I’m fading into my twilight years as a starving writer and movie maker. Even though I’ve been meaning to slow down, my creative projects are as prolific as ever. I’ve begun downsizing, which includes eliminating domain names and consolidating my virtual unreality.
I’m a volunteer for Boulder Community Media. I write books and make documentary movies. All money that’s made from book sales, grants to support projects, and production services goes right back to BCM!
alanohashi.com will soon go away, but it still exists in WordPress as https://alanohashi.wordpress.com
In the midst of COVID, Boulder Community Media finished producing my documentary “Beyond Heart Mountain,” which aired on Wyoming PBS in 2021 and is streaming on PBS Passport. That was followed by the Winter Goose Publishing release of my memoir of the same title in February 2022.
COVID delayed my next documentary, “Beyond Sand Creek,” which was finally completed and aired on PBS in 2023. Its companion, “The Arapaho Covered Wagon Redux,” was subsequently delayed during the pandemic and, after seven years, saw the light of day in 2024. I started writing books in isolation. I’ve given a few talks about my work at the Boulder Bookstore.
It wasn’t until I rose from my deathbed in 2014 that I realized the importance of connections with neighbors and why I’m a disciple of intentional community life.
I left all that behind while chasing life in the free-enterprise system. I moved to Colorado around 1993 after a robust career working with local, state, federal, and tribal governments in Wyoming.
Part of my work involved affordable housing development through public/private partnerships.
That transition was met with many challenges. As a risk taker, I knew the possible consequences of leaving the steady public sector.
After being laid off from a couple of jobs following 9/11, I grew tired of working for marginally competent bosses. I qualified for unemployment twice and was told by my friends to take a risk and try something I’ve always wanted to do, but I didn’t because I was always stuck in a “job.”
My second breadline in 2008 led me to some video production classes at the local public access TV station. That training eventually led to my position as Director and Producer at Boulder Community Media.
I haven’t looked back on my evolutionary path. Self-employment isn’t without its challenges. Every morning, I wake up unemployed and constantly developing the next project.
Small-town spirit is a big interest of mine. I’ve been involved with community journalism since 1968 when I wrote for my junior high school paper, the Tumbleweed, through high school, and college and then wrote professionally for the Wyoming State Journal.
After moving to Colorado, there wasn’t much community journalism opportunity, so I resurrected my writing prowess as a screen writer. My first short screenplay, “Stardust”, won an award in the 2005 Denver Screenwriting Center contest.
Views from Behind the Lens are random thoughts about random topics – sports politics, personal experiences, movie stuff. Much of this was organized into a memoir entitled Beyond Heart Mountain, which is scheduled to be published by Winter Goose Publishing.
“Aging Gratefully” is a series of movies about my recovery from my deathbed at Silver Sage Village. It is on the private screening circuit. The most recent is about life in cohousing during COVID-19.
In the summer of 2013, I co-produced a SAG indie narrative movie called “Mahjong and the West,” which premiered at the semi-important Woodstock Film Festival in October 2014 and is now available on Netflix.
Four feature-length documentaries aired on PBS: “Beyond Heart Mountain,” “Your Neighbor’s Child” (Wyoming PBS and Rocky Mountain PBS), “New Deal Artist Public Art Legacy (Wyoming PBS), and “Dutch Hop!” (Nebraska Educational Television).
I wish I could say I was becoming a mega media mogul, but I’m too much of a do-gooder and prefer to “spread around the wealth.”
BCM is a non-profit production group dedicated to democratzing electronic media on large and small screens, printed pages, and stages by providing sustainable and community-based content.
I mostly work with community-based media producers, organizations, and socially responsible businesses to develop their content through the written word, electronic and new media, and the visual and performing arts in a culturally competent manner. I’m what’s commonly called a niche TV and movie producer.
Along with all this is plying my forte’ – fund development through grant writing, sponsorship nurturing and event planning.
Based on the social and cultural turmoil that has reared its ugly head over the past few years, I dusted off my community and economic development hat and positioned it as Environmental and Cultural Organizational Systems (ECOS).
There’s a tab on the website that explains what ECOS is doing. During these times of intercultural conflicts, political upheaval, and cultural divisions, there’s a need for cultural competency training, diverse housing opportunities, and cultural brokerage to assist businesses and organizations in better managing the change that’s happening in the world around us.
If you have questions or comments, message the Alan – BCM Bot. We learn more and more every day!