Everyday Stories...

This is a blog written by me, Aneta Karagiannidou, a woman of Greek heritage, born in the Czech Republic, raised in Greece, and living in L.A. In it, I want to share with you what I do best, which is bring together elements that at first sight might seem irrelevant and incongruous but when mixed together in the right doses can produce interesting, thought-provoking combos.  

[anetaki]

Panel on #Hollywood #trends today at #WoodburyUniversity in Burbank, organized by #DigitalLA. #HarvardHollywood2015 

[anetaki]

Broken "Interstellar" Promises...

It was interesting to see the endless chain of tweets complaining about the lacking science behind Christopher Nolan's "Interstellar". Which of course begs the question: Why were people so disappointed by the fact that a piece of fiction delivered fiction? What was it about the way "Interstellar" was marketed that made people expect something, many felt they didn't receive? 

Let's see... 

1. The production team of "Interstellar" announced Dr. Kip Thorne, a renown (astro)physicist to be the movie's executive producer and consultant. 

2. Dr. Thorne wrote a book, The Science of "Interstellar", in which he explains the science behind controversial scenes of the movie. Both Thorne and Nolan underline the importance of the book in people's understanding of the science behind "Interstellar".

3. Articles in the trades spoke about Nolan's research at the NASA database and Elon Musk. 

4. The main cast of the movie participated in a google hangout with NASA astronauts comparing sensations and experiences and talking about the extensive training that is required of astronauts.

5. The movie website showcases a simulation game and actual lesson plans for middle and high school kids using material from the movie.

So, in branding itself as more sci than fi, "Interstellar" created a hype that worked against it. In its prevalence, the science of the movie blocked the narrative and took its place. And so when the science was found lacking, audiences didn't simply brush it off on the premise of the movie's fictional nature, but, instead, a blow was delivered to their belief in a brand that promised science and delivered fiction. 

And this is why audience reactions were so intense. "Hell hath no fury like a consumer scorned"!! 

[anetaki]

Frantically Seeking… YOU

Have you ever tried to change gears and reinvent yourself only to discover along the way that you took things too far and you don’t know who you are anymore?

Many times, when we are emotionally hijacked by despair and frustration, our first reaction is to do away with the part of us that we see related to the pain and failure we are feeling. And so skills, features, habits, and experiences - integral parts of “who we are” - are sacrificed at the altar of change and the desperate need to capture the idyllic image of who we want to be.

And I say “idyllic” because we usually are after only one aspect of a state of being: the glossy, dreamy part, not realizing that this is not how things are in real life. Or, as my husband likes to say every time I complain: “There’s always gonna be problems, and you will solve them”. Seeking perfection can be very motivating as long as it comes hand in hand with the realization that perfection only exists in the movies and in other people’s lives. Because from the right distance you can see perfection just like you can see a rainbow. Try to go closer and it will swiftly disappear…

Change is a wonderful thing! We grow, we evolve, we get over things and people, and we move on. But the fact that five, ten years after we made a decision, we take a turn, leaving a person, job, or situation behind doesn’t necessarily make the choice a bad one. It’s just something that has served its purpose, run its cycle, and is finished. And had it not existed we wouldn’t be where we are today, with the wisdom and motivation we picked up along the way.

Having the bravery to admit that a choice is no longer working and making a change is truly admirable and it embodies the “Keep Walking” spirit of the Johnny Walker motto, which I’ve always found very inspiring. And where there’s walking, there can be running and jumping, but also stumbling and falling down… which is ok once you make peace with the process as is, instead of chasing the phantom of what you would like it to be.

So, go ahead and be all the versions of yourself that you can be, knowing that often one of these versions is only best for now… and that’s ok.