We Live in a Magical Universe
Many years ago — at this point seemingly lifetimes ago — I was a filmmaker. I became inspired to make a film for the first time when I was 35 years old, a dramatic film that I called “Changing Room.” It was the story of three women and their transformation through their interactions in a high-end women’s clothing boutique. The film included a cameo role by former San Francisco mayor, Art Agnos, and a circus poodle named Popcorn. There was even a cowgirl gunfight fantasy sequence.
Through a friend, I gained access to a women’s clothing boutique in Palo Alto named “Phyllis.” The owner, Phyllis Newman, graciously allowed me to shoot for two straight all-night shoots at her boutique.
The first night came when we were going to shoot the cowgirl gunfight. We discovered that one pair of boots acquired by our costume designer were too small for the actress to wear. I told her she would have to do the sequences barefoot. She retreated to the dressing room, so distraught.
I was standing in the store, wondering how we were going to solve this problem, when a young man walked through the front door. I remember him now, with his blonde hair and wire-frame glasses. I looked down and saw he was wearing — a pair of cowboy boots.
I said, “Hello, who are you?” He stuttered a bit and said “Oh, I’m a friend of the second assistant camera woman.” I said, “What size boots are you wearing?” He told me a size 10. I said, “Give me your boots!” He grinned and took off his boots and handed them to me. I ran with them to the dressing room.
We shot the sequences with both actresses wearing their cowgirl boots. It was one of the first times in my life that I directly experienced synchronicity of such an unbelievable and magical quality.
