From the Grand Junction Free Press ~

Film explores 'happiness' across America

By Sharon Sullivan
Free Press Staff Writer

Seeking to understand the meaning of “the pursuit of happiness,” filmmaker Andrew Shapter and his small team traveled coast-to-coast, speaking to Americans they encountered along the way in an attempt to discover what it means to be happy.

The cast includes people such as the Dalai Lama spiritual leader, philanthropists, scholars, musicians Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp, as well as a “wide range of happiness ‘experts.'” Other cast members include Dan Millan, author of “Way of the Peaceful Warrior,” a Native American shaman, and Darrin McMahon, author of “Happiness: A History.”

Shapter also interviews “regular” people on his cross-country journey — people who make you smile just listening to them.

The film reveals that happiness is nothing more than a state of consciousness attainable by everyone, regardless of personal circumstance.

Shapter, however, explores why happiness is so elusive to some of us, said ReelTime co-producer Stacy Schoolfield.

One of the things the filmmaker discovers is “a lot of people find happiness through serving their community and connecting with people,” Schoolfield said.

“It's one of the reasons we invited nonprofits to come Thursday night and talk about their (organizations) afterwards. We always like to have discussions after the film.”

ReelTime at the Radio Room's screening of “Happiness Is” is part of a nationwide tour to call attention to nonprofit organizations and raise money for sponsoring venues. The film is scheduled to help launch KAFM's fall fund drive that runs from Sept. 26 through Oct. 3. KAFM is a community-run nonprofit radio station.

“Happiness Is...” was an official selection at 2008 film festivals in Austin, New Orleans, Paris and the Sun Valley Spiritual festival in Idaho.

Shapter also directed the documentary, “Before The Music Dies,” which was shown as part of the ReelTime film series in February.

“What I found then is that when people get over their egos, they generally stop doing whatever it is that is keeping them from being happy,” Shapter said in a news release. “They stop comparing themselves to people ‘above' them and start looking around at others.”

Before the film, there will be a screening of three 3-minute films from ReelTime's film camp for kids held last month.

“They're really great creations,” Schoolfield said.

ReelTime at the Radio Room shows an independent film the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m.