Is there a particular video, film, campaign or filmmaker that had a major influence on your career?
The BBC’s, ‘The Big Cat Diaries’ was the first doco series I ever watched when I was a kid, it is what inspired me to make documentaries. Since then, I’ve been unable to put the feeling down of wanting to make people feel inspired the way those filmmakers did.
What motivated you to make your impact video?
Sharing the work that the Happiness Shop accomplishes every day with so much humility and pure joy was inspiring. As a team, we wanted to share that joy and inspire others to find these moments in their work, and also by people with all sorts of strengths.
Please tell us what camera(s) you shot with primarily – and any other special equipment that you used and why you used it.
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Please tell us about any special styles or techniques that you used during the production of your impact video to help tell your story.
As the participants in the documentary have a viral TikTok account, we used some archival from that to show their skills and the huge following (that since making this film has grown more immensely). We used snippets, and also screen grabs of the comments people were leaving on their videos to show the different responses people were having to their disabilities on screen.
There were a mixture of short and long shots that we felt were important for the pace of particular scenes. One being the girls writing their scooter through the roads of Vietnam. To show their skills and the atmosphere they lived in for those who have never seen it and to highlight the dangers the roads face for them.
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 over the few weeks we were with the participants. Overall, we were with them for a month. From day one it became a story of the shop and the co-founders, and slowly began to focus more on the women with disabilities who were employed at the shop and their super powers. It was brilliant to highlight their journey of feeling more confident and comfortable with themselves both on their social media, at work, and in the community.
Please describe the most rewarding experience you had while making this impact video.
Being welcomed into the community was something I never experienced before. We became friends with these families very quickly and naturally. It was a humbling experience to share their kindness and love. As filmmakers, you are always taught to remain observant and do not get too close to the participants you work with, but I found the deep and emotional story that this film creates was from a deep routed connection we all made together.
What advice can you give to other impact filmmakers?
Don’t be afraid to get to know the participants you work with. Sure, it is important to get to know them and make them comfortable so you can make your project. But just get to know them with the cameras off, spend time with them, become friends and you will have a changed experience and perception of the world from that.
What’s your favorite part about the filmmaking process and why?
The early stages are by far my favourite, when you’re breaking down walls in documentary making, researching, learning and seeing new experiences. I enjoy being exposed to new challenges and seeing things form and building relationships. I figure if I am going to make impactful films, I need to allow myself to be impacted and feel the things that I am experiencing also.
What’s the one item you always take with you when working out in the field and why?
In the first week of getting to know these participants, I bought one of their items from their store. A scrunchy. It is now something I always have with me as good luck, and a reminder of the values those girls have, and the care and love they put into their work.
Please provide a brief description of the work or organization featured in your video:
The Happiness Shop crafts souvenirs in the city of Hoi An out of recycled materials from across the city. The employees are women with disabilities, making these products with such care and joy.
Please share a personal story about your experience making this impact video.
In the making of this video we became good friends with everyone who works and volunteers as the Happiness Shop. After a community screening, we played the video for all to watch at the Shop at our own private gathering. It was beautiful to spend the day with them, showing their stories through our lens and spending time laughing and conversing with one another for the afternoon. Whether that be through google translate, or just playing and making lanterns together.
What do you want audiences to take away from this video?
We would love for anyone watching this to carry the values the Happiness Shop lives by; inclusivity, environmentalism and happiness. We hope that everyone carries and practices that throughout their life. We hope that everyone practices kindness and finds the wonderful skills in every person no matter their disabilities.
Please list key points that should be covered in a post-screening discussion:
Women and disability employment, as well as sustainability and environmentalism.
What opportunities are available for those interested in getting further involved?
You may place orders for their products through DM on their instagram to support their work. Also, show love and support through their social media.
Please provide any additional resources (websites, links to additional videos, forms, articles, etc.) relevant to the context of the issue discussed in your video:
Please follow their accounts:
https://www.instagram.com/banamgarden/
https://www.tiktok.com/@dieuhien.haudau?lang=en
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