14 • January 2014 • UPBEAT TIMES Television & Film The Producers Corner:


Just a Few Personal Observations & Opinions By Daniel Sullivan • danielsullivan.speech@yahoo.com


SANTA ROSA, CA. ~ Something I should make clear right off the bat, is that the opinions ahead are mine and mine alone, and not necessarily that of the “The Upbeat Times”


On December 18th, 2013 the show “Duck Dynasty”, a reality


television show about a


backwater, Louisiana clan made wealthy by their family business, was put on permanent hiatus after central cast member, Phil


Robertson, was sus- pended for voicing homophobic, and racist remarks in an interview with GQ. The suspension sparked


national


attention both from fans


outraged at


the suspension and onlookers outraged at the remarks made by Robertson. On


December 27, 2013 the network carrying “Duck Dynasty”, A&E, lifted the suspension allowing Robertson to return to the show... A show that does nothing more


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than carelessly follow the exploits of a group of loudmouths while thriving on sensationalism. Of course, this show is not the only of its kind and I cannot blame all of the follies of television on it. However it is in view of the entire public right now so it will serve as a good example. While the arguments over this show have been many, I’m choosing to acknowledge one question, for the moment: Why is this here and what is it doing? Edward R. Murrow said: "This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are deter- mined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box. There is a great and perhaps decisive battle to be fought against ignorance, intoler- ance and indifference." I applaud Murrow’s words. Films, plays, books, and even tele- vision show us narratives the can inspire and teach us. I love enter- tainment; I love being a part of it and I love watching, reading, and listening to it. And before I look for anything, I look for a mind at work, whether it’s the witticisms of the writer, the commanding performance of the actor, or the inspired vision of the director. All these elements can encour- age an audience to learn more about a famous battle or look up a word that they had never heard before, or even inspire a blossom- ing creator to take his or her own first steps. The “Duck Dynasty” controversy had been the center of national attention and after A&E flinched the world resumed its spiral of uninspired storytell- ing, numbing a generation and regressing it all at the same time. I bring this up only to encour-


age anyone pondering the idea of making a movie, writing a play, or becoming an actor to remember: the audience’s attention is a gift as well as a responsibility, and an audience can be inspired without being numbed.


As these are nothing


more than my own opinions and ramblings I should also note that Murrow began his speech with:


This just might do nobody any good.


Horoscopes January 2014


by Yerevan • readingsbyyerevan@gmail.com


Aquarius (1/20 - 2/18)


Shadows or dark clouds from the previ- ous month may still be looming early January, but you will notice they have silver linings. You know how to play with the dark and make light of heavy situ- ations. Many things require your focus, and your health is especially susceptible to your moods and environment now. Meanwhile career holds new potential. A great personal renewal arrives for you by the month’s end with a New Moon in your sign.


Pisces (2/19 - 3/20)


Your new year is off to a very active start. When drama crops up, you may seek to duck out, with the battle cry of “leave me out of it!” Yet your presence this month is demanded at several events,


from


parties, to business meetings, to confer- ences and more. People want your input and your opinions whether you want to give them or not. Don’t worry about rocking the boat, because when you are genuine others feel and appreciate this.


Aries (3/21 - 4/20)


There is some friction in the air that you can shift and harness with your own intense focus, turning what could be


a rather stressful situation into


something that will inspire you cre- atively. Relationships may be challeng- ing because those Arian qualities that make you so fiercely independent do not seem to be allowing you to slow down. Remember to breath and be thankful for what’s going right. It gets easier toward the end of the month.


Taurus (4/21 - 5/20)


The focus continues to be on your work at the start of the new year, with many things that need organization and atten- tion. If you feel burdened about having to take care of something or even someone close to you, the sense of heaviness should lift toward January’s end. You’re taking in a lot of new information this month, with a need to compartmentalize it. Information takes you on a journey, or may come knocking at your door.


Gemini (5/21 - 6/20)


Physical outlets are extra important for you to have at the new year kicks off. You’ve got more energy than you may at first know what to do with, which can either cause agitation or sexual excite- ment within your existing relationships. Stay calm, get grounded and get ready for the time of your life which is yet to unfold in the months to come! Part of your anxiousness is that you know what’s coming and must take care and be prepared.


Cancer (6/21 - 7/22)


A lot is being stirred up in your “house of relationships” right now, yet in ways that may help create resolution, healing, perhaps with some form of re-bonding with a loved one from the past, or one with whom you felt separated from in 2013. You’re getting hit from all sides so to speak, but in ways that can truly help you advance in areas that you have previously remained stuck in. You'll need to come out of your shell and collaborate!


Leo (7/23 - 8/22)


Do you believe in mental telepathy? That is what may be occurring with greater fre- quency than ever before in your life – with friends, family, not-friends, animals and even objects. This month you may get the disconcerting sense that everything is alive and watching you, interacting with you, and responding to you, wherever you go. The most startling discovery may be what you discover as what or who is actually influencing you.


Virgo (8/23 - 9/22)


There is liveliness and fun in store for you in January, along with many temptations to spend money on a whim…but you’re too careful for that. There is a strong sense of fatedness and synchronicity to your encounters, which can go in either the directions of “good or bad”, depend- ing on what else is going on in your life. Take the usual precautions. Your concen- trated efforts can help you obtain almost whatever you wish for in 2014!


Libra (9/23 - 10/22)


With Mars full speed in your sign you’ll want to work out any conflicts with busi- ness associates, bosses, and whoever’s in charge of your bank account. Law suits can go in your favor if you have the right team. This could be a great month for travel and adventure with a loved one, as you’ll both be brimming with energy and enthusiasm for that which brings you closer together. In other words, this is not a sit-down and relax month!


Scorpio (10/23 - 11/22)


This new year think about mutual and shared goals that can bring order and balance to your relationships. You may wish to eliminate patterns, products, and programs and interfere with your ability to live simply, and this will in turn create levity in areas that you’ve been struggling in. Venturing out, traveling in some major new ways or directions are highlights of your year 2014, and will likely involve the company and cooperation of others.


Horoscopes ... continued on page 18 Youth is when you're allowed to stay up late on New Year's Eve. Middle age is when you're forced to. ~Bill Vaughn


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