Answering to a Higher Power: Enlightenment

A few months ago, I worked a few weeks on a CBS pilot about the CIA, entitled "Chaos." It was an extravagant, multi-million dollar pilot-- infamous, notorious, and... dead upon arrival. Regardless of the money spent, the A-list director/executive producer and the well-received footage, Chaos collapsed like a house of cards.

In this exact moment in time, as the world economy digs itself deeper, there is a need for consciousness, a need for awakening, a need for enlightenment.
HBO, the pay cable network known for its top-notch original series and entertainment, understood this and was willing to take a chance on "Enlightened," an upcoming show starring Laura Dern as a self-destructive woman who has a spiritual awakening and hones in on living a more conscious, enlightened life.

A series about conscious living gets the greenlight. What a welcome surprise! With Mike White and Laura Dern as executive producers, I have a feeling it's a show that is near and dear to their hearts. I recently spent some time working with and observing the crew--now shooting its second and third episodes. Worth noting, this is a production that practices what it preaches.

With Mike White sporting a "Vegan Mafia" tee, and lots of gluten-free and vegan snacks on the craft service table, I knew something was different. Half-drunk and abandoned bottles of water? None to be found--not on this set. There was a filtered water station and BPA-free, completely biodegradable bottles available to refill and reuse. I picked one up, and ended up using and reusing my bottle on-set for the next three days. Not only was it biodegradable, recyclable, reusable, and BPA free, but it was also made from post-consumer recycled material right here in California.

Craft Service made sure that recycling bins were located conveniently on-set. A few real flowers and plants adorned the set, sticking out amongst the requisite fake plants. From a purely production standpoint, this was as green and as clean as a TV series could get.

Consciously observing my little biodegradable bottle, I learned about GLASS [giveaglass.org,] a nonprofit organization with high hopes to eliminate all single-use plastic bottles from "the advertising, commercial, film and post-production industries." It's a great idea and something I think every production should at least consider.

There is enormous waste in the world, especially in the entertainment industry where, according to GLASS, U.S. commercial productions use 700 plastic water bottles every single hour. So, if you're in charge of a photo shoot, a TV series, an upcoming feature film-- Think green, Give a glass, and in doing so, you'll be making the Earth smile.

Knowing other is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment. - Lao Tzu (c.604-531 B.C.).

"The real meaning of enlightenment is to gaze with undimmed eyes on all darkness." - Nikos Kazantzakis

For more:
http://www.deadline.com/2010/07/shocker-drama-chaos-left-to-die-after-cbs-and-20th-tv-cant-agree-on-order/

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i82908c6716f89cd135e2df3b6bb2ce00

http://www.giveaglass.org