Wednesday, May 15, 2013

New Places Spark New Ideas



            I meant to write this blog post two weeks ago when I landed home from a getaway to beautiful San Juan, Puerto Rico, but I finally found some time to share with you what a unique experience it was.

            I know some you might be asking, “Ricardo, isn’t this a blog about film and television production?” Indeed I shall say. However, the reason I’m writing about my trip is because “taking some time to smell the roses” and getting away from your day-to-day routine refreshes one’s creativity. It doesn’t matter what department you work in, whether you are a director, a DP, or a sound mixer, it is important to visit new places. Places that will let you see things from a different perspective and will offer your ears new kinds of sounds. I hope you get what I’m trying to say. I could go on and on for paragraphs but don’t want to get too cliché; plus, people rarely have the patience to read stuff on the Internet nowadays.

            Anyway, some of the people my travel buddy and I came across, the landscapes we experienced, or the food our palettes had the pleasure of tasting sparked ideas for some good storytelling. Thanks to the architecture of places in historic Old San Juan, such as the San Felipe Castle or Mother Nature’s wonders in places such as El Yunque National Rainforest, gave us inspiration to capture some cool photographs. (Another reason I took a while to post this was because I had to go through the hundreds of pictures I took and select a few to share with you. I’m glad I took time with it).

            There is a good quote by Tim Kreider I read almost a year ago on post he wrote for The New York Times titled The 'Busy' Trap. It goes like this: "Idleness is not just a vacation, an indulgence or a vice; it is as indispensable to the brain as vitamin D is to the body, and deprived of it we suffer a mental affliction as disfiguring as rickets. The space and quiet that idleness provides is a necessary condition for standing back from life and seeing it whole, for making unexpected connections and waiting for the wild summer lightning strikes of inspiration — it is, paradoxically, necessary to getting any work done."

            So now I would like to hear from you. Is there a place you have been to that has inspired you to write an awesome script, offered a different perspective in the way you shoot, or vented you for your next production management gig? Feel free to share and comment below.













































All pictures were taken with a Nikon D3100. You may view them on my Facebook page by clicking here.
























4 comments:

  1. Its really nice to know how much u enjoyed PR! :) Its really good to hear positive things of a place that's has ki d of lost its way! You definitely let me see my home town from a different set of eyes... Loved it and keep up the good work

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As you can tell, I really did.

      It always makes me sad when people speak lowly about cities or countries, especially when they are from there. I believe one can find beauty and uniqueness anywhere.

      Thanks, I definitely will and you do too!

      -Ricardo.

      Delete
  2. Yea I know its not easy to hear someone talk lowly about a city they call home, but there are things that just cant be expressed about PR crime and violence are dominating the country little by little. Thats why I commented on your post because its always nice to hear beautiful things about a place you love but just have lost site of. Sorry if i made you sad but Im really happy you loved it and I hope you can go back soon and enjoy all PR really has to offer. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I feel you. Your comment didn't make me sad, it was just a generalization; in other words, it's disappointing when people bash places that have an abundance of unique things to offer. For example, there are many people back home who speak lowly of it, but they don't realize that living in the border has its advantages. We have access to three states, we have beautiful sunsets, there is great cuisine, etc.

      As I've mentioned to you before, it would be a privilege to go back some time.

      Have a great memorial day weekend!

      Delete