Is there a particular video, film, campaign or filmmaker that had a major influence on your career?
There’s not one film in particular that had a major influence on my career. I grew up loving movies, and my first memory of saying I want to do that was ironically watching Transformers in the theater with my Dad. I liked it so much I begged to go back and watch it a second time which we did.
What motivated you to make your impact video?
I came across an article that detailed the street medicine teams work. I was drawn into the work they were doing because it wasn’t just a one off visit. Instead they were visiting patients multiple times and building a connection and rapport.
Please tell us what camera(s) you shot with primarily – and any other special equipment that you used and why you used it.
Sony FX6
Please tell us about any special styles or techniques that you used during the production of your impact video to help tell your story.
We wanted to make viewers feel like they were there part of the team and moving through these experiences as the team experienced them. To do that we tried to become invisible while also being extremely close to the intimate moments. Other than that it was a lot of trust building to deliver the final product that we have now.
How did your story evolve from day one, to the very last day in post? Is your story what you thought it would be?
The story evolved many times. It was just a case of capturing what we could and then crafting that into the best story possible. We went into the shoot with a good idea of what we thought the story was going to be. We used that as a guide and continually evolved the story based on what we had. The story is not what I thought it would be and that’s the beauty of documentary filmmaking.
Please describe the most rewarding experience you had while making this impact video.
The most rewarding experience I had while making this video was to get to learn more about the street medicine teams and see firsthand the work they do. They were very happy with the final film as well which I think is wonderful because it by no means is a commercial for the team, but rather what I hope to be a raw intimate portrait of the work they do–with both the highs and lows.
What advice can you give to other impact filmmakers?
I would just say follow your interests and go about it with a good heart because it’s going to be challenging. I you’re interested and care about what you’re making a film on that will drive you through those tougher moments. Everything must stem from your drive to make the best film you possibly can because everything is going to be preventing you from doing that.
What’s your favorite part about the filmmaking process and why?
My favorite part of the filmmaking process is the edit because that’s where you bring together the film with what you have. It’s a puzzle more than anything but it’s a puzzle without a correct answer which makes it challenging and fun. I love going through and adding a section, shifting a section or moving something to another part of the film and then seeing how it flows. We had to do a lot of that with this film and it was a fun process.
What’s the one item you always take with you when working out in the field and why?
A clear mind. I go through the day before I shoot and write out a note on my phone with the flow of the day and what I hope to capture during each segment. I try to internalize this and then when I’m out shooting I’m just immersed in the experience with a clear mind.
Please provide a brief description of the work or organization featured in your video:
At the forefront of health care innovation, USC Street Medicine is a groundbreaking collaboration of interdisciplinary professionals dedicated to improving the lives of the unhoused. With a strong commitment to health care justice, our program combines medical expertise, social service outreach, and cutting-edge research to address the unique challenges faced by the unhoused community in Los Angeles.
What have you learned about the value and impact of the project?
I have learned that not many people know that the street medicine teams exist and I have seen first hand the sense of hope and connection that the team provides that goes beyond just medicine. They give their patents someone to confide in, someone to talk to about their issues and someone to hold their hand through challenging times. Most of these patients live solitary lonely lives and the street medicine team is really their only connection to the outside world. This film has spread awareness about the team and their mission and that was the goal.
Please share a personal story about your experience making this impact video.
My personal story about making this film is that it was quite the journey to get there. Essentially I was a student at USC and there is a pre-production documentary class where we go and make a 5 minute pitch tape as well as a pitch deck on a topic of our choosing. During the class I made my pitch tape and deck about USC’s street medicine team. Then at the end of the semester everyone from that class who were all undergraduates and everyone from an identical class for graduate students go and pitch their films to a group of documentary faculty members. Those faculty members then pick 3 films to be made into 20-25 minute short films in the capstone documentary production class. The film school has some tricky rules and requirements as to who is eligible to direct a film in that capstone documentary class because it’s originally intended for graduate students, but they allow senior undergraduate students participate.
At the time when I was pitching the film I was only a junior undergraduate and thus when I pitched my pitch was labeled as “non-consideration” essentially anyone who was not technically eligible to pitch had to label their pitch this way so the factually knew who they could and could not choose. The reason we still pitched even if it was for non-consideration was because it was the purpose of the class to make these pitch tapes and decks and then pitch them in person for the experience. Anyways, I was literally the very first person who had to pitch to the faculty. I knew my pitch tape and deck was solid and tried my hardest on both of them as well as my in person pitch. I pitched to the faculty, they showed interest and asked a lot of question. To my surprise they picked my pitch and altered university requirements to allow me to direct the project the following semester. It was a whirlwind experience, but I really enjoyed it. I think it speaks to the passion behind this project I set out to make the best possible pitch tape and deck that I could despite the fact that I wouldn’t be eligible to a full film, however that passion came through in the pitch and I think that’s why I was selected.
What do you want audiences to take away from this video?
I want audiences to learn more about the power of empathy and connection in even the most dire of situations.
Please list key points that should be covered in a post-screening discussion:
Empathy, compassion, resilience, street medicine, public health.
Please provide information on any recent developments regarding the issue or subjects of the video. How have things changed or not changed?
Unfortunately one of the participants of the video has since passed away. The young woman Hunter who is filmed and interviewed in front of the train was tragically struck and killed by a train only a few weeks after we filmed with her. Additionally the street medicine team that we embedded with in “A Hand to Hold” is known as the SPA-3 USC Street Medicine team. They served a specific area of East Los Angeles. That team has been disbanded and now serves different areas of Los Angeles so many of the unhoused individuals featured in the film no longer have access to a street medicine team for medical resources.
What opportunities are available for those interested in getting further involved?
There are opportunities to donate to the USC Street medicine teams or any street medicine teams across LA and the country.
Please provide any additional resources (websites, links to additional videos, forms, articles, etc.) relevant to the context of the issue discussed in your video:
This site: https://keck.usc.edu/street-medicine/resources/ and this was the original article that inspired the film: https://today.usc.edu/usc-street-medicine-team-homeless-health-care/
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