Creating Change
Creating Change
5.28.08
When I first purchased my video camera and editing equipment I made
a promise to myself to use the equipment to make a difference in the
world. I decided I would not force it and just spend my time
learning the craft and wait for the opportunity for change to
present itself.
The first opportunity was from Lynette Johnson’s foundation,
Soulumination.
www.soulumination.org
She asked me to film a few Soul kids as a memento for the families
to have in addition to her beautiful photographs. I was struck by
how strong these families could be in the most dire of circumstances
and my life has been changed forever as a result of it. Lynette is
an amazing person and I am honored to be a part of Soulumination.
Then,
two months ago, another opportunity was placed in front of me. My
wife’s long-time friend Kim Schneider, who is a schoolteacher in
Montana, received a grant for a suicide prevention program she
developed and asked for my help. Her idea was for me to interview
and film the friends and family of Marc Montague, a great kid who
took his own life at age 24. Our idea was to portray the after
effect of such a harsh decision on friends and family and how the
family you love can be torn apart. The video would be shown to high
school students and inspire them to think twice before doing
something like that to their family or to talk to someone you might
think is in danger.
What I
did not expect was the effect it would have on me. Spending time
with these amazing people as they opened up to my camera holding
nothing back was inspiring. I learned to enjoy the little
experiences in life and to really pay attention to the people around
me. Their stories and memories of Marc were honest and I imagine
extremely hard for them to talk about and remember. I am eternally
grateful to Linda, Don, and Donnie Montague, as well as Scott Olsen
and Shawn Curtis for their courage on this project. They were able
to take a horrible situation and turn it into something that will
help other familes from feeling the way they do.
The
film is 35 minutes and is sad and inspiring and I have relished in
the feedback I have received from people telling me how it is
already helping. This is why I became a filmmaker and I hope to
continue with more projects like this one. This is what Create
Change Studios is all about. I will start at the table teaching
parents how to cook healthy and organic food for your kids with Chef
and Father and then see where this journey takes me from there.
Life happens at the table.
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