My Rendezvous with David Bowie

Late at night, after a long day of 48 Hour Filmmaking in Pittsburgh, I laid on a friend's sofa bed thinking about my creative future. She herself and her partner, are both artists; musicians and filmmakers, hoping for the world to be a bit brighter. Below the apartment was a bike shop and above was a framed album of 'Heroes' by David Bowie. That album cover, surrounded by some twinkle lights, musical instruments, and a collection of sentimental tchotchke, offered a sense of grace, a sense of hope in the future, no matter how bleak it looked some days. I knew I needed to listen to the album in full.

Sometimes when I write, I listen to a particular musical artist. It's not every time, but in a pinch, it helps me creatively focus. It drowns out the rest of the world, and leaves me in a pool of creativity to simmer. This has helped me in my artistic challenges for the year.

Since January, I have been attempting to write a play a month, and so far it's been rather successful, although I have to admit I finished the end of the script for "The Ghostlight Ship," in May. However, I did just move to LA, so let's give myself some grace. Anyway, I had been thinking about making a script about a group of misfit, artistic pirates for a while. The characters are theatrical artists by trade, and yet pirates by circumstance. It's no secret that David Bowie helped guide this piece through his 'Heroes,' album. I've been thinking, "The Ghostlight Ship," would also make a nice screenplay, but that adaptation is still in the works. [I am still seeking a musician/composer for two songs in this play that are vicariously only living through lyrics at the moment.]

Around this same time of completing the script, my cousin and I discovered, "The Linguini Incident," starring David Bowie. How could we have not known about this film featuring such a name with such a memorable title? It turns out that it was a film that was lost for quite some time. Only in the last year or so did the director, Richard Shepard, re-release the film.

I have to say, it is surprising that the film has no linguini to speak of, but it does have a very dynamic plot, surprising circumstances, and exciting cast. There are also incredibly odd breadsticks. As IMDB states, "In New York, the gamblers and partners Dante (Andre Gregory) and Cecil (Buck Henry) own a successful restaurant. Among his employees, the British bartender Monte (David Bowie) is a compulsive liar that wants to marry any waitress to get his Visa. The waitress Lucy (Rosanna Arquette) is a Houdini wannabe that is ashamed to exhibit in public. Her best friend is the also waitress Vivian 'Viv' (Eszter Balint) that shares an apartment with her and designed a very especial brassiere. After some confusions, the trio becomes friends and decide to rob the restaurant. The result promotes the place but Dante decides to lie to Lucy to force her to get married with him."

I laughed so much; this film with the new director's cut is destined to be a cult classic. I'm excited to be watching the rise of popularity in this feature. I do plan to watch it again; it's weird, it's fun, and it all feels very intentional. I highly recommend giving it a watch, but kids, it is rated R, just so you know.

As I've moved to LA, it's nice to be inspired and excited by the work of David Bowie. Who's to say what creative work will come my way in this next year, but it's felt good to look to David Bowie for some inspiration. The butterfly effect is real; art inspires art. As I take in changes of circumstance and location for my personal artistic journey, I try to stay keyed in to playful, intentional work; staying open to the creative scene in a new place.

Excited to act, write, and direct wherever I can.

Much love,

Maddie