What's an Okiedharma?

Good question. And no, I’m not a Buddhist.

“Okiedharma” is a word I’ve been using for about 12 years or so to represent my filmmaking work, my writings, and other projects… essentially my “brand,” to use a term I really can’t stand.

Basically it comes from a time in my life where I was seeking direction in my life.  I had just graduated college; I knew I wanted to be a filmmaker but didn’t know how; and spiritually I was asking a lot of questions.  I spent some time studying Buddhism, and while I never embraced it fully, I was fascinated by many of its philosophies.

“Dharma” is a word that has several meanings, and while it is often associated with Buddhism and Hindu spirituality, the word itself belongs to neither, any more than the word “soul” belongs to Christianity.

Officially, “Dharma” has three meanings:

a. The principle or law that orders the universe.
b. Individual conduct in conformity with this principle.
c. The essential function or nature of a thing.

It’s that last definition that I identify with.  Really, I think of “Dharma” and “Soul” as pretty much the same term.

When I was thinking of a name to label my work, I was torn between leaving Oklahoma for greener pastures or sticking in what seemed at the time to be pretty barren ground for a creative type.  Everyone I knew was either six months away from moving elsewhere, or planned on staying here for the rest of their life.  At some point, I decided I would be one of those that stuck.  And I’m glad I did.

I’ve seen my hometown of Oklahoma City raise up a small but vibrant community of creatives of all types; a place open to new ideas, but with an appreciation of its roots.  Oklahoma City is a place that is wide open for development, both economically and personally.  I’ve seen so many young artists, filmmakers, musicians and organizers leave town, only to return and pour back into the place that brought them up.  I want to continue that.  I am an Okie.  It’s who I am.  It informs everything I create.  You might say it’s part of my essence or nature.  It’s in my soul.

So Oklahoma+Soul=Okiedharma.

So what does that have to do with this blog?  Not much, I guess.  At least so far.  I spend most of my posts talking about movies, or pop culture, or occasionally politics.  But I hope in the coming months that I’ll be focusing more on local artists, musicians, and filmmakers that have embraced their home they way I have, and are paving the way for the future of our creative community.  Stay tuned.

(via okiedharma)

A Christmas Movie

In case you missed it; I wrote and directed a Christmas movie this year for LifeChurch.tv’s Christmas Eve services.  It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for nearly ten years, before I ever considered working for a church, and it was really satisfying to finally be given the ball.

I work with a great group of people on the “Bling Team,” and everyone really came together to make this happen as smoothly as possible.  Props especially to Beth Johnson, who handled the casting process, collected props & costumes, served as Assistant Director on the set, and basically was the glue for the whole production.  I also want to give thanks to Mark Dawson, my longtime boss and mentor, who had the faith to champion this project to the higher-ups, and was a great D.P. as well.

I really wanted to write a Christmas story that wasn’t patronizing, and spoke to both believer and non-believer about the spirit of the season.  I was going for a real-life feel to the drama, and while I think it’s pretty difficult to do an ensemble drama in 18 minutes without teetering into melodrama, I think our actors (all volunteers) pulled it off nicely.  Give it a look.

(to see the film in the context of the full Christmas message, go here)

(via okiedharma)