Taxes & Reminiscing
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I got my tax forms gathered in an effort to be a responsible adult. My videography related income this year far exceeded my expectations, which is to say that I will be claiming this work on my taxes. It would be fair to say that I didn't plan for this. I was lucky this year that people hired me to work on projects that A) I was interested in and B) could do. The last time I even came close to making money doing this was when I was part of a trio of gentleman who's office was in an elderly woman's basement. What we lacked in financial know-how, we made up for in sheer humor. Seems like it was only yesterday...
I have no idea what this will look like, as I'm hardly a business professional, although I'm getting better every day. I will likely have to pay out, instead of recieve money. As always with tax season, I tell myself that my money will be going toward libraries and schools (two of the things I highly value in this society of ours). I know my portion gets spread thinly over many programs, but I prefer to think that two institutions that are supposed to be monuments to knowledge, will get the lion's share of my cut. It just makes me feel better.
As of this writing, my two previously paid projects are complete (I hope) and I'm preparing the latest Victorian Cut-out Theatre for premiere. This episode is literally about the last scene of Jane Eyre, and consequently, may alienate some people. I hope that this doesn't happen. I hope that people get the references, or barring that, can enjoy it on its own. I chose to use this topic as the seed of the episode, because I find that story fascinating. I kind of view the ending as a bit of a cop-out, not unlike the end of Pretty in Pink. It's also a prime candidate for a "semi-Valentine's Day Episode". Nothing says love, like blindness and mood swings.
Anyway, you may like to know that the second Victorian Cut-out Theatre commentary is live. It features my thoughts about VCoT: Eternal Kiss and a bit about the history behind the episode. Check it out. Also, new episode of Victorian Cut-out Theatre drops this week. keep your eyes peeled.
Take care,
-Rob
Comments
The madwoman in the attic
I'm looking forward to your interpretation Jane Eyre — and I'm a die-hard Jane Eyre aficionado. The ending always struck me as kind of anticlimactic, almost tinny, compared to the rest of the book.
One literary critic explained that Mr. Rochester's blindness is necessary to their happy reunion. As a blind cripple, he was less of a self-satisfied doo-doo head (my words, not the critic's), and he no longer acted like Jane's protector or benefactor. It makes sense, I guess, but I still think the ending is a little flat.
Maybe after fleeing from Thornfield Hall, Jane Eyre should have traveled to feudal Japan, learned some wicked samurai skills, fought her way back to England, and then married Mr. Rochester. English gothic meets "Curse of the Golden Flower" — now there's an epic ending, yo. ;-)
(PS: "The Madwoman in the Attic" is the title of a sprawling piece of feminine literary theory that alludes to Rochester's insane first wife. The raving madwoman, the authors say, is a common trope in woman's literature at that time, and it's a projection of the woman writer's angst and frustration at being trivialized by their male counterparts. I'm going to quit now before the English major in me takes over and launches into a queer theory interpretation of "Moby Dick" or something.)
-The Existential Grammarian
Not as studied on the subject
I'd love to hear what you think of the episode, but unfortunately, it may disappoint. With my desperate attempt to keep the show under 3 minutes I couldn't do much but give my impression of the last scene, which I find oddly compelling. It has a real "Jerry Springer" quality to it.
Also, I'll have to check out "Madwoman in the Attic". Thanks for the recommendation
-Rob