Elementism is a controversial religion founded in the late 1980's by J. Scott Buchanan. Elementists (or Children of the Element) follow the four principles of divinity:
History
J. Scott Buchanan first dreamed of Elementism in his New York City appartment as he lay on his deathbed in 1988. He had vivid dreams about the demise of mankind. He dreamt for four months the same apocalyptic scenes about the canine killing all humans except the pure of heart. An apparition of a satyr named Geoff spoke to him of the principles of a new religion called the Children of the Element. Little is known about how Elementism gained its popularity, but it has grown slowly since its registration as a religion in 1994. Elementism owes much of its membership to people under the age of 30, the chairman of the Element society is currently 19 year old James Gatz of Richmond, Virginia.
Beliefs
Elementists believe that salvation from the uprising of the canine can be obtained through following these four principles of divinity- Pacifism, Modesty, Love and Rationality. The religion is commonly described as being atheistic, but in actuality, belief in a deity is optional. Their 14 laws are
-No killing-
-No excess materialism-
-No unnecessary hatred-
-Care for the environment-
-Care for others-
-Care for the poor-
-Care for the oppressed-
-Care for the animals-
-Care for the earth-
-Care for the oceans and rivers-
-Seek individuality-
-Seek trust-
-Seek understanding-
-Care for the element-
The afterlife does not concern most Elementists, although some maintain basic Christian beliefs as well as Elementist ideals.
History
J. Scott Buchanan first dreamed of Elementism in his New York City appartment as he lay on his deathbed in 1988. He had vivid dreams about the demise of mankind. He dreamt for four months the same apocalyptic scenes about the canine killing all humans except the pure of heart. An apparition of a satyr named Geoff spoke to him of the principles of a new religion called the Children of the Element. Little is known about how Elementism gained its popularity, but it has grown slowly since its registration as a religion in 1994. Elementism owes much of its membership to people under the age of 30, the chairman of the Element society is currently 19 year old James Gatz of Richmond, Virginia.
Beliefs
Elementists believe that salvation from the uprising of the canine can be obtained through following these four principles of divinity- Pacifism, Modesty, Love and Rationality. The religion is commonly described as being atheistic, but in actuality, belief in a deity is optional. Their 14 laws are
-No killing-
-No excess materialism-
-No unnecessary hatred-
-Care for the environment-
-Care for others-
-Care for the poor-
-Care for the oppressed-
-Care for the animals-
-Care for the earth-
-Care for the oceans and rivers-
-Seek individuality-
-Seek trust-
-Seek understanding-
-Care for the element-
The afterlife does not concern most Elementists, although some maintain basic Christian beliefs as well as Elementist ideals.
The Adventure
Definition: The challenge is to climb Mount Everest and swim the English Channel.
*Few have climbed either Mount Everest (3050 people).
*Fewer have swum the English Channel (675 people).
*Fewer still have done both (3 people).
Three adventurers have accomplished this:
*Eric Blakeley (Jersey). Everest summit 1997. Channel swim 2006.
*Hugo Rodriguez Barroso (Mexico). Everest summit 1997. Channel swim 1986.
*Giorgios Tsianos (Greece). Everest summit 2004. Channel swim 2000.
At least one adventurer met hardship trying to complete the adventure:
*Khoo Swee Chiow
One reason the "Peak and Pond" is so difficult for adventurers to complete is that the physiology and anatomy required for each event is diametric. High altitude mountaineers benefit from low body mass, which reduces oxygen needs at a high elevation and typically leads to increased strength-to-weight ratios. English Channel swimmers benefit from high body mass, which adds bouyancy and allows the swimmer to maintain core body temperature for long periods in cold water. Everest climbers also benefit from shorter limbs, which ease circulation, reducing stress on the heart and lungs. English Channel swimmers benefit from long limbs, which increase propulsion.
Recent Goings On
Two men are currently training to be the first American to accomplish this feat. Both have climbed Everest and are scheduled to swim the English Channel in the summer of 2008. These adventurers are:
*Neal Mueller of Minnesota
*Charlie Wittmack of Iowa . Grandson of former Iowa Governor Norman A. Erbe
Facts about Everest and the Channel
A list of Everest climbers and Channel Swimmers is on the web:
*CSA List of Channel Swimmers. Note: This list erroneously omits the CS&PF swimmers, such as Eric Blakeley.
*Complete list of Channel Swims by Julian Critchlow.
*List of Everest Climbers.
Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world.
*Mount Everest is 29,032 feet and is located in Nepal.
*3050 people have climbed Mount Everest.
The English Channel is considered the Mount Everest of distance swims and spans the busiest shipping channel in the world.
*The Channel is 21 miles wide at its narrowest point and is located between England and France.
*675 people have swum the English Channel.
See Also: Other Adventure Prizes
*The Seven Summits
*The Seven Second Summits
*The Volcanic Seven Summits
*The Three Poles Challenge
*The Explorers Grand Slam, also known as The Adventurers Grand Slam
*The Eight-thousander
Definition: The challenge is to climb Mount Everest and swim the English Channel.
*Few have climbed either Mount Everest (3050 people).
*Fewer have swum the English Channel (675 people).
*Fewer still have done both (3 people).
Three adventurers have accomplished this:
*Eric Blakeley (Jersey). Everest summit 1997. Channel swim 2006.
*Hugo Rodriguez Barroso (Mexico). Everest summit 1997. Channel swim 1986.
*Giorgios Tsianos (Greece). Everest summit 2004. Channel swim 2000.
At least one adventurer met hardship trying to complete the adventure:
*Khoo Swee Chiow
One reason the "Peak and Pond" is so difficult for adventurers to complete is that the physiology and anatomy required for each event is diametric. High altitude mountaineers benefit from low body mass, which reduces oxygen needs at a high elevation and typically leads to increased strength-to-weight ratios. English Channel swimmers benefit from high body mass, which adds bouyancy and allows the swimmer to maintain core body temperature for long periods in cold water. Everest climbers also benefit from shorter limbs, which ease circulation, reducing stress on the heart and lungs. English Channel swimmers benefit from long limbs, which increase propulsion.
Recent Goings On
Two men are currently training to be the first American to accomplish this feat. Both have climbed Everest and are scheduled to swim the English Channel in the summer of 2008. These adventurers are:
*Neal Mueller of Minnesota
*Charlie Wittmack of Iowa . Grandson of former Iowa Governor Norman A. Erbe
Facts about Everest and the Channel
A list of Everest climbers and Channel Swimmers is on the web:
*CSA List of Channel Swimmers. Note: This list erroneously omits the CS&PF swimmers, such as Eric Blakeley.
*Complete list of Channel Swims by Julian Critchlow.
*List of Everest Climbers.
Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world.
*Mount Everest is 29,032 feet and is located in Nepal.
*3050 people have climbed Mount Everest.
The English Channel is considered the Mount Everest of distance swims and spans the busiest shipping channel in the world.
*The Channel is 21 miles wide at its narrowest point and is located between England and France.
*675 people have swum the English Channel.
See Also: Other Adventure Prizes
*The Seven Summits
*The Seven Second Summits
*The Volcanic Seven Summits
*The Three Poles Challenge
*The Explorers Grand Slam, also known as The Adventurers Grand Slam
*The Eight-thousander
Originally released directly to video in 1994, The Jungle King is a 48-minute animated film produced by Golden Films and distributed by Sony Wonder, as part of Diane Eskenazi's "Enchanted Tales" series. The Jungle King tells the story of King Maximillion and his struggle to become a good king.
Story
The story revolves around the Jungle kingdom and its ruler, the lion King Maximillion. He is an aragont and vain ruler who believes his subjects adore him, when really they hate him. One day whilst taking a bath, Maximillion is captured by some zoo hunters who cage him up and take him back to their camp. General Glump, a gorilla soon finds out that Chancellor, a hyena is behind the king's capture and plans to take over the throne in Maximillion's absence. So Glump goes deep into the jungle to find Irwin, Maximillion's younger twin brother. The pair had a falling out which resulted in Irwin's banishment. Glump explains that Chancellor plans to launch a coup d'etat and persuades Irwin to impersonate his brother to stop the kingdom falling into Chancellor's greedy paws.
However Irwin is not at all like his brother, he is kind and caring and he is soon a bit hit with his subjects, especially the beautiful Leonette. Chancellor and his sidekick Ricardo the parrot are shocked to see who they believe is King Maximillion. Ricardo eventually discovers Iriwn's true identity and reveals all to his master. Chancellor then decides its time to put his plans into action and goes to see a mercenary tiger army which he hopes to use to take control of the kingdom. Raj, the tiger's leader negociates with Chancellor, if the tigers help overthrow Maximillion, a portion of land will be given to them in thanks. However Chancellor has no idea of what Raj is really planning. "When you reach the city, I want Chancellor to be the first to fall! Never trust a traitor." Meanwhile Glump has located Maximillion and frees him.
Raj's army attacks and Irwin, who has never been in a fight in his life attempts to lead Maximillion's army into battle. However without Glump, the army falls into disarray and Irwin stands alone. However his subjects appear and help him push Raj's forces back. Meanwhile in the palace, Chancellor has kidnapped Leonette and has taken over the throne. Maximillion arrives on the battlefield and fights alongside his brother, who then rushes off to save Leonette.
Inside the palace there is a battle between Irwin and Chancellor as some of Raj's tigers watch on. Irwin drives his foe to the paalce balcony, overlooking the entire kingdom and defeats Chancellor quite comfortably, however he shows mercy. Raj's tigers however have received new orders, to execute Chancellor and retreat. As Chancellor backs away from them, he takes a step too far and falls over the balcony to his death. The tiger soldiders attempt to finish Irwin off and Maximillion saves him. Raj and his army are driven out of the kingdom. The two royal brothers are reconciled and Maximillion thanks Irwin for showing him how to be a proper king. Irwin and Leonette decide to return to Irwin's jungle paradise home as a married couple.
Story
The story revolves around the Jungle kingdom and its ruler, the lion King Maximillion. He is an aragont and vain ruler who believes his subjects adore him, when really they hate him. One day whilst taking a bath, Maximillion is captured by some zoo hunters who cage him up and take him back to their camp. General Glump, a gorilla soon finds out that Chancellor, a hyena is behind the king's capture and plans to take over the throne in Maximillion's absence. So Glump goes deep into the jungle to find Irwin, Maximillion's younger twin brother. The pair had a falling out which resulted in Irwin's banishment. Glump explains that Chancellor plans to launch a coup d'etat and persuades Irwin to impersonate his brother to stop the kingdom falling into Chancellor's greedy paws.
However Irwin is not at all like his brother, he is kind and caring and he is soon a bit hit with his subjects, especially the beautiful Leonette. Chancellor and his sidekick Ricardo the parrot are shocked to see who they believe is King Maximillion. Ricardo eventually discovers Iriwn's true identity and reveals all to his master. Chancellor then decides its time to put his plans into action and goes to see a mercenary tiger army which he hopes to use to take control of the kingdom. Raj, the tiger's leader negociates with Chancellor, if the tigers help overthrow Maximillion, a portion of land will be given to them in thanks. However Chancellor has no idea of what Raj is really planning. "When you reach the city, I want Chancellor to be the first to fall! Never trust a traitor." Meanwhile Glump has located Maximillion and frees him.
Raj's army attacks and Irwin, who has never been in a fight in his life attempts to lead Maximillion's army into battle. However without Glump, the army falls into disarray and Irwin stands alone. However his subjects appear and help him push Raj's forces back. Meanwhile in the palace, Chancellor has kidnapped Leonette and has taken over the throne. Maximillion arrives on the battlefield and fights alongside his brother, who then rushes off to save Leonette.
Inside the palace there is a battle between Irwin and Chancellor as some of Raj's tigers watch on. Irwin drives his foe to the paalce balcony, overlooking the entire kingdom and defeats Chancellor quite comfortably, however he shows mercy. Raj's tigers however have received new orders, to execute Chancellor and retreat. As Chancellor backs away from them, he takes a step too far and falls over the balcony to his death. The tiger soldiders attempt to finish Irwin off and Maximillion saves him. Raj and his army are driven out of the kingdom. The two royal brothers are reconciled and Maximillion thanks Irwin for showing him how to be a proper king. Irwin and Leonette decide to return to Irwin's jungle paradise home as a married couple.
Wings of Legacy is a short film by Neeta Mittal. It is the story of two women from a world full of movement and a heart of dance that has no boundaries. Eva (Zina Bethune), facing her last hours, silently seeks for someone to give flight to her legacy through the passion of dance.
Synopsis
The need to pass on something of value is universal—a legacy that renders each of us a piece of infinity.
Eva meets Amy (Auti Angel), a differently-abled hip-hop dancer who is looking for a chance for individual expression beyond her wheelchair.
Disability meets ability and death meets life. The finale is the legacy.
Awards
*Nominated for Media Access Awards honored by the California Governor’s committee
Film festivals
*Short Film Festival of India, Chennai, India
*Beloit International Film Festival, Beloit, WI
*South Asian International Film Festival, New York, NY
*Los Angeles International Shorts Film Festival, Hollywood, CA
*Big Bear Lake International Film Festival, Big Bear Lake, CA
*Independents' Film Festival, Tampa, FL
*Real to Reel Film Festival, Kings Mountain, NC
*Women in Film International’s Special Women’s day showcase, Los Angeles, CA
*Cross Cultural Film Festival, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
*Stanford University showcase of Indo-Pak films, Stanford, CA
Credits
*Writer, Producer, Director, Editor: Neeta Mittal
*Executive Producer: Kunal Mittal
*Director of Photography: Andrew Waruszewski
*Unit Production Manager: Frank Mussara
Cast
*Eva: Zina Bethune
*Amy: Auti Angel
*Tori: Brie Gabrielle
*Ballet Dancers: Grace McCarthy, Rachel Krivis, Shawna Hanley, Lauren Munson
*Hip Hop Dancers: Mario Solis, Bethany Bookin, Russell Bartel
*Theater Manager: Kunal Mittal
Story
*Story and Written by: Neeta Mittal
*Script Doctor: Peter Meech
Production
*Production Assistant: Precious Hayes
*Production Services: Mark Headley
*Insurance: Filmmaker's Alliance
*On Location-Catering: Colleen Stewart, Chris Holm
Camera
*1st Assistant: Xavier Tatarkiewicz
*Gaffer: Matt McUsic
*Assistant Gaffer: Hafy Mulaffer
*Grip: Michael Holler
*Costume Designer: Ana Becerra, Kathryn Juday
*Make Up: Yoko Nobushi
Sound
*Production Sound: Richard Chamberlin
*Boom Operator: Tuan Thompson
*Sound Design: Vijay Venkataramanan
*Assistant Sound Design: Ollin Suarez
*ADR recording: Brian Garrison, Andrew Millsap
*Post Production Mixer: Wil Masisak
Editing
*Off-line Editors: Neeta Mittal, Anuradha Singh, Auti Angel, Zina Bethune, Josh Chamberlain
*Digitizing: Mark Love
*Publicity Stills & Design: Siraj Zaveri
Choreography
*Ballet sequences: Zina Bethune
*Amy's Grand finale: Zina Bethune
*Amy's Hip-Hop: Auti Angel
*Hip-Hop Ballet Fusion: Auti Angel, Zina Bethune
Music
*Background Music Composer: Ben Holbrook
Music-Dance
*Amy's Grand finale: "Legacy", Zeijko Marasovich
*Students' Ballet Finale: "Rendez-Vous 2", Jean Michel Jarre (Rendezvous)
*Hip Hop number: "Dance Night", Vic Productions
*Eva's Ballet: "Concerto for the Left hand for Piano and Orchestra in D Major by Ravel", Monique Haas (Ravel)
*Classroom Ballet: "Waltz Coda", Sergei Prokofiev (Cinderella)
Locations
*Los Angeles Theatre Center, Los Angeles, CA
*Lula Washington Dance Studio, Los Angeles, CA
Synopsis
The need to pass on something of value is universal—a legacy that renders each of us a piece of infinity.
Eva meets Amy (Auti Angel), a differently-abled hip-hop dancer who is looking for a chance for individual expression beyond her wheelchair.
Disability meets ability and death meets life. The finale is the legacy.
Awards
*Nominated for Media Access Awards honored by the California Governor’s committee
Film festivals
*Short Film Festival of India, Chennai, India
*Beloit International Film Festival, Beloit, WI
*South Asian International Film Festival, New York, NY
*Los Angeles International Shorts Film Festival, Hollywood, CA
*Big Bear Lake International Film Festival, Big Bear Lake, CA
*Independents' Film Festival, Tampa, FL
*Real to Reel Film Festival, Kings Mountain, NC
*Women in Film International’s Special Women’s day showcase, Los Angeles, CA
*Cross Cultural Film Festival, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
*Stanford University showcase of Indo-Pak films, Stanford, CA
Credits
*Writer, Producer, Director, Editor: Neeta Mittal
*Executive Producer: Kunal Mittal
*Director of Photography: Andrew Waruszewski
*Unit Production Manager: Frank Mussara
Cast
*Eva: Zina Bethune
*Amy: Auti Angel
*Tori: Brie Gabrielle
*Ballet Dancers: Grace McCarthy, Rachel Krivis, Shawna Hanley, Lauren Munson
*Hip Hop Dancers: Mario Solis, Bethany Bookin, Russell Bartel
*Theater Manager: Kunal Mittal
Story
*Story and Written by: Neeta Mittal
*Script Doctor: Peter Meech
Production
*Production Assistant: Precious Hayes
*Production Services: Mark Headley
*Insurance: Filmmaker's Alliance
*On Location-Catering: Colleen Stewart, Chris Holm
Camera
*1st Assistant: Xavier Tatarkiewicz
*Gaffer: Matt McUsic
*Assistant Gaffer: Hafy Mulaffer
*Grip: Michael Holler
*Costume Designer: Ana Becerra, Kathryn Juday
*Make Up: Yoko Nobushi
Sound
*Production Sound: Richard Chamberlin
*Boom Operator: Tuan Thompson
*Sound Design: Vijay Venkataramanan
*Assistant Sound Design: Ollin Suarez
*ADR recording: Brian Garrison, Andrew Millsap
*Post Production Mixer: Wil Masisak
Editing
*Off-line Editors: Neeta Mittal, Anuradha Singh, Auti Angel, Zina Bethune, Josh Chamberlain
*Digitizing: Mark Love
*Publicity Stills & Design: Siraj Zaveri
Choreography
*Ballet sequences: Zina Bethune
*Amy's Grand finale: Zina Bethune
*Amy's Hip-Hop: Auti Angel
*Hip-Hop Ballet Fusion: Auti Angel, Zina Bethune
Music
*Background Music Composer: Ben Holbrook
Music-Dance
*Amy's Grand finale: "Legacy", Zeijko Marasovich
*Students' Ballet Finale: "Rendez-Vous 2", Jean Michel Jarre (Rendezvous)
*Hip Hop number: "Dance Night", Vic Productions
*Eva's Ballet: "Concerto for the Left hand for Piano and Orchestra in D Major by Ravel", Monique Haas (Ravel)
*Classroom Ballet: "Waltz Coda", Sergei Prokofiev (Cinderella)
Locations
*Los Angeles Theatre Center, Los Angeles, CA
*Lula Washington Dance Studio, Los Angeles, CA