Movie Double Feature!

Welcome everyone to the just under the wire March edition of Living Reciprocity. I have to admit the blog almost didn't happen this month. Always be careful when you are looking for abundance kids! On the bright side it looks like I will be working with some new people, and assuming I can get caught up and keep my clients happy, may even be expanding.

Which leads me to think that overall the economy might be starting to turn. Printing and graphic arts seems to always be at the outer edges of economic change. We can be the first to get the axe, but we can also be the first to see the recovery, as businesses ramp up orders for everything from cards to invoices. Time will tell if I am right, but I am hopeful.

How many of you listen to Tommy Elf and the From the Edge of the Circle podcast? I am a fan of the show, and recently he spoke about pagans at Renaissance Fairs. I have to admit I love them, both for just the sheer fun, but also the community. I have always found an abundance of pagans at Renn Fairs, some working in booths, some just enjoying it as I am. I think my favorite is the Silver Leaf fair which takes place just outside of Battle Creek Michigan. Nice little fair, very friendly, good vendors, and an excellent selection of performers. I have been Bob-Mo-Tized! A friendly wave as well to Ric Rock; sir I could watch your Dumb show over and over again. As a matter of fact I have!

Those of you Rennies out there, what is your favorite fair or performer? And if you work at a booth, shop, or are an owner, drop me a line, I want to hear about your experiences as a pagan in business at your local fair.

In my first edition of Living Reciprocity, I spoke about the dream of a pagan credit union. While I have not been able to follow up on this goal yet, I have had a few inquiries. I thought I might pass on something that might be of interest, both to people looking for a loan, and to people who have money to invest. Social lending is individuals making loans to other individuals as an investment. As a borrower you are dealing with other people who will listen to your story and situation, and as a lender, you have documentation and a method for making loans to people all over the country. Furthermore, you don't have to loan anyone the entire amount they are looking for; you can pool together with others for a greater overall lending capability. Two of the larger sites are http://www.loanback.com and http://www.prosper.com. I'm not endorsing either, but I encourage you to check them out and make your own decisions.

Pagans In Business AND Everyday Spiritual Warriors

I told you this was a double feature - Movie Style. Meet Stanley Nunn; videographer, director, owner of Undeniable Entertainment, and documentary fim maker who is currently assembling a film (as yet untitled) about the real pagan community.

How did you get into videography?
I was a computer repair technician for about 15 years and I ran into a young lady in the Wendys drive thru that was very rude. I told her that if she hated her job so much, she should quit and get a new one, not take it out on the customers. Shortly thereafter, I was on the phone with a customer of mine and noticed that I was becoming impatient and testy. I realized that it was time for me to take my own advice. I have always wanted to do something more creative and I happened to be working for Comast at the time. They had an opening in the Public Access department that they were having trouble filling, so I applied. I got the job and taught myself the basics of videography. I read books, watched TV, but mostly I watched the people around me. I learned by taking note of everything they did.



How long have you been doing it / how long have you been in business?
I’ve been doing this for about 5 years now.

What sort of training did you have?
I have been to Final Cut Pro training, I have had a few years of on the job training.



What sorts of events do you film?
I have filmed everything from hip-hop concerts to the Dearborn City Council. I create commercials, short programs, and long programs. I have done graduations and birthday parties.

Do you get a lot of request from pagans looking for an understanding person to film handfastings and similar ceremonies?
Actually I haven’t really. Most people weren’t really sure what I did for a living until I showed up at Con with my cameras.



What is the strangest thing you have been asked to film?
I was once asked (and accepted) to film an intimate scene for a husband and wife.


Tell me a little about your rate structure.
Generally I charge about $500 per commercial (to shoot and edit) and $1000 for a 30 minute show (depending on the amount of production). I try to tailor the cost to the amount of production work involved. So prices vary by project.



How far in advance should people book you?
Potential clients should attempt to book me at least two weeks in advance. I can do it in a week, but my prices are much higher if I have to shuffle my schedule.



Tell me a bit about your path.
I am an eclectic Wiccan. I self-identify as a Wiccan, because I attempt to follow the Wiccan Rede (An it harm none, do as thou wilt).

How long have you been pagan?
I have been pagan about 7 years.


Does being pagan affect your career?
I’d like to say that it hasn’t, but I can’t be sure how many opportunities were never offered to me because of it. I am fairly out-spoken about my faith and my knowledge of the laws regarding discrimination, so very few would outwardly try to get rid of me, but I can’t be sure that it has never been a factor in promotions or things like that.

What else should we know about you?
I have some unusual interests. I love martial arts, D&amp, Quantum Physics (theory, not the math) and religious debate.


Now, on to your documentary. Give me the DVD box summary?
My first documentary is on Convocation, the event and M.E.C. the organization. I intend to give the public at large an opportunity to see the pagan community the way that I see it. As a place of love, friendship and spiritual freedom.


When is your projected release date?
February 2010


What inspired you to take on such a large project?
Well every year I would come to Convocation and every year I would see Patrick (Monagin), the photographer for M.E.C., taking pictures all weekend long. He was always working. He was dedicated to capturing the event for the council. I was inspired by his dedication to the council and to the community to provide his services at no cost. I figured the least I could do was the same.


Are you funding this through your business, or are there people helping you?
Actually this is mostly coming out of my pocket. I get help from friends and M.E.C. did allow me free entry into the event to work, but other than that, my wife and I are footing the bills.


Would you say that the nature of the documentary has changed since you have been filming? If so in what ways?
Yes, it has gotten much bigger. I originally wanted to just cover Con, but now I am scheduled to shoot nearly every major event through the end of the year...


You have filmed some at ConVocation, at several rituals and interviewed many people. What insights has this given you about the pagan community?
I have seen that there are a lot more pagans still in the broom closet than I suspected. I thought people were just as "OUT" as I am, but apparently not.


Is there anything the rest of us can do to support your work?
Yes, give me advice and go see it when it gets released.


How about your helpers, tell me about you sound guy and other crew you would like to thank.
Well I’ve gotten help from a couple of different people (especially my wife Susan without whom this thing wouldn’t be possible), but the gentleman who was helping me at con was my friend Anthony who was at Con for the first time. He agreed to help me when he wasn’t in class or ritual.

To contact Stan and Undeniable Entertainment call 313.457.4870 or email snunn37@comcast.net.

Blatant and Shameless

Check out the new article of Thorn magazine, and the article by Broomstix' Natalie Zaman. That's all I'm going to say about that.

I would be remiss not to mention my wife's store Spider Creations Online. Tell her you read about her store here so I don't have to sleep on the couch.

h2>I Can’t Do It Without You!

Living Reciprocity won’t work without your help! Send me people to talk about. Send me business' information to promote, and share share share. An important and fundamental part of building community is recognizing the amazing things we as pagans are doing. And the one who is doing it without fanfare or recognition is the one that needs it the most, so send me those names!

Please contact me using the comment link above, visit my MySpace page, PaganSpace or you can email me at twosnakes@witchmoot.com.