Refocused

Some call it the last frontier of the United States, some call it Aleut. For me it's the real wild west, albeit North West. And it provides new direction not only for Gripped Films but also for me personally. My goal for this project is to not only produce an engaging short film that will inform and motivate viewers to care about the Tongass Rainforest region but also to immerse myself in a land so far off and so vast I can completely lose myself. In a way the BC bike race helped start this process having broken down my daily existence to the most basic elements. Now I will return to that part of the world with an opportunity to observe, listen, look and then create. As an artist who's highs and lows both go deep, I'm motivated by the recent lows and feel a dire need to create, to be heard, to craft something beautiful and brilliant (or at least try). From this I hope to put back into perspective my self and the path I'm on. In the last year I've lost a number of very close people, friends and family who shared large parts of my life. I had to walk away from tumultuous situations and choose humility in the face of intransigence. However the loss I've felt has given way to new opportunity, new direction and new a chance to define and make myself over again. Not too long ago I received a card that said, "Life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself"

Photo: Mim McConnell
Alaska - 3 more weeks.