We began with an interactive fun ice breaker – getting to know each other.
After introductions and a review of her published work (with Haiku and other forms of poetry), Susan taught her Power Point presentation about writing Haiku and shared nature photography, including several photos of roses and flowers, plus other nature photos as prompts to encourage Haiku writing. We all practiced writing Haiku and had the opportunity to share our work. One woman had to leave early so she didn’t contribute a poem. It was a great discussion and we equally had so much to say about the creative process and the parallels with Haiku poetry and visual arts.
Here is a glimpse of us, along with the photo prompts and written Haiku for the afternoon.
Anna’s Hummingbird Feeding (Photo by Susan J. Farese)
Aroma beckons
Vibrating and fluttering
Delightful humming!
-Marilyn
Bold Flower and Butterfly (Photo by Susan J. Farese)
Vivid fuschia bed
Black and orange butterfly
Rests! Summer respite!
-Susan
Moon Rise and Yellow Traffic Light (Photo by Susan J. Farese)
All of a sudden
Yellow traffic light appears
Inviting moon shine!
-Susan
Julian Leaves – (Photo
Julian Leaves – (Photo by Susan J Farese)
Crunchy country sounds
A potpourri of color
Autumn leaves do fall!
-Susan
Elizabeth chose one of her photos on her phone of a beautiful rose, Here is her Haiku:
Tribute to Jodi Cilley, Founder, Film Consortium San Diego – Premiering October 21, 2020 on KOCT TV
San Diego film community sets out to pay tribute and leave some good in the community- Courtesy photo
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications 408-398-5940 sjfcommunications@gmail.com
(San Diego, CA October 7, 2020) – It all began as a ‘Lemon Bar Meetup” social event in January, 2020 over lemon bars at Milton’s Deli in Del Mar, California which led to a “Lemon Bar Mystery Film” casting call with over 50 people – actors (or would be actors) and crew attending.
The “Lemon Bar Mystery Film” ultimately transformed into a new parody short film Panic at Parq, Executive Produced by Sue Vicory and Heartland Films, Inc.
“Panic at Parq” Poster designed by Stephanie Tillman
Jodi Cilley, Founder, Film Consortium San Diego
Jodi Cilley, Founder, Film Consortium San Diego
Panic at Parq is a tribute to Jodi Cilley, Founder of the Film Consortium San Diego. The seventeen-minute parody will have a world premiere on KOCT TV on October 21, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. Pacific Time and will be aired on KOCT Channel 18 at 6:30pm on weekdays and Saturdays and at 7:30pm on Sundays between Wednesday, October 21st and Sunday November 1st. It be available to watch at these times on both Cox Cable Channel 18 & on Channel 18’s Live Stream via KOCT.org for those without Cox. https://www.koct.org/channel-18.
Left to right: Kymberrly Scott, Shannon Taylor, Joe Castanho, Jordan Jacobo, Sue Vicory, David S. Dawson, Oscar Perez, Keith Russell “Panic at Parq” production still photo credit: Luly’s Enchanted Pixels
Ken Gora “Panic at Parq” production still photo credit: Luly’s Enchanted Pixels
Filming locations for Panic at Parq included KOCT Studios in Oceanside, California, the Parq Nightclub in Downtown, San Diego, California and third shooting location at the home of Merrick McCartha and Peggy Warny in the Los Angeles area.
Joe Castanho “Panic at Parq” production still photo credit: Luly’s Enchanted Pixels
During Production the cast and crew completed a community based act of kindness, giving blood at the annual Kyle Kraska Celebration of Heroes blood drive, led by Lori Morkunas Jones.
“Making a film in San Diego is both a pleasure and an honor working with so many talented cast and crew. Although a parody, this film is also a love letter to Jodi Cilley, President and founder of the San Diego Film Consortium.”
– Sue Vicory, Executive producer/Co-Director/Actor
“San Diego has a talented and diverse group of filmmakers who relentlessly pursue their passion for the art form. Just before the pandemic shut down nearly the entire industry, a large sample of this creative body came together to create a loving tribute to Jodi Cilley, the founder of Film Consortium San Diego and unintentionally to themselves. This fun little film is a delightful piece of comedy that highlights the strange beauty of artists battling deadlines, creative differences and the mind-boggling diversity of talents that creative people bring to the table.”
“The challenge was to write a short film that included the majority of the San Diego film community, which is extensive. I think my writing team and I found a very clever way in which to do that.
“It was an honor organizing our film community to help with Kyle Kraska’s annual blood drive. To know that our efforts and blood donations went to save lives is a wonderful feeling.”
When all the acts for the San Diego Film Awards suddenly become unavailable, the production team is tasked with finding replacements at the very last minute. Fearing the wrath of the show’s head honcho, the squabbling band of producers is forced to put aside their differences long enough to secretly audition replacement acts; but when nearly every performer in San Diego responds to their casting-call, they quickly realize just how in-over-their-heads they truly are.
Panic at Parq Logline:
A squabbling band of producers is forced to book last-minute talent for an awards show, all under their boss’s nose.
Left to right: John Aviles, Teresa Suarez Grosso, Lizet Benrey, & Randy Davison “Panic at Parq” production still photo credit: Luly’s Enchanted Pixels
About Heartland Films Inc.: Heartland Films, Inc., a 501(c)3, was established in 2003 by Director/Producer Sue Vicory to create content that inspires, educates, and empowers its audience. Over the past 18 years Heartland Films has released a vast array of content that has screened in festivals worldwide and won many awards.
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This was a wonderful sold-out event at a beautiful theatre (one of my personal favorite places to see films) with nearly 30 projects (some of my colleagues also presented) shown on the big screen that evening!
So…sit back, relax and enjoy this clip of some of my photography!
Why? Because it is always different, each time I visit. I always seem to “see” art in nature…
The sandstone bluff rock formations and cliffs are majestic and magnificent. The amazing ocean with constantly changing tides speaks for itself. Nature abounds with animals and birds. I just marvel at the beauty. I also try bring my camera and snap away at what I see before me. Plus the extra added value of exercise as I stroll along the beach.
Last week, I spotted a few treasures which I captured photographically. I saw the blue Velella Vellela jellyfish (also called ‘by the wind sailors’ due to their resembling a sailboat), the pelicans continuously flew by back and forth in formation (although there are always a few stragglers ‘doing their own thing’), an egret graced the sand at the shoreline and then flew away (which I was fortunate to take a few photos of). Also of note, a peregrine falcon which was perched high above (several photographers had their long lenses prepped and were telling me how the falcon “Dad’ was so greedy and wouldn’t share food with his partner for her and the babies). I certainly hope this changes and those ‘babies’ thrive soon and the female gets more nourishment!
An amazing find of the day, I almost stepped upon. It was my first encounter with a juvenile eared grebe. It was sitting alone on the beach near the shoreline. Its striking orange eye captivated me. It was just sitting there…It looked healthy yet something didn’t seem “right” since it was ‘picking’ at it’s feathers every few seconds. Before I left, I called the ranger station and reported it. They arrived and said they would not be able to do anything themselves, but would call the “bird people”, I hope they did…
Pelicans on Parade
Wild Wingspan
Pelicans Flyover
Another Pelican Formation
Torrey Pines State Beach
Rocking in the Ocean
Velella Velella
Velella Velella
Jelly on a Rock
Torrey Pines State Beach
Peregrine Falcon Mama
Egret Taking Off!
Egret Beauty!
Egret Coasting!
Egret Alignment!
Eared Grebe at Torrey Pines State Beach
Eared Grebe at Torrey Pines State Beach
Do you see art in nature? Do you enjoy breathing in the ocean air? Do you reflect on how fortunate we are to be able to see so many wonderful species and celebrate gifts of the earth? I highly encourage you to if you can.
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My serendipitous connection with two-time Telly Award winning Filmmaker Sue Vicory began in 2015. It was meant to be! San Diego filmmaker/entrepreneur/educator Jodi Cilley, the President of the Film Consortium San Diego and the founder and producer of the annual San Diego Film Awards (and an equally extraordinary person) recommended that I connect with her film colleague Sue. Jodi was so intuitive in facilitating our connection (which I hope will last a lifetime)!
Sue Vicory with Jodi Cilley (courtesy photo-Jodi Cilley)
A quote about Sue from Jodi:
“Sue Vicory is one of the most inspiring and amazing people I know. She has dedicated her life to helping others and has gone out of her way to help build the film industry in San Diego in a variety of ways. She is a role model and I’m constantly amazed by her efforts to help people from all walks of life.” – Jodi Cilley
After reaching out to Sue via email, my daughter Emmy and I were cast in the short fiction film Downstage for the 2015 San Diego 48 Hour Film Project. Sue’s production company “Heartland Films” produced and Sue directed, along with the writing team of Sariann Monaco, Holly Rone and Talia Pauletti. “Team XX” was a history-making, twenty-five member, all-female team. Downstage is now on the film festival circuit. You can view Sue’s films and videos on Sue Vicory’s YouTube Channel. Read my previous post about Team XX .
Team XX at Filming of Downstage (courtesy photo-Sue Vicory)
Besides working on Downstage Emmy and I have participated in a few of Sue’s community service projects and we continually network. It was because of witnessing Sue’s purpose, passion, vigor and selfless “chill” demeanor that I decided to interview her here as an Extraordinary Person, Sharing her Story!
Sue is currently on an amazing one year trip across the U.S. in her branded van with her “extraordinary” “My Power of One” (MPO1) 12 Acts of Kindness National Tour”. Her recently retired and extremely supportive husband Jay and their amazing (will tell you why later) Golden Retriever Kacy are accompanying her.
We (my daughter Emmy, her friend Sydney and I), enjoyed a great afternoon on April 19th, 2015 at the 20th Annual “Ugly Dog Contest” at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club! We arrived about 30 minutes after it started, but still caught most of the contest!
The San Diego Coastal Chamber of Commerce and Del Mar Kiwanis were hosts. Sheila McDonnell, who passed away three years ago but was founder of the contest, was recognized and honored. Sheila’s wish was “for the event to continue to take place and to continue raising money for organizations that benefit animals and children”.
There were many 4-legged contestants, their owners/handlers, an MC (Greg Vicino- Associate Curator, San Diego Zoo Global), vendor booths, raffle prizes and snacks, and of course spectators.
According to the program, Judges were Brandi Williams (KUSI), Christy Manry (Elam’s Hallmark), Anna Orlando (Kilroy Properties), Sara Ingrande (Torrey Pines Bank) and Kelly Baldieri (Del Mar Hilton). Vendors were: Camp Run-a-Mutt, Welk Resorts, RDSI Designs, Easy Turf, Real Blue Proerties, The 4 Foundation, CruiseOne Dream Vacations, Keane Studios, Kahoots Pet Store, Total Thermal Imaging of San Diego, Built Green California, The San Diego Humane Society and Reality Changers (which received a portion of the proceeds).Product donations were provided by Vons, Albertsons, Ralphs, Whole Foods, Mary’s Tack & Feed, RDSI, Dirty Dogs, Dexter’s Deli, Keane Studios and the Del Mar Hilton.
The categories were “Cutest puppy/dog”, “Most unusual markings”, “Dog that looks like owner”, “Best trick”, “Best costume Adult & Dog and Child & Dog”, “Cutest Mutt”, “Most beautiful male and female” and finally “THE UGLIEST DOG”! The winner of the UGLY DOG contest: RASCAL!
Rascal, the winner of the Ugly Dog Contest with his owner Dane Andrew and the MC Greg Vicino (Associate Curator San Diego Zoo GLobal)
Here below are the top three finalists of the Ugly Dog Contest: Snack , Puddin’ and Rascal!
Winners of the Ugly Dog Contest
Here’s a video of Rascal and his Owner, (Dane Andrew) by Animal Planet!
