Serena Creative

We began the John Muir Trail almost a year ago, and the journey continues...

• We've launched our new website.  (Which was an unwelcome task, but it allowed Jen to add a few more stylistic elements. So what started as a painful chore, became a great opportunity to revisit the imagery and give it a new life.) Check it out and let us know what you think.

• Our event at Adventure 16 on July 6th is fast approaching. We'll be showing a new behind-the-scenes piece, and showcasing a bunch of 20x60" and 20x120" panoramics from the trail.

• We're sending out regular correspondence, and yes, now we're tweeting... @themuirproject.  Head to the website and join the mailing list if you'd like to receive updates.

We've been so blessed by the tremendous response that The Muir Project has been getting, and only hope it will continue to rise as we enter the festival submission phase.

There are those whose talents come naturally to them.  We've all heard the fabled tale of the child prodigy who plays Beethoven before learning to read the written language.  We all have that friend who can whip up a portrait in seconds flat without giving pause. The savants who equally inspire and frustrate us with their seemingly effortless abilities.  

I am not one of those people.

My childhood accomplishments did not surpass potty training and normal language development (even that is questionable).  I didn't graduate top of my class.  I don't play the violin (though, I'm slowly struggling with the Banjo).  I wasn't even accepted to film school my first two years of applying.

And yet, I have achieved some level of success.  I'm not speaking monetarily (though, I feel very fortunate to be able to provide for my family), but rather the success that comes from waking every morning and doing precisely what I LOVE.

I create.

And herein lies the beautiful enigma:   What defines my success is very much the reason for it.

I’m certain this sentiment echoes the voices of many, who like myself, will never wake up one morning with the sudden ability to compose a symphonic masterpiece.  But that's part of the charm of what I (we) do. To collaborate with these passionate individuals who want nothing more than to tell a story is, in a word: 

Inspiring. 

Nearly a year ago, I began what has become one of the most prolific stretches for me as a director.  It started with a conversation between two of my favorite collaborators, Visual Effects Designer, Chris Kneller, and Sound Designer, David Barnaby.  We came up with an idea for a short film that would become Trigger Happy, a playful dance between two young, soon-to-be lovers, played by the incredibly talented Ross Marquand and Nakia Syvonne.  It was my first time working with a very talented DP by the name of Johnny Derango, and with someone who has since become my producing partner, Kia Kiso.

I’m particularly proud of Trigger Happy because it was a true collaboration with people I love and respect…people who LOVE what they do.  It helped inform an amazing year of filmmaking that followed. 

People sometimes do the same thing for different reasons.  For some, it’s a calling.  Others feel it’s their duty.  For me, it's simply that I LOVE it, unequivocally.  It drives me.  It makes me want my daughter to grow up knowing her father did EXACTLY what he wanted to do.

And all else follows suit. 

-Ric Serena

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY FROM SERENA CREATIVE.