Mind Over Matter

Robert Jahn and Brenda Dunne created a Random Event generator (REG) under their Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research program (PEAR).  Their intent was to continue Dr. J.P. Rhine’s work on extra sensory perception using the latest computers to increase the number of studies and manage the outcome through carefully conceived and monitored REG machines.

Jahn and Dunne set their machines to come up with a normal 50/50 average of binary 1’s and 0’s from their computer-driven base.  The rational model held that any deviation from a 50/50 average would be abnormal.  Then they put average people at the machines and told them to visualize and “intend” the machines to achieve more 1’s for 20 minutes then visualize more 0’s for 20 minutes and then nothing for 20 minutes.  The researchers were stunned to find a 52/48 average as the result of the trails conducted over 12 years!  This is incredible research I like to think proves just how powerful our intent is.

And if you think the PEAR research was unusual, another scientist, Renee Peoc’h decided to conduct an experiment to see if this ability to control computer driven machines also applies to other living creatures.  He set up a trial using baby chicks and a robot that he created and programmed to be the chicks’ mother.  It was set to move randomly outside their cage. When the results were tallied, the chicks were actually able to attract the robotic mother toward them.  In other words the robot was not moving randomly, it was moving towards the chicks more often than it was programmed!   Their minds overrode the computer programming.

A similar experiment was created for the opposite result.  Peoc’h put a movable REG with an obnoxiously bright light that aggravated his baby rabbits.  It was programmed to move outside their cage.  The rabbits were successful in overcoming the programming and made it move away from them more than it was programmed to.

Understanding the power of the mind is important for all of us.  It may allow you to consider that you really can use your mind to achieve the things you want.  If chicks and rabbits can do it so can we! 

 

Just know you are a powerful being.

Every Action has an Equal & Opposite Reaction

You were born under a lucky star. It’s great to be a filmmaker now over other times in history because we are living in the time of the third greatest revolution in the history of mankind, the digital revolution.  You don’t have to rent expensive 35mm cameras, shoot on film, pay developing costs and pray your cameraman filmed the bridge when it blew up. 

You can buy a digital camera and editing equipment for under $10,000.00 and shoot a feature for under $50,000.00. Plus you are now able to raise money online from people you don’t even know and may never meet! 

Crowdfunding is excellent for startup financing. However, there are a few tricks that you should know to be successful.

Let’s start with Sir Isaac Newton’s basic law: Every Action has an Equal and Opposite Reaction. This is the third of Sir Isaac Newton's laws of physics. Here's how it works. If you push on anything, it pushes back on you. That's why if you lean against the wall, you don't fall through it. The wall pushes back on you as hard as you push on it, and you and the wall stay in place.

It’s also a basic law of successful crowdfunding.

People who crowdfund by sending out scores of emails to friends, creating brilliantly written newsletters, tweeting and posting on Facebook sites with similar concepts are sending out energy. That energy comes back to them in money, which is another form of energy.

Those who use this concept, “every action has an equal and opposite reaction” are successful, those who don’t are not. Indiegogo gives you a platform to raise money; you still do the work.

You set a time limit and a dollar goal that you bet you can create. It’s up to you to push on the energies available to get the requested amount of energy (money) to return to you. Your list of names in your data base is your ace in the hole. How good is it? If it’s 300 names of friends and family, you should create a better list before you launch. This is your source of energy to attract your money.

The statistics say that by the 7th newsletter you collect your peak dollar amount. Advertising always pays off through repetition; each contact draws your list closer to the film. I tell my fiscally sponsored filmmakers to create 3 to 5 before they launch so they can use their campaign time chatting on social media to drive people to the Indiegogo platform to donate. Your newsletters need to tell me about the film, give me heart-touching stories on the need for the film, and in-depth studies of your characters.

The biggest mistake is to think that people watch the entire trailer. Online statistics confirm our fears that 90% don’t see the end. You must put your “ask” at the beginning of the trailer. People make decisions quickly based on your beginning information.

The Art of Film Funding states that “people give money to people, not to films.” How you present yourself and your film is paramount to the donation. In your online trailer, you need to tell us who you are, why you are making the film and touch our hearts. You can be fiscally sponsored and give your donors a write off, they like to have this extra benefit.

Be heart-felt in your “ask.”  People communicate from their heart chakra.

Filmmaking Requires Total Focus

At an early age I learned that I could use my imagination and be anywhere I wanted and I could be anyone I wanted to be. Since were were very poor this use of my mind allowed me to watch the caribou migrate in Alaska while my mother was scolding me for some small infraction, like not doing the dishes. 

I had become so mentally focused that I could remember her grocery lists and it became my favorite game.  I remember one day when mother said she needed a lot of things and must make a grocery list, I reminded her about my brilliant memory and promised I would not forget anything assuring her I was a master of recall.  She went along with the game, gave me her coin purse and I headed down the street with my four-year old sister, Susie.

Super grocery stores were unheard of in Dallas, Texas back in the 50's.  We did our shopping at Mr. Johnson's market, just 2 blocks down the street. My memory trick was a set of hooks I created  to put things on and I was focusing on that while walking to the store.  Once inside, like lightening speed, I got all the things mother asked for, dashed to the check out counter and paid Mr. Johnson, who had the nverve to ask me if I had forgotten anything and I assured him with a strong NO. 

Walking home I imagined how pleased mother would be with me.  On arrival, I prodly took each item out of the bag and repeated exactly what she had asked for.  She was looing over my shoulder and listening to me and I saw her lean back to see into the other room and instead of my glowing accolades, she asked, "Where is your sister?"  "My sister?" Those words are still ringing in my ears. 

In a flash I was out the door and back at Mr. Johnsons to find my sister  sitting on the counter with a nice candy  bar and I had to deal with his "You never forget anything" comments.

That was the last time my mother let me take my sister anywhere.  Who could blame her?  I was totally focused on my goal, remembering the list and she was not on it.  

Focus has been a mainstay in my life. With total focus you can make things happen.  You can easily complete
your "to do list," visualize  your future, and make your dreams become your reality.  Just don't forget your sister!