Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1521235
52 M PS E . O R G Navigating the complexities of an industry on the fringes of society, Avram encountered a diverse cast of characters, each with their own stories and motivations. This foray into directing adult films was brief, just two movies. But Avram's experiences within that reverse universe of right and wrong bestowed profound life-lessons about our judgments of others and our evaluation of their human value. Armed with the need to move on, Avram founded his own production company, Film Children—a choice he would later reflect on as perhaps not the most strategic branding move. Nevertheless, armed with a script that they wrote and the promise of John Ritter's willingness to take on the pivotal role, Avram was poised to make his mark in the industry. Securing funding however, proved to be a formidable challenge, and after six months of paying Hollywood office rent on La Brea Boulevard, Film Children ran out of the $6,000 seed money, which ultimately led Avram back to the adult film industry as a means of financial stability. After directing one more sex film, this one in 35mm, and then writing a legitimate Western saga for the same company, Modern Art Productions, Avram resolved to make another path change. He set his sights on moving back in with his parents in Greenville, with aspirations of saving enough money to pursue the next step in his film industry dreams, a career in London. Unfortunately, his plans hit a roadblock when his dad asked him to contribute to the household budget if he planned to stay there. "My parents actually expected me to pay rent to live in my own room. If I had to pay rent, why would I live at home? "And two days later, my sister told me about a guy she knew in Atlanta called Crazy Dennis. He worked at a place named the Georgia Retardation Center (GRC) and they were going to open a new media department. I should check it out. So, I did. I went to Atlanta." The Georgia Retardation Center was a facility nurturing children with severe mental and behavioural challenges. After getting the job, Avram found himself in an environment where compassion and understanding were paramount. Working with these extraordinary GRC residents, Avram gained more profound insights into the complexities of human nature, learning to see beyond the limitations imposed by societal norms and recognize the inherent humanity in each person, regardless of their cognitive abilities. It was a transformative experience that again challenged Avram to reevaluate his own beliefs and values. During this time, Avram also experimented with psychedelics with a deeper dive into self-discovery. Avram was never quite the same again. Avram always believed that it would be nice if he could harness the power of storytelling to illuminate the human experience of the untold dramas he encountered at the center. This came with some unforeseen complications. None of the films could be released to the outside world and $350,000 had to be spent to equip the facility with anything needed to document the research of cognitive disabilities. "I can survive on it. I got a job for life if I want it, and I'll make movies nobody will ever see." Avram moved on to join A-N-D Media, which looked and felt more like a hippy commune than a progressive production company surviving from project to project. At A-N-D Media, Avram directed and edited a number of documentaries for the city of Atlanta, as well as local commercials. And as the company seemed to be growing, Avram decided to blow his entire savings on a five-week dream trip to Europe. The journey was a mystical adventure, meeting strangers who became instant friends, some impacting Avram for the rest of his life. Returning to Atlanta was a cold shock. A-N-D Media had bankrupted with one project left in the pipeline, a demo loop for condo developer Crow, Pope and Land. Avram took the gig while also waiting tables on the dinner shift at the Fairmont Hotel. His career had hit rock bottom. He was now more a waiter than a director. To make matters worse, one evening, all the top execs he was working for, came in for dinner, sitting in Avram's section. The four execs, buried in business, didn't recognize him. As their waiter, Avram was invisible, a service bot requiring no human recognition, and another demonstration of class evaluation never to be forgotten. It was time for another change. This time to the bustling metropolis of New York City in pursuit of even greater opportunities. But as fairytale fate would have it, just two months before Avram had set his date for leaving everything behind, he met a young woman from Germany on the dance floor of a trendy restaurant. She was exotic and immensely interesting. She felt like an old friend. She introduced herself as Tina. For the next three