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Audio version

2014 Annual Conference Highlights Cognotes • Page 9

President's Program

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Lowry began by saying that she considers memories “the only things that are completely ours.” She pointed out that two people can remember the same event, but that the details can often be quite different. Lowry, like Bridges, is a photographer, and she said that black and white photographs of her childhood have provided visual clues that have triggered memories, but in color.

Bridges recalled memories of his father, Lloyd, and how he learned acting techniques from him as a young boy, most importantly by watching how he behaved. “I use my father all the time in my characters,” he said, adding that often, when he is working hard on a role, “I feel him soar into the room.”

Curious about their creative approaches, Stripling asked Lowry and Bridges to speak about the importance of visuals and words, and which came first to them.

Lowry said that visual images appear in her mind first, and that the words come later.

Bridges began by saying he hesitated to talk about it, because, “It's a bit like a magician: This is how I do the trick.” He did, however, emphasize the collaborative process involved in filmmaking and would later say that “the director is the painter, and I am sort of like the paint. He takes what I do, cuts it up, and makes a collage.” When asked later about deciding which roles to play, he said, “I do my best to resist. That's the dude part of me!” He added, however, that he can't resist “when the thing is too groovy... if it's people I want to work with... if it's just too terrific.”

By contrast, Lowry said that writing was a solitary endeavor for her and that “collaborative work doesn't come easy to me.” She did say, however, that she was happy with how her work has been shaped into a film and that, despite not writing the screenplay, she did provide creative input in its making and helped tweak the script.

Asked to speak on diversity and community, Lowry recalled growing up on Army posts and the daily rituals that included music playing as the flag was lowered at 5:00 p.m., and how everything stopped at that time. “Looking back, it seems bizarre,” she said. Lowry also told of her family's life in a walled community in Japan, and that she always wanted to get on her bicycle and “see what it was like on the outside.”

Bridges said he remembers his father coming home one day with a book of photographs titled The Family of Man and saying, “this is what it's all about.” Memory of this led to a mention of his work in the fight against hunger with the organization Share Our Strength.

When asked to talk about the importance of journeys in their books and films, Lowry and Bridges said they were a critical part of every story they told. Lowry said “every book involves a journey of some sort,” citing Joseph Campbell's writings about the hero's quest.

“That's the whole deal,” Bridges said, recalling the relationship of the two main characters in the movie “True Grit” and how their journey together changed them both.

On their responsibilities as actor and writer, Bridges and Lowry offered insights showing that, despite any differences in their styles, they shared a deep concern for being a positive force. Bridges said, “We're all receivers and givers.” The question is: “Am I brave enough to manifest what I have received?”

Lowry said her responsibility is “to always go toward the idea that the audience, the young reader, will be left with the feeling that it's possible - that they can change the world.”

Bridges praised the impending film's director, Phillip Noyce, as well as the producers, cast members, and crew. Lowry recalled memories of traveling to South Africa to be an advisor and expressed confidence that her book has been faithfully adapted in bringing it to the big screen.

Karen Jander, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Golda Meir Library, looks at the items in the Christopher Hoy ERT Scholarship Silent Auction to benefit the Chris Hoy Scholarship Fund. The artwork was generously donated by the artists and illustrators featured in the ALA Artist Alley.


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Midwinter Meeting-only registration opens October 1, 2014. Annual Conference-only registration opens January 12, 2015.

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