Tag: art

Artist at Work

Top Ten Reasons NBCUniversal Should Bring Me Aboard as a Creative Team Member

Grand Providentia United

#10 – I align with well-established principles of resourcefulness and live according to a conservational philosophy grounded in efficacy and accountability.

In 2008, when I first moved into the Sarasota Industrial Park, I discovered that an architectural design company had recently moved out and that they’d discarded a large quantity of medium-density foam blocks. I considered it a boon and carted the best pieces back to the S.M.art studio to use on sculptural armatures. As a result of my resourcefulness, it was never necessary to buy block-foam during my 11 years in business.

#9 – I prefer to focus on cooperation over competition. I find fulfillment in working with others toward shared successes.

At the peak of our productivity at Moore Art Expressions there were ten of us working enthusiastically for a common cause. A shared dedication to individual expressions of creativity became a unifying force among us and the results were clearly evident in the aesthetic impact of the projects we produced.

#8 – I consistently prioritize the improvement of my communication skills. Whether I’m communicating verbally, visually, or via written correspondence, I strive to be clear and concise with the messages I send.

As a visual artist and an entrepreneur of modest means, I’ve found it necessary to build my own brand, ring my own bell, and organize and direct promotional events from start to finish. I’ve come to realize that this is business as usual for individual artists who venture to make a living by way of their calling. Through practice fueled by necessity, I’ve become proficient in this area of artistic expression.

#7 – As a child I was introduced to industry standards and protocols, blueprints, and schematic drawings by my father, who began his career as a mechanical draftsman and later transitioned to digital drafting as CAD became the standard in the industry.

Out of high school, I landed a job at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, CT. My father was a marine draftsman there and my maternal grandfather and uncle worked there as well. For three years I installed pipe hanging systems on Trident submarines following blueprints and adhering to tight procedural tolerances and requirements. Sketches, plans and standards ultimately became a familiar language woven through my work experience in the arts and the skilled trades. This familiarity made the transition from real-world sculpting into 3D modeling and animation much less intimidating given the XYZ orientation system used in computer graphics.

#6 – I’ve been employed by private individuals, small businesses, large corporations and non-profit organizations. Through the years, I’ve regularly asked myself one simple ethical question when it comes to working for others to earn a living – ‘If I were paying myself for the work I do, would I be completely satisfied with the performance or would I be left wanting more for my money?

It’s not about working hard, but about working smart and nurturing a positive attitude. I’ve labored in some relatively difficult industries under leadership that wasn’t always beneficent or even fair, but at the end of each workday I always ask myself if I feel good about my performance. There’s always room for improvement, so I try not to judge myself too harshly. Rather, I just keep moving forward.

#5 – For a total of twelve years, I worked in logistics, driving various types of heavy equipment used in warehousing. For another 17 years, I worked as a skilled laborer in industrial manufacturing facilities and on construction sites. As one might expect, I’m well versed in occupational safety programs and best practices.

I’ve never been seriously injured on the job, and I don’t expect I ever will be. I practice mindfulness and invariably aim to stay present and aware in the workplace. When it comes to safety, I strive to lead by example.

#4 – A sizable portion of the work I’ve done in the arts has been done in the capacity of “ghost artist”. I’m still being asked to sign NDAs on occasion, but clients who know me well recognize the amount of respect I have for trademarks, copyrights and intellectual properties. For me, discretion is paramount when it comes to working for other artists and creative enterprises.

More often than not, the artists and organizations that I’ve worked for have been generous in their willingness to recommend me to others and also in allowing me to use images of the projects we’ve collaborated on as promotional materials in career development. These are a few of the clients and associates who trusted in my discretion when it came to these matters.

#3 – In a holistic way, I see myself as a ‘Practitioner’. In my experience, the cycles of learning, mastering and teaching are ongoing and perpetually evolving. I moved beyond the delusions of perfectionism long ago.

For me, one of the most exhilarating features of creativity is found in witnessing the progression of individual art projects. Equally exciting though, is promoting the evolution of artistic aptitudes in others and encouraging their mastery over materials and processes.

#2 – At this moment in my artistic evolution there is only one place for me to move up to – my heart keeps insisting that the one place is NBCUniversal. I would love to take part in manifesting the magic Universal Pictures has been delivering with their films and in their theme parks for more than a century.

Timeline of films by Universal Pictures that have influenced my life in the arts:
1) Three years after this fourth-grade photo was taken, “Jaws” was released. With some whining persuasion, my parents agreed to take me to see it in the theater. A jaw dropping audio/visual adventure to say the least!
2) The year of my high school graduation I saw the “Blues Brothers” in that same theater. I’m still proclaiming that “I’m on a mission from God” on rare occasions.
3) This photo represents 4 generations of Moore’s and includes my son Christopher at 18 months. A couple years after it was taken, Universal released “Jurassic Park”. Watching that awe-inspiring film in the theater convinced me to apply to the BFA Computer Animation program at the Ringling College of Art and Design.
4) The year “Twister” was released I entered the animation program at RCAD. Our young family visited the Universal Orlando Resort many times during the following years. “Twister… Ride it Out” was one of my personal favorites at the park.
5) In 2023, my first year at the Savannah College of Art and Design, I saw “Oppenheimer” at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival. This epic film was the icing on the cake for me. I knew without a doubt I needed to find a way into the Universe of Talent at NBCUniversal.

And here it is! The #1 reason why NBCUniversal should bring me aboard as a creative team member –

#1 – I’ve been preparing myself physically, intellectually and spiritually for a position at NBCUniversal throughout my entire life, and more specifically since I graduated with an MFA in Film and Television from SCAD in June of last year. I have an unwavering confidence that the Talent Acquisition Team at Universal will place me where I’ll be of the greatest value to the organization. I’m ready, willing and over the top excited to start the next leg of my artistic journey within the Universal cosmos of creativity.

I’ve been reading the fantastic press releases about all the amazing projects in development around the globe, and each and every one of them has been stoking the fires of my passion to build new worlds. I’m fully fueled and ready to launch into a creative career at NBCUniversal!

Artist at Work

Just Add Resources!

Grand Providentia United

Investment Fuels the Fires of Invention

Historically, artistic endeavor has been commissioned and supported by those who have access to the necessary resources to transform subjective ideas into objective realities. Having owned and operated two commercial art businesses over the course of 11 years and having funded both businesses primarily through income generated by the art projects I was able to secure and produce, I’ve certainly learned to appreciate the value of capital investment. During those years, I regularly found myself funding the most recent projects with the balance payments from the projects most recently completed. This way of conducting business requires constant hustle and affords very limited time for enjoyment of the process. As an artist who truly appreciates the learning curve that leads to the mastery of materials and processes, I can say without hesitation that I prefer to work with ample and appropriate resources on hand.

“It takes money to make money!”, they say, and I would definitely agree with them, but I’d also add that it takes a number of other equally important resources to grow a profitable business. In my experience, the most valuable resource of all, is the human one. A creative team might have all the time and money it needs to produce a successful outcome, but if the members of that team lack the skillsets, talents and initiative needed, the project could quickly fall to pieces… and there’s certainly no profit in that.

Attitude is everything in all areas of human endeavor. When it comes to creative industries, having the right teammates can transmute the outcome of a concept or project from average to extraordinary in a heartbeat. To see Moore process photos and descriptions, just click over to the portfolio page on this site – https://grandprovidentiaunited.blog/art-gallery/
Through the process of conceptualizing and producing the thesis film “Third Eye from the Sun” and writing a thesis paper to support the film, I learned the importance of maintaining the personal initiative to see a project through to its fruition against all odds. The challenges were many, but the will to succeed overcame all obstacles. Here’s a link to “Third Eye from the Sun” – https://vimeo.com/1097614638/d48cb9a6d3?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

I’ve learned to acknowledge and embrace my personal value as a human resource as well. I’ve been practicing creativity in all the affairs of this lifetime since I was a toddler. I believe that I’ve sufficiently earned the privilege to publicly affirm the positive contributions I’ve made to the arts and culture through my continued dedication to the field. I regularly celebrate victories, both minor and magnificent, and I look to the future with high expectations of what’s to come. Past accomplishments and achievements are water under the bridge, but they are also steppingstones that have brought me to ever increasing personal fulfillment. And as for the many challenges and learning experiences I’ve weathered, they’ve only further enhanced my appreciation for a well-executed art project.

Perhaps the most important feature of the human resource is the mind. Original thoughts and ideas, inspired visions, and authentic concepts have the power to transform the mediocre into the miraculous. The perceived value of a masterfully crafted work of art is arrived at by consensus. Humankind has evolved a highly sophisticated sense of aesthetic appraisal which subsequently leads to an assigned price tag. Growing up in Hope, Rhode Island, I never thought much about getting rich or being famous, but I did dream about making powerful art; art that would inspire positive change in the world. Over the decades, that dream has transformed into a clear understanding of my higher purpose in this world, as a human being and as a creator of visual art which rises above and moves beyond the expected.

I’m sure there are those who would assume that I’ve come to some kind of high point in my artistic career; that I’ve used up my allotment of inventiveness and burned through my conceptual storehouse of fresh ideas. Well, from where I’m standing, I see only a multitude of creative peaks I’ve yet to scale, and the only reason I’d agree to look away or back down would be if I were asked to compromise my artistic integrity for a paycheck. That’s a form of regret I refuse to invite to the dinner table. Intellectually, I’m ready to raise the bar and bring ideas to life, whether I’m employed by an established organization or I’m founding another startup. I’ve always been careful to encourage the work of my unbounded imagination, and I intend to continue dreaming and realizing those dreams until I can imagine no more. It may sound strange, but in mind and spirit, I feel like I’m just starting out.

When I was a child, I regularly experienced the sensation that my hands were expanding until they broke free of the confines of my bedroom and spread outwards to the world at large. Of course, I could see that they weren’t actually expanding, I knew it was all in my head. But that “knowing” didn’t quell the feelings of awe I experienced whenever this sensation took hold on my spirit. Retrospectively, I can imagine that my hands were symbolically signaling the desire to create something out of nothing.

In the assessment of my value as a human resource, I’ve found it necessary to make an honest appraisal of my physical abilities and the health of this body that my mind and spirit inhabit. I’m pleased and grateful to report that I feel more robust and energetic now than I have since my mid-forties. When the pandemic surged into reality in 2020, I decided it was time to start taking the responsibility for my own health and welfare much more seriously. I initiated a daily routine of stretching and calisthenics followed by a brisk 3–5-mile walk. I started reading the labels of the foods I was eating, eventually cutting out high fructose, GMOs and chemical additives. I buy organic when it’s available and prefer to prepare meals fresh rather than buying processed ingredients or factory prepared frozen dinners. I haven’t resorted to vegetarianism yet, but I do try to buy ethically sourced meats and eggs, thus avoiding the factory farmed alternatives. I’ve allowed my intuition, and the signals that my body sends me, to be the guides when I’m making choices between what’s healthy and unhealthy. I’ve learned to trust in the process of authentic living, knowing that I’m the creator of my own reality.

Clarity of Purpose

Next Step ~ Moving Beyond All Expectations

Grand Providentia United

In a flash of pure inspiration, the bright light of my creative vision intensified until I could clearly see an unlimited potential for artistic growth and expansion. As the father of two children, I can readily compare this epiphany to the moment I realized that Christopher and Victoria had become adults, each with their own ideals and preferences as to how they would like to proceed with their lives. I understood in that moment, without question, that it was time for me to step back and watch them take charge of their own lives, for better or for best. Similar to the that realization, during the witnessing and acknowledgment of the maturation of my creative powers, I was filled with a profound sense of peace and acceptance. The acceptance was universal in nature. Not only was I ready to accept my higher purpose in the world, an acceptance which made it possible for me to fully embrace the role of being a multi-talented and exceptionally educated Visual Artist and Writer, but I also sensed an absolute acceptance of the person I’d become by the broader world around me. It was a lot like stepping through a doorway; a doorway I’d been standing outside of for far too long. Suddenly, my previously ephemeral and subjective visions were solidified into a treasure trove of concrete and identifiable forms and concepts. Abstract ideas became visually accessible to my mind by way of my heart (intuitively). I was born with a passion for creativity, so I’m accustomed to spiritual breakthroughs, but this awakening I experienced was something entirely new, its echoes are still reverberating throughout my mind, my body and my spirit.

I’ve been unable to pinpoint exactly when this metamorphosis took place, in truth it seemed to occur over the course of three or four days, but I can tell you that it happened sometime during the past month (November 2025). So, what does this transformative experience mean, and how does it inform the next steps in my creative journey? That’s an excellent question! Read on, and I’ll do my best to describe the vision of what comes next.

Abundant Past Behind – Abundant Future Ahead

I choose to limit the time I spend looking back. I see the past for what it is – an imaginary construct of thoughts, emotions, memories, and lessons learned. I choose instead, to keep the primary focus of my life energy trained on the present moment and the future. Being fully aware that the future circumstances and experiences of this lifetime will be determined almost entirely by my thoughts and actions now, I choose to envision a life of abundance. This is not wishful thinking; it’s an act of intentional focus, meant to orchestrate positive future circumstances. Yes, I’m fully committed to the idea that each of us has the capacity to design a life that is meaningful and fulfilling based on our own passions and preferences. I’m eager to venture forward into the next phase of my creative journey, as a storyteller, a filmmaker, a fine artist, and an inventor of imagery as yet unimagined.

The evolution of an idea: The first bronze sculpture I created was “Working for Peanuts” (left). From the moment I completed the piece, I was dissatisfied with the negative tone of the original concept. The new title is “Libertus”. The original sculpture is in storage at the moment, waiting to be finished, remolded and cast in bronze as a unique work of art.

Idyllic Expectations

Since graduation, in June of this year, I’ve been contemplating what kind of short-term and long-term solutions I can envision for the future of my artistic expression. As I’ve been diligently searching for employment, I’ve also been making some thoughtfully refined discernments about the ideal career circumstances I’m looking to manifest. The following paragraph is written as a Personal Mission Statement, but it could also be regarded as a Letter of Intent for potential employers, investors, partners and associates who are visiting this site to learn more about the substance of my character, the depth of my dedication to artistic excellence and the breadth of my creative qualifications and experience. I remain open to an unlimited source of possibilities and potentialities.

Ideally, I would love to find a mid-level position within an established film studio or themed entertainment venue having the potential for career growth and expansion. I would be equally as excited to find a role in film and television production as a writer, script supervisor, or a location scout as I would be in filling a more traditional artist’s position, such as set builder, model and prop fabricator, or an SFX studio assistant. I would enter into any one of these roles with the same level of enthusiasm and commitment as I’ve always practiced when it comes to creative industries.

Eventually, when I’m offered the opportunity to join an organization in a suitable creative role, I’m confident that I will prove myself as an asset to that organization within a short period of time. I am committed to becoming a writer and director of feature-length films within the next ten years. This goal represents my passion for storytelling and my ambition to contribute meaningfully to the film industry. I recognize that achieving this ambition requires hard work and perseverance. I am fully prepared to earn this privilege by dedicating all of my best qualities and strengths to my work. My aim is not only to fulfill my personal aspirations but also to elevate the success of the entire organization through my efforts. This is the way I’ve always focused my energies. Whether I was installing pipes on nuclear submarines, manufacturing neon signs, producing bronze sculptures for artists and art patrons, or creating the next Scott Joseph Moore original artwork, I’ve always kept the focus on producing the best possible outcome under the given parameters of timelines, resources, and expectations. Although, as I stated in the title of this post, I’m intent on moving beyond all expectations when it comes to my artistry.

Film Journey, New Day, Fresh Start

Nine Months of Positive Growth

Grand Providentia United

Before I delve into the future, or even the present for that matter, I thought I should revisit the recent past. When I started my studies at the Savannah College of Art and Design on September 11 of last year, I was confident that I could publish regular updates to this blog while also being enrolled in three courses per quarter at the college. I knew that the blog would have to take a backseat to my education at SCAD, but I thought that I could accomplish both tasks simultaneously, as long as I kept my primary focus on the coursework. Within the first couple weeks of classes I realized that it would take all of my creative energies and my undivided focus just to reserve ample head space for the learning curve that would be required for my academic success. Was the past statement wordy? Yes. In short form, it reads more like this – I had to abandon my blog posts temporarily and adopt a new outlet for creative expression, namely the Film and Television Program at the Savannah College of Art and Design.

I feel extremely fortunate to be enrolled as a graduate student at the Savannah College of Art and Design! I’ve completed my first year of studies in the MFA Film and Television Program with a focus on Directing and Experimental Filmmaking. My current unofficial GPA – 3.66. I could never have made it this far without the incredible support of friends and family who have generously invested in my success! Thank you all, I truly appreciate your help!

Now, I’ll move on to a more comprehensive and detailed description of my experiences over the past nine months at SCAD. For readers who are satisfied with the big picture as I’ve already described it, this would be a good place to click your way to some other worthy story on the vast dataspace of the world wide web. Thank you kindly for visiting the “Grand Providentia United” blog site!

These photos were taken the first time I toured the Backlot at SCAD (September 2023). This is a partial view of Phase 1 of the Backlot project. Phase 2 is currently being built and construction on Phase 3, the final phase (likely to be completed after I graduate in the spring of 2025) has already begun. It’s an exciting time to be learning film production at the Savannah College of Art and Design!

As a sexagenarian and someone who had not been in the role of student at college for more than twenty years, I was quite self-conscious about my age while attending the first few weeks of class at SCAD. My classmates were all at least twenty years younger than me and most of them were obviously well ahead of me in terms of their technological proficiencies and knowledge concerned with the art of filmmaking. This self-consciousness was expected, in truth it had been nagging at me since I made the decision to apply to the program in February of 2022. In the lead-up to the first quarter of classes, I spent many an hour during sleepless nights worrying about my ability to make the grade and ultimately graduate with an MFA in Film. Throughout the first two quarters of classes, a nagging uncertainty dogged me day and night. I badgered myself with constant internal questions: Was I up to the challenge of graduate level studies at my age? Was I delusional, thinking that I could keep up with the academic demands and ultimately make the grade? Was the dream of becoming an independent filmmaker beyond my creative reach? All these questions, and many others, came to a climax at the beginning of the second quarter when I realized how much work was required to make it through just two of the three classes, I’d registered for during the winter session. Toward the end of January, I was so worried about the amount of course work in front of me, that I had an experience that I can only describe as a panic attack brought on by a massive wave of the imposter syndrome. Thankfully, a classmate (a new friend) was there to provide a more positive perspective on my circumstances. He advised me to stop looking at the whole staircase and focus on one step at a time. As soon as he gave me the advice, I realized that it was the same advice that I would have given to someone else if the roles were reversed. This snapped me out of my spiral thinking almost immediately, and once I had returned my focus to the work at hand rather than wasting energy on what-ifs and worries about inadequacies, I was able to prioritize the course work and finish the quarter on a high note. Even more importantly, I was able to relax and do my best work in the third and final quarter of my first academic year in the MFA program at SCAD.

From the 26th Annual SCAD Savannah Film Festival, October 21-28, 2023. What an exciting event it was, albeit a little overstimulating for me, considering that it took place during my first quarter of studies!

Graduate studies at SCAD are said to be comprehensive and fast paced no matter what creative discipline or area of focus you are there to study. In my opinion, that comprehensiveness and learning pace demonstrates that they are adequately earning their tuition fees, and this educational strategy on its own, effectively and continually grows their reputation as one of the top art colleges in the world. One of the things that I’ve come to recognize after finishing my first year at the college, is that I would right now be feeling disappointed and less accomplished had the last nine months been intellectually easy on me. As a result of my struggles, I experience growth, physically, spiritually and intellectually. The way I see it, my first year at SCAD was a great success!

Various BTS photos – Muta, Samantha, Ian, Ved, Eric and Scott
Left to Right – Will – Skeleton King vs. Timber Rattler – Scott, Lilly, Damian – Damian – Ved
Images above are behind the scenes photos taken on set of Father Nature. Photography by Kris Patel.

Father Nature was the first time I directed a film with a team of talented filmmakers. I wrote the script during December of 2023 and captured the principal photography in February of 24. I edited the film over the course of the Spring quarter, adding sound as I learned the process in Sound Design for Film and Television. There are certain aspects of the film that I am still not satisfied with, but I decided it was time to put it to rest and move on to the next big idea. Something I’ve practiced throughout a lifetime of creating art – know when to say the work is finished.

Link –https://youtu.be/no8V6ev5eC4?si=7XLJYKDAvFeE3BOV

This film was intended to be a proof-of-concept piece and I was planning to further explore the concept for my thesis project. I decided at the last moment (during the Graduate Review Meeting) to leave further exploration of Father Nature until after graduation. The thesis will instead be a short film introducing the “Grand Providentia Projection”

Over the course of the spring quarter, I decided how I wanted to proceed with my education and the remainder of my creative journey. I enrolled in a class called Experimental Film and there I found an enormous amount of inspiration. One of the driving forces behind my decision to apply to SCAD was inspired by the work of the surrealist filmmaker David Lynch. After taking this course I decided to lean into the surreal – gravitate toward the supernatural – run straight into the horror – experiment with science fiction – and dream a fantastic dream. I want to make films that make people wonder.

Link to “Green Blind Man” – https://vimeo.com/1094456817?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci