The Practice of Transformational Media
By Suzanne Bryant
“Healing the universe is an inside job”
—- from the film, Mindwalk
When we think of films that have a message of inspiration, or a teaching, they are often referred to as Spiritual films.
But John Raatz, founder of GATE (Global Alliance for Transformational Entertainment), prefers to use the term Transformational media. His belief is that words like “spiritual” and “conscious” have specific connotations and are not always understood by the general public.
“Mindwalk” was one of the first films generally considered to be transformational; John was involved in the publicity campaign for this film. Mindwalk is a feature based on the work of Fritjof Capra, author of the Tao of Physics.
John’s passion is to create room for a genre in Hollywood for transformational media and is engaged with prominent Hollywood executives, directors, and companies who share that vision. The nonprofit organization GATE’s primary mission is “Connection and collaboration, bringing together all individuals in entertainment, media and arts who wish to imbue their work with the transformational spirit. “
As a filmmaker who is passionate about bringing inspirational media to a mainstream audience, I was curious about John Raatz’ viewpoint about the role and prominence of transformational film.
SB: Does media have a responsibility as to what content they create? I feel that perhaps many of the latest violent shootings have been connected somehow to the desensitizing of violence by film, television, and video games. What’s most popular are violent themes, so how does transformational entertainment enter mainstream media?
JR: People in entertainment and media will tell you that people want negative entertainment. It’s not that they want it, I think, but rather that we have become accustomed to seeing it. If you are constantly fed a diet of violence and negative media, you become accustomed to it.
Whatever entertainment and media you take in, you metabolize that experience, either helpful or harmful. I don’t know if science evidence supports this, but intuitively it makes sense. Our tenet at GATE is for entertainment media to have a role and responsibility in facilitating personal, social, and global transformation.
SB: Do you feel GATE can add to the way Hollywood is creating content?
JR: Although we are young, we’ve already won the prestigious “Visionary Award” given in 2012 by the Producer’s Guild of America. They saw something. A few days ago, the Connect4Climate Global Partnership Initiative at the World Bank called us to connect for climate change.
Everybody understands the power of media entertainment. It permeates every area of our lives. So don’t we want entertainment that deepens our connection to ourselves and everyone around us? Especially at this time in history where it looks like the world is falling apart in so many ways, it’s actually coming together in so many ways. We have choices, and can create a better life for everyone here on earth.
SB: What advice do you have for filmmakers who desire to make a Transformational film?
JR: First of all, please don’t confuse wisdom and entertainment. Certainly there are those of us who feel wisdom is entertaining; we have a close relationship with wisdom. But a great many more people much prefer to come to meet wisdom in the form of story.
If you think about it – from the beginning, the currency in how we came to know each other is through story. First-time filmmakers feel that simply by hearing wisdom, people will flock to their talking head films, which I call a “talkumentaries.” They forget to add a story into the film with that wisdom from the talking heads. When What the Bleep was released in 2004, it was so new and distinctive. We played in theaters for 6 to 9 months, unheard of at that time. First time filmmakers can fall into the trap of only sharing wisdom, but they need to make sure they tell story and entertain people.
Entertainment means someone’s attention is held in one place, almost like a meditation — the mind becomes still and literally connects with what is happening on the screen. Two hours go by in a blink of an eye. We want a film to hold our attention. And that’s why people resonated with your film, Suzanne; you had a story that unfolded along with wisdom.
Secondly, to make a film is one of the hardest things to do in life! Even if I don’t resonate with a filmmaker’s offering, I always congratulate the fact they were able to create it. If you truly want to be a good filmmaker, I encourage learning. Learn more about your craft, work with a professional to help you with your script, learn more about camera angles and lighting as well as work with actors who draw the best possible performances.
I’ve noticed that first-time filmmakers just turn on the camera, let it roll, and then are left with a hodge-podge of ideas. Professionals in Hollywood plan it out and envision it. By extension, we could apply that to any art form. Transformational film needs an intention. You’ve created that idea for your film with a certain consciousness, so if you want a film that connects to people, you need real experiences and epiphanies.
Artists have always shown us a better way and what can be. We work in a very influential and powerful domain and we have responsibility to make the world a better place.
SB: How has spirituality played a role in your life?
JR: My seeker’s journey began in 1967. I had what some people might term a spiritual experience; once life initiates you, there is no turning back. There were a few years of search and intense reading and experiences. In 1973, TM (Transcendental Meditation) was so dramatic that I decided that I had to become a teacher of TM with Mahariji. In 1976, I taught 3,000-4,000 people full-time.
There have been many teachers: Yogananda, Ramana Maharshi, Eckhart Tolle, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Amma. There becomes a point that you “come full circle”, and you come into relationship in wholeness with yourself. You no longer have to attend a class or reading; you have access to it.
Around the time of founding GATE in 2009, I had another experience which shifted my identity and a recognition that “John” was nothing more than a collection of thoughts and memories and preferences. My true identity was that of the ocean and pure consciousness. Since then, it’s been deepening.
GATE 3 and the all-day Story Conference will be taking place on February 2 at the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills. Speakers include Eckhart Tolle and Jim Carrey (who spoke at the inaugural GATE event at Fox Studios): http://gatecommunity.org/storycon2013/
Suzanne Bryant is a filmmaker whose first film is Yoga Is. She is currently spending the year traveling nationally and internationally to screen her film and teach workshops: yogais.com.
Top Transformational Films of 2012
Films that focus on solutions, that inspire the movement of society towards ideals, values, and practices that create a better world for everyone, these are the types of films chosen by Gary Tomchuk and the Aware Guide as the top transformational films. Through February 3, voters will select from the following list the Viewer’s Choice award:
3 Magic Words
America the Beautiful
Bella Gaia
Bully
Cafeteria Man
Choice Point
Decoding Deepak
Detropia
Dreams Awake
Escape Fire
Eyes of Thailand
Genetic Roulette
Green Fire
Heist: Who Stole the American Dream
Hungry for Change
Invisible War
Island Presidnet
Last Call at the Oasis
My Reincarnation
People vs the State of Illusion
Pink Ribbons
Project Happiness
Sacred Science
Samsara
Surviving Progress
Sushi-the Global Catch
The Cure Is
The Way
Urban Root
Who Bombed Judi Bari
Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.