Fixing Capitalism

The Truth

2010-07-11T19:54:00.000-07:00

Hi there everyone

Is anyone reading this? I wonder....

Well, it's been over two years since I've posted. What happened you ask? Well, on May 15, 2008 I woke up and sat down at my desk, ready once again to take on the world. I'd been having a harder and harder time staying motivated, really miserable actually. I'd sit down at my desk and before you knew it, it was 8 hours later and I had gotten squat done. So this particular day I had once again decided to redouble my efforts. I opened my computer and got to work. All of a sudden it was lunch time and I had spent all morning staring at my computer screen. I went to the bathroom full of fear and anxiety. I looked in the mirror and something inside me snapped. I simply couldn't lie to myself anymore. My work was making me miserable and it had been for a long time.

So I quit. I broke the promise I had made to god on September 11th, 2001 (to spend the rest of my life making the world a better place, I mean, really, doing absolutely everything within my powers to make sure nothing like that ever happened again).

When I walked outside it was like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders and I felt wonderful. Now, a lot has happened since then and I've struggled to come to terms with my decisions in a variety of ways. I'm now an electrician and work a normal job and live a normal (and stable) life. I'm in love and am engaged. Life is good. Things are good. But, I still have mixed feelings about 'giving up' on my 'work'. So, I've decided (in a very relaxed and loose way) to return to what I once considered my life's work. The first thing I'm going to do is share my lessons learned from my failure. I figure they might be valuable to other aspiring activist filmmakers / change agents. I've done a lot of soul searching around where I went wrong and how my most basic of intentions sabotaged me before I ever began. After that, I hope to start creating again. Who knows, maybe Fixing Capitalism in one form or another will still one day come into existence.

Anyhoo, more on all that next time. Peace and love to all!

Adam Cormier

If you look at the date of my last blog it's actually after the date I quit. Well, I was enrolled in a government program to start a business and I had to keep up apperances... it's not a total lie. It took me a while to fully let go and decide to switch careers. (I do enjoy being an electrician btw, certainly much more then I ever enjoyed film and television).

Mojoy Media

2008-05-21T20:34:00.000-07:00

Ladies and Gentlmen, I am pleased to announce the new face of my films... drum roll please... Mojoy Media!

It stands for More Joy. Which is what we plan to bring to the world. The word Mojo is also in there, which represents power and magic to me.

Wondering where I've been? Well, for the past 10 weeks I was enrolled in the Government of Canada's Self Employment Program (SEP). I wrote a business plan, I laughed, I cried (really), I spent a lot of time at the YMCA. In a nutshell, it means that I've got 38 weeks of government funding to start my own production company!

38 weeks to build community around film, challenge injustice, and re-invent production. Oh, and tell stories. That IS the most important thing.

Our pilot project will still be the Phthalates/Plastics documentary. I'll be on here much more in the near future, sharing the film making journey with you as well as footage as we go.

That's it. I just wanted to share that with the world.

Mojoy Media is here.

Peace and thanks

Adam C

The dilemma that the Majority of Independent Filmmakers face on a regular basis

2008-02-07T18:29:00.000-08:00

One day you have an idea for an amazing film. You know it will change the world, shock society out of its slumber and in general, ROCK! What next? Well, hopefully you’re independently wealthy and can take the next two years off work to research, write, produce, and distribute your film. If you’re not independently wealthy and have to pay rent, student loans, and bills AND keep yourself fed every month, things get a bit more interesting.

This is the dilemma that the majority of independent filmmakers face on a regular basis. You just want to make your film but somehow need to make a living at the same time.

I don’t claim to have the solution to this conundrum yet but I’ve certainly been searching for it. Here is a quick list of the options I’ve identified so far.

1. Take a job in television. If you work for 6 months you should be able to save enough to take 3 months off paid work. 3 months isn’t enough time to get your film made but you should be able to get a solid chunk of the research and writing done. If you’re lucky you’ll get a couple of grant applications out the door before you have to return to work.

2. Get a good part time job and spend the rest of your time working on your film. This is a good option that will provide a lot of balance to your life. The downside is that it will take you twice as long to make your film if you can only work on it 2-3 days a week.

3. Move home to your parents house and live in their basement. They love it when you do that.

4. Try to convince an established company to take on your film and then approach the broadcasters. Together you could raise several hundred thousand dollars from the Broadcasters, Telefilm, and government tax breaks. It will be tricky for you to maintain creative control if you’re not an established filmmaker with a solid record. Also, there will be pressure at every stage of the process to make your film more appealing to the broadcaster and television audience. If you’re making something Radical and Mind-Bombish, it might end being….less radical, more commercial friendly.

5. Attend a market. Every year in Canada there are several ‘markets’ (i.e. Doc Talk in BC and Hot Docs in Toronto) in which filmmakers get to pitch broadcasters for funding and support. If you’ve got an amazing idea and unique access AND some skills, there is chance you will create a partnership which leads to your film getting made

6. Approach the NFB. If they decide to support you they will help you get your film made. The only downside is that they own your film afterwards. If it hits and sells a million copies your career has a big boost but you’re still a broke-ass.

7. Somehow convince your audience to pay for your film. Say you’re making a film about cat ladies; you might be able to get the SPCA to fund your film, that sort of thing. Hmmmm… Cat Ladies. That’s not a bad idea!

These seven options are just off the top of my head. A combination of any of them is possible. If you are a rookie filmmaker with a radical world changing idea I would be happy to look at your project and help you devise a unique strategy around it.

Personally, I'm focusing on independent distribution and audience generated fundraising. Over the next year I'm hoping to start my own small company and break the broke-ass cycle so that I can work on what I need to work on when I need to work on it.

Peace and Thanks to all

Adam

p.s. Next time. Protecting Your (unborn son's) Package!

Enough bulls@#t already!

2008-01-07T14:07:00.000-08:00

Hello Internet Peoples!

Looks like I’m going to have to just make the f**king movie! I’m going to get a camera, a microphone and a small light and spend a couple of months hitchhiking around North America making my documentary about Capitalism. It’ll be fun, it’ll be entertaining, it’ll rock your world. Trucker Bob will be as much a part of the film as Professor Gerald or CEO Bennett. To tell you the truth, it’s what I should have done four years ago. I should have just made the freaking movie.

It’s been over four years since I first had the idea for this film?! Four Years!!! I think about this and I shake my head in disbelief. The whole affair has been one giant clusterf**k of me messing up over and over again.

It’s been 10 months since I last blogged here and you might be wondering what happened. I won’t go into the details but suffice to say, the big budget, main stream version of the film we’ve been chasing, failed to materialize. Fixing Capitalism is back at square one.

I don’t know what I was thinking pursuing a big budget mainstream version of a radical film about Capitalism. Oh wait, I do know. I let fear and greed rule many of my decisions. The same emotions which make Capitalism such a dark force in the world ended up controlling the direction of the film.

I tell you one thing though. It’s been pretty damn educational. I feel like a whole new person, I know what I want to do and how I’m going to do it. I feel empowered. I’m kind of pissed off, but in a good way.

Never again will I have my work be frozen in place waiting for some other factor to fall into place.

So what next you ask? Well, Fixing Capitalism is going to go on the back burner for a while. It’s been ruling my life for four years and I need to leave it alone for a little while. In the mean time I’m starting a small production company. Our focus will be on producing and independently distributing radical media on the Internets. Our flagship project is an epic docu-comedy called Plastics Make Your Penis Smaller.

More about that later.

If you are an aspiring filmmaker with a kickass idea I’d encourage you to get in touch with me. I want to pass on my hard earned lessons from the past four years. I want to help other people get their media out into the world.

Much peace and love to all

Adam Cormier

Half way there

2007-02-28T11:09:00.000-08:00

It’s starting to feel like all my Blog postings here basically say the same thing.

Which is:

“Hi! Yep, we’re still struggling to get this thing to the next level. I’m currently being held back by X, Y, and Z but don’t worry, we have a small glimmer of hope on the horizon in the form of Q.”

Does anyone else feel this way? That this Blog isn’t so much about making a film as about NOT making a film?

ANYWAY. Here we are. Still struggling to get this film off the ground! I’m finally back from Cold Lake, which is awesome. I saved up enough money there to take March off and pour my energy into Fixing Capitalism. All in all, there is nothing holding us back right now besides the usual film industry things. Last week we met with a very talented Director named Sally Aitken who is going to take a stab at finally nailing down the films visual vision. You know, what you’ll actually see on screen. (this is a wee bit important since we’re making a MOVIE).

Sally is much more then a glimmer of hope, she’s a full on beam of sunlight.

I’ll also be speaking at the University of Alberta on March 13th at a Social Entrepreneurship conference being put off by Eonfire. That’ll be fun. I’m hoping to bring my “how Capitalism is broken” thesis to a new level of clarity and entertainment.

What else, what else? Once Sally has expressed and written down her vision we’ll be re-approaching some broadcasters and the NFB. Hopefully, they will come on board with some development funding. If not, then it’s full steam ahead on financing the film alternatively. In which case I’ll be contacting pretty much everyone I can possibly think of looking for donations and help.

Oh, and if God smiles on us this month, the website will finally get back online!

All in all, I’m feeling good. Had a killer flu last week, which kicked my ass, but am now all better. My friends Brian and Christina had a healthy baby boy on Valentines Day! Welcome to the planet earth little Caleb.

More then anything else, I’m feeling comfortable with this path I’ve chosen as a career. With any luck, I can blend my skills into a career of activism and filmmaking so as I don’t starve and one day, realize my dream of “opting out” of the economy and living in the wilderness of Newfoundland.

I know it might seem like we’re forever spinning our wheels on this project but we’re not. Progress, while slow, has been steady. In fact, the more I learn about the film industry the more I realize that my experience is pretty normal. On average, it takes a documentary film like this one about seven years to see completion. Which puts me at about half way there!
Ha!

If you read this and think you can help, please send an E-mail.

Much Peace

Adam

A question for you

2006-12-10T19:24:00.000-08:00

Hello again

Greetings from Cold Lake, Alberta! In case you’ve forgotten I’m here working as a Field PA on a Discovery Channel show. Life here is strange and surreal. We have a small crew that works and lives on this air force base 24/7. We follow the same small group of pilot’s day in and day out. Their lives are fascinating and my co-workers are fantastic but after a few months of the same scene every freaking day… well, you start to lose your grip on reality! Especially on bad weather days. To tell you the truth I’ve been getting fat sitting on my butt when a storm blows in. Not a lot to film when the pilots we’re documenting can’t fly.

Luckily, my sanity was recently given a reprieve as I visited Whistler, BC and pitched Fixing Capitalism to a group of broadcasters, commissioning editors, and other various peoples with money. In case you missed the event you can find out all about Doc Talk and Pitch Fest West here:

http://www.whistlerfilmfestival.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=104&Itemid=152

So there I am, standing in front of about 200 people with my creative partner Alan Goldman. About to “pitch” them. (Pitching is a TV and Film thing, where you entice someone to back your idea). I’m sweating, the lights are in my eyes and my suit is too tight (snow days, remember). Right as I open my mouth, everything clicks. My butterflies disappear, Alan and I do a great job, the feedback is great. Once again, I am reminded of how much I love the stage. If I could stand in front of the whole world and give them one powerful message of peace and hope, I’d do so in an instant. Lately I’m been having dreams where I am on stage about to do that, but I wake just before I start speaking.

In case you’re wondering, no body ended up “backing” Fixing Capitalism. The feedback was tough but very focused. If anything, the next step will be the hardest yet. We have to make that final leap from idea to story. We’re almost there. If we can get do it, we have some people to call back.

As soon I get done this job I’ll have a free month to try and make that next push. Either the story will come or I’ll have some hard decisions to make.

This film might be too radical and intellectual to make it onto TV. The next months will tell a lot.

Funny thing, Capitalism is having quite an influence over Fixing Capitalism.

What else, what else? I’ve been feeling good in general and taking long walks in the woods, taking time to sort though my thoughts and my heart. I’m enjoying my day job and thinking that TV and film could be a real home for me as a career, on top of my activism. Being a filmmaker and a change maker go hand in hand.

Oh, and while I was in Whistler I bought a book to read on those bad weather days. “The Documentary Filmmakers Handbook” by Genevieve Jolliffe and Andrew Zinnes is my new companion on the days I’m forced to ‘stand-by to stand-by’. If I’ve got to sit on my butt I might as well be adding some tools to my toolbox.

Yup. That’s about it. Still in Cold Lake. Had a good ‘Pitch’ at Doc Talk. Feeling happy. Ready to move forward after this gig, even if FC ends up being independently financed and produced.

Here’s a question. Does anyone actually read this Blog? If you do read this please consider making a comment in the comments section on the following question:

Should I continue to work within the Canadian system to get this project on TV (and thus financed) OR should poor my efforts into finding an alternative and independent way to move things forward?

One way or another I am going to see the project though to completion. Nothing is impossible, not even Fixing Capitalism.

Much peace and love to all

Adam J. Cormier

Adam's Guide To Modern Living

2006-10-16T20:56:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!

I’m going to have to make this one quick. I’m here in Cold Lake working on this TV show and am left with very little time or energy for my real passion and work! It’s so frustrating and has been the story of my life for the past 5 years. The need to make a living and pay of my student loan has always drained my efforts to affect change. I’m very curious how other aspiring change makers dealt with this issue. Did Gandhi have a day job? I guess you could say that Jesus was a carpenter. (NOTE: I am NOT comparing myself to Gandhi or the J-Man).

One thing I can say about being here. It has left me with a lot of extra mental space to play with and I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and soul searching. To tell you the truth, I’m feeling happier then I have in a long time. In Vancouver, between work, and friends, and chasing girls, I was left with almost no space to sit back and take it all in (well, I guess I didn’t take time to make that space). Anyway, now I find that space almost everyday and am making real progress on my own inner journey. I’m choosing to be happy every morning and putting my health above all else. Something else this space has reminded me of is my original intention when I started to try and make this movie!

The truth of this matter, my ultimate reason for making the movie is because it could make the world a better place. Capitalism, in all its glory and progress and injustice and mess, is at the base of our modern world. If our civilization is to see the next century intact then a fundamental rethinking of capitalism is going to be essential. A fundamental rethinking of any system is key to its positive evolution.

If we can get people thinking about this, entertain and enlighten them while also educating... we could do something really important. Something honorable that will be remembered and respected. I want to thank-you for helping to make this a reality in whatever way you do.

God, I feel like I could write here for hours and not say everything I want to… but it’s 9:30 and my call time tomorrow morning is fast approaching.

Before I left Vancouver for here I spend a few days on Cortes Island. I visited both the Social Venture Institute and the orientation for the Bainbridge Graduate Institute. SO many progressive, passionate, brilliant people on one island made my head spin. I’ll have to find time to write about that more later.

I went to see the Newfoundland musical troupe Buddy Wassisname and the Other Fellers and hung around afterwards to talk to Ray Johnson about rural Newfoundland. We had a nice chat and are now in touch regarding the future of my home province. Ray is a real Champion of Rural Newfoundland.

My friend Maia is having her awesome film Grass Through Concrete play in Vancouver this Friday night. I copied the details below.

What else, what else? Global Television turned down out film for their Global Currents television. It’s looking more and more likely that we’ll have to raise the money independently. We might try and pitch it at Doc Talk at the end of November in Whister. One piece of AWESOME news, if we do go down the independent path, one major contributor has already stepped forward. This first person is so important to this option! And a all around great guy too. More on that later.

I went to Yoga tonight and have been making really good chocolate chip cookies the past days. You know, if you make a cookie with the right ingredients (fair trade, organic, etc.) it becomes a metaphor for a better world. I’ll have to post my recipe on here sometime soon.

Right. To recap. Liking my job but feeling frustrated with the lack time for Fixing. Doing lots of soul searching and feeling genuinely excited about life and activism for the first time in years. Visited Cortes Island before I left the west coast. You should too. Cookies are good for you.

I’ll try to find time to write a proper entry soon.

Much peace and luck, be sure to check out Maia’s documentary this Friday if you are in Vancouver!

Adam Cormier

Here's the info on Grass Through Concrete:

You are cordially invited to a screening of:

Grass Through Concrete: The Struggle to Protect the Red Hill Valley

A feature documentary by Maia Iotzova

The film documents the dramatic and unique cooperation
between First Nations and citizens of Hamilton,
Ontario, to protect the last large green space in the
heavily industrialized east end of the city.
(www.grassthroughconcrete.com)

Presented by Necessary Visions and the Vancouver
Public Library
Friday, Oct 20th 7:30 pm, Alice MacKay Room, Central
Branch, Vancouver Public Library, 350 West Georgia

Q&A with the filmmaker
Discussion on local issues of urban sprawl and Hwy 1
expansion
with David Fields from Society Promoting Environmental
Conservation and Laura Princic from Smart Growth BC.

Press Contact:
Maia Iotzova
maiavideo@yahoo.com

Northern Alberta

2006-09-24T15:55:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

Well, here I am, settled into my new job in Cold Lake, Alberta. The crew here is great and I'm learning a lot about producing a TV show. While I do have mixed feelings about the military the little boy inside me is very excited by all the fighter jets and weapons being profiled in the show. The pilots are excellent too, some of the most solid people I've ever met in my life.

Northern Alberta is a whole other story. It's boom times here. The Oil Sands have sparked amazing economic growth and many people have moved further north for high paying jobs working on 'the rigs'. Everywhere you look there are help wanted signs. The local subway, rather then advertise their deals, has their starting wage spelling out on the large sign out front. It’s all trucks and quads, cowboys and ruffnecks. Lots and lots of extra money floating around.

Very fascinating stuff, growing up in an economically repressed place, I've never seen anything like it.

I even have to admit. It's tempting. I could take two years and save up a large amount of money by working in the Oil Sands. Would it be easier to create the positive change I want to once I'm no longer poor? Would I get more done in the long run by selling out and then going back to my work? Here's the kicker. Would I go back to my work once I had made the money? Or would I buy a house, truck, dog, get married, and forget about all these 'can capitalism be fixed?' questions.

Don't worry; I'm not going to do that. My focus is still the same. Create as much positive change as I can. Answer these burning questions I have.

What else can I update you on? The Submission is still in Global Television's hands, nothing back from them yet. Hopefully they come back with a "Yes, we love it!" and everything steams forward. If not, well then we'll move on to Plan B.

Always have a plan B!

Oh, and the new volunteer web team is making progress on getting the website up again. It's going to be great. I've very excited about the talent and skills this team possesses. The new website is going to rock. It's going to let the audience join us the on the filmmaking journey from the get go and provide a inside track on the development, production, and distribution of the film

The research continues as well. We are going to be speaking with Dr. Butler from The Adam Smith Institute sometime soon as well as two folks from the World Resources Institute (WRI).

If you're in Cold Lake, Alberta on the 30th be sure to check out Buddy Wassiname and the Other Fellers! I'll be there getting my Newfie on.

Much peace and many thanks

Adam

FINGERS CROSSED!

2006-09-05T15:53:00.000-07:00

Fingers crossed

Ahem, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to announce that:

Tomorrow, September 6th we are submitting our new proposal to Global Television. If Global likes our pitch and comes on board with the project then things could role forward quickly and the film would get made and made well. We’re talking serious production funding and a broadcast premier on one of Canada’s major television channels.

The ‘stream’ we’re aiming for is called Global Currents, it’s Global’s new current affairs documentary strand. You can read more about them here:

www.canada.com/global/globalcurrents/index.html

For the past two months the bulk of our energy has gone into researching and writing this new proposal and no matter what Global replies we are much further along then we have ever been.

So, keep your fingers crossed that they like our submission. It really is the best option of producing Fixing Capitalism at the level that it should be!

________________________________________________

Oh, and ummm…. I’m moving to Alberta for a bit!

I’ve been offered a day job on a new show for the Discovery Channel so I’ll be moving to Cold Lake, Alberta for a bit to make some money. I will still be working on Fixing from online and my wonderful partners will be taking over the direct affairs while I am away. O, and our awesome new web team will be re-rigging the website to harness the full potential of the inter-nets.

Funny, I know. I have to take a break from Fixing Capitalism to pay off my student loan. Oh, the irony.

The show is about seven young men in fighter pilot school in Cold Lake. Lots of technical info about the planes and POV shots from the pilots Point of View. I’m going to be their Field PA. The pay is good and I’m going to learn A LOT about production.

………………………

Funny, trying to change a system while having to participate inside of it. Our submission to Global is entertaining, engaging, and educational… but probably not as radical as I would have liked it to be, but we want this to get this on TV and in front of as many eyeballs as possible… so we have to make it digestible for the broadcaster and the viewer.

And then there is the pressing reality of my student loan, which requires me to work all fall.

Not sure what I’m trying to say there. It’s funny that’s all. Reality. At the end of the day Capitalism is still making the world go round, if we want to prosper we have to keep dancing to its tune.

You can dance any way you want, but you got to dance!

It’s either that or go live in the woods and eat berries.

Ummmmm… berries.

Peace and luck

Adam

P.S. If you’re free tonight be sure to check out The Fugitives (www.fugitives.ca) at Café Deux Soleil. Probably my favorite band, The Fugitives speak truth and produce music like nothing you’ve ever heard before. They are astounding.

Why I want to Fix Capitalism

2006-09-02T16:14:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone. LOTS going on. A submission to a broadcaster on the 6th, exciting new web-team, and a new day job for moi.

I'll let you in on all the details on Tuesday. In the meantime, here is a letter I just wrote for the broadcaster, explaining my position on Capitalism and asking for their support. (for the record)

For anyone in Vancouver. We're having a party at my house tomorrow night. Feel free to get in touch for an invite!

Peace

A*

Why I want to fix Capitalism

By: Adam Cormier

August 29, 2006

Dear Friend,

If you want to change the world and make it a better place, you have to take a good hard look at capitalism. Whether you think it is at the root of the problem or the key to all solutions, understanding it is essential to the health of our civilization.

My deepest hope for our documentary, Fixing Capitalism, is that it will get the average person thinking about the world and about capitalism with the intention of making both better.

There are so many solutions out there! Share-holder activists, sustainable CEO’s, Base of the Pyramid ‘Micropreneurs’, Fair-trade products, cradle-to-cradle designs, and conscious consumers. Capitalism is undergoing a major evolution.

I first became interested in understanding capitalism on the morning of September 11, 2001. As I watched those two skyscrapers crumble on TV, my reality crumbled with them. That day I had my epiphany. Which was; if I have been blessed with some small amount of talent, how I can spend then rest of life only trying to make money when I could try and change the world, make it a better place. That morning in September I did a 180 degree turn and have not looked back since.

Up until September 10th, I hadn’t given much critical thought to the world or its economic underpinnings. I was in business school, determined to charm my way up the corporate ladder upon graduation. Everything changed for me that day.

Fixing Capitalism is the natural progression of the activism I began in my business school after I had my ‘epiphany’, pressuring my faculty to make the ethics course mandatory. Back then; I was a firm proponent of something called The Business Case Behind Sustainability, the idea that the progressive and sustainable companies will become competitively superior in the market place. While I still believe that, I now also think that a major revisiting of capitalism’s basics are needed before any real change can take place.

Capitalism is a very tricky word. It means different things to different people and is loaded with emotional references. Some worship it, some despise it, most take it for granted. Personally, I was raised to love it, and in many ways, I still do. Growing up in the 1980’s I dreamed of climbing the corporate ladder and having the freedom to do anything that I wanted to do.

All that changed for me that one morning around the turn of the century.

If you want to change the world, we have to look at capitalism. Whether you worship it or despise it, it has got to change. Like it or not, it is changing.

I am not anti-capitalist or pro-capitalist. What I am, is extremely interested in understanding the history, nature, and current evolution of capitalism, with the intention of making the world a better place. I don’t blame all our problems on economics but do believe that they are exasperating the environmental and international crisis of the day. Solutions, and the incredible potential of the market to spread them, are what really excite me. My research has led me to believe that a much better world is right around the corner, if we can only work up the courage to try a different path.

This is a letter asking for your support of the upcoming documentary film, Fixing Capitalism. I have been working on this film for three years now and am determined to see it through to reality. If you have it in your power to help make this dream come true, please consider doing so. If nothing else, thank-you for taking the time to read these words.

Yours in the evolution of our ideas,

Adam J. Cormier

Vancouver, British Columbia, 2006

Radical Business, Searching for Room September 22-24

2006-08-15T17:41:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

I hope this e-mail finds you well. A friend of mine is doing incredible work and is looking for some help.

Tad Hargrave is a strategic coach for social entrepreneurs.

And all of his workshops are offered on a Pay What You Can Basis.

We are looking for a workshop room in which to host the to host the Vancouver
Stop for his "Radical Business Tour" this September 22-24. Tad is based in
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and I can't say enough about him. He is amazing, he changes people's lives, he's on the cutting edge. Tad has provided me with some wonderful coaching and if it wasn't for his sage advice I wouldn't be where I am with my projects!

Radical Business is Tad's current venture and is a powerful mix of positive speaking and marketing advice specifically designed for social entrepreneurs and conscious business people. Tad helps the good guys make more money and believe me, he knows his stuff. If this is your first time hearing about Tad Hargrave, trust me that it won't be your last.

You can learn more about Mr. Hargrave and his Radical Business weekend at: www.tadhargrave.com

Right, so I offered to help Tad set up his Vancouver stop on his tour but we've been having a bit of trouble tracking down an affordable room to host the event in. If you know of anyone who has space available please contact me or Tad asap. Ideally, we're looking for something that is:

- free or cheap
- central
- natural lights (lots of it)
- indoors
- high ceilings
- woods floors
- nice vibe
- can hold 40 people comfortably in a sort of class room style.

Yup, that's our dream space. Can you help us???

Many thanks for what you do,

Adam Cormier

P.S. This e-mail address is for my documentary film Fixing Capitalism.
For more info about this project and regular updates on its progress (everything is going great!) and info about my own attempts at change creation please visit my Blog here ☺

http://fixingcapitalism.blogspot.com

First mass e-mailing, searching for volunteer webmaster

2006-08-15T17:36:00.000-07:00

Hey there everyone. So we sent out out our first mass e-mail update this past Sunday night and I've been getting some great feedback from different concious folks. For posterity, here is it is! If you know of a possible webmaster please send them my way!!!!

Adam

Fixing Capitalism Update # 1 + Searching for Volunteer Webmaster

1. Update Message from Adam Cormier

2. Searching for a volunteer Webmaster (Please forward!)

1. Update Message

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to the very first Fixing Capitalism e-mail update.

The past months have brought a host of developments for my documentary film Fixing Capitalism and as of late everything has been going extremely well. A new and more experienced team has been formed consisting of filmmakers Greg Stirling (www.borderlessworld.ca) and Alan Goldman (www.blueplate.ca). Both of these gentlemen have been invaluable in moving the project forward. As well, a small development budget has successfully been raised and is currently being used to develop the project for broadcast. Finally, we have switched the focus to include myself as the host and narrator. The viewer will now follow me on my journey as I search for answers to my questions about capitalism. I think of it as an idea safari into the dangerous jungle that is our modern world.

Please note that we are still looking for people and ventures to profile in the film. If you know of someone having a unique impact in the world please send them this e-mail!

To learn more, ask questions and come on the journey, please visit and sign-up for our Blog: http://fixingcapitalism.blogspot.com

There will be much more to follow in the coming months. I thank-you for your patience and support and look forward to making a film you will all enjoy tremendously. If you are waiting for an individual response on something please accept my apologies and be assured that it is on the way.

Be sure to forward the information below to anyone you think might be interested in our search for a new webmaster!

Many thanks and much peace

Adam Cormier

P.S. Our current address and phone numbers are included below

2. Needed Immediately: Volunteer Webmaster

The Fixing Capitalism Film Project is currently searching for a volunteer web master. This documentary film is being developed as a modern exploration of capitalism and asks the question: Can Capitalism be “Fixed”? The viewer will follow emerging filmmaker and change agent Adam Cormier as he journeys the world, seeking out answers to his questions.

We are looking for someone with basic web skills who wants to build their portfolio and gain experience in media and entertainment to donate 1 day a week for 6 months. In return, you will have your information appear on the website and in the film’s credits. (Progressive ‘saving the world’ karma included free of charge)

To learn more and see the website you’ll be perfecting please visit: www.fixingcapitalism.ca

Please submit a resume and cover letter to adam@fixingcapitalism.ca before August 23rd

The Fixing Capitalism Film Project

2495 Wall Street
Vancouver, BC, V5K 1A4
Office Phone: 604-251-5567 (ext 239)
Cell Phone: 778-888-9255

info@fixingcapitalism.ca
www.fixingcapitalism.ca

Anything else you're interested in is not going to happen if you can't breathe the air and drink the water. Don't sit this one out. Do something. You are, by accident of fate, alive at an absolutely critical moment in the history of our planet. ~Carl Sagan

The CORE

2006-08-03T17:48:00.000-07:00

Hey, so me and my partner Greg were working on the core (heart) of the film today. This was the first draft I put together.

What do you think?

We're trying to find a way to make the film digestable for people... give them an entry point if you will. The topic is huge and the word itself is loaded with meanings for people.

How do we make it accessable?

Adam

The CORE

One sunny autumn day around the turn of the century, I realized that there was something seriously wrong with the world I had been raised to believe in. As a child of the 1980’s, my world had been one of peace, happiness and consumption. The highlight of my young life was the appearance one Christmas morning of my first Nintendo. Inspired by the television character Alex P. Keaton, I began to dream of climbing the corporate ladder and making my first million. That warm day in September found me three years into a business degree and well on my way to meeting those goals.

When the twin towers of the World Trade Center collapsed my reality crumbled with them. In the world I lived in, in which I would make my millions and live happily ever after, such things were simply not possible. As my whole world was turned upside down I made a 180-degree turn. I vowed that I would spend the rest of life trying to make the world a better place.

The next day, as I started on my quest, I found out this was easier said then done. It turned out that the environment was on the brink of collapse, cultures and traditions the world over were being digested by a global culture of consumption, some German man had declared God was dead, and that the US of A, the worlds strongest economy was 8 trillion dollars in debt. On top of all this, it dawned on me that what I was learning about in business school everyday, the success and growth of capitalism, might be at the root of all our problems. Basically, everything was WAY more complex then I had thought it was. The following years have only brought more questions….

If I am going to fulfill my promise and make the world a better place I need some clarity before I can move forward.

Firstly, I need to know exactly what Capitalism is. Where does it come from and what it is today? Who was this Adam Smith guy and what did he imagine the world would become? Then I need to understand how our system is “broken” and who is working to “fix” it? Finally, what do we do if capitalism is somehow fundamentally flawed? Broken beyond repair?

My thinking is this. If capitalism is “fixable” I will continue to work on its repair. If not, if it is doomed, I will switch my efforts to building its replacement.

I need to get my direction straight before I march forward. You are invited to come along with me on this journey, this search for answers.

A grand safari into the complex jungle that is our modern world!

Tenacity

2006-07-03T16:50:00.000-07:00

Hello again!

Well, I certainly seem to have a problem posting on here regularly. My friend and advisor Andrew recently phoned me and said that I must BLOG again and BLOG soon. So here I am. Blogging. Thank-you Andrew.

The past two months of my life has mostly focused around my all-consuming day job in TV. I was a construction PA on a HGTV show called Take it Outside (Tuesdays @ 5 and 11, tune in tomorrow for the occasional glimpse of me in the background!). This position required 14 hours days so most of my weeks were limited to working and sleeping. I must say that I really enjoyed working on this show and learning a lot about the TV business by doing so. A big thank-you to everyone at Fusion Television for giving me my first job in TV.

Now that the show is wrapped and the bills are paid I’ve thrown myself right back into the world of Fixing Capitalism. All this week I am reviewing / rewriting the website and getting ready for our first big fundraising campaign. Alan Goldman has gotten a proposal into the hands of several broadcasters and we’re waiting to here back from them, in the mean time, we going to have a good solid go at ‘finding the money’ from the world at large. I’ve always excelled at fundraising so I am looking forward to this attempt at securing our production budget. I am also looking forward to getting back to the hundreds of amazing people I’ve met in the past two years of trying to get this film off the ground. I didn’t give up everybody. I’m still here.

Tenacity seems to be the key to this stuff. In the following weeks we will be producing a new promotional video that will then be sent to everyone we know as well as aired on TV. When you get this information please take a minute to review it carefully. I have never been more serious about creating positive change in this world and never surer of this film’s ability to help spark that change.

On a lighter note, my wonderful cousin Stephanie stayed with me all last week. She was in Vancouver for the World Peace Forum. Steph is an amazing young woman with great dreams. It gives me faith in my gene pool that such an intelligent and caring person is related to me. Steph was particular impressed with the fact that I have organic green-tea flavored soymilk on my cornflakes in the morning (she’s vegetation). If you haven’t tried this you should. I find soy milk gives me a lot more energy then regular milk…. and of course, there are those troublesome issues with the factory farm industry. It’s not hard to step lightly on the earth. The soil in my roof top garden was composted from my houses organic waste and the plants were cycled home from the Trout Lake community market. There is not much that gives me more pleasure then a day of stepping lightly.

Oh, before I go. If you’re free tomorrow night, Tuesday, the 4th of July, I recommend you swing by Café De Solel on Commercial Drive and catch The Fugitives show. This band of East Vancouver poets and musicians are freaking incredible. I mean, these guys get 6 out of 5 stars on Adam’s rocking good times scale. You brain will explode. They are that good. Check them out the first chance you get. They are better then Disney World.

Yup, that’s all for now. Expect a phone call or an e-mail in the coming weeks and months. I found a quote from Napoleon Hill recently that I like. It goes:

“Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit”

I like that and am hoping it’s true.

Much peace everyone, I hope you are having a beautiful summer.

Adam Cormier

Fixing Capitalism: Now Starring..... ME!

2006-04-30T23:21:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

WOW, so many developments since I last posted here. The major thing is that a new team has been put together and they have been rocking the mic on this film. In the past two months both Alan Goldman (www.blueplate.ca) and Greg Stirling (www.borderlessworld.ca) have been bringing Fixing Capitalism forward in leaps and bounds. I feel very lucky to have two such professional and experienced people join the team. Also of great value has been Paul Bennett, Greg's editing partner. You'll understand when you see the new trailer how talented Paul is.

Now, that main change that has been made to the film's focus is that we using my story as the main...glue, holding the film's ideas together. All this time I've been searching for stories of people trying to "Fix" Capitalism and here it was sitting in front of me. I'VE been trying to fix capitalism for four freaking years!

So yeah, the film is now about me and my quest for answers about capitalism. You'll follow me on a journey as I try and answer the burning question: Can capitalism be fixed?

We've cut together a new trailer with this theme staring Moi but I haven't had time to redo the full website and stick it up there. Anyone reading this, feel free to e-mail me and ask for a copy.

Expect big and exciting developments in the coming months!

It's late here in East Vancouver. These past weeks also brought me a new day job. I left my landscaping gig and took a job on a TV show that will be aired on HGTV this summer. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to Blog about it.... hmmmm... I wonder if I could become one of those bloggers who gets in trouble for blogging about their work?

I am enjoying this new job. I'm learning a lot about construction, film production, and even getting to be on camera. I'll be sure to let you know the day and time of the show when it starts airing in June.

Speaking of that, I have a 7:15 am 'Call Time' so it's off to bed for me!

To recap: I have a new team, they rock. The film's main character is now me, I'll bring you on my journey as I try and find some freaking answers about capitalism. Can it be fixed? This question has been driving me bonkers and I am honestly obsessed with finding its answer.

I’ll try and blog again soon to update you and provide some more details about the recent developments. As a first time filmmaker the past little while has been very interesting and educational.

Until then, keep on rocking the mic

Your in the evolution of our race,

Adam C

CIFVF News, Exxon Mobil is stinky, and my new support group

2006-02-12T22:21:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone!

Very exciting week. It looks like the CIFVF (www.cifvf.ca) grant is finally going to come through. That will mean $5933.00 dollars for development. Woooo Hooooo!!!! For any of you filmmakers out there, their next application deadline is March 16th, 2006.

We're not sure how to best spend this money yet. I do know that I want to spend part of it expanding our search for subjects. Particularly in search of business students trying to get ethics, social responsibility courses in their schools. About 50% of business schools now have some type of ethics course. We're looking for stories from the schools that don't have them. These students are caught between two worlds. Between the past and the future of profit. They are on the front lines of the battle over the future of capitalism. Their quest to be taught the business case behind sustainability is both an ethical and a financial one.

I'd also like to actually pay a writer. In general, this money is not for me, but to hire other talented people to help further the film.

.........

Did any of you notice that Exxon Mobil set a record recently? Their 2005 fourth quarter earning of $10.3 Billion and overall earning of $36.1 Billion is the largest in US history. They made $1,146.00 per second. So while poor people in Newfoundland are relying on government support to keep their furnaces going and not freeze to death, some guys in Texas are getting unbelievably rich.

Something about all this has never seemed quite right to me. And I don't mean the ethical or moral crime of Exxon (although, that is there too). No, it just seems all kind of inflated and imaginary. How can there be SO MUCH money flying around when all the natural capital that created the money in the first place is almost gone. It kind of feels like a party at its peak. Everyone is loaded, the music is pumping, people are screwing behind the couch, and the moment seems infinite. Our civilization is at the moment of perfect intoxication. But I think the party is almost over. I can't prove it yet, but it seems to me that the global economy is set for a major setback or collapse. It's just not based in reality anymore. The hangover and post party clean up are going to be painful. If anyone reading this has any thoughts on this please send them my way.

......

In light of my recent burnout and lessons earned, my friend Maia and I have decided to start a social-mission focused filmmakers support group! All the details are below, our first meeting is next Sunday, February 19th at 5:00 pm. Maia is the very talented artist behind the film Grass Through Concrete: The Struggle to Protect the Red Hill Valley (www.grassthroughconcrete.com). Maia is an artist of the highest order, her film is excellent, and I recommend checking it out.

Here are the details of the meeting:

TALK IS GOOD, ACTION IS BETTER

What: Monthly jam/action support meeting for social & environmental mission focused Filmmakers and Artists

When: The 3rd Sunday of every month (first meeting,
Sunday, February
19th, 5:00 pm. First Meeting will be at the Grind
Coffee Shop on Main and 25th.

Why: Talk is good, but action is better!

This is for you creative souls out there. The road of the socially and environmentally conscious person can be a lonely and difficult one. On top of that, if you are an independent filmmaker and artist things can get even bumpier and disheartening, but non-the less EXCITING. We thought it would be great to share our tears and excitements while becoming part of a creative network in a film/art jam group for filmmakers/artists who play with a social and environmental twist. The group will meet the third Sunday of each month and everyone is welcome. The meeting will provide us with a network and support group of people who work in the same sphere and face similar issues. While we will do talking, discussing ideas and our projects, the emphasis will be on ACTION. That could be helping each other figure out the next step that we need to take to move our
projects and ideas along and checking back to see if we have followed through, spontaneous collaborations, or bringing an experimental idea you have and we help you do it. So if you are up for a little push and creative inspiration you should come to the first meeting help decide on a name, mission and possible first project.

Please call or e-mail Maia or Adam for more information and feel free to forward this to your peeps!
info@grassthroughconcrete.com
or
adam@fixingcapitalism.ca

................

All right! That's it for now. I’ll update you on the plans for the CIFVF money soon. Please send advice.

Oh and since I was ranting about parties, my roommates and I are having a party on Saturday night, the 18th. Feel free to e-mail me and identify yourself for an invite.

Keep on rocking in the free world

Adam

P.S. Our party will be disposable free and the leftovers will be composted into our rooftop garden. Heck, you can come and plant a bean seed if you want!

Back and ready to rock!

2006-01-19T18:21:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!

Many apologies for the long delay in blogging. Things have been very busy and I also went home to Newfoundland for the holidays. Being home was incredibly restorative and rejuvenating, NFLD is good for the soul.

In all honestly, I was really burnt out before Christmas and lost much of my effectiveness. If there is one piece of advice I’d have for any aspiring filmmakers reading this is to pay close attention to your own wellbeing, cause if you don’t have fuel in your tank you’re not going to drive very far.

I began studying a great book over Christmas called The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey. If you have not read it I strongly recommend this book to you. I now understand why I was spinning my wheels this past fall and have re-organized my work around the most important tasks (but not the urgent ones).

In general I am extremely excited about the film again and looking forward to making it happen. This film is going to rock. We’re going to bring you incredible stories from the front lines of the battle over the future of capitalism. Business students fighting with their professors to be taught ethics, entrepreneurs struggling to do the right thing in a financial system that doesn’t care, and the story of capitalism itself, the story of our world. We’re going to help people understand this system, their place in it, and how they can make a difference. Empowering, educational, entertaining.

A second piece of advice for any aspiring filmmakers would be to stick to it. This stuff is not easy and it requires a lot of tenacity.

Oh, and I put a classified add in the Georgia Straight today! It read:

Visionary documentary film project seeks
Angel Investors. Phone: 778-888-9255
E-mail: adam@fixingcapitalism.ca

I know it’s a long shot but I’m hoping that one amazing angel out there will read it and get in touch with me. If I can find an investor before January 31st we can still secure the Canadian Independent Film and Video Fund grant (www.cifvf.ca). If not, I’ll have to wait until March and apply again. I am very confident about the film's financial potential, which I think is massive.

I tell you another thing. This whole experience has been an incredible learning experience. I’ve learned about time management, financing, team building, story creation, and marketing but the most important thing is that it forced me to look deep inside myself and see what’s there. And you know what? I like what I saw.

Thanks for reading. Expect more frequent blogs and progress in the coming months as I make this thing freaking happen!

Peace

Adam Joseph Cormier

Lots happening this week

2005-11-14T17:34:00.000-08:00

Hello friends of Fixing Capitalism!

I hope this wonderful day finds you well. Here is your update on what is happening in my world this week.

1. Writing, writing and some more writing. This past week had me attending a seminar with master story writer, Don White. His teachings on documentary story structure were incredibly helpful and I have applied what I leaned to a new treatment. More details to follow soon but I believe I have finally cracked the film's structure and plot!

2. The Canadian Independent Film and Video Fund (CIFVF). As you might remember the CIFVF gave us a grant of $6000.00 this past summer. Well, this grant has always been conditional on me securing another $14,000.00 in development financing. If I don't line up the whole development budget the CIFVF grant expires. The official deadline is November 30th but I might be able to get it extended a few weeks since I have been making real progress.

Bottom Line. I still need to raise another $8000.00 in development funding over the next 2-4 weeks. I have leads I am following up on this. If any of you know any angel investors looking for a project please let them know about me. I have found a distribution strategy that bypasses the traditional distribution route and offers an investor a much better investment opportunity.

3. The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE). This Wednesday at 4:30 I will be presenting the project and showing some video at a BALLE event on local media. I'm basically looking at it as a chance to practice my pitch and put the word out for financial support.

The event is: Who Owns The News? An Event in Support of Independent Local Media

When: November 16th 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Where: One Restaurant (1 West Cordova Street)
Cost: Tickets $15 members/$25 non-members (includes food)
Please RSVP to amyr@telus.net or visit: www.ballebc.com

4. Volunteer Meeting. Wonderful people continue to click the volunteer button on our website! The next volunteer meeting is tonight, Monday the 14th, at 7:30 at my house, 2495 Wall Street (and Nanaimo)

5. Filming 'Streeters'. I spent all day Saturday wandering around Vancouver asking random people, "What is Capitalism?" Their answers were fascinating and definitely challenged my personal thoughts on the subject. I am going to edit together a little montage of that footage and will send it out to everyone once its finished.

In general, the project continues to be much more work then I ever expected. As you may or may not know I was able to put together a 'free adam fund' and am now working on the film full time. Being able to delve in the topic full time has only reconfirmed how complex and changeling my chosen subject matter is.

More then ever, I am committed to making this film a reality. It will be educational, empowering, entertaining, and have the potential to change the world.

Many thanks to you all. Have a wonderful week!

Adam C

"Anything else you're interested in is not going to happen if you can't breathe the air and drink the water. Don't sit this one out. Do something. You are, by accident of fate, alive at an absolutely critical moment in the history of our planet." ~Carl Sagan

Film-making is Fun

2005-11-08T15:59:00.000-08:00

Hi

It's raining every day in Vancouver for hours and hours.

Doc Talk was freaking awesome! I met a host of talented filmmakers, broadcasters, commissioning editors, and producers. My head is full of advice and feedback. The feedback was good by the way, lots of people telling me that I'm on to something cool and to keep plugging away. I also had lots of people telling me to do more work and then get back to them. Since I've never made a movie before many of the industry people need me to prove myself.

No matter what anyone says, I'm going to make this freaking movie. I've never been so committed to making something happen. Film-making is fun too, I'm really enjoying this process. It is such a wonderful opportunity to entertain and enlighten the world...

Other things that are going on right now:

I'm trying to find a development partner to match my grant from the CIFVF and officially kick start the development process. You know the one. Where there is money and contracts and the project officially "exists". So, I'm spending a lot of time this month trying to find a broadcaster or production company to put development money in the film. Anyone reading this who knows of a likely partner please send me a note.

The CIFVF grant has an upcoming deadline so if an angel is going to appear, now would be a good time.

I'm also spending a lot of time writing and figuring out exactly what the film will be about, the story arc, and structure, etc. This past Saturday found me attending an all day seminar on story structure by the legendary Don White. It was a great day and I learned a lot about weaving a good story. Don's teachings where incredible and I recommend anyone who is making a documentary seek him out!

I was thinking yesterday and berating myself for my slow pace of progress and then I realized. This film is going to be around forever, someone could watch it in 500 years.

If I have to live with this film for the rest of life I'm damn well going to take my time and do it right. Cause once it's done and out in the world, you can't take it back.

Much peace and love folks, I hope you're all having a wonderful day.

Adam

Doc Talk!

2005-10-26T15:00:00.000-07:00

Hi

The next three days has me attending Doc Talk here in Vancouver (www.doc-talk.ca) where I'll be meeting lots of film makers, editors, and broadcasters, etc. Basically lots of people who have access to funding and can make deals. I spent the past few days working on my '1-sheet' which is a double sided document that explains how wonderful Fixing Capitalism is. I'll be handing it out to Broadcasters as I look for development funding from them.

I should also mention that I'm looking for two more partners to help me make this film. I'm looking for...

1. A talented writer/director to help me find the story and then tell the story.

2. A executive producer to be my partner and mentor, teaching me the ropes of the film biz.

This is film is NOT a one person show. Many wonderful people have helped me get to this stage (thank-you to my team thus far: Mike, Levon, Dai, Karen, Lisa, and Betsy) and it will take many more talented film makers to bring this project to fruition. It's been a team effort and will continue to be one.

Eventually, when you click on 'Film Makers Blog' on the main website page you'll be given a choice of blogs to read.

So, I'm all cleaned up, the 1-sheet is ready, I'm off to Doc Talk to find some partners and a broadcaster!

Wish me luck, I'll let you know how it goes.

Adam

Fixing Capitalism

2005-10-11T11:17:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone body, welcome to my blog!

My name is Adam Cormier, I am from Corner Brook, Newfoundland but now live in Vancouver. I am a first time filmmaker trying to change the world by 'fixing' capitalism. This blog will follow my journey as I struggle to get my first film made and get it out into the world. By reading this blog you'll get the inside track on the filmmaking progress and also get to watch as the world slowly grinds my dreams into the dirt!

The film I'm going to make is called Fixing Capitalism. It is about capitalism (what it is, where it came from) and about the business people working to make capitalism better, so that it heals the planet rather then slowly kill it. You see, there are a lot of business people out there who are reallllly trying hard to be progressive and responsible, they have found a new way to make profit. The film is about the upcoming battle between this new way and the old way.

It's rather complicated really but you can read all about it and watch some video at our website: www.fixingcapitalism.ca

The film is still in development but I have enough money to take the next three months of my life and ONLY work on the film.

I'll be back soon with updates on how we are doing.

Giv'er

Adam