For me, the idea has to have that kind of pull or I will eventually lose the signal for all the noise.

2. The right team

 Man, have I learned this the hard way --and several times over. This is a tough one but certainly not impossible. The key is a strong leader, and a team made up of personalities that challenge and respect one another. Click here for a great article on these types. Also, you want the people on your team/cast to also ideally, be excited by the idea/play/product. (See#1) Once you get the chemistry right, the flow of ideas is quick to follow. With the right team though, you will move from the fun part of brainstorming to next actions. Actual movement towards realization of an idea. Side note- make sure your team is incentivized to work- pay them, or find some other way to include them in a back end deal, or at least be honest about the situation. That way, they can join knowing the risks and demands. The longer a time commitment you are requiring from them, the more important it is to address this. And please please KEEP YOUR PROMISES. I am ashamed to admit I have been promised pay- even been lured from one acting job to another, only never to get paid. Another director promised a favor- any favor, in return for my acting in his project. Needless to say I never got my favor. That, in my book, is theft. I still work for free at times- just don't promise me something you can't deliver.

3. A defined goal/Expected outcome

Without some sort of goal in place - a performance date, a beta launch, a deadline that next steps depend on, something, all of the planning has a lot of air in it. Air your team members may float away on one by one towards more concrete projects. 

Having an expected outcome also draws all your resources and planning into alignment. Decision making and prioritizing become easier. This is true for large projects and small, artistic or entrepreneurial, personal or public.

There are obviously more than three things necessary for an idea that moves you to come to fruition. But without these three, the move from a daydream on the subway to an actual outcome in the real world is pretty hard to get to.

So, what would you change or add to? Or agree with?

Special thanks to Stefano and Lameece Isaaq for having the conversations that led me to write this!

To see Lameece's current project at the Public, The Fever Chart, click here

To see Stefano's at Cedar Lake, click here

Reporting from the Field

So, in keeping with the networking idea, a couple nights of nights ago I went to see the intelligent and well made documentary, Lioness, at the Tribeca Film Fest. It was about women who had served in Iraq and were never meant to see active duty, then became part of the Lioness Operation, basically accompanying male units in the field. Due to the gender segregation in much of Iraq, this was a necessary development that legislation, which deems women may not serve in active combat, is far behind. 

I am not a fan of the war on Iraq, by any means. But it is happening, and it is clear that people are coming back and need support and resources to help reorient them back into life at home and process the life they led at war. It also seems to me that these women need to be properly trained if they are going to be sent out, and until Congress changes that legislation, that may not happen. Seeing that film and hearing the changes that need to be made really fired me up for the work I am doing for Call2Action. Essentially we aim to bring audience members from passive viewer to action taker, and make it easy to spread the word about all of it. Seeing the people, films and issues that our mission speaks to all in one room, and receiving such a positive response to our  agenda was very encouraging.

And I networked! 

And here is what I learned. People are vulnerable and are very receptive to complimentary feedback, as well as sensitive and thoughtful questions. I saw first hand that there was no need to go into detail about our company and services. It was all about just honestly saying "I loved your film." and suddenly we were just talking. It sounds so obvious, but I was all nervous- do I know my website well enough to pitch it, who am I to tell these accomplished filmmakers and activists what I am doing etc... and I realized I didn't have to. I sincerely loved their work, was fascinated by the people and sort of forgot my agenda.

Agenda is for next time- a follow up email, a newsletter....

So basically, networking for me will be just saying something nice and from the heart. Or, not saying anything at all and leaving. Oh also, it is making sarcastic jokes about online dating and comparing or progressive site to that. Good. I can do that. Of course I was doing it for someone else- namely Charlotte and Call2Action- so the proof of the pudding will be when I am in a room full of people who may eventually be able to hook me Maha up with work.

Well I must sign off now as my husband has informed me that Rome is now basically a fascist dictatorship. I should really look into that.

In the meantime here is a great article on networking from Bonnie Gillespie, a casting director in LA.

Trying to weave a web, tangled or otherwise...

(This started as a chronicle of my time at the Guthrie, but I think that is too narrow. The people want MORE! Ha. I don't think my own family even reads this- I know my husband doesn't. He thinks blogs are strange. He is 100% right.)

I have always been somewhat wary of networking and much of my current network is built on happenstance, old friendships, and the work that came from that. I am only now waking up to the fact that I need to seek out networking opportunities rather than rely on happenstance. I would love to hear from any of you out there on this topic- actors or otherwise. How have you felt about networking in the past? Do you actively cultivate new relationships? Has your outlook changed regarding it?

First off- perfect example of happenstance- upon my return to NY I was able to go into the show as an understudy for Aadya Bedi in Betrayed at the Culture Project, a well respected off Broadway house that does politically conscious theater. I felt blessed to have the opportunity to do the show as I had struggled with my decision to walk away from it back in December and go to the Guthrie instead. I had done a developmental reading of the show with a great group of folks including my friends and talented actors, Waleed Zuaiter and Ramsey Faragallah. The actors knowing each other lent the reading a family vibe that was so appealing to us and the producers that we were all offered parts! I had worked with them as a result of my involvement in Nibras and the NY Arab-American Comedy Festival. But the reason I was even in that room was because Garin Marschall saw my work in Girlblog from Iraq, which he did lighting on back in 2004 or 5, a show I have done in NY and the Edinburgh Fringe. Garin's remembering me got me in that room. I hope to return the favor somehow.... The web is being woven and is stretching far and wide!

Congratulations to them for having extended so many times to make it possible for me to play with my friends!!! It was an intense and fun experience. The sensation of replacing another actor was an odd and challenging one, maybe fodder for another post.

Stretching that network even further back, I have started working full force for Call2Action.com. We are an internet startup aimed at turning cause related media into actions. It is a fabulous idea and I can't say too much now. But in the context of this post, I got the job because the head of the company is none other than my best friend from 15 years old on, the woman my husband refers to as my ex, Charlotte Rademaekers. What is so exciting personally is that I am able to work and operate at a level denied to me in most other jobs. Because of our level of trust I am welcome to play with the big kids, brainstorming and creating content, ideas and strategy. And I am finding that what I have learned through my many successes and many (many, many more) failures in theater are translating nicely so that I won't have to through the school of hard knocks all over again. Well, hopefully not the same classes. As things come closer to launch I will be sure to let you in on the gory and exciting details of 2.0 startup land!

All this to say, things are certainly moving, but I can't help wondering where I might be if I were actively pursuing leads. I have always been a person that things happen to- and really, we all are. I do think I am often capable of recognizing opportunities when they arise, so that has helped. What I want to improve on is actually creating those opportunities. So step one in that plan is to start talking to people about what I am doing and hope to do.

I encourage you to let me know your thoughts on all this. In my mind a networker was about a step up from a car salesman- yet here I am reaping the benefits of my unconscious networking...
How can I make it more conscious? Where do I go to do that? Without stepping outside of my comfort zone? Can I continue to use bad words and make tasteless jokes as a way to win friends and influence people- sustainable method or not? Ryan Shrime? Where are you? THis is your field! Comment away!!!! Share your thoughts and stay tuned!