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THEATRE OF THE MIND
My ears were still ringing from the echo of the gunshots as I pulled the door of the supply room closed behind me. As I sat there, frozen with fear in the darkness, I could hear angry voices, heavy footsteps, and the sound of spent brass from the bullets getting ever closer. My fear turned to panic, as I heard the sound of one door lock after another being tested in the hallway, each followed by a crash, as it was being kicked open.
My ears were still ringing from the echo of the gunshots as I pulled the door of the supply room closed behind me. As I sat there, frozen with fear in the darkness, I could hear angry voices, heavy footsteps, and the sound of spent brass from the bullets getting ever closer. My fear turned to panic, as I heard the sound of one door lock after another being tested in the hallway, each followed by a crash, as it was being kicked open.
I laid, for what seemed like an eternity, trembling behind a few empty boxes. Hoping that this nightmare would soon be over. I tried not to move, I felt helpless. For a moment, I was certain that the sound of my own breathing or heartbeat would give me away….
I tried to hold my breath as I sensed the door handle beginning to move. I fumbled in the darkness, looking for some type of weapon to protect myself. I could see the outline of the gunman’s boots, backlit by the hallway lights, under the door. I jumped as another shot rang out. I thought it was all over for me.
Seconds later my hands were wet with blood that was now flowing under the door. “Police ….everyone stay down.”
When I was a kid, I can still remember sitting in the car or around the radio listening to entertaining shows. They had some great actors, vivid sound effects, and we had to use a little imagination.
Your own vivid imagination, would build the scene, and fill in the details. Perhaps no two people would envision it exactly the same way. The mental pictures that were painted were referred to as “theatre of the mind”.
Today…I wonder if most people’s theatre’s are working. You know what I mean..No one on the projection booth. I’m not even sure a lot of folks are having a matinee. No one wants to take the time to read or use their imagination anymore. We are used to having everything laid out for us in half hour sitcoms, they even tell us when to laugh by playing their “canned” laughter.
So, I’ve decided that instead of writing this blog, I’m going to film myself reading my material on video. I’m thinking, I sit in a big leather chair, smoking a pipe, and look smug. I also ordered some of those pink silk jammies, and a smoking jacket (like Hugh Heffner wears). I want to make sure my audience is fully engaged and entertained so I will place a news “crawl” at the bottom of the screen, and show distracting videos on a screen right behind me. I’ll even play commercials so that no one has to push their attention span past the 15 minute time limit.
Well, so much for “theatre of the mind”…I’m heading to the concession stand (I mean kitchen), for some popcorn.
Until later
P.I.B.
Your own vivid imagination, would build the scene, and fill in the details. Perhaps no two people would envision it exactly the same way. The mental pictures that were painted were referred to as “theatre of the mind”.
Today…I wonder if most people’s theatre’s are working. You know what I mean..No one on the projection booth. I’m not even sure a lot of folks are having a matinee. No one wants to take the time to read or use their imagination anymore. We are used to having everything laid out for us in half hour sitcoms, they even tell us when to laugh by playing their “canned” laughter.
So, I’ve decided that instead of writing this blog, I’m going to film myself reading my material on video. I’m thinking, I sit in a big leather chair, smoking a pipe, and look smug. I also ordered some of those pink silk jammies, and a smoking jacket (like Hugh Heffner wears). I want to make sure my audience is fully engaged and entertained so I will place a news “crawl” at the bottom of the screen, and show distracting videos on a screen right behind me. I’ll even play commercials so that no one has to push their attention span past the 15 minute time limit.
Well, so much for “theatre of the mind”…I’m heading to the concession stand (I mean kitchen), for some popcorn.
Until later
P.I.B.
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