February 25. Thirty years ago today, my friend Rene went missing.
For those of us who grew up in the Valley, we remember the fear as the search stretched on. We remember our hometown torn apart by anxiety and dread that she might never return home. We remember the media coverage going national, cameras descending on our streets. We remember being thrust into a new understanding of the world when she was found dead.
Over time, the tragedy of her murder faded from national consciousness. Along with it, a fuller accounting of who she was.
Several years ago, Rene’s sister Crystal asked if I would tell her story in a documentary. When she handed me a box of tapes that had not been seen in decades, I understood the responsibility.
The documentary is coming together slowly, carefully, and painfully. It is sincerely the hardest thing I have ever worked on. But there are times when it is also the most beautiful. Restoring memories of Rene’s laughter to the world is an honor.
Today, in commemoration of her life and with her family’s blessing, I am sharing a few moments of my friend Rene.
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Track: Stardust by Kjartan Abel.
Poland 🇵🇱 days 3 - 7. I’ve never filmed so much but can share so little (for now)! I really enjoyed this shoot; it’s been several years in the works and it was above and beyond what I could have hoped for. The people of Warsaw are very kind, the food is great, and the team I have been working with are awesome. My sleep was overall horrendous - multiple days in a row I only slept four hours, and while that sleep debt hasn’t made me sick yet, I’m certain it’s going to take a while to bounce back to normal. I am very excited to return home to my loves, the center of my universe and heart.
Poland 🇵🇱 day 2. My only completely “free” day of this trip. Slept four hours last night, had breakfast, and then slept another four. As soon as I was actually up for the day, I went to the Warsaw Rising Museum. I greatly appreciated the immersive layout of the space; it elicited deep emotion and did a compelling job outlining the methodologies of propaganda from both those with power and those resisting it (see image, which is a good example of how messy that second category could get). Beyond that, I’ve had nothing but wonderful food all day. Every person I’ve spoken to has been very polite. Warsaw is regarded as one of the safest cities in Europe and it certainly feels that way.
Poland 🇵🇱 night 1 after a layover in Munich. I didn’t plan it this way - to visit Warsaw immediately following the memorial of Michael Hackett who (if you never had the pleasure of knowing him) had always encouraged me to watch the theater here. I spent a few hours walking with my camera, identifying possible shows to watch while I’m here, and came across remnants of the Warsaw ghetto as well as a site of mass execution, just outside my hotel. I have been here once before - documenting an esports team as they attempted to win virtual WW2 tank battles - though in hindsight I do not believe that trip strengthened my appreciation for the rich history here. I’m in a point in my life where I do not take for granted the power of a people who have rebuilt a city from devastating ruin and I have gratitude for being here. Also, don’t know what it is, but Lindt chocolate is fine - but when Lufthansa hands it out as a treat near the end of every single flight? Best thing in the world.
Poland 🇵🇱, day 0. Gonna be a long one - filming something special that I am excited to share. My departures usually riddle me with anxiety but today was so family-centric and fun I nearly forgot that from home to hotel I’d be traveling 20 hours.
Went to celebrate the life and work of Michael Hackett (the man who accepted me into UCLA and the professor who set me off on a career of pursuing my passion with relentless focus), and had the pleasure of catching up with the classmates who were there with me during that journey. They also happen to be some of the coolest people I have ever met. What a lovely tribute, a heartwarming night, and a reminder to stay in touch with the people who make us strive to do and be more. I am full of gratitude and love today.
I’ve never felt more seen
I have the original poster sketches from one of my favorites (#47, The Resistance!)
I have a signed poster print from the artist
I have the entire series of books as well as the newer graphic novels
I’ve listened to the entire series on audiobook
I even did a presentation about Animorphs at a work summit
I have loved the series since I was a child
RYAN COOGLER WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO
#animorphs
London, day 2 or 3, who knows. Walked around 13 miles today! Very fun exploring London before spending some time with my first boss, Dale, the smartest designer I’ve ever met. We somehow covered flying horses, the economy, and Ada Lovelace.
Who is Ada? You should know! I read a book on her and looked to see whether I’d find traces of her in a London museum. Science Museum had what I wanted, so I stopped there to see Charles Babbage’s Difference Engine and Analytical Engine, massive 19th-century mechanical calculators built from thousands of precision gears.
From that context, Ada Lovelace is known as the first computer programmer.
While Babbage designed the machine, Ada was the one who understood what it meant. She realized it could follow instructions and manipulate symbols, not just calculate numbers, which is essentially the foundation of modern computing. She wrote about the possibility of using the device to write music, make art, and beyond.
Pretty cool to stand there looking at the physical machine while realizing someone understood what it could become more than 100 years before the first computer. I used to be awful with science and history and it’s bizarre how they’ve been so fun for me to learn about as I wither into an old man.
(Also, look at that naked little chap proudly commemorating dead machine gunners!)
