Is there a particular documentary film or filmmaker that had a major influence on your career?
Pep Bonet – photographer / filmmaker
What motivated you to make your impact video?
I felt there was a great need to balance the negative sentiment being spread throughout social media on the topic of refugees.
Please tell us what camera(s) you shot with primarily – and any other special equipment that you used and why you used it.
We constantly had three cameras filming – 2 stationary and one hand guided camera.
Please tell us about any special styles or techniques that you used during the production of your film to help tell your story.
These films form part of an interactive storytelling platform. I chose to give each of the protagonists the same clean platform on which to tell their stories ie. studio setting, lights, black and white… The purpose of this was to remove the prejudice and preconceived ideas we have about people, by judging them according to where they live, how they dress etc…, and help viewers to truly listen to what was being said.
How did your story evolve from day one, to the very last day in post? Is your story what you thought it would be?
Because the project is built up around individual interviews, it is impossible to know how people will react and what content you are going to get. Each day brought someone unexpected into the cast of interviewees.
Please describe the most rewarding experience you had while making this film.
The honesty and openness with which the stories were shared. People entrust you with deeply personal stories – and that is always very humbling and rewarding.
What advice can you give to other impact filmmakers?
There are multiple ways to tell a story – it is about pushing your creative boundary, and capturing the particles of light that serve to inspire and uplift humanity.
What’s your favorite part about the filmmaking process and why?
I love the interviews. The connection to people and the unfolding of their stories is deeply rewarding.
What’s the one item you always take with you when working out in the field and why?
A notebook and pen – I can only think with a pen in my hand.
Please provide a brief description of the work or organization featured in your video:
We were an independent production crew – interviewer, filmmaker, sound recorder and photographer – who came together to capture positive human stories that strengthen our common humanity.
What have you learned about the value and impact of the project?
Digital storytelling is the future – you need to reach mass to have an impact.
Please share a personal story about your experience making this impact video.
There are some projects that you need pure will-power to move mountains – and others where the doors just open.
This was a project where the doors just opened. The funding, the access, the stories, the openhearted generosity of those who supported the project – it was meant to be, and I see it as just the beginning of more to come.
What do you want audiences to take away from this video?
That we only fear that which we do not know – and at our core, we are all the same, we are all human beings.
Please list key points that should be covered in a post-screening discussion:
Refugees; what defines nationality; borders
Please provide information on any recent developments regarding the issue or subjects of the video. How have things changed or not changed?
Best to take a look at the whole project: http://altamar.tv/lykkensgave/eng/
What opportunities are available for those interested in getting further involved?
The vision is to contribute towards a mindshift around the topic of refugees.
By following the refugee route up through Europe, interview refugees and Europeans around what connects us as human beings. Happy to collaborate.
Please provide any additional resources (websites, links to additional videos, forms, articles, etc.) relevant to the context of the issue discussed in your video:
http://altamar.tv/lykkensgave/eng/
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