What you decide will affect the nation, the world, and the rest of your lives. You swore an oath to defend the Constitution from enemies both domestic and foreign. Following illegal orders puts you in direct conflict with that oath and puts you in harm's way. Research what happened to the Gestapo, SS, and the Nazi when they claimed they were just following orders. Why did you enlist?
Always listening. Triggered by every sound. Every movement. Fight or flight? Check. Double check. Adrenaline explosion. A flash in the distance. Friend or foe? Message or warning? Heart pounding. Always scanning. Always on high alert. Screaming silence. Moments of sleep shattered by night terrors. Nervous system overload becomes the norm; emotional and physical exhaustion becomes a way of life.
Veterans, who have experienced physical and emotional trauma, call this just another day that ends in “Y”. No matter how it is labeled, the trauma they experienced affects every aspect of their life until the core issue has been addressed and healed. Medication masks symptoms; however, they are highly addictive and never resolve the real source of the pain. Talk therapy has mixed results. Civilians simply don’t understand the military mindset. Peer-support, while more effective, is more difficult to find.
While in service, personnel are told to suck it up and just get over it. It’s part of the culture. To show weakness, especially during combat, makes the person a liability to the sisterhood and brotherhood. While in service, the shared experience gives courage and comfort to the whole unit. Yet, after separation, that mindset becomes a liability as the camaraderie vanishes and is replaced by isolation.
Yet, there are ways for veterans to rebuild their lives and reclaim that support system that doesn’t involve addictive drugs with horrible side effects. Equine therapy is an effective healing methodology that has been around for decades. As with all therapy animals, horses are chosen for their temperament and intelligence. Working with horses provides comfort and support as they help the handler actively restructure their emotional responses and strengthen their bodies.
Horses' innate ability to sense the handler’s emotions provides real-time biofeedback. They can hear and match a person’s heartbeat from nearly four feet away. The horses reflect back the handler’s emotional state. If the handler is relaxed and calm, the horse will be as well. However, if the handler is emotional—angry, frustrated, or afraid, the horse will become anxious. However, instead of becoming aggressive, they will shy away, run, or refuse to cooperate. This real-time feedback helps the handler understand and work through their triggers. The mission is to remain calm and focused in the moment so that the horse will trust the person enough to interact with them. In this way, working with horses helps the handler stay focused on the present moment.
For many people, equine therapy evokes images of riding horses. However, this is not always the case. There are two primary equine therapy methodologies: EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) and PATH International. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International). Both are national and international organizations that set standards that each associated equine center must meet to be certified by the organization. Horses are never ridden at Eagla therapy centers. The focus remains on the boots-on-the-ground interaction between the veterans and horses. However, the PATH-certified programs offer both riding and non-riding programs. Both programs heal emotional and physical challenges. Riding a horse uses the same muscles a person uses to walk, which strengthens the body, while motivating the mind into forward thinking. As part of the certification process, the program must be associated with a state-certified counselor with a master's in mental health and have a hands-on equine certification.
Equine centers can be found in most states, mostly in rural or semi-rural areas. As non-profit organizations, they offer the therapy free to veterans. However, they are limited as to how many veterans they are able to help by their fundraising capabilities. In these financially challenging times, the centers have been doubly hit by the increasing costs to care for their horses and the reduction of funding, especially from the VA. Donating to local centers helps veterans while providing yourself with good karma points and a tax deduction.
To find the closest center, visit Horses and Heroes’ website. It has direct links to both the EAGALA and PATH websites. Please click on the link below.
https://www.kaleidoscopefilmandtelevision.com/horsesandheroes
The unscripted documentary TV series, Horses and Heroes, combines the highly effective Peer Support Therapy with Equine Therapy. Unlike most in the unscripted genre, it will focus on healing and positive growth rather than endorsing bad behavior. Each season will bring together veterans from World War II to the current conflicts. They will share their challenges and support each other as they find new solutions to their physical and emotional challenges. They know the talk because they have walked the walk. They see the dodges and will be able to call each other on them. Sparks may fly. Tempers may flare, especially when they force each other to face their ghosts. But there will also be laughter and fun as they rebuild the camaraderie, which kept them safe and strong during their time of service. The snarkiness and practical jokes between the branches don't simply end. There is always room for just one more prank. This interaction will help them rebuild that sense of brotherhood and sisterhood, which will help them reclaim their civilian lives. When it airs, it will reach the veterans, who need to hear that they are not alone and give them information as well as the permission they need to also heal. They will help each other find their way back to the World. Veterans can’t go back and make a brand new start, but they can start from now and make a brand new end.
#veterans #EAGALA #PATH #HorsesandHeroes #TheresaChaze #KaliedoscopeFilmandTelevision, #equinetherapy #PeerSupportTherapy #hiringveterans #PTSD #support
When I talk about breaking stereotypes by supporting age, gender, and ethnic diversity, it isn’t just a talking point; it’s a mission. The goal is to make diversity and inclusion so commonplace that talking about them is boring. This is achieved by creating unique characters that challenge the perceived stereotypes and encourage new perspectives.
Graham Greene is a perfect example of our goal. As a Native American, Graham honored his culture; however, he did so by playing characters who were cops, veterans, doctors, politicians, etc. His ethnicity was only one aspect of a multifaceted character. I enjoyed his work because you never knew what to expect from his talent. He refused to play one-dimensional characters, which is why I created Martin Flying Crow in Operation Home Base with him in mind.
Martin Flying Crow
A full-blooded Oneida, Martin Flying Crow enlisted as an Army Medic to escape the abject poverty of the Rez, only to find the destiny his ancestors had placed before him. Trained by his shaman grandmother, Flying Crow walked the Red Road from childhood. At age 13, he set out on a vision quest to learn his life’s path. The Eagle Spirit showed him that he was destined to be a healer and guide others. This life was to be one of service to others. He was to teach them the way of spiritual balance. However, to lead others, he needed to walk the path himself. Enlisting as a combat medic in the Army was the first step of many. In Vietnam, he served two tours as a medic. Although he was not officially allowed to carry weapons, he did not hesitate to defend those in his unit by whatever means necessary. It was during this time that he crossed paths with Deek and Walter. After his tour, he returned to the Rez. Working as a Paramedic, he quickly learned how little emotional, spiritual, and medical support there was for the military personnel, vets, and wounded warriors, along with their families. Working out of his garage, he gathered information, contacts, and resources, which he used to improve the lives of those affected by war. He gained national attention when he was able to talk a wounded warrior out of committing suicide. It was this exposure that brought him to the attention of Lorelei Stuart and Michael Woodsman.
Unfortunately, Graham is permanently unavailable. I need to consider one of the many very talents alterative and tweak the character to make it more comfortable for the actor.
The projects that I write and produce offer the same opportunities and growth for women, veterans, and the LGBTQ+ community. It’s this fractioning of the expected norm that shatters stereotypes and turns two-dimensional paper dolls into real people. This is our goal; we will achieve this mission by focusing on entertaining first and foremost. No one likes to be preached at. But by creating characters and putting them in situations that touch people’s hearts, you can change minds and behaviors. In a world where ignorance and cruelty are now celebrated, we will find the commonality in our humanity to celebrate. If you share our mission, let’s chat. Here is the link to our website.
https://www.kaleidoscopefilmandtelevision.com/
#diversity #inclusion #veterans #women #Native Americans #indigouspeople #TheresaChaze #KaleidoscopeFilmandTelevision #film #Television
There is a market and a need for support in film and television for the LGBTQ+ community. Many Indie projects do support diversity and inclusion. The bump in the road is the lack of support from marketing and advertising professionals to talk the good talk, but when it comes to supporting projects through product placement and integration, their rubber leaves the road--they don't follow through with their support. Talk is cheap. The projects I write and produce break stereotypes by supporting diversity and inclusion. However, instead of making a big hairy deal out of it--looky, looky, we have a gay character--we do as a matter of fact, every day--she/he is gay; so what? mentality.
There is a scene in Completely Loyal to Me where William James speaks to the portrait of his love, Samuel. He expresses his loss and anger. Of all that could have been, that will never be because of the murder. When it comes to grief, gender doesn't matter.
WILLIAM JAMES
Today, your beard gets shaved. They will be gone and the Oyster will be back at her home dock. Will it make me miss you more or less? The sea was our oyster. We could be ourselves--without fear. I wish we could have claimed our love. If we hadn't needed her, you would still be alive. We would be together. Happy. Maybe we should have left. So many maybes and what ifs. But you are dead, my dearest. Nothing can bring you back.
(crying)
After they have gone, I'll take your ashes to your favorite fishing spot. She thinks she got away with it. She thinks they can leave and enjoy their love. She murdered you. She stole our lives together. I may be alone
(grief turns to anger)
but I'll see them in hell even if it means I can't see you in heaven. Ohmygod Samuel, I miss you!
To read more about Completely Loyal to Me and the other projects on our slate visit our website.
#diversityandinclusion #lbgtqcommunity #womeninfinance#womeninfilmandtelevision #nativeamerican#nativeamericaninfilm #veterans #TheresaChaze#Kaleodoscopefilmandtelevision
Our second military-based project is a scripted series called Operation Home Base. It combines real-life stories with a fictional international conspiracy. As the members of OHB help others, they heal their own wounds.
To learn more about both project and others visit our website.
https://www.kaleidoscopefilmandtelevision.com/
#veterans #TVseries #horses #heroes #HorsesandHeroes #equinetherapy #unscripted #TheresaChaze
The pencil heads and bean
counters of the corporate world have taken over the entertainment
industry. They see film and television
projects more like widgets that can be mass-produced rather than creative
endeavors. They have been managing the industry according to the mathematical
formula they created to reinforce their narrow point of view, which is everything
that can be summed up on the bottom of a balance sheet. They plop numbers to their formula, believing
it will project the audiences’ interests and desires. People can’t be summed up at the bottom of a
balance sheet. They are messy,
complicated, and inconsistent. Just
because they like a project once, doesn’t mean they will accept prequels,
sequels, and remakes. Unlike widgets,
which need to be standardized, successful film and television projects are the
ones that left the standards behind to tell tales based on unique characters
and plots. They are the leaders that blaze
new creative trails that everyone else follows.
Part of their equation focuses on
using A-list talent. Yet, A list talent only guarantees a much larger budget;
they don’t ensure a successful project. But the studios, investors, and
distributors insist on only supporting projects with A-list talent attached.
Although, for the most part, A-list talents have earned their places in the industry,
they only achieve that status by being correctly hired for projects that suit
their talents. Mismatching or forcing a
talent to fit into a project can damage or end careers just as quickly.
Every A-list actor who has walked
the red carpet had that one role that launched their career. Someone saw value in their talent and opened doors
for them. Unfortunately, with the
corporate state of mine, the roles and projects they were offered afterward became
standardized to a stereotype, because they are seen as numbers, not people. As
long as they stayed in their place, the studio executives will support
them. Stepping out of their pigeonhole
could lead to the red carpets being rolled up.
What’s more challenging--attracting
an A-list talent or creating a new one?
Existing talent has an established body of work and fan base, but both
bring audiences’ expectations. Fresh
talent lacks both those limitations and assets.
It’s the difference between buying a suit off the rack and having one custom
designed. However, offering a stereotype-breaking
role to an A-list talent becomes a game changer as it resets the stage for her
or him. However, it can also be a double-edged sword as the bar of excellence
will be raised as the actor faces preconceived expectations.
As with onscreen talent, writers,
directors, and producers also find themselves limited by the same parameters. Success frequently leads to being only offered
projects in the same genre and at the budget level. Industry and audience expectations create a
glass ceiling in which new adventures and challenges can be seen but not realized.
Kaleidoscope Film and Television
will break the chains that bind talent to the past and open doors for those new
to the industry. By keeping the budgets
reasonable and by focusing on original projects, it will return to the old
business model of producing quality in quantity. However, it will deviate from past practices
by focusing on bringing age, gender, and ethnic diversity and inclusion to the
screens. This will be accomplished by
breaking stereotypes in front of and behind the cameras. With top-of-the-line equipment and a
versatile soundstage, Kaleidoscope Film and Television will nurture new talent,
while expanding opportunities for experienced actors, producers, directors, and
writers. With the intention of being fully operational by the end of 2023, it
is currently building its team by reaching out to like-minded individuals, who
want to create projects that will entertain while opening the world to new
possibilities.
Based in Oklahoma, Kaleidoscope Film and Television will be producing and distributing film, television, documentary, and video projects in both domestic and international marketplaces as well as in all current and future distribution platforms. Focusing on entertainment projects based on ethnic, gender, and age diversity, especially for women, Native Americans, and veterans, the studio will produce projects that will reflect the ever-changing and ever-expanding world.
Kaleidoscope Film and Television will combine the best of the old school with modern technologies. Based on the concept originally created by D. W. Griffith, Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, and Douglas Fairbanks with United Artists, Kaleidoscope Film and Television intends to once again pull together the talent of producers, directors, actors, and crew, who want to take back their independence by having more financial and creative control of their careers. However, instead of focusing on only uniting individuals, Kaleidoscope will bring together the independent production companies to create a co-operative that will empower new voices, while producing quality and profitable entertainment.
More of a co-operative than a partnership, Kaleidoscope Film and Television will gather the talents of individuals and production companies together under one banner to create a choir of voices. Currently, it is seeking entertainment professionals, who would like to challenge the industry to become more inclusive.
