Choose Your Climate Story: Extrapolations or ReGeneration

Just finished watching Extrapolations and I can't help but share a few thoughts about it.  

Most of you know me from my environmental advocacy with Sustainable Tucson or from following my blog about sustainable living. But in another life I wrote reviews of meaningful films for Reel Inspiration. Before that I was actually a theater major! Funny how our journeys don't always go the way we imagined. I went on to get my MFA in playwriting which led to writing screenplays, which led to becoming active in Tucson's indie-film community, which led to me writing film reviews - where I watched a few documentaries on climate change. I couldn't help but notice the impact of climate change on our desert town. Every year was getting hotter than the last. Our normally raging monsoon season diminished to a mere whimper. That inspired me to learn everything I could about climate change: the causes, impact, and ways to mitigate it. We adjusted our everyday lifestyle to have less of a negative impact and more of a positive (regenerative) impact.  

Experience has shown me that no education is ever wasted. Even my theater background could be used to educate people about climate change. Much of the research I conducted was incorporated into ReGeneration: The Tucson Story, a play about the impacts of climate change on Tucson in the near future. It was a vehicle to share solutions I had learned about. Unfortunately, by the time the play was stage ready, all the theaters and schools were shut down due to COVID. So I ended up directing a virtual play reading in 2021 (that you can still find on YouTube.) 

Meanwhile, another climate story was in the works.

Extrapolations, a limited series by writer, director, and executive producer Scott Z. Burns, "introduces a near future where the chaotic effects of climate change have become embedded into our everyday lives." The marketing team couldn't have come up with a better logline for my play! Naturally, I had to check it out. It's been a while since I've written a movie review for Reel Inspiration. But I couldn't help forming a few thoughts on the series. Occupational hazard. Once a reviewer, always a reviewer. And, it was only natural that I would compare the series to my own script. 

First, I'm not sure it's correct to say that Extrapolations is set in the "near future." (I guess it depends on how you define "near future.") The time line goes from 2037 to 2070. 

But my play ReGeneration actually is set in the near future. Here in Tucson we are already seeing many of the impacts of climate change dramatized in my story. While we haven't had to suffer through the grid going down (yet), we recently had a scare when the power went out for a few days in some parts of town. We have seen the impact of extreme heat on the most vulnerable. Everything that happens in the story is based on things that are already happening here. 

To get a better understanding of the series, I looked up extrapolation - the name of the title.

ex·tra·po·la·tion
noun: the action of estimating or concluding something by assuming that existing trends will continue or a current method will remain applicable.

Given this definition, it seems that Burns created each episode based on an extrapolation of a current trend in climate and technology taken to a potential extreme. There was some continuity where some characters reappear in later episodes, but for the most part, each episode was a standalone exploration of a potential future outcome of climate change and new technologies; like mass extinctions of animal species, the effects of extreme heat, or possible unintended consequences of attempting to solve global warming with geoengineering. 

While it is evident that the writers did extensive research on the causes of climate change and impacts, Extrapolations plays more like science fiction or dystopic sci-fi. It explores the dichotomy of the "chaotic effects of climate change on the everyday lives" of the underserved masses in contrast with the luxurious comforts the privileged few corporate CEOs are afforded due to future scientific advances. The general public endures rationed geo-engineered food, while billionaires enjoy gala events catered with the real food. Workers pay for shots of clean oxygen to endure the polluted air, while the rich are safely transported in flying machines to their domed, climate-controlled mansions. The idea of relying on for-profit corporations for the technological advances needed for our survival is a frightening theme of the series.  

I guess the biggest difference between my play and Extrapolations is that in my play there is still hope as the teen protagonists fight for a livable future in our desert town. In most of the episodes of Extrapolations, the protagonists goals revolve around survival in a world that is rigged for profiting big corporations. Sort of a bummer, but an insightful theme. 

If you are looking for hope in this time of climate change, you might want to watch the recording of my play. I find the most hope in taking action. My goal in writing the play was to present realistic solutions and impactful actions we can all do to lessen the impact of climate change - hopefully in an entertaining way.  Maybe you can find some ways to share your own talents and skills to create a more resilient future, too. 

Here's a few ideas...   

What Kind of Climate Champion Are You?

For the Love of Tucson: Creating a Desert Oasis to Combat Climate Change

In Honor of Women's History Month: Independent Film Arizona presents: "Women in Film"

Join us as five of Tucson's own female directors share their visions and adventures in film-making.


Date: March 1, 2016
Time: 7 p.m
Place: Connect Co-working, 33 South 5th Avenue, Tucson, AZ.

There will be a pre-recorded opening statement by Courtney Marsh, director of "Chau: Beyond the Lines" 2016 Oscar Nominated Documentary Short.

www.courtneynmarsh.com

DIRECTORS' BIOS

After writing two books about her life as a professional figure skater and cyclist, Kathryn Bertine worked as a journalist at ESPN and served as the Senior Editor for espnW. She produced, wrote and directed, “Half the Road” about women cyclists. As an advocate for equality in women’s sports, Kathryn started a movement to bring parity to women’s professional road cycling, starting with the Tour de France.

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/halftheroad

Heather Hale directed two pilots, lots of commercials, and the feature thriller "Absolute Killers" with Edward Furlong (Terminator), Ed Asner and Meat Loaf. She wrote the Lifetime Original Movie “The Courage to Love” starring Vanessa Williams and Stacey Keach.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd5UhkpBdC8

Anne Dalton provided photography and writing for AZ Public Media. She produced her first documentary, “The Price of Silence,” creating awareness on the rising trend of domestic minor sex trafficking in SAZ. She continues to focus her documentary work on health topics. She mentors others by facilitating the IFA documentary group and workshops. 

https://youtu.be/ZXIFfbiDj0k 

Frances Causey acted as national editor and producer for CNN. The team won Emmys for their coverage of the Oklahoma City and Olympic Park Bombings. Frances' documentary, "Heist: Who Stole the American Dream?” was a New York Times Critic’s Pick, distributed in over 50 countries. Frances was honored with the Women's International Film and Television Jury Award for that effort. Frances has become an environmental advocate by presenting, "Ours Is the Land," her short doc about the proposed Rosemont open pit copper mine south of Tucson encroaching on the Tohono O'odham ancestral burial grounds. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWh-G3MFkSA 

Sarah Sher is a classically trained film and television professional whose disciplines are in writing, directing, and editing. She wrote, produced and directed, "Have Coffin Will Travel" (Reel Inspiration Short Film Contest winner.)  Sarah co-wrote and co-directed (with Dick Fisher), “Stardust and the Bandit.” It won Best TV Pilot at the California Film Awards. With some spare time and good friends she created "The Pet Friendly Traveler," which is due to begin airing on American Public Television in 2017.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ3XXbihmcw

Moderator: Jana Segal-Stormont is an award-winning screenwriter, who produced and directed her short scripts, “The Bath-a-holic” and, “Desert Angel.” As the founder of Reel Inspiration, Jana organized the Reel Vision Filmmakers Conference and several directing workshops. For the last 10 years, she has written reviews promoting diverse films with substance. After discovering that less than 7% of studio productions were directed by women, Jana did some research to find out what happened to all the women filmmakers. That resulted in the article “Incredible Invisible Women Filmmakers” and this forum. 

Movie blessings, 

Jana Segal-Stormont

Why do I do what I do?

You could say that I started attending AIVF (Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers, now IFA) with the goal of finding an indie filmmaker to produce my screenplay. But what I found were indie filmmakers anxious to produce their own scripts, so I helped develop them.  Meanwhile, I saw a need for more advanced training for Tucson Filmmakers, so I organized workshops. I got caught up in helping our film community grow.

Now here’s the part that drives people crazy… It wasn't about the money. In order to provide workshops that were affordable enough for Tucson filmmakers, I couldn't pay myself. Did all this “networking” lead to paid jobs? No. I spent hours, then years, promoting films with my reviews, organizing film contests and networking events. I didn't make any money, but it was rewarding.

In this capitalistic society it seems the only thing people value anymore is the pursuit of money. I know how blessed I was to be a stay at home mom while developing my art. But it is really heartbreaking when your own children are disappointed in you because you’re not more “successful” by society’s standards. They don’t seem to  value my role as a mother. One question I hear a lot is, why aren't there more successful women filmmakers?  I can’t speak for anyone else, but for me some things are more important than money:  living a full, balanced life, raising creative children, building a film community, empowering filmmakers to make meaningful films, and writing (and sometimes directing) my love projects.

How come I never succeeded in getting my screenplays produced? Perhaps, between being a mom and pursuing my other passions, I didn't have the single-minded ambition needed to sell my script. Or perhaps it was because I wasn't willing to write something more commercial. All the stories I chose to write were love projects.  I never could wrap my mind around writing high concept movies for money.

One of my first love projects was, “Walking with Grace,” about a sweet elderly couple I had taken care of while attending grad school. When Grace’s husband couldn't deal with her mind deteriorating from Alzheimers, I moved in full-time to allow them to spend their last days together in their home. This story was very dear to my heart.

I spent an embarrassingly long time working on it. One reason was that people thought my story was depressing.  I workshopped it at the Frederick Douglas Creative Writing Center in New York City; writing draft after draft, trying to make it more upbeat. But what it came down to was that people couldn't understand why a young woman would sacrifice her life to take care of “strangers.” What was so hard to understand? I loved them!  I finally did a major rewrite changing my character into their granddaughter.

And I did shop it around. For years. I researched possible actors and production companies.  I pitched it at screenwriting conferences. I made phone calls.  I sent off query letters. Even got a hand-written letter from Hume Cronyn explaining how the story was too depressing because it hit so close to home. People suggested that I put it away and work on something more commercial. They said that once I had a big hit, I could parley that into the power to get my love project done.  I pitched it to the perfect producer - the producer of the family drama “Christy.” He made a special effort to encourage me. He said that it was good writing, but that no one would do a film about old people. (I still cringe at my lack of determination as I watch numerous Alzheimer movies flash across the screen: “Away From Her,” “Savages,” “Amour,” my favorite, “The Notebook," and the recent, “Still Alice.” It’s practically become a genre!)

At least I had the rare opportunity to see my screenplay performed as part of the staged-reading series at DamesRocket Theater. I watched, in the sold-out theater, as professional actors gave full-out emotional performances. A 50 year-old man was moved to tears because it reminded him of his father. That experience was so satisfying that I was finally able to put the script away and start concentrating on something new. Someone suggested that I might have a better chance selling the script if I adapted it into a novel (they were onto something there), but artistically it was time to move on.

I critiqued my mom’s (Lorna Kerin Beall) historical fiction book, “Model-T Biscuits,” and helped her draft a cover letter to market it. I even pitched it at local writers’ conferences when she couldn't afford to attend. Eventually, I was inspired to adapt this cherished family story to the screen. It was really a love project working with my mother and staying true to her vision. I think people could feel the love as they read it. We ended up winning first place at the Santa Clarita Family Film Festival and the Moondance Film Festival.

My mom, Lorna Beall, and me

 When Julianne Moore won an Oscar for her portrayal of an Alzheimers patient in, “Still Alice,” my boys asked why don't I sell, “Walking with Grace.” I just shook my head and smiled. I think Best Foreign Film winner, “Amour,” and, “Still Alice,” have it covered. But in this day when paying for defense is favored over healthcare or housing, when big business trumps the environment, we need more movies with themes of giving and responsibility. Maybe there’s hope for “Grace,” yet.

So I continue to write my love projects and encourage others to do the same.  Because, like the Dali Lama said, “The planet does not need more ‘successful people.’ The planet desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers and lovers of all kinds.”

Go ahead. Ask me why I do it.

One word...Love.

KIDS! SHOOT MOVIES ON THE MOON!

Participants (ages 9-18) in the Short Movie Workshop will learn to use their own camcorders or cell phones to create short silent pictures with the fantasy world of Valley of the Moon as their set location. (An extra camera will be available for those who don't have your own.) We'll enjoy the beautiful spring weather while being inspired by whimsical castles and elf villages. We'll have a blast playing theater games while learning techniques for acting for the camera, script writing, storyboarding, and simple rules of video production. In the process we'll develop creativity, communication skills, confidence and concentration.

When: Saturday, May 5th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Valley of the Moon
Address: 2544 E. Allen Rd. (Tucson Blvd and Allen Rd.)
Cost: $55 (includes pizza lunch)
Contact: Jana Segal
Phone: 520- 325-9175
E-mail: reelinspiration@hotmail.com
Website: http://tucsonvalleyofthemoon.com/

INSTRUCTOR JANA SEGAL
Jana Segal earned her BA in Speech and Theatre from Avila College. Her musical, "Seeker" won third place at the American College Theatre Festival. She went on to receive her MFA in Dramatic Writing from Brandeis University. Her script, “Model T Biscuits” won first place at the IFFF and Moondance screenwriting contests. Jana wrote, directed, and produced the comedy short, "The Bath-a-holic" and the Western short, "Desert Angel." Jana has taught workshops in screenwriting, storyboarding and filmmaking for children. Jana organized the Reel Inspiring Film Contest and professional level directing, acting, and screenwriting workshops for Reel Inspiration.

Technical support provided by Andy Taylor Technology and Media.

http://tucsonvalleyofthemoon.com/