“The fact is, at age 70 I could possibly work creatively for another 15 or 20 years. That’s a whole lifetime. I had just been kidnapped by a depressing presidential campaign for a year and I wanted little to do with the daily news and a world in disarray. What was most exciting to me was my own vision, my inner world, how I saw things, using whatever gifts I’d been given and using them up completely.”
Turning 70 was a traumatic experience, so I thought I would make a film about it.
I’d been making documentary films for 30 years, working with editors, shooters, advisors, specialists, crew. But now at the age of 70 I wanted to try something else. I wanted to make a short movie like a writer writes a short story. Alone.
I barely have the technical ability to open a jar of applesauce, but I do know a little about current film technology and production, so I thought I might be able to make the journey from idea to screen solo. Online distribution platforms like YouTube and Vimeo would give me easy access to those screens—mainly small ones, on computers and phones. Editing software is becoming easier to use. Cameras are so consumer friendly, they seem to run by themselves. And the images, music and effects, all available online, make it possible to be writer, director, shooter, art director, designer, gaffer, gofer, actor, marketer and distributor all rolled into one.
If you want to, you can make a film alone at a desk.
Beating Isolation
Early on, I realized that working alone would present me with problems. By going solo I was not only sealing myself off from clients, but also from friends, compatriots and other professionals; a whole world of technical and artistic expertise, as well as travel and sociability.
Making a film by yourself backs you into an isolated corner—as does getting older. Somewhere on route to 70 one starts to become invisible. In film work we call this a slow dissolve. You just appear to fade. Maybe it’s the constantly changing technology. Maybe it’s the beautiful and ever-present fervor among young filmmakers, but what happens is this: You not only retire but you are, in fact, retired from the scene. While I wanted to work alone, I wasn’t prepared for how isolating getting older in a young person’s field would be.
You have few social discoveries to make in your seventh decade—you aren’t out much, and when you are, everyone is younger and you have less to learn.
So there I was, home alone. Fine. I would explore my inner landscape. Obsessive diarist and doodler that I am, self-exploration was a natural for me. But I learned I needed to practice it, at least in some part, away from the desk and out in the real world. It’s nice to have somewhere to be and something to actually do while trekking around in your inner angst. And so in the process of making this film, I developed a scaffold on which to build a relationship with both the outside world and myself.
For example, once I began shooting the film, I might find myself “on location” at my local Barnes & Noble with my little low-profile Sony NEX camera at my side. I might stash it on a bookshelf, turn it on, walk to the front of the store, come back, do a jig in front of the camera, record a scene, pack up and get out. Sometimes I’d buy a book.
This felt like an especially productive and entertaining way to be in a bookstore. I would end up doing this at supermarkets, on highways, in trains and while visiting friends in distant cities. I could both work alone and get out in the world.
Finding My Tools
Now, as I say, I have limited technical ability, so I knew if I was going to make a film by myself, I’d need a simple, intuitive editing system and I would have to love using it. For me, a low-tech filmmaker if ever there was one, this relationship with editing software would have to be a love affair.
I retreated to the seclusion of my home office, and started using Adobe’s Premiere editing software, because that’s what I used when I learned the little bit of editing that I knew. But my relationship with it fell apart fast as my story grew more complicated. I wanted to paint. Adobe Premiere was like working with surgical tools.
So I started a flirtation with Apple’s Final Cut X editing software. Suddenly the sun came out, it was all singing and dancing. I loved it. Undiscriminating filmmaker than I am, I simply started shooting things (any things), loading clips into my computer and playing with Final Cut X. I had no idea what I was doing or where this was headed.
The fact is, at age 70 I could possibly work creatively for another 15 or 20 years. That’s a whole lifetime. What else was one to do? I had just been kidnapped by a depressing presidential campaign for a year and I wanted little to do with the daily news and a world in disarray. What was most exciting to me was my own vision, my inner world, how I saw things, using whatever gifts I’d been given and using them up completely.
I couldn’t tell where the outside world was going, but inside I was making progress. I was putting something together. I have always been fascinated by the way words and images work with each other. Now I had some word-and-image manipulating machinery—let’s see what happens.
The Script—Forgetting About It
We have a guest house on our homestead outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico. I took refuge in a corner of it and locked myself in for two weeks with paper, pen, laptop and a dozen of my favorite books for inspiration. I wanted to create something that people I knew could relate to.
My film would need to be short. I knew people would likely watch it on a smartphone or tablet where the average attention span for video is about two minutes. But my story was going to be longer than that, so I decided to tell it in episodes of under two minutes each.
I saw “Seventy” as an episodic story with each episode having a bit of a cliff hanger ending. And I wanted it to be light—no heavy existential turmoil. The world needed smiles.
I walked out of the guesthouse after two weeks with a script in five acts about what I had done since closing up my production business.
Then I threw the script away.
I didn’t want a shot-by-shot script, just starting points. I was creating something that didn’t exist, not painting by numbers, and I wanted to be open to serendipity and chance. This was to be an exercise in my ability to let go. I would follow where the work wanted to take me.
Shooting the Film
I wanted to keep dialogue and exposition to a minimum because I knew sound can be an issue on mobile devices—and anyway, I didn’t trust myself to operate sound equipment. I would use the built-in mic on the camera whenever I could.
I wasn’t much more proficient with a camera than I was with sound equipment. I couldn’t pull off any really stunning shots—and I didn’t want to. What took master photographers decades to learn is now built into camera settings, and everyone’s a soft-focus genius producing creamy, beautiful images. None of that for me. I’m a writer and I like it rough. I would keep the camera on its flattest, most basic automatic settings.
I took endless notes, gave them to myself and headed into production. In the morning I would meet with myself and all of my teammates: lighting, costume, script, camera, sound — me, me, me and me—and my tripod.
I was the lead, indeed the only actor. I directed myself, reviewed “takes” with myself and, after turning the camera on, ran around to the front of it for endless reshoots and pickups. Later, I sat with my editor and writer, me and me. No meetings, no call sheets, no urgent texts, no hard feelings, no nothing.
The film, was driving, I was just along for the ride.
Editing and the Acorn Theory
I read and re-read James Hillman’s “The Soul’s Code.” Hillman is the astute and delightful Jungian Psychiatrist who postulated what he called the “Acorn Theory”; there is an innate part of us that exists from birth, even before birth, and it calls out to be lived. Our job is to listen for it, find it and follow it. Forever.
I wanted to say something about this Acorn Theory and I wanted to say something about art, craft, technology and the new tools of creative production. I wanted to say something about making stuff instead of consuming stuff.
And I wanted to have fun. If I did it right and didn’t plan too much, that fun would come across on the screen. As I put scenes together, I found I didn’t need a lot of words. The picture would do the talking, and the music would keep the story moving. It became a silent film with title cards, something I never even considered when I sat down to write the script.
Music was my inspiration—the music I was using in my film and the music I had listened to most of my life. Rock and Roll. I don’t know if I could have made “Seventy” without Tom Petty. I must have listened to his new “Mudcrutch” song, “Trailer,” a thousand times over two months. I wanted something that sweet and simple.
Small Screen, Big Screen
Five hundred hours of video is uploaded to YouTube every minute. The moving image has become a commodity, like wheat. Most short films highlighted on video platforms have a polish and a refinement that in the past, only a team of disciplined craftsmen could have created. But that doesn’t necessarily make for art or even a decent three-minute video.
That’s what makes the recent explosion of film festivals so exciting. Most film festivals are carefully curated, many by true aficionados who sift through endless entries and can spot original thinking. They’re where people who appreciate the out-of-Hollywood experience go to watch films.
I had always done things for clients or with the idea of making money. Now I want people who have no investment in the product to watch.
Now I only want to make sparks and have fun.
My short film “Seventy” opened at the Taos Shortz Film Festival in March. In April it was featured in the Southern Arizona Independent Film Festival where it won several honors; Best Indie Film, Best Director, Best Editing and shared honors for Best Performance.
Watch Seventy from Robert Belinoff on Vimeo.
Bob Belinoff is a filmmaker as well as a writer and speaker on creativity and aging. His first narrative fiction film, “Seventy,” opens at the Taos Shortz Film Fest on March 31. You can reach him at bob@digitalwkshop.com. Visit Bob Belinoff on Facebook.
COMMENTS
9 responses to “How I Made Seventy”
Wish it was longer. I loved it.
Thank you for sharing. Really enjoyed your short film. We’re never too old. I turn 70 next year and keep having to pinch myself because I still feel more like 23, although I know I’m not as attested by the funny stares from youngsters when I try to act like them, the general aches and pains associated with an older body, and the exhaustion after a full days’ riding on the pushbike.
Well, Bob, you can travel the world, try all different things but the only way you will find a ‘home” is by looking inside. I know, I know, I was an agnostic but feeling lost led me to experience the Spirit inside my heart, God. You are ready for a “rebirth”. Start meditating, seeking and “yee shall find.”
From one member of the tribe to another. Rita S.
Hi Bob. I’m a fellow filmmaker who has explored aging in an hour long film called OLD?! – which also can be found on Senior
Planet. But I admit that the thought of turning SEVENTY myself next month indeed feels traumatic. Your film gave me smiles and inspiration to keep doing it. The world of indie film needs voices of all ages!
Thanks! You made me laugh! I am 70.
Laughed out loud!
What Kathy said. Also, I think people should be thinking about the future always. Kids, young ‘uns, should prepare themselves. It’s easy if you have a long runway for takeoff. Wouldn’t want to have to leap into the air flat out without preparation.
Hello Bob!
Personally enjoyed your movie.
I’m a 57 year old, married to a wonderful man. One sibling,who has flowen the birds nest.
I have had cancer. I was a terrible drinker.
Mottos that I have held and quoted to our son, I feel have helped me through life, thanks to my grandparents Dorothy and Nelson Roband.
I also love a poster called DESIDERATA, look it up.
Thank you heaps for your fantastic movie.
Yours Sincerely,
Deb
Congratulations Bob! It looks like you’ve found your soul’s code in making films. I very much enjoyed Seventy that highlights what so many people face as they “retire” and look forward to many more of your films in the future. As you’ve said, you have a lifetime ahead of you so who knows where that will lead next.
Sign Up for Newsletters
There’s always a lot going on in the Senior Planet universe. Get our newsletters to make sure you never miss a thing!
Sign Up Now
Join Senior Planet Community
Senior Planet Community is our social media platform designed specifically for older adult users. Engage in thought-provoking discussions, make new friends, and share resources all on a safe and ad-free platform.
Join the Conversation Today
Upcoming Online Classes
Calendar of Events
S Sun
M Mon
T Tue
W Wed
T Thu
F Fri
S Sat
0 events,
12 events,
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Intro to Translation Tools
Intro to Translation Tools
This lecture will introduce digital translation tools and apps, such as Google Translate.
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
Get your heart pumping during this fun, high-energy workout!
15 events,
29
Stronger Bones
Stronger Bones
Activate the joints and muscles and increase mental focus during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Internet of Things: Entertainment
Internet of Things: Entertainment
This lecture will explore the many ways we interact with IoT on a day-to-day basis and take a look at how it’s revolutionizing entire industries.
13 events,
30
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Discover Live: Krakow, Poland
Discover Live: Krakow, Poland
Join Senior Planet and our tour guides from Discover Live for a virtual visit to Krakow, Poland!
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
Get your heart pumping during this fun, high-energy workout!
15 events,
31
Balance/Strength
Balance/Strength
Activate the joints and muscles to become limber and increase balance during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Money Matters
Money Matters
This lecture introduces online banking and goes over how to keep your financial information safe.
8 events,
1
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
P2P Payment Services
P2P Payment Services
In this lecture, you’ll learn about some of today’s most popular P2P payment services, including PayPal, Venmo, and CashApp.
Tai Chi
Tai Chi
Relax your mind and strengthen your body with this gentle exercise class
0 events,
2
0 events,
3
0 events,
4
15 events,
5
Stronger Bones
Stronger Bones
Activate the joints and muscles and increase mental focus during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Affordable Home Internet
Affordable Home Internet
This lecture goes over basic information you need to know when signing up for home internet service.
13 events,
6
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Discover Live: Seville, Spain
Discover Live: Seville, Spain
Join Senior Planet and our tour guides from Discover Live for a virtual visit to Seville, Spain!
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
Get your heart pumping during this fun, high-energy workout!
14 events,
7
Balance/Strength
Balance/Strength
Activate the joints and muscles to become limber and increase balance during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Intro to Translation Tools
Intro to Translation Tools
This lecture will introduce digital translation tools and apps, such as Google Translate.
8 events,
8
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Protecting Your Personal Info Online
Protecting Your Personal Info Online
This presentation will cover the ins and outs of how to protect your personal information online.
Tai Chi
Tai Chi
Relax your mind and strengthen your body with this gentle exercise class
0 events,
9
0 events,
10
12 events,
11
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Mobile Health Apps
Mobile Health Apps
This lecture introduces common health apps, like the iPhone's built-in app and the Google Fit app.
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
Get your heart pumping during this fun, high-energy workout!
16 events,
12
Stronger Bones
Stronger Bones
Activate the joints and muscles and increase mental focus during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Smartphones at a Glance
Smartphones at a Glance
In this lecture you’ll learn about popular smartphones on the market and some of their pros and cons.
12 events,
13
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Online Shopping
Online Shopping
This lecture will provide a general introduction to shopping online using the popular website Amazon.com.
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
Get your heart pumping during this fun, high-energy workout!
14 events,
14
Balance/Strength
Balance/Strength
Activate the joints and muscles to become limber and increase balance during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
eBay & PayPal
eBay & PayPal
This lecture provides an overview of the popular auction website eBay and the pioneer online payment service PayPal.
8 events,
15
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Introduction to Learning Apps – Languages & The Arts
Introduction to Learning Apps – Languages & The Arts
This presentation will introduce you to apps that help you learn different languages, explore the arts and art history, and even show you how to play instruments.
Tai Chi – CANCELED
Tai Chi – CANCELED
Today's session has been canceled. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please join us next week.
0 events,
16
0 events,
17
12 events,
18
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Telemedicine
Telemedicine
This lecture provides an overview of telemedicine options and focuses on exploring virtual medical appointments with your doctor in real-time.
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
Get your heart pumping during this fun, high-energy workout!
16 events,
19
Stronger Bones
Stronger Bones
Activate the joints and muscles and increase mental focus during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
All Things Zoom
All Things Zoom
This lecture will go over how to use Zoom to chat with friends & family, and take virtual classes with Senior Planet!
13 events,
20
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Introduction to Hosting on Zoom
Introduction to Hosting on Zoom
In this introductory lecture, we'll go over what you need to start your first meeting, as well as some hosting tips to make it a success.
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
Get your heart pumping during this fun, high-energy workout!
15 events,
21
Balance/Strength
Balance/Strength
Activate the joints and muscles to become limber and increase balance during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
eBay & PayPal
eBay & PayPal
This lecture provides an overview of the popular auction website eBay and the pioneer online payment service PayPal.
10 events,
22
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Podcasts
Podcasts
In this lecture, you'll learn more about these audio programs available on the internet: why people listen to them, where you can find them, and what the most popular ones are.
Tai Chi
Tai Chi
Relax your mind and strengthen your body with this gentle exercise class
0 events,
23
0 events,
24
13 events,
25
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Online Health Resources
Online Health Resources
Learn how to evaluate health-related information online.
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
Get your heart pumping during this fun, high-energy workout!
16 events,
26
Stronger Bones
Stronger Bones
Activate the joints and muscles and increase mental focus during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
MyChart
MyChart
Learn how MyChart can help you keep all your health information in one place, communicate with your providers, and have a virtual visit.
12 events,
27
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Discover Live: Tunis, Tunisia
Discover Live: Tunis, Tunisia
Join Senior Planet and our tour guides from Discover Live for a virtual visit to Tunis, Tunisia!
關於 Zoom 的一切
關於 Zoom 的一切
了解如何使用 Zoom 與家人朋友聊天以及參與 Senior Planet 線上學習!
15 events,
28
Balance/Strength
Balance/Strength
Activate the joints and muscles to become limber and increase balance during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Intro to Managing Your Privacy
Intro to Managing Your Privacy
Concerned about privacy? Unsure about accepting cookies? Come learn about some essential privacy tips!
9 events,
29
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Online Travel Sites
Online Travel Sites
Learn the basics of using online travel sites to find the best fares and rates for just about any destination.
Tai Chi
Tai Chi
Relax your mind and strengthen your body with this gentle exercise class
0 events,
30
Morning Stretch
Intro to Translation Tools
Fit Fusion Workout
Stronger Bones
Morning Stretch
Internet of Things: Entertainment
Morning Stretch
Discover Live: Krakow, Poland
Fit Fusion Workout
Balance/Strength
Morning Stretch
Money Matters
Morning Stretch
P2P Payment Services
Tai Chi
Stronger Bones
Morning Stretch
Affordable Home Internet
Morning Stretch
Discover Live: Seville, Spain
Fit Fusion Workout
Balance/Strength
Morning Stretch
Intro to Translation Tools
Morning Stretch
Protecting Your Personal Info Online
Tai Chi
Morning Stretch
Mobile Health Apps
Fit Fusion Workout
Stronger Bones
Morning Stretch
Smartphones at a Glance
Morning Stretch
Online Shopping
Fit Fusion Workout
Balance/Strength
Morning Stretch
eBay & PayPal
Morning Stretch
Introduction to Learning Apps – Languages & The Arts
Tai Chi – CANCELED
Morning Stretch
Telemedicine
Fit Fusion Workout
Stronger Bones
Morning Stretch
All Things Zoom
Morning Stretch
Introduction to Hosting on Zoom
Fit Fusion Workout
Balance/Strength
Morning Stretch
eBay & PayPal
Morning Stretch
Podcasts
Tai Chi
Morning Stretch
Online Health Resources
Fit Fusion Workout
Morning Stretch
Online Health Resources
Fit Fusion Workout
Stronger Bones
Morning Stretch
MyChart
Morning Stretch
Discover Live: Tunis, Tunisia
關於 Zoom 的一切
Balance/Strength
Morning Stretch
Intro to Managing Your Privacy
Morning Stretch
Online Travel Sites
Tai Chi
Recent Articles
Recent Comments