What story would you tell?
A couple of years ago I was part of a group of young environmentalists who traveled 1500+ km by bike to educate themselves and others about the tar sands in northern Alberta, Canada. One of the girls on the bike ride, 22 year-old Jodie, brought along a video camera and filmed the journey. She then took a year to put the film together -on a budget of zero dollars- and released it in 2008. (See www.tothetarsandsfilm.ca if you're interested in the project.)
The long bike trip was a life-changing experience to be sure, but the distribution and screenings of the film across Canada has been, in some ways, even more amazing. As soon as Jodie started to screen the film we started getting the most powerful emails from the viewers. Almost without exception, those who wrote to us wrote about being inspired by our project. Young and old, near and far, people said that watching the film had given them hope for the future. It had motivated them to stay optimistic, and to do their little part in the environmental crisis we are facing.
I have been reflecting on this. What would have happened if Jodie hadn't come with her camera and if the film hadn't been produced? What would have happened if we had done the trip but hadn't told the story to this wider audience?
I think we would have missed a huge opportunity. All these bits and pieces of inspiration would not have been there - even though 19 people had biked 1500km to the tar sands! Even though the project was inspiring to begin with, it would not have touched the lives of so many people if Jodie hadn't told the story in a format that is accessible and engaging. It's almost like the project would not have existed as much, it would not have had the impact it has had, if it wasn't for Jodie's camera.
I have been thinking a lot about story-telling and its role. Often I find myself so exhausted after a project is done, or so excited to move to the next project, that I don't make time to record and share the story; but I am convinced now that the act of telling is what makes the project. So I'll make a bigger effort! And if you feel like doing the same, I'll love to hear your stories.
The long bike trip was a life-changing experience to be sure, but the distribution and screenings of the film across Canada has been, in some ways, even more amazing. As soon as Jodie started to screen the film we started getting the most powerful emails from the viewers. Almost without exception, those who wrote to us wrote about being inspired by our project. Young and old, near and far, people said that watching the film had given them hope for the future. It had motivated them to stay optimistic, and to do their little part in the environmental crisis we are facing.
I have been reflecting on this. What would have happened if Jodie hadn't come with her camera and if the film hadn't been produced? What would have happened if we had done the trip but hadn't told the story to this wider audience?
I think we would have missed a huge opportunity. All these bits and pieces of inspiration would not have been there - even though 19 people had biked 1500km to the tar sands! Even though the project was inspiring to begin with, it would not have touched the lives of so many people if Jodie hadn't told the story in a format that is accessible and engaging. It's almost like the project would not have existed as much, it would not have had the impact it has had, if it wasn't for Jodie's camera.
I have been thinking a lot about story-telling and its role. Often I find myself so exhausted after a project is done, or so excited to move to the next project, that I don't make time to record and share the story; but I am convinced now that the act of telling is what makes the project. So I'll make a bigger effort! And if you feel like doing the same, I'll love to hear your stories.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Wali Mutazammil on -
Aftab, I am inspired in reading your story of 19 environmentalists who traveled 1500+ km by bike and filmed your journey. Also, shared your experience with others during your journey. WOW! I too am excited about story-telling and would love to create a documentary around my family tree and travel in America, Ghana, and Mecca. The outcome would be a product that is produced in a format similar to a news story. I will share more later. Where do we go from here?
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Permalink Reply by Chris Corrigan on
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A recent story of an unfolding project that might be of interest to you:
http://chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot/?p=2099
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Permalink Reply by Thomas Arthur on -
Hi Aftab,
Looks like an amazing experience and an interesting film. Thanks for sharing your story and drawing our attention to the potentials of an expressive harvest. What are some ways we might we organize to tell the story of ALIA West, 2009? I enjoy creating short digital films of projects and gatherings that express a flavor or essence of the whole experience. Here are a pair of videos from past events: http://wovenessence.net/Video.html
I am interested in creating resonant artifacts of our time together that carry a sense of our explorations into the world. If you have any ideas I am happy to sense into possibilities. How do we share our discoveries and delights in accessible and engaging ways that inspire and inform? What is possible here?
(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)
--e e cummings
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