The story of a project, the books, the film, and my friend in the middle
(Buckle up, kids, and hold on.)
Backstory: It began with "Someguy" in San Francisco, June 2002. The 1000 Journals Project started with him leaving blank journals around San Francisco in cafes, restrooms, bus stops, park benches, and gave (and sent) them to friends and strangers. There we no rules, just add to it, add more, pass it along or keep it and keep adding.
At first, he did not know how many he might distribute. It began with a few, then a few more and soon he knew it had to be 1000 journals. Each book was numbered and had a variety of cover art he added. Most of the covers eventually got altered, changed, and changed again.
Meanwhile, Andrea Kreuzhage, a Los Angeles-based film maker, heard about 1000 Journals and contacted "Someguy." In September, 2003, Journal #526 came back to Someguy, filled. Andrea decide to make a film about what had become of the other 999...and the people who had them, used to have them, kept them (but forgot they had one), sent it back to Someguy to scan the pages and post them on the website. (The 1000 Journals website was also where people who wanted to participate could log on and request one of the journals be sent to them, as available.
I had heard little bits in the wind about the project. I never really pursued it, probably because I have had my own sketchbook with me everyday since I was about twelve years old, 1964. (At left, a few of my sketchbooks on a shelf in my studio.) I also have a huge, old, wooden crate filled with old sketchbooks as my living room coffee table. (It used to be a U.S. Navy ammunition crate. Now it stores explosive ideas. And more than a few duds.)
Then, in 2007, Chronicle Books published a book (yellow cover, below) about the 1000 Journals Project. (One of my favorite moments in the film, there are many, but this one was both ridiculous and painful watching as "Somegiuy" sat around a table at Chronicle Books with too many "chiefs" trying to select a book cover with the right "sensibility." NEVER say that word around me, please.)
This was classic "creativity-by-committee" it was decidedly not a "creative thinking" session. Maybe some of the good folks at Chronicle Books will read my brainstorming book and learn how to have more fun while making creative decisions. maybe they will publish my book. We return you now to reality.
My friend Susan (the ever-effulgent, SARK) gave me a copy of Chronicle's book-about-the-books. It was actually the copy that "Someguy" (the San Francisco artist who started this all) had sent to her with the inscription, "Thanks for keeping creativity alive."
In March of this year I received an email from my friend Heidi, back East, mentioning that a documentary film she appears in would be showing in San Francisco in April and May. As I started sniffing around, Heidi connected me with Andrea (the film's director.)
Last Saturday afternoon (26 April '8) at the San Francisco International Film Festival (SFIFF) I was fortunate to be in the audience for the first screening at SFIFF. This was only the fifth public showing of the film. Here is the email I sent to my friend Heidi after seeing the film. (I've omitted a few of the more personal bits.)
Heidi, First, and foremost, I honor you for the power, clarity, and courage
with which you shared your Journal story in Andrea's remarkable film.
You are a major part of this exquisite work. No one has more (or as
much) time on camera. Plus it connects with other stories (as so much
of the film weaves a tale of connections and relationships AROUND THE
WORLD.)
I did not know any of what you shared in the film that
had happened as a result of your being a part of the 1000 Journals
project. I was VERY moved as I watched and listened to your story
unfold and break the hearts of most, if not all, who were in the full theater
yesterday.
How great to have both Andrea and "SOMEGUY"
there for Q&A. Many were curious about you and how you're doing.
It was a great lesson (and will be for ALL who will see this film) of the
power of art–even when dashed off casually in a small sketchbook that
floats through our lives for a moment.
After emailing and Facebooking each other, it was great to finally meet
Andrea (in photo, right, Andre Kreuzhage is the smaller object on the right.) We exchanged business cards and
hope to get together with when she returns to SF after screening the film at the Newport Film Fest in So. Cal. She will be here this week for the
rest of her screenings at SFIFF. Don't know if there'll be time to "cut her away
from the herd" of film society swells for a sip or a bite...but you know I'll try.
Andrea is a
talented film maker and story teller and has crafted a piece that not only
tells the story of the project in a way that anyone, having never even
heard of 1000 Journals, would get it–right away. But far more than that, it is a film about connections across continents and cultures. It is
life-filled as people write (in so many languages) draw, paint, sketch,
tape, glue, construct, fold, share, pass-on, mail, or just leave it on
a bench, or mountain trail – to be discovered and entered into.
The
mind reals thinking about how many thousands of people have touched,
read, peeked, and contributed to the (first) 1000 Journals.
My
friend Susan (SARK) Kennedy gave a copy of the book about the books.
It was actually the book that "Someguy" (Brian Singer) sent her to thank
her for, as he wrote in the book, Thanks for keeping creativity alive.
So, even though he'd already signed
it, I asked him to sign it again (see photo). Notice, he's a lefty–of course. He also had a few of the
actual 1000 Journals there for folks to contribute to, and many wanted to and did.
I noticed one book,
lying on the table (in the lounge area of the Kabuki Theatres) in front of a woman and I asked, "Aren't you going
to contribute?"
"I'm just a mom." She said pointing to two high school girls hunched over two "journals" opposite us, drawing and giggling.
"These books are filled with just moms." I said and pushed a small pile of my arts supplies toward her.
She smiled and jumped in...
(Bad photo, below right, of my quick addition, including my "tag" business card, in one of the 1000 Journals that "Someguy" brought to the screening. My little man's comment: "Someguy sent me this little pile of paper with covers on them...so, I dove in! McNair")
You can see lots of great photos of SFIFF and folks adding to some of the actual 1000 Journals on the ADDA DADA site on flickr. Great site on its own rite.
Tuesday, 30 April '8, I was able to spend a four hours with Andrea. She told me she shot 165 hours, all around the world, to make her delight-filled, 88 minute film. It is jam-packed with color, comedy, inspiration, drama, tension, inspiration, a wonderfully delicate original score, and lots of moments of folks connecting through these little books. Did I mention that this film is very inspirational? She has several more screenings, at festivals around the country. (Watch her site–100o Journals Film– for dates of upcoming screenings.) Found a nice on-camera interview with Andrea HERE. And an interview with "Someguy" at AFI, HERE. (Also, click on the interview with Andrea there and her cinematographer.)
As for Andrea's movie: See this film.
Now a new wave of little books has been launched 1001 Journals. There, as with the original site you can register and sign up to have one of the new journals sent to you.
You can also start your own journal to send around, or keep "closed" among a set group of friends, co-workers. You can also scan pages and download them to the website.
I believe art was given to us by our Creator to provide a vehicle for us to illuminate, teach, and inspire each other through our individual creative expression. The original 1000 Journals Project and then Andrea's film do all that and so much more.
What number journal will you be?
McNair
P.S. When you see this film, watch for my friend Heidi (sitting in church in Beaver Falls, PA.)
• Do take at least one friend to the film. They will thank you.
• Take your sketchbook or journal to the screening for others to wrote, draw, or sign.
• If my new friend, Andrea Kreuzhage, the director, is at your screening, introduce yourself. Tell her, McNair sent me. (Have her sign your journal.)
• When you start your "1001 Journal", I'd love to contribute. Send it to me ( I promise to pass it along) at:
Tea With McNair
2601-C Blanding Ave.
No. 144
Alameda, CA 94501
• Be sure to register your journal on the 1001 Journals site. (You will get a number and there is a PDF you can download of simple "instructions" to glue into your journals.
• When the DVD of Andrea's film is released, get two–maybe . . . seven. (She has a dream of selling ONE MILLION DVDs. I'm hoping for a million and ONE.)
• Bay Area (Pleasanton, CA) screening of the film 1000 Journals, Friday evening, 22 August '8. Details HERE. See you there!
[ Below, left, Andrea Kreuzhage: film director and "Someguy": 1000 Journals Project creator. On the right, one of the original Journals. They are all nearly twice as thick as when they were new and blank. Delicious.]
* This just in (5.7.8) :: This post was excerpted for Moleskinerie, the offical weblog (blog) of Moleskin. (The preferred jouranl/sketchbook of Leonardo da Vinci and St. Luke.) They are one of the great small journal & sketchbook makers in the world. I use one daily as my "brain" (ToDo list, phone and other contact info gathered daily and then transfered to my iPhone.) They are very durable and available in art, stationary, and feed stores everywhere!
ah, thanks McNair! Having your eyes, ears and heart in that seat seeing my 10' size head on that film for the first time really meant a lot to me - and knowing that I didn't fully embarrass myself was very reassuring too!
I just can't wait to see it!
Posted by: Heidi Renee | Friday, 02 May 2008 at 11:36 AM
Heidi, you are not even a little bit embarrassing in the 1000 Journals film, not for a moment. As I have told you, and many others, you are heroic. One of the strongest emotional moments in a film that is filled with life and inspiration.
Mc
Posted by: McNair | Friday, 02 May 2008 at 03:16 PM
Hello!
I saw your entry in "Creative Souls" and had to read what you had to say about the film! I can't wait to see it! You have a great blog and great energy! I will enjoy reading all of it. I also do creativity workshops. It's nice to get to know you!
Best wishes,
Claudia
Posted by: Claudia Rohling | Sunday, 04 May 2008 at 09:48 AM
I was so excited when I came across your blog and this article. I am just beginning my journey through sketch journals but can spend hours looking at others. I definitely want to see this film. The links you provide through the article will keep me busy all evening. I've bookmarked your blog because it looks so interesting and full of great articles. thanks.
s
Posted by: sandyzs | Friday, 09 May 2008 at 10:39 PM
Thank you for this post--the feature on Moleskinerie tipped me off to the new 1001 Journals project for the first time. That is GREAT news--I loved the results of the original project. Cheers!
Posted by: madhungrymind | Tuesday, 13 May 2008 at 07:56 AM
...hey McNair-man!
...we need to be in touch
...have left both email and voice mail for you
...are you still on the planet?
...did you fall into your journal and close the cover?
...holler soon
...and thanx!
Posted by: Wes | Saturday, 17 May 2008 at 09:58 AM