To the subject of today’s post – that the most exciting things in Memphis are happening at the grassroots level – we were reading Christopher Reyes’ Mopey Ninja blog not only makes this point often but even better, it provides the proof in photo, music, and film.
It seems fitting that Live From Memphis is the vehicle that offers proof positive every day with its blog and website that Memphis has a cadre of creative workers. Yes, we need more of them, but we need to honor, pay tribute, and celebrate the ones we have and the invigorating ideas and projects that they are developed…usually off the radar, usually without “official” support or help, and usually with more rhetorical than practical support from the “establishment. After all, long before most of us had even discovered what the creative class was, Live From Memphis was it, and long before the importance of quality of place and that the real role of arts and culture is to create an environment where creativity and innovation are spawned and flourish.
It’s no secret if you’ve read this blog for long that Live From Memphis has a special place with us for these and so many other reasons.
Here’s the blog post from Mopey Ninja that brought all this to mind (the bolding is ours):
Fuel Film’s 48 Hour Film Launch
Written by Christopher Reyes
A group of us went out to catch the final stage of the 48 Hour Film Launch by Fuel Film. What I saw was amazing.
It wasn’t necessarily that the films were amazing – in fact a couple of the films didn’t screen because of one technical difficulty or another. What matters is people were making films. This event really brought people together.
Why is this so special?
Here’s the answer:
In a time when Memphis is losing most film productions to other states because our own state incentives lack the competitiveness to attract outside productions to Memphis, it is important to me and should be to our leaders that we cultivate and capitalize on local filmmakers’ talent and entrepreneurship. In the end, it’s not who or what we attract to Memphis but who and what comes out of Memphis that will shape the future of the city.
So while people in politics debate and squabble about who’s going to do or get what, the real things that matter are happening right now in our own community, made possible by the members of the community. The people are leading. The leaders? Well, it seems that they are just trying to keep up.
From all of us at Live From Memphis, we salute you. Keep it up!
Hah! Wait to you see the stuff from this weekends Music Video Showcase! 3 Day Music Video Film Festival!!!
http://www.livefrommemphis.com/mvs/8454-the-2011-music-video-showcase-full-schedule
Thanks SmartCity!!!!
Hear, hear. Talk about “how to attract smart, talented people to Memphis” gets my hackles up. This city is BURSTING with smart, talented, creative, energetic, dedicated people. Anyone who thinks a dearth of such types is holding Memphis back is looking at the situation completely upside-down.
You’re so right. A few years ago, Leadership Memphis had a videoconference with the founder of SparkCon in Raleigh, NC., and somebody asked how Memphis could attract the talented, creative people needed for such a program.
His response: They’re already there; find them.
Actually, the ones that are here in Memphis are simply staging to get out, and on to bigger things. Memphis is not their primary destination for heaven’s sake. Sure it might be a stepping stone, but the mackdaddy or bigtime, it ain’t.
It’s “double or triple-A ball”, which is great, but let’s not put it on a level of an LA. That’s blowin’ smoke.
But maybe I’m one of those realists looking at things “upside down”.
“the mackdaddy.” lol
walking the WALK ?
hardly, Memphis still doesn’t see the relevance of seismic
design (total) and retrofit for dumb structures like the Pyramid. We still have bogus planners and code officers say crazy crap like, ” well it was built to what was then code ”
Pretty laughable stuff given what we now see in Japan, Haiti, and beyond..but no no no, the smart azz people here don’t think it could ‘possibly happen’ here in Memphis.
Yeah sure..so much for leadeship. It’s funny in that the sage. wise knowitalls are now silent.
The codes are insufficient.
Talk about off-topic….
Pack-
I cannot begin to think of all the dots that must be connected to link a discussion of building codes to the topic of this post.
Where does it state that the terms of service in re comments must be exactly based on what’s posted ?
show me, and show everybody else..besides that what do you care ? you’re just another ‘poster’ aren’t you ? does it hurt your feelings ? or what ?
Does it hurt your feelings (or the chip on your shoulder)to have someone point out that you are way off-topic? Touch-eee!
Despite being off-topic and seemingly agitated, I am now more curious about the general idea offered by Anon 11:46. I have some thoughts and a little experience with seismic issues as it relates to historic structures but not enough to craft a full post. It would be neat if someone really knowledgeable about the topic could start a new thread by offering SCM a column.
On-topic… I am embarrassed that I have never personally met any of the Live-From gang. I have used their work to brag about Memphis to friends and have sent links to arts groups and other E.D. organizations in a few other southern cities as an excellent example of what can be done. Thanks for the independent leadership, vision and fun.