Is there a particular video, film, campaign or filmmaker that had a major influence on your career?
Jean Rouch, French filmmaker
What motivated you to make this film?
I wanted to show a program showing different alternatives to regular NGO’s interventions.
Please tell us what camera(s) you shot with primarily – and any other special equipment that you used and why you used it.
Sony HDR CX700 + others
Please tell us about any special styles or techniques that you used during the production of your film to help tell your story.
The material I used was mostly already shot. I shot a few more sequences and interviews, so I had to mostly create some sense between the images that already existed.
How did your story evolve from day one, to the very last day in post? Is your story what you thought it would be?
At first the images were only shot as “memos”. They were supposed to be eventually turned into individual short clips. Eventually, when there was a lot of material, we started thinking over, about making a complete film, telling the whole experience. So no, we didn’t really think it would take us there at first.
Please describe the most rewarding experience you had while making this film.
Visiting all the projects
What advice can you give to other impact filmmakers?
Take your time.
What’s your favorite part about the filmmaking process and why?
Researching and shooting.
What’s the one item you always take with you when working out in the field and why?
Batteries…you always run out of batteries at some point, especially if you are somewhere with no electricity. And a notebook.
Please share a personal story about your experience making this film.
Discovering the images was strong. You have to know that I was piloting the shooting from France. This was the first time. I’m usually always on the field. Just that was a whole new experience which meant that I had to fully trust my cameraman to follow my instructions.
Can you describe any obstacles you encountered in making your film and/or in your distribution/exhibition efforts?
Being at a distance is pretty much of a challenge.
What do you want audiences to take away from your film?
Listen to the people you want help, listen to their needs, they know better than us.
Please list key points that should be covered in a post-screening discussion:
Empower people and communities, encourage them to be changemakers, listen to the needs, take cultural factors into account.
Please provide information on any recent developments regarding the issue or subjects of the film. How have things changed or not changed?
Unfortunately some projects have stopped due to lack of follow up and access to funds but most of them have learned to better structure their needs and demands.
What opportunities are available for those interested in getting further involved?
There’s a lot more to be done and those who are interested in getting further involved can consider bringing their skills to these local organizations.
Please provide any additional resources (websites, links to additional videos, forms, articles, etc.):
Entrepreneurs du monde http://www.entrepreneursdumonde.org/nos-actions/ou-agissons-nous/haiti/
Veterimed http://www.veterimed.org.ht/new/
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