I can't believe that after all these years I can say (or shout from the rooftop) - The film is finished and available for streaming or download. Yay!!! After a pre-release screening at the Sage-ing International conference last October a few final adjustments were made and here it is! Local PBS affiliate TPT will be airing the program in coming months as well. Below is a link to the on-demand site. More news to come.
David

vimeo.com/ondemand/creatinganewold

on the move

Last weekend dear friends let me capture some of them "being" in their retirement. Beautiful images of what it means to cultivate a life and create new meaning and purpose. Tomorrow I will shoot the final "summation" on camera segment. Next week I will be capturing footage of folks of many ages learning and growing in classes of various settings. Once that is complete I should have (gulp) everything I need to complete the pilot 1 hour film and get to work "getting it out there". Very exciting time!  Thanks to all who have inspired this journey and supported me in my times of doubt and fear.

Love and peace,
David

Finishing the edit

Gathering some of the last elements for the final full edit and then I'll be out looking for a corporate sponsor to get this aired. Any suggestions would be most appreciated. Shooting b-roll (cutaway) shots of folks enjoying a number of activities and relaxing outdoors. It's so great that each time I introduce myself and ask their permission to record some of what they are doing for the film they are very excited about the story I am trying to tell. They each say something like "good for you! We need this kind of good news out there so we can start to change the way people think about getting older".

On the downhill run and looking forward to having a complete presentation finished very soon!

Peace,
David

Putting it together

In the Garaffice editing. A bit from here...a bit from there. Combining all the elements and crafting the first one hour segment of Old On Purpose. This pilot segment will be used to pitch to potential sponsors who will then fund the use of this and production of future segments on TPT and, hopefully PBS. There is so much great content. Dozens of hours. So much insight and wisdom in all this footage. It's a matter of choosing those special segments that will help launch this initiative in a public forum. This is hard and inspiring work which makes this my calling. My art. It has been a long journey but with the completion of this pilot I believe a new phase of my life and my career will begin.

More later...

Peace,
David

Erickson, Kamminga and Leider

It's been a long time since my last post. So much has transpired. Hosted by my old buddy, Brian Mahanke and his wife LeAnne I spent a wonderful few days with Jan and Jon Erickson in Colorado in August learning about how their lives have changed as they discover the next chapters of their lives.
I had a great talk with Dave Kamminga, retired professional French Horn soloist with the Minnesota Orchestra and learned about how he is transforming his vision of the future as he leaves his professional music career to discover what's ahead. (He's friends with Peter Schickele of PDQ Bach fame!)
I had a wonderful follow up interview with purpose guru, Richard Leider yesterday at his office. We had a great conversation and his comments will be instrumental in helping me finish the first one-hour segment of the program. There is a real change beginning on so many levels in our country with regards to how we see aging. AARP has brought Richard on board to help them change the direction of their organization so help people realize a new phase of life filled with exploration, development and growth.
 I continue to receive input and support from so many knowledgeable people striving to write a new chapter in human development including my dear Connie Goldman who is my most gracious mentor.

More to come.....

Peace,
David

I spent much of last week in the Black Hills of South Dakota enjoying the company of some incredible people who are dedicated to changing the current culture of aging in America. I am thankful for their support and encouragement and am "refueled" for the work ahead. Next step: finding dynamic stories of folks who have walked into the phase of life with a mindset of exploration, discovery and cultivation of the richness that can exist in longevity.

production ahead

It's been a while since my last post. Thanks to all you visitors and those of you who are following this blog. Things have been moving ahead. As many of you know, I am currently seeking funding for the documentary project "Old On Purpose". Connections are being made and I believe something will "click" soon. If you know of any contacts in corporations/organizations who might have an interest in funding this work please let me know. I would truly appreciate it.

Our next move is to capture stories of individuals who have found a true sense of purpose in this phase of life by finding new ways to put their experience, talent and passions to work for the good of their communities, country and planet. I spoke with Don Shelby, former WCCO anchor, about how after he retired from the news he has been empowered to become an advocate of many important causes including the effects of global warming. I hope to schedule some time with him soon to hear his story. I have read with great enthusiasm new articles from organizations like AARP who are helping to start the conversation about a greater sense of purpose after adulthood. Soon I will travel to California to interview Marc Freeman about his work with Civic Ventures and Encore Careers. I will also be doing interviews with The Vital Aging Network in the Twin Cities and have recently spoken with Kate Schaefers Ph.D,, a psychiatrist working in this field helping individuals discover new purpose and meaning in their new careers both paid and volunteer, in the second half of life. This is going to be an incredible journey and I think this documentary will be the beginning of a series of programs to help move a much needed initiative to forge a new paradigm of aging in America.

Stay tuned!

Peace,
David