Is there a particular video, film, campaign or filmmaker that had a major influence on your career?
My career in film and photography was inspired by discovering the work of Sebastião Salgado in my teens. His life’s work photographing conflict and humanity later transcended into environmental activism was and continues to be inspiring to me.
What motivated you to make your impact video?
Quite often in my work, there’s a fair bit of trust building that needs to happen to gain access or for someone to feel comfortable to share their story. When Anjelica messaged me directly on Instagram with an interest in collaborating, I knew that she had a lot to say and a story to tell. From the moment we connected, it felt like I was chatting with an old friend and the spirit of that conversation continued throughout the creative process. It felt collaborative, natural, and like Anjelica was very much an essential part of our team.
Perhaps the natural connection I felt with Anjelica was in finding common ground in our shared lived experience. As a kid, I struggled with my body weight and felt a lot of shame for my size and the limited clothes I was able to wear. As a result, I still very much struggle with my body image today. I too, had also experienced housing in security in my childhood as my home was also foreclosed upon and my family was quickly evicted.
This film is a testament to the will power of one individual to take it upon themselves to seek change. I hope one day we live in a world in which all types of people and all types of bodies are represented in media and in outdoors spaces. For now, my hope is this film is one step in a direction towards inclusivity and body positivity for all.
Please tell us what camera(s) you shot with primarily – and any other special equipment that you used and why you used it.
Forward was shot on an Alexa Mini.
Please tell us about any special styles or techniques that you used during the production of your impact video to help tell your story.
The creation of Forward meant hiking long distances with heavy camera and audio equipment. Working with our Director of Photography and Location Sound Operator, we were able to find a way to reduce the weight of our load and come up with some innovate techniques to carry enough batteries, lenses, and accessories to still get the quality footage and audio we needed.
In creating this film, I really wanted audiences to feel like Anjelica is sitting down with them and sharing her story. To achieve this goal, we conducted her interview in a studio space and began the film with her walking from out of frame and into the interview seat, looking directly into camera. I feel this technique was successful in immediately connecting the audience with Anjelica and putting them in the mindset of “okay this person is about to tell me a story”.
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 narrative in my film certainly evolved throughout the production process. One of the earliest decisions I made, along with my team, was to include Anjelica in the process. This is Anjelica’s story, it’s her life, therefore I feel like she should have an active role in how it is portrayed. We worked together on interview questions, talked about what hiking trip and other parts of her life felt important to include, and she even gave some light feedback on our edit. While some may raise an eyebrow at the practice of involved film participants in the creative process, I feel it’s integral to retaining authenticity and avoiding extractive filmmaking.
As is the nature of documentary and filming life as we know it, our original idea of what the story would be changed day by day. It was in little moments like Anjelica saying something profound to a friend on camera, or spending time with her mom at home, that informed the direction of the narrative. Making a documentary requires a sense of flexibility that emulated life itself. We roll with the punches, pivot when needed, and try to make the most use out of what we discover along the way.
Please describe the most rewarding experience you had while making this impact video.
Our premiere was an event I still hold very dear and near to my heart. We choose to premiere the film in Southern California where it takes place so that Anjelica, her family, and her community could all attend. The amount of love, admiration, and joy that was present on that day is something I’ll never forget. There were so many incredible women who are part of Anjelica’s hiking community that chose to attend. So much impact is immeasurable, but I know that having Anjelica and her community at our premiere to interact with the audience was both profound and exactly what this film is all about.
What advice can you give to other impact filmmakers?
My biggest piece of advice is to move at the speed of trust. It’s so crucial to take significant time to build that trust and understanding with you film participants before you even press record. Those early conversations of “breaking the ice” and getting to truly know someone is crucial to retaining authenticity and integrity. At times it might feel uncomfortable or even self-serving but I can assure an aspiring impact filmmaking that taking the time to build a relationship early on will only benefit the film.
What’s your favorite part about the filmmaking process and why?
I would have to say while I love production I actually really love the post production process. So much of documentary comes alive in the edit. It really is like putting a big puzzle together with no instructions. The only thing you have is yourself, your experience, and the content.
What’s the one item you always take with you when working out in the field and why?
Water and snacks! I can’t stress enough how important staying hydrated and fueled up on location is.
Please provide a brief description of the work or organization featured in your video:
Our team partners with The Wilderness Society in both the creation and distribution of Forward. The Wilderness Society is an American non-profit land conservation organization that is dedicated to protecting natural areas and federal public lands in the United States. They advocate for the designation of federal wilderness areas and other protective designations, such as for national monuments.
In partnering with The Wilderness Society, Forward was used to support their “San Gabriel Mountains Forever” campaign, which aimed to pressure the Biden Administration to expand and protect an additional 100,000+ acres of San Gabriel National Monument. Coincidentally, the area featured in Forward where Anjelica and her community hike is precisely the proposed designation zone. The hope in expanding the national monument is so that Angelos like Anjelica and her group can have increased access for generations to come, protect endangered species, and more.
To support this campaign, we hosted a series of screenings with The Wilderness Society in L.A. and also supported an online campaign to gain petition signatures. In May of 2024, President Biden officially recognized the expansion of the national monument and signed it into law.
Please share a personal story about your experience making this impact video.
Whenever I begin a new project, I take time to research the subject matter the best I can to be informed before even pressing record. Despite how much I research, there’s no way I can understand or comprehend someone else’s lived experience across cultures, race, ethnicity, or language. As such, I feel it’s critical to retain an open mind throughout the filmmaking process and be aware of my own biases and privilege. I connected with Anjelica’s story because I too have struggled with my weight and body image throughout my life. Yet, spending time with Anjelica in person and talking to her at length about the adversity she has faced as a result of her body type is something I could have never prepared for. My experience making time film has left me with a greater drive and desire to enact change beyond my film and continue to advocate for body inclusivity wherever and whenever possible.
What do you want audiences to take away from this video?
I think first and foremost I would like audiences to understand that someone’s body size or type is not inherently a limitation on their ability. In addition, I would love audiences to consider how one’s time and resources play a factor into their ability to engage with the outdoors and how that in turn affects their mental and physical health. At the time of making Forward, Anjelica was working two jobs often working nearly 20 hours a day while also being her mother’s caretaker. In many ways, free time is a privilege and there are so many socio-economic challenges that individuals face that dictate how one can spend their free time, if any.
Lastly, I would like audiences to understand that spending time outside looks different for many individuals and communities. For some it’s a picturesque backpacking trips into a remote wilderness, for others it’s a trip to a city park on public transportation. The ways in which we interact with nature should not be shamed or judged.
Please list key points that should be covered in a post-screening discussion:
Body positivity and inclusivity in the outdoors and beyond, access and inclusion in outdoor recreation, housing and job security, public land use and management.
Please provide information on any recent developments regarding the issue or subjects of the video. How have things changed or not changed?
Since the creation and release of this film so much good has happened. Our film helped expand the San Gabriel National Monument by over 100,000 acres. Anjelica and her group traveled to Tanzania and she successfully submitted Mt.Kilimanjaro with her group. Additionally, Anjelica became one of Osprey backpack’s first plus-size ambassador.
What opportunities are available for those interested in getting further involved?
If individuals would like to support Anjelica they can follow her on instagram at @adventureswithanjelica where she is constantly posting updates about her journey and upcoming hiking trips that folks can join. If you are interested in supporting land preservation and access after watching this film, you can support The Wilderness Society by making a donation on their site or becoming a member: https://www.wilderness.org/.
Please provide any additional resources (websites, links to additional videos, forms, articles, etc.) relevant to the context of the issue discussed in your video:
https://sangabrielmountainsforever.org/
https://www.wilderness.org/
https://www.instagram.com/adventureswithanjelica?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
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