My name is Michael Mandaville. I am a Filmmaker, working on the “Taken” series, directing my own films and webseries. I am a Writer, finishing my own novels, non-fiction and scripts. I am a Martial Artist who has been in Kenpo Karate for the last 35+ years. I majored in Philosophy so I think too much. Together, here, I am sharing Insights, Resources and Methods for you to become your own Creative Explorer. I believe we are all Creators of our own Destiny. And Explorers of new Paths to benefit yourself, your community and humanity.
Become your own Scholar Warrior. Join Me.
What is a Creative Explorer?
- A person who would normally be a hyphenate such as a Writer-Producer-Director-Actor but has other interest that inform their primary ambition.
- A Person keenly interested in Creativity in many forms such as artistic expression as well as business entrepreneurship.
- A Polymath – but some Creative Explorer don’t like that because they don’t like math.
Am I a Creative Explorer?
- Do you see connections between various competencies or skills?
- Do you intuitively or consciously connect the dots between two skills?
- Do you like the approach away from a Specialist and toward a stronger Generalist?
“How I Write” – Technique: Versioning
Creating boldly requires you to leave behind your anxiety and hesitation. I use a Technique called "Versioning"...
Filmmaker Bob Rafelson Passes Away…
I had worked with Bob on several projects. He was quite a character and, working with him on "Blood and Wine", I got to meet Jack Nicholson. He had a lot of stories and insights. One of them was how he wanted to just grab a few crew on "Mountains of the Moon" and get...
CreativeExplorer-MichaelMandaville-“How I Write” – ACIDS
An aspiring writer was not sure how to start writing so I created this video using ACIDS. Sorry to disappoint, but this is not about hallucinogenics. A Technique to jumpstart the brain and the scene. Good writing! https://youtu.be/JXA_65Q20RA
Creating the TV Pilot: “Breaking Bad”
Television Writing has become much more cinematic, daring and refined. "Breaking Bad" was not initially a popular show - and then it became a phenomenon. Check out this article: "How Netflix made Breaking Bad a hit - and why that won't happen again"...
Lupin – France’s Famed Gentleman Thief – Lives Many Lives…
“Lupin” – the literary character created in 1905 (sorry to tell you Netflix viewers!) has had numerous iterations of the last 115 years.
Film Production: Spain – Interview with Netflix Execs
Spain was always a natural jumping off point for filmmaking, particularly streaming as the mother country of Spanish into the Latin American market. Many territories have strong linguistic ties. For example, France with Senegal and West Africa. China with certain...
VIACOM CBS ouster of Gianopoulos to feed Paramount+ Streamer?
The changing of the Guard at the great Paramount studio signals another sea change. As Theatrical is dead right now, perhaps it's a near permanent shift. Why? Audience Behavior to some degree, weary of the high cost of theatrical films, their script manipulations...
Virtual Reality at Venice
Virtual Reality is an avenue of filmmaking which has been a bit elusive for me. The technology is there and flourishing in many ways - though talking with an associate who is deep into this world - the chaos of emerging new tech has made it an unpredictable future. ...
Great Films – “House of Bamboo” – on YouTube
Sam Fuller was an iconoclast director who was fearless in making his unique films in the Studio System and beyond. I met him in the late 1980's when he was chomping on his cigar and testy. A driven filmmaker for sure. As of today, his film "House of Bamboo" is on...
Film Production, COVID and Insurance
I have been reading articles, talking with insurance companies, bond companies and others about insurance industry for Indie Film Productions in the US. The challenge is that Indie Films need the required insurance to cover a film when it is funded through the Indie method of Banking-Minimum Guarantees-Equity-Distributor-Completion Bond.
“How I Write” – Three Pages Technique
"How I Write" - Three Pages Technique Staring at a blank page? Sometimes writers can just get stuck with too many thoughts. I do that by living too much in my 'brain cave' (as compared to the man cave). So, using an external cue (cues are very critical for better...
June 6 1944 – A Day In History To Honor
ON THIS DAY IN 1944... by Michael Mandaville The Invasion of Hitler's Fortress Europe began. June 6th, 1944. The Invasion of Normandy when World War II hung in the balance. By the end of this day - "The Longest Day" - over four thousand lay dead on the cold beaches...
What is a Creator?
In many cases, the word "Creator" has an overwhelming meaning. After all, we reference "The Creator" when one is thinking about religion, god, in the beginning of the universe. Those are pretty big shoes to fill! What is a Creator? cre·a·tor | \ krē-ˈā-tər \ : one...
How to Mark a Book
The Focus of the Writer, Filmmaker and Self-Improvement aficionado to become better at a craft, skill and Self with a constant and Lifetime Learning mentality seems one very specific character trait of this creative and driven personality. Insofar as this goes, I...
Auto Draft
Routine: Waking up Early I have gotten into the habit of becoming an Early Riser. This is particularly challenging in today’s world of pandemic where the usual required and obligatory routines ie work, school, etc., are either diminished or eliminated. Now stock day...
Authenticity for Artists for a Fulfilled Life. (#1 in a Series)
Being who you are creates confidence, inspires integrity and allows one to take risks. By understanding your own unique Values and Principles, you can better convey your unique understanding of the world and feel confident doing so in your Art. As Creative Explorers,...
Marketing Essentials – “Made To Stick”
"Made To Stick" by Chris and Dan Heath is an Essential book to understand today's marketing direction and principles. Long gone is the Sales Shuffle where you can bamboozle a customer (at least if you want a long term customer) into using your services. Now, films,...
Book Review: “Getting Everything You Can Out of All You’ve Got”
Getting Everything You Can Out of All You've Got: 21 Ways You Can Out-Think, Out-Perform, and Out-Earn the Competition A trusted advisor to America's top corporations and recognized as one of today's preeminent marketing experts, Jay Abraham has created a program of...
“Mastery” by Robert Green
The book, "Mastery" by Robert Greene, is a fascinating compendium of masters throughout history who utilizes various techniques to learn their craft and become Masters. Taking, for example, Leonardo Da Vinci, we can see how the apprenticeship structure played a key...
Productivity Software – Daylite
I really like Daylite Software.
Action Movies and Pen: “Jason Bourne” scene in the Apartment
I enjoyed most of the Bourne movies though not Bourne #4 with Jeremy Renner. But the apartment scene in "Bourne Identity" (2002) was pretty good. Check out this fight analysis: The Bourne Identity is a 2002 action-thriller film based on Robert Ludlum's 1980...
“How I Write” – Three Pages Technique
"How I Write" - Three Pages Technique Staring at a blank page? Sometimes writers can just get stuck with too many thoughts. I do that by living too much in my 'brain cave' (as compared to the man cave). So, using an external cue (cues are very critical for better...
Action Movies and Knives: “Extraction” with Chris Hemsworth
"Extraction" was a thrilling action movie that delivered big time with Chris Hemsworth. Set in Bangladesh, the action was tough, brutal and non-stop. The premise was very good. The film is about an Australian black ops mercenary whose mission to save an Indian drug...
Writing Research: US v. China naval capabilities.
I am keenly interested in the geopolitics which is the reason I wrote my "Stealing Thunder" series of military thriller books. China has recently pushed the envelope against Taiwan. The Chinese naval threat also extends to South Korea, Japan, the countries around the...
“How I Write” – Technique: Versioning
Creating boldly requires you to leave behind your anxiety and hesitation. I use a Technique called "Versioning"...
Filmmaker Bob Rafelson Passes Away…
I had worked with Bob on several projects. He was quite a character and, working with him on "Blood and Wine", I got to meet Jack Nicholson. He had a lot of stories and insights. One of them was how he wanted to just grab a few crew on "Mountains of the Moon" and get...
Writing Resource: What motivates Spies? Here’s a taste..
“If the Russians or the Chinese recruit a CIA case officer or FBI agent… maybe $1 million per year, in that range,” said a former Western intelligence professional who spoke on condition of anonymity. “We would actually pay less for someone on their side.” An...
Writing Research Discover: Portugal’s Approval List for Newborns
WRITING RESEARCH: In doing some research for my novel, I discovered that Portugal has an official list of approved names for its citizens. In other words, you cannot name your child just anything. It must be on the approved list. Some limitations: It’s a...
CreativeExplorer-MichaelMandaville-“How I Write” – ACIDS
An aspiring writer was not sure how to start writing so I created this video using ACIDS. Sorry to disappoint, but this is not about hallucinogenics. A Technique to jumpstart the brain and the scene. Good writing! https://youtu.be/JXA_65Q20RA
Creating the TV Pilot: “Breaking Bad”
Television Writing has become much more cinematic, daring and refined. "Breaking Bad" was not initially a popular show - and then it became a phenomenon. Check out this article: "How Netflix made Breaking Bad a hit - and why that won't happen again"...
BOOKS BY MICHAEL MANDAVILLE
MOVIES
