A Little Knight Musik

Screenwriting lectures

 The public is invited to attend 3 free lectures on the art of screen writing addressed by 3 visiting lecturers from the University of Southern California David Howard, Martin Daniel and Mary Kate O’Flanagan. 3rd, 4th and 5th July at 19:00.  Attendance is free: Registration is required on imagine@valletta2018.org.

Ben Hecht, an American screenwriter, director and producer, known as the Shakespeare of Hollywood, once said it would be easier to become famous by riding a tricycle than by writing screenplays. On first glance these might not sound like the most encouraging words for those interested in joining the industry.  The reality is that millions of creators are drawn into this world, lured by the glitz and glamour of the red carpet. However, the problem lies with the fact that many who want to write believe they have nothing to learn, that anyone who can string a sentence can become a writer.

Composers study harmony and theories of musical form. Painters study colours and various techniques. Every art form requires a basic understanding of the craft, so does storytelling.  How does one build exciting stories? How does one create exciting characters? How does one structure and plot a tale? How does one build rich scenes? The Valletta 2018 Foundation, together with three lecturers from the University of Southern California, will be helping local professionals and students to develop and strengthen their insight into story. They will be nurturing their capacity to conceive and express characters, to create parts that will whet anyone’s appetite.

Attendees will also be provided with thorough insight into the business and economics of feature film production so that they fully understand the commercial marketplace. David Howard, Martin Daniel and Mary Kate O’Flanagan will be presenting three public talks about the art of screenwriting and story analysis. On each day, a different film will be shown and dissected in great detail. These lectures are mainly aimed at the local film and TV industry talent. However, the general public is also encouraged to attend. Registration on imagine@valletta2018.org.

Events leading to the 4th of July 1776

“The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”

Letter by John Adams to his wife Abigail (1^st July 1776). 

How could one of the founding fathers of the United States get the date wrong? How could a person who lived through the events of the day, a person who was a key player in the events of the day be two days short on what would be the United States’ most important holiday?

The declaration of independence was not an event that took a few hours on July 4. It was a process that had long been on the minds of our founding fathers.

Here is a brief chronology of events:

June 7, 1776: Richard Henry Lee, a delegate from Virginia, read a resolution before the Continental Congress "that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved."

June 11, 1776: Consideration of the Lee Resolution was postponed and the Committee of Five made up of John Adams, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson was appointed to draft a statement presenting to the world the colonies’ case for independence. Thomas Jefferson drafted it, Adams and Franklin made changes to it.

The Committee of Five

Monday, July 1, 1776: Throughout the day, Congress debated the question of whether or not to declare independence. The debates resulted in a favourable vote 9 to 2 (with 2 abstentions). This majority vote assured that Independence was now an agreed decision.

Tuesday, July 2, 1776: The Lee resolution was adopted by the Second Continental Congress, assembled in Philadelphia. 12 of the 13 colonies (New York abstained) voted in favour. Immediately afterwards, Congress began to consider the Declaration. Congress made some alterations and deletions to it.

Wednesday, July 3, 1776: The Committee of the Whole (an abbreviation of Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union) gave the Declaration a third reading and commenced scrutiny of the precise wording of the proposed text.

Thursday, July 4, 1776: Late in the morning, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, which proclaimed the independence of a new United States of America from Great Britain and its king. The Committee of Five took the final draft of the manuscript to John Dunlap, official printer to the Congress.

Friday, July 5, 1776: In the morning copies printed by John Dunlap were dispatched by members of Congress to various committees, assemblies, and to the commanders of the Continental troops.

Sources: Wikipedia, The Charters of Freedom

Altruism US Style

I would like to share two paragraphs taken from the excellent heart-warming article "Everyday Heroes: They Came Running". The article appeared in the July issue of the US edition of Readers Digest. This article describes a few of the many caring actions by individuals and organisations in the immediate aftermath of the cowardly Boston bombings. I have selected two that struck me:

I'm so proud to be a citizen of such a great nation.

Stars And Stripes Malta Annual Dinner – 2013

Stars And Stripes Malta

Annual Dinner – 2013

Menu

Intro

Garlic Bread

Starters

Cream of chicken soup
or
Penne al salmone
or
Spaghetti Bolognese
or
Lasagna

Main Course

Veal in mushroom or pepper sauce
or
Roasted half chicken
or
Roast loin of pork in gravy
or
Spare ribs in BBQ sauce
or
Grilled sword fish

Vegetables and roast potatoes

Glass of house wine/soft drink/mineral water

Sweets

Lemon merangue

Price is €20 per person (adult). There will be a special menu for children priced at €10.

This fun filled summer evening will give us the opportunity to meet and socialize. There will be raffles, prizes, music and other activities and fun stuff for the young and young at heart.

Driving Directions

Gozo Ferry Terminal Għajnsielem


1. Head toward Triq Martino Garces northwest on Unknown road
2. Continue straight onto Triq ix-Xatt. Pass by Ta'Miema (on the left)
3. Slight right onto Triq Sant' Antnin. Pass by St Anthony of Padova (on the left in 500 m)
4. Turn left onto Triq Borġ Għarib
5. Slight right onto Triq Imgarr
6. Continue onto Triq Xandriku
7. Continue onto Triq It-Tigrija
8. Turn left onto Triq Ir-Rabat
9. Slight left onto Triq l-Arcipriet Saver Cassar
Destination will be on the right

Booking

Contact Joyce Grech on joyce_grech@yahoo.co.uk, Joe Meilak on jmeilak@yahoo.com, Alan Bonnici on info@StarsAndStripesMalta.com or phone on 9943-3315. When booking please indicate how many places you would like to reserve. Also tell us the choice of starter and main course for every person.

Free Dance Workshops

Terror Tremours

Today I was walking with a client and on the way to his office my eye caught a glimpse of a TV. On the ticker I read the words Times Square and terrorist attack in close proximity. As soon as we entered the office I asked my host to excuse me while I fished out my phone and typed the words which had caught my attention in my phone’s search app. It turned out that the ticker did not refer to an event that had taken place but was a press release by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in which he said that the Boston Marathon bombing suspects planned to detonate the rest of their explosives in Times Square. Thank God this disaster was averted.

When I returned back to my office the first thing I did was to call up Wikipedia and after a few clicks I got to a page titled “List of terrorist incidents, January–June 2013” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_terrorist_incidents,_January%E2%80%93June_2013. I was taken aback by the fact that between January and April of 2013 (we’re still 2 months short of June) there have been 70 incidents registered as being terrorist attacks. This made me think, although at the end I did not feel any wiser.

Those behind acts of terror will be successful when they instill a fear of others. Many true democracies have embroiled within them the right of their citizens to live a life that guarantees serenity irrespective of their physical appearance and their beliefs provided that their actions do not take away the serenity and like rights of others.

Do democracies mean a good life? No. Millions of Americans are today suffering because of the financial crisis that has pulled down many nations for the past 5 years. Today there are people for whom the basic necessities of live seem to be distancing themselves.

Do democracies mean that everything is all right all the time? No. We live in a society that is more litigious than ever before and issues such as the environment, spending on military and the right of privacy make life a constant battle to protect what one feels is paramount to their well-being and the well-being of the democracy they form part of.

A democracy is that thing which allows us to not fear having an opinion and not fear wanting to better ourselves. More importantly democracies hinder the process of labelling groups of people based on the colour of their skin or the deity they worship. Terror’s main aim is to hack away at this pillar.
It is not easy to tell someone who has lost a loved one or the victim who no longer has a limb that they must be democratic but by collectively holding their hand we can give them the strength and support they need during difficult times.

I am encouraged by the likes of Adrianne Haslet-Davis. The Boston terror attack destroyed nearly every bone and muscle in her left ankle and foot, and both had to be amputated.  Haslet-Davis, who is a dancer, insisted that the injury won't stop her from dancing again. In fact, she said she plans to run the Boston Marathon next year.