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Interview with Robert Martin
Robert Martin is the man! You see him solving problems in your OLLI classes by fixing some audio-visual equipment or calling up a repair person. You talk to him on the phone about schedules or ask him questions about the program, or about class registration issues. He's the guy who keeps the teaching assistants and teachers supplied, on course and organized. He is the oil that makes OLLI run smoothly. But what makes him tick and where did he come from?
Robert entered employment at San Francisco State University in 1993. Much of his time with the College was spent working for the Multimedia Studies Program (MSP) – except for a brief interlude at the SFSU Oakland Center, a short-lived university venture. During his sojourn with the MSP, Robert worked closely with twenty-somethings looking to gain the skills needed to ultimately land new media jobs.
When Robert was offered a position to work for OLLI in 2004 he saw it as his ticket back to curriculum coordination and to again work directly with students – something he had missed while at the SFSU Oakland Center where he was the facilities and operations coordinator. Robert feels that he found a good home and fit within OLLI. He especially likes the fact that the students he serves are all there because they find it enriches their lives.
He says this about the comparison between his former work with the MSP and OLLI: "When coordinating the Industry Internship and Portfolio Development portions of the MSP curriculum, students were young and eager to enter the working world. They were on the fast track, ready to rev up their careers, ready to leap headlong into the competitive and demanding world of nearly 24/7 employment. With OLLI, students are either moving toward retirement or are already retired and thus take classes out of a very sincere desire to pursue something that they now have the time to explore. They have experience and wisdom and it's fascinating to play a small part in helping to facilitate their exploration. It is curious to me that my own employment background with SFSU has had me working at either end of the employment spectrum: first with those entering the job market and now with those moving out of it."
And who is Robert when not at work at OLLI? He lives with his wife of eight years Elizabeth and their two dogs, Quincey, a miniature Australian Shepard, and Cody, a Shetland Sheep dog. "They really are our pride and joy," he admits. What are his other joys? He has many including music, walks with the dogs, creating a beautiful garden, and creating surprising adventures with his wife who is a business consultant who is writing a book about navigating between personal values and business priorities while working in the corporate world. When Robert is not playing with the dogs or on a mini-adventure with Elizabeth, he is writing poetry with the intention to publish. He also expects very soon to take the plunge into the local poetry scene through ingratiating himself upon the open-mike poetry reading circuit.
"I would say that I am most alive when I am fully engaged in the creative process, whether it is with my photography, writing, or film making," he says. How did he arrive at all this artistic pursuit and passion? It started, he said, in high school when he began to write song lyrics and had friends play and perform the pieces. But then he saw the need to learn the guitar so he could play and perform his own material. Later, while studying at St. Andrews University in Scotland, he was bitten by the photography bug. Once back in the States he took as many black and white photography classes as he could. Within a few short years his experiments in photography lead him into film. "I felt like I had taken still photography as far as I could. Within film I could make my images and their stories come to life; I could explore the interplay between sound, music and motion that was not possible in the beautiful but static world of still photography. Film was clearly next step for me."
Robert was born in 1962 and grew up in Orinda, California. As a boy he avidly collected baseball cards – and made it his focus to acquire as many Willie Mays cards each year as he could. He also played out his nature side and love of animals by searching for salamanders after the winter rains came. In addition to his reptilian friends, he also had many cats growing up - almost all of which carried the name of TINNY TIM.
Martin has a BA is in English Lit, and will receive his MFA in film production upon the completion of his thesis film The Music Lesson – details of which can be found at www.youarethemusic.com.
Robert has made nearly ten films and videos. One of his film's, called Seeing Staccato, won a number awards and was screened in many local and national film festival. In an impressionistic fashion in black & white, the film explores the creative process of one-time SF freelance illustrator, David Ricceri.
Much of Robert's creative energies over the next year will be devoted to finishing - come hell or high water - The Music Lesson.
Now when Mr. Martin is hustling around your classroom arranging, setting up or fixing something to help the class start, you will see the whole man, the man with many interests, accomplishments and artistic goals. Thank you, Robert Martin.
Member Spotlight
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Mary Bishop-Faust
Our editor, Charles Francis, saw Mary perform in the Geezer Theater farce, "Subversion at Sunset Acres" and was taken by her incredible, eyebrow-raising parody of George W. Bush. She moved to the top of the list of Member Profiles. She will also be crossing over to the Faculty side in the summer to teach an acting course called Characterizations & Scene Study on Tuesday nights in June from 6:00pm-8:00pm.
How did you find out about OLLI?
I found out about OLLI when I was looking through the San Francisco State's Extended Learning brochure for classes and found the blurb about Geezer Theatre forming to perform social satires under Joan and Dan's direction. I called the number to inquire about the group and Susan called back and encouraged me to come.
What motivated you to enroll in your first class?
I didn't really think about taking classes (except for the one day Radical Theatre Workshop). I just wanted to do some acting. But after paying the initial $500, I thought I really should get my money's worth and take some other classes.
If you have taken more than one class, what factors induced you to continue taking classes?
I kind of answered that in #2, but once I saw the variety of other classes I wanted to explore those.
What satisfactions have participation in OLLI provided you, if any?
The chance to perform, especially in such a zany and wonderful role. A chance to meet some great people. Hopefully, a chance to teach theatre to a group of older adults. I've taught teens, so I look forward to a different energy and experience.
In what other important activities are you presently engaged? Could you also talk about your education and training?
I am looking for a new teaching job for next year. I sing with a group at my Buddhist center. I am loving being with my new puppy.
As for my background:
I started acting in Hawaii in 1972. I went on to major in Drama at UH Manoa on Oahu and got my BA in Drama in 1980. I came to San Francisco and performed with the "Fabulous Theatre Company" for a year, did improv in North Beach and acted in several productions in SF. I moved to New York where I did a little theatre, but also directed some teenagers in improv. I fell in love with teaching and after getting my credential back here, I started my career as a high school drama teacher. I have done that for 15 years. I took time off to get my Masters in Drama in 2000 at SF State.
I am currently taking the Good & Loving Sex class, the Conversations with Arts' Leaders course, and the Writing & Performing Monologues class. I also hope to teach a Characterization & Scene Study course at OLLI in June.
April Courses
Spring 2006 OLLI courses (beginning in April):
SFSU Campus
- Presidential Campaigns and Elections (CE 8700) - STARTS APRIL 12
SFSU Downtown Center
- The Writers Circle (CE 8679)
- Walking in San Francisco, 1906 (CE 8720)
- Eating with the Seasons (CE 8707)
- Writing & Performing Monologues (CE 8699) - FULL
- Global Lens: The International Documentary (Experiments in Form) (CE 8721)
- Introduction to Photoshop (CE 8713) PC - 2ND SECTION ADDED, 11:30am-1:30pm
Check the OLLI Web site for more details.
OLLI Community
Beate Boultinghouse has been missing from OLLI courses this term; we learned that she has been serving on the Civil Grand Jury. Here's a message from her: "I have missed all of you during the last several months and cannot wait to be back in your arms again. However, my absence has been for a great cause. One of the courses I took with OLLI was with Alvaro Fernandez discussing how to expand and exercise our minds. I guess I took it too seriously, and am now a member of the Civil Grand Jury. This is a one year commitment to represent the citizens of the City & County of San Francisco in investigating its governance. It has been exciting and a real roller coaster experience. Nineteen disparate members of our community are called together to investigate various aspects of the city government, then write a formal report on their findings accompanied by recommendations concerning these findings. I have met many intriguing people both on the jury, as well as in the various City departments. I now have a better understanding as to what makes the city function (or not, as it may be). By talking with these people and understanding what purpose they serve to the greater good, I feel that I will make a difference for the citizens of our wonderful 'Baghdad by the Bay'."
Beate
The OLLI Web site's Creative Work Gallery has been updated with the creative work from fall 2005. You can find these new entries under OLLI community. Please see at the end of this newsletter the new guidelines for submitting creative work to the gallery for summer.
HOT TOPICS ON THE INTERNET - There is an interesting article on Yahoo about older adults current pursuit of learning, written by columnist Ken Dychtwald, Ph.D., a psychologist, gerontologist, and author of 11 books on aging-related issues. Check it out at: http://finance.yahoo.com/columnist/article/retirement/285/.
The editor didn't see included, on an extensive listing of educational programs for older adults, a mention of OLLI. So, he took the liberty of correcting this oversight by posting the following message in the comments that followed the article.
"The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute has 78 schools stretching from Maine to Hawaii. These 'over 50' learning centers are associated with major universities, who provide some of their facilities and support. The courses offered are tailored to provide intellectual stimulation for mature adults."
Submitted by Charles Francis
Opportunities
Want to shape the future of the OLLI course offerings, or suggest a new interest area? Please send us an e-mail ollipr@sfsu.edu if you have ideas to share. For the subject heading use IDEAS 06.
There are still neighborhoods in the city which need OLLI liaisons. Let us know if you would like to connect OLLI with your neighborhood ollipr@sfsu.edu.
We are investigating taking the OLLI curriculum to the North Peninsula communities in San Mateo county. If you commute to the city for the OLLI program and have suggestions about what kinds of courses would work, send us an e-mail: ollipr@sfsu.edu. Thanks to those of you who have already responded.
On Wednesday nights, OLLI members are invited to come to Bistro Yoffi's, 2231 Chestnut Street where Dee Spencer, SFSU jazz professor and musician, leads a weekly jam session from 8:00pm-11:30pm. See more details here.
In the Behind the Scenes: Conversations with Arts Leaders, we were reminded that KCSM is the only remaining jazz station in the Bay Area (91.1-FM) and that they have the best calendar for listening to live jazz. http://events.publicbroadcasting.net/kcsm/events.eventsmain.
Attention All SF OLLI Writers/Members
OLLI-SFSU wishes to display samples of its members writing on the OLLI website with new selections published at the end of each session (fall, spring, summer). You are invited to submit your finest examples of prose and poetry for publication in May. Selected pieces will appear under,
"OLLI Community | Creative Work Gallery | Personal Essays & Poetry".
Deadline date for submission for this period is: April 26, 2006
(Submissions received after the deadline will not be considered for this period.)
Criteria for submission:
- Any OLLI member enrolled in at least one class during the current academic year is eligible to submit work.
- Prose: Maximum 1,250 words.
- Poetry: Maximum 120 lines
- Submissions must be in Microsoft Word. Text should be in standard Word defaults: 1" margins, Times New Roman, 12 pt. font
- Include a TITLE IN BOLD AND CAPS.
- Include your name and a two-line bio for inclusion with the piece.
- Please check spelling and grammar.
- E-mail your submissions as an attachment with the subject line, "Creative Work" to: robertm@sfsu.edu
Selections
- Space is limited and only ten selections will be published on the web page each period.
- Each author may submit up to three pieces per period.
- Submission of work does not guarantee selection and there is no remuneration.
- Selection will be based on interest, voice, creativity, originality and strength.
Copyright
Copyright remains with the author. OLLI will request permission from the author to publish any piece selected for the Web site in an anthology or other vehicle.
Selected work will remain on the OLLI Web site until the next session's selections are posted. After that, your piece can be found on the OLLI Creative Work Gallery's Archive.
Good Luck and send us your writing.
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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute San Francisco State University College of Extended Learning www.cel.sfsu.edu/olli/ |
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