W e each have a significant contribution to make while we inhabit this planet. I sense these contributions are connected to a higher purpose; one that most certainly involves ongoing creativity. I firmly believe that every moment is a moment of creation and each moment of creation contains infinite possibilities. I look around and I never cease to be amazed by people who are obviously living their life in the right order. By that I mean when we look at the three dimensions of being doing and having, some of us get the order backwards. Rather than working hard to make enough money to do want we want somewhere down the road, a better order might be to be to do what we love and want to do, in order to have what we truly want. Yes, I believe that’s the right way.

Here’s a great example of being and doing in order to have the best. John Rule, whom I believe is a genuine in the moment man, has just created the position in his premier equipment company of Director of Knowledge. How creative is this? It’s what I call cornering the market of infinite possibilities.

John Rule said, "It is critical that our entire company receive essential information and training on an increasingly vast range of subjects in order to maintain our competitive advantage. Our customers know that a large degree of their success depends upon our ability to supply not only equipment but also solutions... Our goal is nothing short of having the most knowledgeable staff of any rental house in America."

John Rule, President of Rule Broadcast, creates the new company post of Director of Knowledge.

Former Rule Broadcast employee Andrew Barlow was named to the post. "Andrew’s first imperative as Director of Knowledge will be to create a fully searchable, web based Intranet which anyone in the company can access and reference at any time. This library of information is continuously updated due to extensive research projects headed by Andrew," furthered Rule.

"My goal is to provide better customer support by increasing the knowledge depth of our employees." said Edward Barlow. "As far as I know, we are the only rental house in the country that has a full time in-house staff member devoted to technical training."

Andrew Barlow returns to Rule Broadcast Systems after a ten-month paternity leave. He had been with Rule since 1992 in various capacities including rental manager and broadcast equipment sales and marketing manager. Hats off to John Rule for creating the opportunity that has infinite possibilities.

Carol Patton, Paul Campbell, the Mayor's Deputy Director for Policy, and Bob Hirsch of High Output, Inc. [Phote Credit: Nanette Goodridge, Providence City Photoographe

Infinite possibilities are also the mark of Vincent A. (Buddy) Cianci, Jr., Mayor of Providence. Last week I attended the Annual Meeting of the Providence Film Commission, which he began in 1995. The event featured a presentation of excerpts from film and video projects produced in Providence during the last year, which served to reinforce the notion that this mighty city-state continues its pursuit of the industry with creative vigor. Once again, the Mayor hosts the Fourth Annual "Providence Night," a reception at the Museum of Television and Radio in Beverly Hills. Rhode Islanders who are currently in the California based entertainment industry, people from projects produced in Providence, and those the Mayor would like to encourage to bring projects to Providence makeup the guest list. Imagine covers it, and we’ll have a full report in the April issue.

J. Lynn Singleton, who serves as Chairman of the Providence Film Commission, is hopeful that the Independent Film Tax Credit will be made into law by the Rhode Island legislature this session. This credit is aimed at encouraging Rhode Islanders to invest in Rhode Island filmmakers. The legislation would give a State Income Tax Credit equal to 25% of the amount a Rhode Island resident invests in a qualifying film. Singleton encourages all Rhode Islanders who might be reading this to contact their State Legislators and get behind the effort for this bill. I understand many other states are patterning similar bills after this one and it is being watched closely from around the nation.

Last Year the Providence/Rhode Island International Film Festival (a.k.a. Rhode Island International Film Festival) was a "convergence" that combined the efforts of the city of Providence with an event owned and produced by the Flickers Arts Collaborative. Flickers is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit chartered since 1982.

Carolyn Testa announced that his year that will no longer be the case as the city would host its own event called The Renaissance City Film Festival Providence. Carolyn serves as the Executive Director. To avoid confusion in the future, I know it has been confusing for us here at Imagine, please note that these are two separate and distinct events.

Infinite possibilities always abound at film festivals. Read the reports in this issue of festivals just past and just about to happen in New England to know what we mean. You’ll feel the creative energies leaping off the pages in this issue. Imagine looks back and forward to the 25th Anniversary of the New England Film Festival and the 5th Annual Film Fest New Haven. Both reverently salute the independent filmmaker.

Back row: Carol Patton. Carolyn Testa (Film Festival Director); Front row: Karen Baxter (Director Rites & Reason Theater Film Commissioner), Roger Mayer (film commissioner) attending the Mayor's Providence Film Commission Annual Report Meeting. [Photo credit: Nanette Goodridge, Providence City Photographer]

This issue is dedicated to New England Directors. While we attempted to choose a solid cross-section and look at them in different ways, we were unable to include all that we wanted to cover. We will, however, continue to report their stories as they happen as Imagine continues to pursue one of its main goals, which is to tell the New England story to rest of the world. This issue will go, along with me, to the AFM in Santa Monica where our intent is to market Imagine and the region.

Don’t miss our Director Flashback, which is a wonderful story by Joe Gallo about an inspired early director and the very first movie-dog under contract. The two worked together in Maine in the early 1900s. I like these occasional flashbacks containing glints of our industry history in New England. But, I often wonder if I am the only one who gets "thrilled to bits" with these nostalgic researching efforts. Let me know, please.

And speaking of letting me know about things. Imagine celebrates its second birthday next month and I feel a need to hear from you about how you, Imagine’s readers and advertisers, think we are doing. It gives us confidence to have your feed back. So, starting with April 2000, in keeping with our NEW MILLENNIUM thinking and processing, and so that you will know what others are thinking too, Imagine begins its first column and policy for LETTERS. Send them to us by mail, email, or fax, that information is listed at the left or you can find it on our web site at www.imaginenews.com. All you must do is let us know who you are and be sensible about length. We pledge to read them, print them, and comment when appropriate.

Thank you all for your continued support. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to everyone!