Cynematik • Cyndi Greening

Here we are at the last day of the year. I’ve been getting a lot of grief for being so slow about blogging. I’ve had the hardest time trying to decide what to blog about. I used to blog a lot about independent filmmaking, animation and education. But, if you follow this blog, you already know how all of that turned out. So much of what has occurred in the last year has altered my life phenomenally. Some days, I hardly recognize my life anymore. It’s a funny thing to have happen in midlife. Sometimes I laugh because I think, heck, I didn’t have to have a mid-life crisis .. a crisis decided to have me. Total cataclysm. Force majeure. I’m quite certain 2008 will be quite transformational.

Alec went back to New York City today. He wanted to spend New Year’s Eve in the Big Apple. His flight got into JFK at 5:03 so he and Pacino and the rest of the gang will have plenty of time to get to the party. They’ve got a hotel room in SoHo (where he works) so the festivities should be well contained. I recall many wild and crazy New Year’s Eves in my past so I want him to have fun … safely.

My friend, Elisa, came to town over the weekend. We were talking about how different his life would be since he’d had this time in NYC. He says he loves it there. On February 15, it will be two years. Amazing since he just turned 20. I could never have done what he did. He had never been to the city when we sent him — with a one-way ticket and ten days in a B&B — to take a class, find a sublet and try something new. Seriously. We sent an 18-year-old boy to NYC alone and somehow believed he could figure it out. It was a little bumpy for a while but he figured it out and now he really likes life in the city. He also loves his work. He is still doing post-production, motion graphics … the thing he learned in his animation and film production classes at MCC. Another irony, to be sure.

As the year closes, I look back at all we accomplished and I feel quite happy and amazed. The films. First edit and second edit complete. Meetings with distributors. Working on the fine cut now. We also wrote the script for COYOTE — a nice, tight script. Now, we’re getting another script ready (one that I am so excited about, I can hardly contain myself) that for now has the titles AN EXAMINED LIFE or TWO LADIES — depending on what mood either of us happen to be in for the day — a story that I’m sworn to secrecy on. So, while preparing things for the hearings (I could write a couple of books about that experience), we kept doing our creative work. So, I feel quite good about that.

Today, Pamela Jo and I were discussing New Year’s Resolutions. She said she didn’t make them. That New Year’s Day was just an arbitrary, humanly-defined day of change. She said that anything that wasn’t in already in motion probably couldn’t manifest in the new year. So, I agree and disagree with her (what a shock). It is true that it is an arbitrary day but anything that helps to encourage commitment to change and growth has to be good. And, we do already have all of those things in motion so they have the possibility of unfolding in the coming year. Out with the old, I say, and in with the new. Starting right now.

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Tonight is the night. The Maricopa Community College Board will finally decide my fate tonight. It’s been postponed so many times at the last minute that I keep wondering if we’ll make it for real this time. It starts at 6:30 p.m but you have to come about 15 minutes early if you want to say something. There’s a form to fill out and, if you give them a copy of what you’re going to say during the “Open Mic” session, they’ll include it in the permanent record. The details are …

Be there at 6:15 sharp …

Office of the Governing Board
Maricopa Community Colleges
2411 West 14th Street
Tempe, AZ 85281

Inquiries to the Governing Board Office may be made to Gloria Smith, Assistant to the Governing Board, at 480-731-8889.

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BY PAMELA JO BOWMAN - MESA ARIZONA - What will they think of next? These students of Cyndi’s are the creative sort! They are always thinking of something! She will balk at the font and kerning for sure! I can just imagine what Tuesday evening will look like in the sea of green if this catches on. Cyndi’s comment? “This reminds me of the “Save the Whale” campaign. I don’t want to be compared to whales, swimming or beached!” She is embarrassed and also overwhelmed by the support of her former students, fellow frustrated faculty members and even brave administrators. I am glad she had a chance to visit her son in NY this weekend. She was feeling a tad rugged! Thank goodness for generous friends who have helped her along the way! Cyndi have fun … Brandi and I and the rest of the gang will keep things moving in Phoenix while you have fun with the birthday boy and rest. You deserve it before it all hits the fan on Tuesday!

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GREAT NEWS! A former student has offered me a job for one year. That’s right! I have employment to hold me over until the next school year. How cool is that? I’ll write more later …

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Judgment day approaches … and quickly. Next Tuesday, October 23, the Governing Board convenes to decide my fate. Please come to the hearing and speak your piece. I’d appreciate your support and I am told that students and former students are welcome and heard at the board meetings. It is at 6:30 p.m. at 2411 W. 14th Street in Tempe (the big copper-colored building on the Broadway curve).

Dr. Glasper has made his recommendation and it was a tad disappointing. He did NOT recommend termination but did recommend suspension for the rest of the academic year. All in all, a very clever move. Who the heck can live for a year without a job? And, given that I just spent a year working on a film and sunk all of my money into that project, it’s not like I’ve got a wealth of reserves to draw on.

So, the good news, no cause for termination. The bad news, discipline that encourages me to leave MCCD forever.

I’ve spent the last few days reflecting on my sixteen years with MCCD and, I have to say, I feel good about all of the wonderful students that I had. I am so proud of so many of them. Heck, I’ve got former students working at nearly every print shop, many industries, tons of web companies, media companies and businesses all over the state … and even in the U.S. They write the most amazing letters of their successes and it is awesome. I’ve been pretty lucky to teach some pretty talented people and then be able to hear about it.

And, I have to say, the FilmZambia experience was just incredible. The students and faculty who went on that trip were touched, moved and inspired. They have all gone on to bigger and better work. Last week, we heard from Zambia. Since we were there, THREE films have been made. One of our stated goals was to help build the industry in that country. Can you believe it? Our naivete and blind faith paid off. They are doing it.

So, our films may never see the light of day … or the light of the projector bulb … but we know that we helped get things going for Zambia AND we know that the crew benefitted greatly from this educational and cultural experience. I feel dang good about that.

Alec’s Birthday

My boy turns 20 on Saturday. How amazing is that?! I found a cheap plane ticket last week (only $261 round trip), so I get to go to NYC to see him this weekend. I’ll be with him on his golden birthday and get to be with my tiny, nuclear family and forget about all of this MCCD mess for a few hours. That will be excellent. I’ll get to spend his golden birthday with him. For some reason, no one seems to know what that is … you know, it’s when your age is the same as the date … 10 on the 10th, 12 on the 12th, 20 on the 20th. He’s talking about walking all over and how the high temp is 50° in NYC each day. I don’t know if that sounds fun … but being with him sure will be. He called tonight on his way home from the editing house. Most of the time, I can hardly believe he’s there. Oh well, look out Big Apple … the boy and I will be painting the town red.

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I’ve been getting such a load of poo lately for being slow about blogging. As you can imagine, I have had a lot of things going on. I can hear Pamela Jo already. “Oh come on, I know how much time you spend lolly-gagging.” I was talking with my sister, Sandy, over the weekend and I was telling her how the whole hearing thing was really wearing on me. The pressure was becoming overwhelming. Sandy said she could tell it was wearing because of how my blogging had been. I was blogging less frequently and there just weren’t as many amusing entries. I didn’t know it was that transparent. I’d been trying to only write when I was feeling happy and positive. Apparently, my standards had fallen … my idea of happy and positive just wasn’t.

I feel like I’ve really rounded a corner now. The hearing is done. (All four agonizing days of it.) I know I’ve done all I could do. I gave it my best effort. Now, it’s time to move on. Move forward.

Ironically, some really wonderful things have been happening. GREENing Productions has produced several new projects in the past few months. My business partner, Pamela Jo (who is always complaining that I don’t do enough), and I, have completed a wonderful two-part Art Instructional DVD. This was a project that I conceived over twenty years ago! I had said to my friend, Regina, “Wouldn’t it be great if someone had recorded Socrates giving a lecture or, perhaps, Plato, discussing the Republic?” I wanted to do a series capturing gifted instructors sharing their knowledge and their skill. Gingher instructed, we used two cameras to shoot, Pamela edited, I prepped the DVD and did cover design for a wonderful six-part series on Charcoal Drawing. I’ve always felt like what we did (we fine and occupational art faculty) was really remarkable and that it was unfortunate that only people living in the Phoenix metro area were able to benefit from our efforts.

So, in 2005, when Thompson Publishing approached me about doing a DVD series, I was really excited. But, the amount of work and low, low, low, bargain basement royalties (8%) just didn’t make it all that appealing to do more titles for them. On top of that, I was much more accustomed to a lecture structure with hands-on participation. So, the Cool School Interactus series just didn’t quite cut it for me. So, we did our own series. And, I must admit, it turned out pretty dang sweet! There are a few other folks who are hoping to continue the series and we’re excited to bring it to market. Next, we’ve got watercolor, portrait drawing and portrait painting coming out. It’s all too exciting.

On top of that, we’ve got a documentary project that’s just show up. It’s about the Navajo Nation. I’m sure you’re getting the awesome visuals in your head already. Canyon de Chelly. Hogans on the plateau. Sunrise. Sunset. The timeless passage of life in the remote desert. I’m really excited about this project and I’m learning NOT to say anything too early because it’s really in the nascent stage. Until we get a bit more committed to film, I’ll have to keep it under my hat.

While we’ve been working on the new series, Jeniece has been working on editing the concert that Danny did for the Zambian National Arts Council last September. The final piece was about 40 minutes long. She also edited the FilmZambia Film Shoot that was held at the Le Triumph Dolphin Restaurant on 31 August. She did a really nice job with it. In addition to the two concert pieces, we were able to add his scene from the film AND the performance by his guitarist on set. The only thing left to do is the Color Correction and the Audio Mixing. Then I get to commit them to DVD. I’ve already finished the cover design.

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Well, today is my first Judgment Day. The MCCCD Hearing Committee met at 11:00 a.m. to begin deliberating my case. Who knows how long it will take them? The original hearing was scheduled for only one day but ultimately took four days. So, if that is any sort of a clue of how the deliberations will go, I’m anticipating a resolution some time next week. I’ve been on pins and needles all day and feeling a bit “jangly” … awaiting the judgment of my peers. To complete this process, I will have to go through a total of three cycles of judgment. It begins with the non-binding recommendation of the Hearing Committee. Their recommendation goes to the Chancellor. The Chancellor then makes a recommendation to The Governing Board. That will be my Final Judgment with the Maricopa Community College Disrict. It will occur on October 23, 2007. So, only five more weeks until it’s all sorted out.

Overall, I’ve got it a whole lot easier than Dante Alighieri’s characters in his most famous work. Dante gave us The Divine Comedy with the articulation of the Nine Circles of Hell. Literature aficionados and literate humans know that Dante also described the Seven Terraces of Purgatory and the Nine Spheres of Heaven. So, I’ve got it a whole lot easier than any of the folks traversing those worlds. They’ve got three times the frustration, agony and suffering for EACH level. It’s all relative, I guess.

Lately, I’ve been obsessing about making a Fine Art book (like the one Dante is holding in the painting above). I want to hand-set type again and run pages and carved blocks through a Vandercook Press. I want to do a custom binding and a custom cover. With everything that’s been going on, I’ve been writing a great deal. I’ve got a collection of short works I’d like to commit to paper. Maybe that’s something I can do to make the next five weeks pass more peacefully. Maybe I could make a small edition and share them with some of the folks who have really agonized with me the last several months. They really deserve a whole lot more than a Fine Art book but … heck, attorney fees and independent films have drained all my discretionary funds. I’ll put up images as it develops.

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I’ve got official confirmation. The date we go before the Governing Board is OCTOBER 23. So, you’re now free to make plans for September 25. The end of September is NOT the date to save. However, I sure would appreciate your support at the end of October, if you’re so inclined. The Executive Session will begin at 5:30 that evening, and the Open Meeting will begin at 6:30. As with the hearing, I believe (but have to confirm) that I have the option of requesting that the Executive Session before the Governing Board be open to the public. Spread the word around. The more, the merrier.

I had a very blue day today. A few folks had asked me if I was experiencing any sort of a “let down” since the hearing had ended. Since I got the notice on May 11, a lot of my energy had been devoted to gathering evidence to clear my name. When the hearing ended on August 31, I felt only relief initially. It was so good to finally have the chance to say my side of the story. In this whole experience, the most shocking thing was that it all came as a “bolt out of the blue.” Prior to the delivery of the notice on the 11th, NO ONE talked to me about anything. No one asked a single question. No one. I was delivered a notice with a laundry list of five allegations and not one person from my campus nor the District office had spoken to me about anything. Ever.

Equally shocking, quite a few people had to have known what was occurring. I had worked for the District for 16 years and had spent eight (8!) years at Mesa. I have to think that some of my friends and co-workers had to have known what was occurring. Yet, no one gave me the heads up. How was that even possible?

Today, the emotional impact of everything finally hit me. Previously, I was too focused on the hearing, on clearing my name, on freeing the films. I wasn’t thinking about anything else. The human (or lack of human) concern and compassion was a quite devastating. After growing the Media Arts program for eight years, after instructing hundreds and hundreds of students, after going to Zambia with a student crew to make a film, after selling my beautiful home and working to establish a fund to take future students on similar cultural and educational experiences—after all of that, a Notice to Terminate and a Copyright Claim on the Film. No wonder I’m feeling blue.

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Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-532, any District employee who knowingly makes false allegations of alleged wrongful conduct to a public body shall be subject to discipline, up to and including termination of employment subject to termination procedures as set forth in District policy and a civil penalty of up to twenty-five thousand dollars.

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Well, it’s been a week since the hearing finished for me. At the end of the hearing, the District legal representative said the matter would probably go before the Governing Board at the end of October. Earlier in the week, I heard that it may be heard at the September 25 meeting. So, I’ll have to let you know for sure when I know. The meeting is open to the public so I invite everyone to come check it out. There is an opportunity to speak, if you’d like to say something — good or bad — those of you who didn’t like your grades or your critiques, here’s your chance.

Some of you know that I loved the Showtime series THE TUDORS (for the costumes and acting alone). During Henry VIII’s time, they had public beheadings that were quite well attended. I don’t know if it was a deterrent for the common folk to stop getting uppity or just a gruesome form of entertainment. So, I think of this as my own rather public presentation regarding my last sixteen years of service to the students and the community.

And, if you know anyone else who might want to come, please send them an email and invite them. I’d love to see you’all there!

THE ONLY BAD THING … I don’t know if that is the right date for certain … so keep your eyes here and I’ll let you know as soon as I know. Tell all of our friends … and enemies … the end is near.

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It’s done. It’s finally done. Well, at least the “hearing” part of the hearing is done. The three-member faculty committee now has a two week respite. In the interim, they get to go back to their classes to work with the people who need them even more than I do — their students! I’m sure it’s been very challenging for them to have this sort of thing taking over the beginning of their semester. I felt bad for them and their students. It’s no fun to get behind before you even get started.

People keep asking me how this whole process works. Basically, notice was served to me. Within five (5) days of getting the notice, I had to request a hearing (I did). A three-person faculty hearing committee was established. Exhibits were exchanged. The hearing stretched over FOUR days. Irony of ironies … the first day of the hearing was the DATE WE LEFT FOR ZAMBIA last year. The last day of the hearing was the exact date WE FINISHED FILMING. Come on, that is so weird. Serendipitous to say the very least. Anyway, the committe will reconvene September 14 to deliberate and prepare a non-binding recommendation report for the Chancellor. The Chancellor will read that report and offer his recommendation to the Governing Board at the next meeting (which looks to be 23 October). The Governing Board will decide at that point.

Some of the people who have been around for a lot of this have talked about how “fascinating” it all is … I think it’s a lot more fascinating if it isn’t your life. When your fate hangs in the balance, it’s a lot tougher to simply observe what is going on. I just know that I am so relieved to have it done. When we finished, I could feel the pressure coming off. I felt like a limp noodle. This weekend, I’m going to the wood to meditate on what comes next for me. I was given no classes this semester (yes, it made me sad). A little time in the pines should give me some clarity.

My thanks to everyone for your support, kindness and consideration. I sincerely want to thank all of the students, faculty and friends who wrote to me personally, commented on the Tribune site or called me. It was tough going the last month and every letter, every call, every kind comment made a difference. You all know who you are and you cannot even begin to imagine how meaningful it was to hear from you all!!! I truly am one of the luckiest people on Earth. And, to those of you who coached me, guided me and advised me, my thanks. I am deeply grateful to those who testified on my behalf (in person or on paper). Each of you made a difference.

Thanks to my attorney, Michael Pruitt. He took the time to really understand how the system works so he could better represent me and help people understand how the classes ran, the students were served and the program managed. It was a lot of information to take in. It’s far more complex than most people understand. He was phenomenally committed to making sure I was well-represented and that I got to tell my side of the story. I owe him a huge debt of gratitude (and a boatload of money).

Thanks to the members of the FilmZambia crew who came to the hearing and helped record the proceedings. Jeniece, Nick, Mike and Jared were all on-call and helped tremendously. Jeniece and Nick single-handedly did the last three days … and it was a big job! Their professionalism and technical skills were top-notch. Even nicer was just the experience of having them there. As it said in the piece Jeniece edited, “I discovered my students were my teachers. They were my friends.” Perhaps it’s being on another continent for over a month with one another, I don’t know for sure, I just know that the FilmZambia crew are not just “fair weather” friends. I can count on them. I hope they know they can count on me, too. I’m looking forward to the future collaborations.

And, last but certainly not least, my thanks to my very patient business partner who watched everything we worked on for months come to a grinding halt (just as we thought it was about to take off). I am certain there have been many days that she has been quite frustrated with all of this (because she TELLS ME she is quite frustrated with all of this). There are so many good things we were trying get launched. In spite of the painful — and costly — delay, she was unwavering in support and commitment to me as I went through these past few grueling months. She held the vision of what the future projects were that we could complete. Mulenga Kapwepwe said she was “the wings” of the operation. Her presence certainly lifted my spirits and gave me the strength to continue in the face of it all. I hope I can be worthy of such loyalty.

I don’t know how to repay everyone for everything. I am so grateful. Maybe after I sleep a few hours, I’ll have some ideas. In the meantime, thank you all!!

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The comments on the Tribune Article keep coming in. There are the crazy comments about taxes that keep popping up but, in addition to that, there are the wonderful, amazing, affirming comments from so many of my former students about their successes and the value of their education. As bad as this whole hearing thing has been, it has been so rewarding and humbling to read their letters of support. The emails and telephone calls have been pouring in. A dear friend sent this email and I wanted to post it.

“I read your blog; I do agree that we are all insignificant when compared to the universe. It is rather humbling to imagine our own problems compared to the entire history of man. And then to expand upon that sense of entire meaninglessness, to the cosmos. But, it is also reassuring that my life is so small. I think it suggests that things will go on and I will continue to find my way. I read something recently that said anything we undertake that is truly profound will never be accomplished in our lifetimes. So, as you have already alluded when you speak of teaching, you have already set the wheels for your own immortality in motion. Best, “J”

When I was young, I recall my father commenting about people who thought they were more valuable than others or more important. “You aren’t worth less than anyone else, Cyn,” he would say, “You aren’t worth more either. We are all important. We are all valuable.” J’s email reminds me that the contribution of each and every human being matters in the cosmic scheme of things. The goal is to just keep moving forward.

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Well, the hearing is going to go at least ONE more day and this Friday will be my cross-examination. I’m expecting a brutal day. Earlier in the month, I got an email from a friend to remind me just how insignificant my problems really are …

Planet Earth is the fifth smallest planet in our solar system.

Jupiter is the “big dog” of the planets and completely dwarfs Planet Earth.

Of course, the Sun is ginormous in comparison to all of the planets.

But, compared to other stars, the Sun is really quite a puny little light in the sky.

Antares is the 15th brightest star in the sky and it is more than 1000 light-years away. It is the “heart of the scorpion in the constellation Scorpio.

This is a infrared view of countless “entire” galaxies billions of light years away. How small and insignificant am I??

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The East Valley Tribune article came out yesterday. It was SHOCKING to see my big, fat face above the fold. And then to see the story on the front page and have the whole inside of that first page. It was a little overwhelming. To be honest, I had asked that they delay publishing because the hearing wasn’t done yet and I didn’t want it to make things worse but it is a “free press.” I wish they had a photo of the crew in the story AND some of the photos the crew took in Zambia. But, you can’t always get what you want.

I’ve been keeping very quiet about all of this because, well, there was going to be a hearing so I didn’t think I should put all sorts of things out there. It made my blog get very empty because it was occupying a lot of my energy and concern. Now, that it’s out, I’m going to get back to blogging.

Former students, friends, my fellow faculty and family are all up in arms. I’m getting lots of emails and people are posting on the East Valley Tribune site. There was an angry fellow, Todd Stallion, that was posting about wasted taxes. Somone took his posts off but I was okay with them on there. People have the right to their opinion. The thing it did was get the other folks all fired up writing from their point of view. The letters and comments are very touching! I feel so lucky to be hearing what people feel they’ve gained from their education and the support they’ve been given.

I’ve written it before and I’ll say it again (and again and again) before I die, the true gift of teaching is seeing and knowing the difference you’ve made on the planet. Former students write the most incredible letters. Here then, a note from a terrifically talented student who won awards in the Annual Juried Art Show and is just a good, kind, decent human.

“I’m extremely troubled and saddened by the events that have transpired. You were one of the best professors I have ever had. You brought a realistic take to the class and gave me tools that were practical in the field on many different levels. When you boil it all down Cyndi, you are an amazing instructor and I would definitely NOT be the same person I am today without having had you involved in my education. I am now a salaried graphic designer with a wonderful non-profit company that fights poverty and hunger throughout the world—how can it get any more rewarding than that? Whats more—I continue to pursue my love of film and art on the side at home.

I’m sorry this situation had to fall on your head, but please take solace in knowing that your students have benefitted so very greatly from your efforts. Please don’t pay any heed to those who speak to you without full knowledge of the MCC program situation and history. No one can take away the lives you’ve changed through your teaching—it’s as simple as that. They can take your job, they can embarrass you, but they cannot take away the pride and thankfulness that your students have for you.

I’m praying for you Cyndi and wanted to let you know you are appreciated despite what happens. Sleep well knowing that the lives you’ve touched have been changed for the better.

-S”

“S” made a wonderful, amazing, touching short film that made us all cry when we watched it. As a filmmaker, I was inspired by his storytelling ability. Thanks for all you contributed to me! And thanks for the letter!

(Photo credit: Linda Olson, East Valley Tribune while she asked a million questions about the films, the crew and the students. I love the expression she caught on my face. I don’t know exactly what it is but I know I was feeling so good about all the students had accomplished.)

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I got a wonderful email from a former student today! She was a terrific digital illustrator and pre-press wizard. I asked if it would be okay to post her letter. She said she was shocked and that I could definitely post her note. The greatest compliment of all? She asked that I tell her where I end up teaching (if Mesa didn’t retain me) so she would know where she could go to keep learning.

Hi Cyndi, I was going to sign up for another class and looked to see what you were teaching. When I did not find anything, I asked my friend Ron (he works in receiving at the school) what was up as I had understood that you were on sabbatical and would be back this fall. He told me that something was up, as your stuff was all moved out of the office and he did not think you were coming back.

So, I went to your blog to see if I could find out what was going on. I am very disappointed to hear you are having legal problems and are not coming back to the school. You are the best instructor I have had for the digital art computer programs and am disappointed that I may have to take classes
from someone else in the future.

I hope you win the Woman of the Year Award as I think you deserve it! I hope everything works out in your favor as you are one of the best and most dedicated teachers I have ever had. Once all of this is over, if you start teaching again in the East Valley, please let me know where. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Take Care,
Sue Kopca

I have been exceedingly blessed in this lifetime. I have been teaching media arts classes since the summer of 1989 at Gateway Community College. In 1998, I made the transition to Mesa Community College and had the incredible joy of teaching thousands of dedicated, inspiring, creative students in filmmaking, design, illustration, animation, web design and digital arts. They’re wonderful about keeping in touch and letting me know how they’re doing. I love hearing from them and it’s fun to share their successes!

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