Can’t remember if I have ever introduced myself properly, even if I’ve been here for less than a month, because I’ve been so active on the forums, messages and lives. So here is another try:
Hi! I’m Bianca. Born in Romania, grew up in Canada, I spent my entire (10 year) career living and working in Japan. I started out studying Psychology, continued with an MBA which I dropped out of because I left to work in Japan in a car company, and ended up… a sustainability consultant and pacifistic climate crisis activist :)
After closing 2 startups due to covid, I launched a non-profit in 2021. Besides being an expat in Japan, I’m also a single mom. And to top it off I’m also in grad school studying Global Development (which is basically what they do in the UN).
I have a huge list of certificates and odd jobs I’ve done in the area of sustainability, but only through pure fate I discovered Stage32. Not once in my life have I thought about breaking into the entertainment industry, let alone write scripts and pitch TV shows in my first month!!!
The reality is, I am struggling. With a lot of things. I know things that most people don’t. I know humanity only has a few more years left before it self destructs. And every day I walk on the pavement, I slurp from my mug or look out the window I am fully aware of the huge responsibility I have towards humanity.
I carry on me the preview of our dying species, the dramatic ending of everything we deem beautiful on this planet, including all the movies that have inspired us. And I also carry the solutions. I know what you should eat, wear and touch in order to save our planet.
Yet I struggle every single day with being invisible. For a million reasons, from my lack of fame and money and accolades to my lack of communication skills, or from their own fears and denial to their general distrust in humans, I go through life with people not taking me seriously.
Rejection, failure, a whole lot of trial and error, but worst of all, a whole lot of ignoring, is what I deal with every.single.day…
I do not dream of lovers. Of fame. Of fortune. Of houses on the beach or white picket fences. I don’t dare to indulge in life’s simple pleasures, while I keep all of this inside.
I can’t eat without thinking about how someone is going to sleep hungry, I can’t sleep without thinking about how tomorrow millions have to still work in slavery. I can’t laugh without feeling guilty for having so little, yet more than 3/4 of the planet.
So it is with this self-imposed responsibility that I come here begging for crumbs of everyone’s time and generosity. And there is so much! And I am so grateful! And I am so happy to be here among you all.
I am so happy at the prospect of finding somewhere among all of your hearts, teeny tiny eco warriors, friends, partners in crime. In the crime of making the world a better place!
So thank you for the space Stage 32 has created, but more than that, thank you for the space each and every one of you has created in their heart for me, and will continue to create! Thank you, thank you, thank you! PS. It's important to mention my biggest mentor in life has been (is?) Michael Jackson :)
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I'm not sure if you already have a screenplay. But I think you need a screenwriter/tress who like you is really 'passionate' about climate change and has impressive marketing skills -- as you, ein draufgänger. Your strong point: this isn't an act born from Ego; this is an act of kindness toward Earth -- toward humanity. .Maybe (also) post this in the job section and ask Jason Mirch if he knows writers with the same climate passion.
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my dear Bianca, my advice, tell your powerful story and solutions through ANIMATION SCREENPLAYS (15 min, 30min) Use children or animals as your protags. Think of Pixar's "Finding Nemo" storyline but with climate change and humans (industries) as the antagonist. A viewpoint from a child or an animal is very powerful storytelling. My very first screenplay was titled "The Last Elephant" It was about three orphans who risk all to free the world's "last baby elephant" in captivity inside a dying, horrible profession "The Circus" during a dystopian era. It was a great storytelling piece I read to a group of children in my volunteer work at the Children's hospital. My point, "reach the children" is our only hope of saving the planet. Unfortunately, many of us as adults are too corrupted (from social media) or self-centered in our own worlds (I need to be rich, walk my dog (I stand accused), late for work or some vague reason to be validated for my existence to care) BUT, children are not!
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Rain, lightning, thunder, violent winds, trembling trees, and calm with the rising sun, a woman sleeps in front of a window with a chair and leans her head back and wakes up to the sound of birds. She stands sluggish from exhaustion and goes to the bathroom to wash her face and slowly moves towards the kitchen to prepare the kufi, and she is almost immersed in a fantasy that no one knows, and her eyes are looking at a distant horizon while she is absent-minded. News bulletin and at the same time browsing the headlines of newspapers. Mobile phone rings
The other side: Good morning
She :: Good morning
Al-Akhir: A disaster has occurred in the southwestern region, as expected, and there are victims of the earthquake
Her: Where are you now!??
The other: On the way to the scene of the accident
She moves quickly and changes clothes, carries a laptop, some papers, a bag and things, and goes outside and takes the car key while she is in the middle of the road to the scene of the accident, listening on the radio. Coming and everyone should evacuate the place. The birds leave the place and the animals rush to escape and see an abnormal movement that expresses fear
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Forgot to mention, I grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia.!!! I use to sing and perform at Richards on Richards! Plaza of Nations! OMG! The memories at Stanley Park. Coffee at Starbucks on Robson. Skiing at Whistler mountain. Canucks are my fav Hockey team!!
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Rutger Oosterhoff Thank you! Yes, I am in a constant search of "kindred souls". I will most definitely put out some posts/job/emails to see if I can find someone passionate about it (though a long shot, I am hopeful). I am trying to learn how to write screenplays, but I have a feeling that nobody will really care about anything I make when they hear I have zero experience in the industry :) So I need a miracle at this point :)
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DD Myles Animation? Wow, I would be really blessed if I can find an opportunity to be part of an animation project!! Somehow I feel like it's more difficult to find animators, than it is to find producers/directors willing to try it out. What do you think?
I do understand your point about educating the young ones. My non-profit is actually focused on teens and youth in their early 20s, but progress is slow as they are also swept away by the angst of social media and social pressure at school. And I'm a bit too old now for their generation. I'm just 33, but I already don't understand their culture at all.... sigh....
And omg, Victoria! I grew up in Burnaby! My parents would work a lot so all I remember was the botanical gardens and spending my weekends by the lake! I do remember Stanley Park, though! Aahhh childhood memories <3
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We were meant to connect! Destiny as they say! Are you really ready to invest in yourself? It will take you only 2 or 3 months tops to write your first 30-page animation screenplay (with no experience) that will not be perfectly written or ready for prime time! but it will be an accomplishment!! I can guarantee that If you are really ready to hunker down. Give me an idea. let's create now and I'll show you the first step! Right here! Right now! I'll show you a way to create a simple outline of three paragraphs to get you started (but YOU must commit to writing) no ands, ifs or buts! As they say, Rome wasn't built in a day! So climate change won't change overnight (wink)
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Welcome Bianca Y. Michaels !
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@DD Myles Are you serious?? I'M IN! No eat, no sleep, no breathe, just write! Well, ok, I think I will breathe tho...
Btw, you're vegan?? :O (Haaalleluya choire sound in the background) this is destiny indeed!
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Hi @Michelle ! Thank you!
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Welcome, Bianca
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Welcome, Bianca!
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Hi @John, thank you!
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Dear Bianca, Know that you are not alone. My whole career has been to do whatever I can to make the world a better place and make a difference in the lives of others. This is what inspired me to teach to help kids and teens of all ages reach their fullest potential including those who have unbelievable challenges to be able to triumph. It is what has driven me to write screenplays to give voice to the voiceless through film. I too cannot rest until I see every person on the planet have opportunities to lead better lives. Finding a way to express your sentiments through screenwriting for film, TV, books or documentaries is something you can control. Stage 32 writer's lounge which I joined 2 years ago is like getting a Ph.D. in screenwriting as it provides all aspects for us to learn, but not just academic knowledge, but also receiving training from people who are in the entertainment business who are guiding us with real-world experience. Dig deep into your heart and soul and let the world know your amazing experiences and find your voice to help make the world a better place through writing! Welcome. You have joined a warm community who will be by your side on your journey to helping the world.
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The stuff they teach on S32 is not in books. The selling point for me is that all instructors are literally working in the industry, as opposed to being theoreticians on the sidelines. I am learning from people literally in the "theatre of war," so to speak, using military metaphor.
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John G. Johnson I think that is so right. Part of the evolution of adjunct teaching in universities (despite the challenges in a crowded field) has been a benefit for students as we get to learn from teachers who are actively involved in the leading edge of their field in executing projects.
Certainly for the fast-moving film industry this is a great benefit and I agree the Stage 32 platform, people and business model brings us closer to folks who are launching projects and have their finger on the pulse, just following RB, Jason, Amanda and Kay and their team and seeing how many testimonials have emerged in the past four months of writers getting work nailed down, it's inspiring.
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Bianca Y. Michaels you've brought wonderful energy and curiosity right into the spotlight,
absolutely great to see your intensity and catalyst for like-minded folks to gravitate around these powerful ideas, yearnings, challenges.
With your clarity you will find plenty of powerful momentum, because you are creating it!
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Bianca: I know you may think crying inside a Rolls is different from crying inside a used Honda, but believe me happiness comes from the little everyday things you can notice. Know you are doing the planet an extraordinary thing voicing us for her, and U.N. (as a fellow ex there) doesn't pay much for saving the world either :). Fame is overrated and maybe just a daydream to see your writing on the big screen someday helps you get out of bed. You are stardust made of stars. Start with the woman in the mirror and write your heart away. That's all I want you to know! <3 Pray for the best and know 90% is being in the right producer's office at the right time and place and 10% talent. <<<hugs>>>
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Nicholas In Seattle Thank you, Nicholas, will reply soon! double blessings
@Ricki Linksman Your words have changed my life! Thank yoU! I am so glad to see I am not alone, I feel sometimes my efforts are going to waste. Then I find people like you who remind me why I do what I do, because you, too, are struggling to heal this world! I am glad I found this medium and am excited for what I can create through it! I am also glad you found a way to give a voice to the voiceless. I am your ally in whatever you do! Never forget I am here, just an email away! The best of luck in everything you set your mind to!
@Daniel Stuelpnagel As always, there with the encouraging words that push me forward! Thank you! You are as much part of this as I am now. We're creating history!
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@Ianna R Miolan-Cruz Oh I know how to find happiness inside me. The thing is, I can't be happy knowing others are. It's the guilt that's eating me up inside. And I can't do anything for myself unless it's having a positive impact on others!
You are stardust made of stars - I like this, it's so beautiful! We are all stars! I guess writing is all I have left, and thanks to you, your encouraging words and kindness, give me wings! Thank you!!
I wish you all the best in everything you do! I am here for you!