Leprechauns and Rewiring
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Aloha,
If you are just joining us, welcome. Darieus Legg is an independent animator, filmmaker, and surfer.
These are excerpts from…
a journal. About making an independent animated surf documentary and comic called, Stoker Machine.
They say when you catch a leprechaun, never let your eyes off it, or it’ll sneak away. While in your custody, a leprechaun will give you three wishes, and sometimes a pot of gold.
I feel like creative ideas are like that too. When something strikes you as a project worth doing. Go for it. Don’t let your eyes off the magical gift. Stoker Machine is my leprechaun.
I’ve been working on this film for two years this November. It was touch and go when I first started. When I took a deeper look at what was going on inside me, by going to therapy, the film became my dedicated labor of love. Something pulling me forward to develop me.
“Don’t turn away. Keep your gaze on the bandaged place. That’s where the light enters you.”
Asking for help has been a struggle my whole life. I learned that pattern from my parents and surroundings growing up on the big island. My folks are dedicated and disciplined visionaries in their own right. People on the big island are humble, pull yourself up by the slippers, and don’t rock the boat types. That did a lot for me. Shaped me. Bless em’ all. Forever grateful.
At thirty-nine, I’m choosing to give myself permission to ask for help when I need it. Which is why I’m polishing up a pitch deck and seeking funding for post-production, the companion comic book for the film, and the Stoker blockchain DAO. Barring any catastrophic incidents, nothing is going to stop this story from being told.
The Stoker Machine project will teach people about Ocean life and the human stewards of the ocean - surfers. A wise investment in humankinds future on this planet. And a way for me to give back to the ohana who did so much for me.
“Unlike a lie, an imagined reality is something that everyone believes in, and as long as they continue to believe in it, the imagined reality can exert a lot of power.”
Big dream. I know. In the past, I’ve had dreams like this and have tried to accomplish everything on my own. Bite down on the bit and grind it out. That method sucks for me. Endless disappointment. Everyone has their own journey and their own time. Here’s what doing everything on my own looks like.
Here is how it looks now.
If your wondering, “how do you “be stoked”? It’s a great question. I begin by taking responsibility for what is in my control. Like my behavior and thoughts. It isn’t easy, takes discipline, but it cultivates my stoke.
The shift from doing in the world to being in the world is transforming everything in my life. Being okay asking for help is part of it. Don’t get me wrong. It’s lots of work. Lost of daily practice. And routine. I’m literally rewiring neural pathways that are decades old to create new pathways and new behaviors. That work is worth doing though because it’s building a future. My future. I may not be able to control everything, but I can set myself up for success. Especially when the fruits of that labor gives birth to the Stoker Machine project.
Bullet list of what’s going down:
Going to Mexico to film a session with Randal Rostoker and Chad Campbell next month.
Going back home to Hawaii (August) to see my Dad, and film a couple more scenes with Chad Campbell.
Received an email back from an incredible illustrator, Luis Mendo. His encouragement and advice are priceless. Love you long time Luis.
Pumping this playlist (StokeMachine#002) before surfing and during drawing sessions.
Completed another Hoffman Institute retreat.
Behind The Scenes, Stoker Machine:
Flash Back to my short-film, “Maps of Home Of Home”
Illustrations Published print and digital, Texas Observer:
To close out the post, I am going to share with you wishes I’m asking my Leprechaun.
Stoker Machine transforms (positively) the way people connect to nature and one another.
Stoker Machine receives enough support to continue making many more films, comics, and animated series like it.
(TBD)
