Optics of Aging Film

Happy Holidays from the team at Optics of Aging!

We move into this season of giving with full hearts for the generosity that has blessed Optics of Aging so far! With the funds raised to date, we can begin editing!

The talented Becca Bender is now onboard as our Archival Producer! Welcome, Becca! We can’t wait to work with you!

In this season of giving, we are asking you to please help us get to the finish line for a film that will dissolve stereotypes and have a wide impact on the conversation of ageism!

Click the link below to learn more!

I wish you all the love and joy of the season.
And thank you for your support!

Optics of Aging: Beyond the Number, organized by Michelle Le Brun Welcome to the crowdfunding campaign for Optics of Aging: Beyond the Number! a f… Michelle Le Brun needs your support for Optics of Aging: Beyond the Number

Optics of Aging: Beyond the Number, organized by Michelle Le Brun Welcome to the crowdfunding campaign for Optics of Aging: Beyond the Number! a f… Michelle Le Brun needs your support for Optics of Aging: Beyond the Number

Happy Holidays from the team at Optics of Aging!

We move into this season of giving with full hearts for the generosity that has blessed Optics of Aging so far! With the funds raised to date, we can begin editing!

The talented Becca Bender is now onboard as our Archival Producer! Welcome, Becca! We can’t wait to work with you!

In this season of giving, we are asking you to please help us get to the finish line for a film that will dissolve stereotypes and have a wide impact on the conversation of ageism!

Click the link below to learn more!

I wish you all the love and joy of the season.

And thank you for your support!

Optics of Aging: Beyond the Number, organized by Michelle Le Brun Welcome to the crowdfunding campaign for Optics of Aging: Beyond the Number! a f… Michelle Le Brun needs your support for Optics of Aging: Beyond the Number

Optics of Aging: Beyond the Number, organized by Michelle Le Brun Please support the completion of Optics of Aging: Beyond the Number A Feature D… Michelle Le Brun needs your support for Optics of Aging: Beyond the Number

Have you heard about National Day of Listening? Started by StoryCorps, it is the day after Thanksgiving and is a time to listen to each other asking open-ended questions. So, not questions that pull for a “yes” or “no” but questions that invite traveling down memory lane. And then, simply listen. OR, if you feel so inspired, record the conversation. A great way to add to the family archive. A great way to stop and listen to those in our lives that are much further down the path of life.

Listening is at the heart of Optics of Aging. Please donate here if you can. https://www.gofundme.com/f/optics-of-aging-beyond-the-number

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Optics of Aging: Beyond the Number, organized by Michelle Le Brun Please support the completion of Optics of Aging: Beyond the Number A Feature D… Michelle Le Brun needs your support for Optics of Aging: Beyond the Number

In their early years, mermaids spend most of their time fascinated by humans, they try do understand them, mimic their ways, sing their songs and try to look like them. Over time they lose interest in their cousins above, they give in, let go of who they think they should be and become who they always were. Their appearance slowly changes, their limbs adapt to the sea, the shapes they once tried so hard to maintain grow into something more beautiful, a feeling of self, and finally, belonging. • Created with @runwayapp, music by @olafurarnalds

Love this!

In their early years, mermaids spend most of their time fascinated by humans, they try do understand them, mimic their ways, sing their songs and try to look like them. Over time they lose interest in their cousins above, they give in, let go of who they think they should be and become who they always were. Their appearance slowly changes, their limbs adapt to the sea, the shapes they once tried so hard to maintain grow into something more beautiful, a feeling of self, and finally, belonging. • Created with @runwayapp, music by @olafurarnalds

This is gorgeous. I hope and assume these women gave their consent to be used in AI. Love these images!
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzgjzsMLiWE/

In their early years, mermaids spend most of their time fascinated by humans, they try do understand them, mimic their ways, sing their songs and try to look like them. Over time they lose interest in their cousins above, they give in, let go of who they think they should be and become who they always were. Their appearance slowly changes, their limbs adapt to the sea, the shapes they once tried so hard to maintain grow into something more beautiful, a feeling of self, and finally, belonging. • Created with @runwayapp, music by @olafurarnalds

A Matter of Truth - Curated by Rhode Island Black Heritage Society - RIBHS. Mildred Nichols is a founding member

If you have not been to the A Matter of Truth exhibit at The Statehouse, Providence, RI, get there before it closes. A rich and powerful deep dive into the 400 years of racial discrimination in Rhode Island. You are guaranteed to discover all manner of incredible unsung heros of our RI History. And here is the infamous MIlderd Nichols in attendance! One of the orignal members of Rhode Island Black Heritage Society - RIBHS.

“Evidence suggests that children form negative attitudes toward aging as early as the fourth grade….Those implanted stereotypes are carried within us like rotten seeds, sprouting decades later into deprecatory self-images and comments.”
The Happiness Curve: Why Life Gets Better After 50
Jonathan Rauch

Perhaps you have deprecating self-talk you carry inside; the internalized messages from a life lived in this society. Comments like, “Sorry, I just had a senior moment” when you forget something, for example. The range of assumptions that ageism has touched are far and wide.

In our film Optics of Aging: Beyond the Number (https://www.opticsofaging.com/ ) we will replace stereotypes with authentic stories that celebrate our elders.

Here is one of the elders in the film:
New England may run on Dunkin, but did you know that the first Dunkin Donuts was designed by Rhode Island native, Morris Nathanson Art(Fun fact: This store is still operating in Quincy at its original marquee). Morris also co-designed DePasquale Square(Providence) and was one of the founding designers for Trinity Repertory Theatre. His landmark architectural designs helped shaped the character of Providence, RI.

Great short video from the UK on ageism. Old School Anti-Ageism Clearing House is doing great work:

Ageism: Explained This short film is a nominee in this year’s Smiley Charity Film Awards. Every vote counts! Vote here: https://smileycharityfilmawards.com/videos/ageism-expl...

Ageism: Explained This short film is a nominee in this year’s Smiley Charity Film Awards. Every vote counts! Vote here: https://smileycharityfilmawards.com/videos/ageism-expl...

Great short video from the UK on ageism. Old School Anti-Ageism Clearing House is doing great work:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nrF5OFeBZo

Old School- a clearinghouse for all things anti-ageism, AARP Rhode Island, Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island, Lauren Carson, R.I. Office of Healthy Aging

Ageism: Explained This short film is a nominee in this year’s Smiley Charity Film Awards. Every vote counts! Vote here: https://smileycharityfilmawards.com/videos/ageism-expl...

Feeling very inspired to have David N. Cicilline at the helm of the RI Foundation now! Great conversation last night sponsored by The Rhode Island Foundation and Cornish Associates.

“I feel things more intensely than ever before, and for me life grows more fascinating.”
Pablo Casals, cellist, age 93 (Dancing with the Muse in Old Age, Priscilla Long)

I share this experience with Pablo Casals. With this increased sensitivity also comes stronger heartache for the cruelty and ignorance in the world that only seems to be getting worse. I am always amazed and inspired by those who can continue to fight the good fight, to stay in “good trouble”, as John Lewis said.

One of those people is Phil West, who is in our film Optics of Aging. I was originally drawn to interview him Phil because I had known of his incredible, constant work for justice in Rhode Island.

Phil West is the long-time director of Common Cause Rhode Island and author of Secrets and Scandals:
Reforming Rhode Island 1986 - 2006. Key to his pursuit of ethical government over the decades was establishing a
Separation of Powers amendment in the Rhode Island Constitution. Phil’s quiet passion for justice rings through all he
says and does.

Learn more about Phil by going to the Optics of Aging GoFundMe page:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/optics-of-aging-beyond-the-number

Optics of Aging: Beyond the Number, organized by Michelle Le Brun Please support the completion of Optics of Aging: Beyond the Number A Feature D… Michelle Le Brun needs your support for Optics of Aging: Beyond the Number

Amazing conference on Tuesday! Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island annual get together at the Crown Plaza Warwick Rhode Island. This year the topic was The Politics of Aging. Incredible people in this state working to secure a dignified life in our elder years in RI including David N. Cicilline, Cynthia Coyne, Lauren Carson , Maureen Maigret, Vincent Marzullo and many more.

We now have a fiscal sponsor! From the Heart Productions Inc

Indie Filmmaking, Film Funding, Film Grants & Fiscal Sponsorship - From the Heart Productions, a 501(c)3 non-profit, helps filmmakers get their films funded through our grants, fiscal sponsorship, and film funding classes.

Indie Filmmaking, Film Funding, Film Grants & Fiscal Sponsorship - From the Heart Productions, a 501(c)3 non-profit, helps filmmakers get their films funded through our grants, fiscal sponsorship, and film funding classes.

We're proud to announce our film, Optics of Aging: Beyond the Number is now fiscally sponsored by the non-profit From the Heart Productions Inc! Donations to our project through them will be tax deductible!

Indie Filmmaking, Film Funding, Film Grants & Fiscal Sponsorship - From the Heart Productions, a 501(c)3 non-profit, helps filmmakers get their films funded through our grants, fiscal sponsorship, and film funding classes.

Some beautiful words on aging for your Sunday relaxation:
Ursula K. Le Guin on Growing Older and What Beauty Really Means

Ursula K. Le Guin on Growing Older and What Beauty Really Means “There are a whole lot of ways to be perfect, and not one of them is attained through punishment.”

Ursula K. Le Guin on Growing Older and What Beauty Really Means “There are a whole lot of ways to be perfect, and not one of them is attained through punishment.”

Some beautiful words on aging for your Sunday relaxation:
Ursula K. Le Guin on Growing Older and What Beauty Really Means

Ursula K. Le Guin on Growing Older and What Beauty Really Means “There are a whole lot of ways to be perfect, and not one of them is attained through punishment.”

Happy Ageism Awareness Day!!!!

It's National Ageism Awareness Day!

Ageism is one of the most widespread and socially accepted form of prejudice.

Ageism and Age stereotypes are often internalized at a young age— long before they are even relevant. Even by the age of 3, children are familiar with age stereotypes, which are reinforced over their lifetimes.
(From the American Society on Aging)

https://www.gofundme.com/f/optics-of-aging-beyond-the-number

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It's National Ageism Awareness Day!

Ageism is one of the most widespread and socially accepted form of prejudice.

Ageism and Age stereotypes are often internalized at a young age— long before they are even relevant. Even by the age of 3, children are familiar with age stereotypes, which are reinforced over their lifetimes.
(From the American Society on Aging)

https://www.gofundme.com/f/optics-of-aging-beyond-the-number

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Did you know that Saturday, October 7th, is Ageism Awareness Day? It is "an opportunity to draw attention to the existence and impact of ageism in our society and how we can reframe aging in our communities." (American Society on Aging)

And here will be some inspiring stories that combat ageism.

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Optics of Aging: Beyond the Number, organized by Michelle Le Brun Please support the completion of Optics of Aging: Beyond the Number A Feature D… Michelle Le Brun needs your support for Optics of Aging: Beyond the Number

Did you know that Saturday, October 7th, is Ageism Awareness Day? It is "an opportunity to draw attention to the existence and impact of ageism in our society and how we can reframe aging in our communities." (American Society on Aging)

And here will be some inspiring stories that combat ageism.
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Optics of Aging: Beyond the Number, organized by Michelle Le Brun Please support the completion of Optics of Aging: Beyond the Number A Feature D… Michelle Le Brun needs your support for Optics of Aging: Beyond the Number

Meet another one of our inspiring elders!

Meet Linda, one of the five lively elders featured in our film, Optics of Aging: Beyond the Number
Linda Miller (90 years old at time of filming), the woman behind Lippitt Hill Tutorial, later renamed Inspiring Minds, that alleviated the stressors of 1960’s desegregation in Providence schools and delivered significant improvements in student’s academic performance. Her stalwart values have guided her life from education reformer to psychotherapist. She is still practicing! Her wisdom about aging shines through her ever-present humor.

To find out more, visit
https://www.gofundme.com/f/optics-of-aging-beyond-the-number

Meet Linda, one of the five lively elders featured in our film, Optics of Aging: Beyond the Number
Linda Miller (90 years old at time of filming), the woman behind Lippitt Hill Tutorial, later renamed Inspiring Minds, that alleviated the stressors of 1960’s desegregation in Providence schools and delivered significant improvements in student’s academic performance. Her stalwart values have guided her life from education reformer to psychotherapist. She is still practicing! Her wisdom about aging shines through her ever-present humor.

To find out more, visit
https://www.gofundme.com/f/optics-of-aging-beyond-the-number

Beautiful Jazz Brunch at Crowne Plaza Providence-Warwick (Airport)

Meet Mildred Nichols who was honored for her long legacy of service to Rhode Island! And long-time member of Providence Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

In the 60's and 70’s, there was a huge shift in the women's movement and how women saw their place in society. Mildred Nichols, a trailblazer of the time, was on the forefront of these issues, championing many causes both locally and beyond. As a beloved community leader, she was one of the founding members of the RI Democratic Women's Caucus, served on the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education and was Director of the Career Education Project, where she was instrumental in providing outreach to women known as "displaced" homemakers.

Learn more about Mildred by going to the Optics of Aging GoFundMe page:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/optics-of-aging-beyond-the-number