That’s what I want to explore with you through this blog. I want to offer insights to what I’ve learned along the way so you can grow and improve in your filmmaking craft, but also in life.
A key thing about these elements I’m going to discuss in this post is that they are not extrinsic elements, but rather they are intrinsic to you the storyteller.
Some projects work on macrocosmic scales, and some much, much smaller. Sometimes we have to admit we can’t change the world for everyone, but maybe we can change the world for just one person. And if we can do that, isn’t that enough?
When our family looked to adopt a child, as we did in 2011 with our son Joshua, and again this year, 2016, with two girls from Sierra Leone, my wife and I knew this isn’t something that’s going to change the entire world. But has it changed the world for my son, Joshua?
Most likely. See, he’s of Central Asian descent. And when we went to Moscow in 2011 three times, you could just feel the discrimination against the immigrant population as I never saw Central Asians behind a desk or even a cash register, but rather they were the ones sweeping the floors or painting the curbs on the streets. And what kind of future would he have growing up in an orphanage where there are already several strikes against him?
A producer I work closely with went to Europe in 2015 to cover the refugee crisis as thousands of men, women, and children were fleeing the war zones of the Middle East in search for a new life in the havens of Central and Western Europe. The video has received more than 50 million views on line. In light of a highly politicized issue, Rising Tide shows the truth of who was really on those boats and the plight they faced. And with millions of views, this is a project that turned hearts and minds by showing what was really happening and who was reaching the shores of Greece. This story so moved the field editor on the shoot that he posted a blog entry on Bono’s ONE.org site here.
In filmmaking and storytelling, I believe it takes a few key elements to tell impactful stories.
1. Passion. Literally, “suffering.” You have to tell your stories with interest and that passion comes through. People notice. As a filmmaker, if you are emotionally involved, your crew and cast will be as well. If they see you care, they will care too. And that comes across to your audience. But it doesn’t stop there. 2. Insight. It’s of paramount importance to find ways (and time) to dig below the surface. What’s really going on? How does this situation and conflict really affect those in your story (be them fictional or not)? But it takes time to go under the hood and dig deep. And when you’re under the gun, it’s hard to do. It’s hard for me at least. But when I’m able to do this, the results are clear. And you’re able to bring to light something the audience hadn’t realized themselves and they walk away having learned something. In Facing Darkness, a documentary about the Ebola epidemic I’m producing, it took several interviews with Dr. Kent Brantly before he finally stated what became the key line for the film that, “faith is not something that makes you safe.” In fact, it was an audio session where we picked up that line. Lastly, there is one other element that is essential to great story telling. 3. Empathy. Caring. We need to care about the story we are telling. And we need to care about those we are telling the story about. When we care about our stories, they become more important than any pay rate we may receive from doing the work. They become our own communication channels to the world. And again, as storytellers, when our audiences see that we care, they will be more inclined to having a caring attitude as well.
These are the building blocks. Technical ability can be taught. Production value will come with experience and budget. But with passion, insight, and empathy you can create and tell powerful stories on any level.
These are also some key building blocks for building the story of your own lives. Living with passion, having insight and empathy for others that drives you (and your audience) to action. And my sincerest prayer is that the next story that changes the world, is simply your own.
