111 Day Artistic Spirit Pledge: Spiritual Growth Through Creative Expression
Day 54: An Artistic Spirit on Tour
“You want to be one of those people walking around the back lot, don’t you?”
Ah, my sister knows me so well. She could easily see the broad grin across my face as I recounted the Warner Bros. VIP Studio Tour experience.
As the tour cart, under the skilled care of our personable guide, took us past sets used in beloved films and television programs, I imagined myself working there. I thought about the hard work, dedication, and passion that goes into every single aspect of this industry: from the prop masters to the set designers, the skilled labor specialists to the production assistants, and the directors and acting ensembles.
The Warner Bros. (WB) studio back lot remains unobtrusive and hidden far from the glitz and glamour that the Hollywood name implies. The slew of sound stages resembled storage units with their rectangular shapes and numbers plastered as identifiers. I absorbed it all as our cart maneuvered through the maze of buildings. So many people walked by, none of whose face I recognized, and I wondered what their job entailed. Were they writers, assistants, production coordinators, or a member of the skilled labor force?
Though the wind blew cold, my spirit warmed while I imagined what it’d be like to be a studio employee. Learning about the behind-the-scenes details of the film and television industry interests me on a level that matches the bejeweled and bedazzled world projected on screen.
As enthralled as I was for the two-hour tour, my joy grew as I watched my nine-year-old nephew take in all he saw. He listened intently, looked but didn’t touch, and seemed genuinely interested. I enjoyed every moment, thrilled to share this experience with someone I love so dearly.
**I am an Artistic Spirit! For most of my life I’ve used the creative arts as a source of spiritual exploration and healing, even though I didn’t always do so consciously. Sometimes I was the instrument creating the art and other times I was on the receiving end. The connection between art and spirituality is so significant in my life that it’s infused into everything I do. I love music, theatre, television drama series (daytime and primetime), and creative writing and find fulfillment in artistic expression of various sorts: singing, acting, and jewelry design. Throughout the next 57 days, I’ll delve into how all of the above strengthens my spirit and has saved my life on more than one occasion.**
Kelly Deeny 