Producing Change. The Blog of Left Brain/Right Brain Productions, LLC.

Changemakers in Film: Actuality Media

Left Brain/Right Brain Productions, LLC — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 21:57:20 +0000

We love seeing projects where film is effectively used to showcase how people are creatively addressing issues of poverty and education across the globe. Actuality Media is a social purpose organization that aims to uncover the heroes among us. Leveraging media students as the storytellers, they produce short documentaries about changemakers around the world.

This year, Actuality Media will give a camera and crew to a handful of students and send them off with the goal of capturing the stories of social entrepreneurs in Colombia, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. It looks like they have the process in place. We look forward to seeing the stories of both the students and the changemakers.

Tagged: actuality media, social entrepreneurship

Changemakers in Film: Fabian Aguirre

Left Brain/Right Brain Productions, LLC — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 23:34:13 +0000

A former biologist and zookeeper, Fabian Aguirre has translated his eye and care for life into cinematography. But in addition to some beautiful shooting, Fabian wears his passion for sustainability, practical environmentalism, and social progress. His camera work shows us the diversity and beauty of life, from insects to humans in love. We have been privileged to work with Fabian on Trep Life. We hope we get to work with him again.

Here’s a teaser on the merumontanus, a shy chameleon from Tanzania that inspired the name for Fabian’s company.

Tagged: cinematography, nature, sustainability

Response to Foreign Policy Magazine

Left Brain/Right Brain Productions, LLC — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 22:44:06 +0000

Published below is a Letter to the Editor of Foreign Policy Magazine, in response to the article The Pirate Den. The letter was sent in February, 2011, calling for better journalism and a more thoughtful exploration of poverty.

Picture published in Foreign Policy Magazine

To the editor: I was more than a bit disappointed at Bridget Coggins’ assessment of piracy off the coast of Somalia in your July/August 2010 issue. I found the article to be sensationalistic and irresponsible journalism.

Beginning with the article’s overview, she states the pirates are “ransom-seeking cartels with sophisticated financial backers,” which use “advanced geographical positioning equipment to trace targets and carry a bountiful supply of small arms.” I don’t know how much time Ms. Coggins has spent aboard any of their ships, but if I didn’t know better, this broad brush stroke makes me envision a highly-organized, well-equipped nautical militia supported by a global network of criminal masterminds. I don’t know who these ‘sophisticated financial backers’ are, but spend 5 minutes aboard any of their vessels, and I think any ideas that these pirates are somehow part of a global network of technologically-advanced, high-rolling booty-seekers is just a fantasy. In short, they’re pitiful; pathetic. But pathetic in a way that inspires in me a combination of anger and sadness. Anger at their violence, sadness at what’s driving them to do it. As for the ships they sail – they’re about as sophisticated as Forrest Gump’s shrimping boat before he fixed it up. They’re often old, rotting fishing vessels that have been fitted with high-speed outboard motors. Not exactly Al Copeland, Jr’s “Phenomenon.” And their “advanced geographical positioning equipment”? The article makes me picture a Navy battleship’s command center with lots of high-tech gadgets for patrolling the high seas. But try a Garmin or other consumer-grade GPS device. Those are the actual GPS systems these pirates use to get around. The same thing my friends with boats on Lake Michigan use when they go sailing for the day, or that I might use when I go mountain biking. These “advanced GPS systems” are available at Best Buy.

But the most disappointing, and frankly laughable, claim in the article is in the “What They Want” briefing. ”Pirates are after just one thing: booty.” I find this as believable as claiming that rape is about sex. The real answer to this question (“what do they want?”) lies in her own reporting on income on the opposite page: ”The average Somali makes less than $1000 a year; even low-level pirates can make upwards of $20,000.” These individuals are desperately poor, and come from a “country” that isn’t really a country, which hasn’t been for years, and which has been ravaged by war and instability for decades. These individuals are desperate to change their situation. What they are after is a better life. Period. It’s not about the money, it’s not even close to being about the money. The money is a means to an end.

I’ll freely acknowledge there may be exceptions to the rule. Once in a while there may be a nice boat with a fast engine and some really high-tech gear. But how is that different than seeing a Porsche or Ferrari driving the streets of Gaza City? If I based my assessment of the situation in Gaza on the one person driving the Porsche, I might think they’ve got it pretty good there. But given all I’ve seen for myself in places such as Sudan, Gaza, and the Congo, and the reports, photographs and video my friends in the military have shared with me about their experiences in the U.S. Navy, boarding dozens of pirate vessels off the coast of Somalia, time and again I see poverty and desperate circumstances driving desperate behavior.

Personally, if I were given the choice between dying in poverty while my family slowly rotted away with me, or the risk of dying while highjacking a ship for a ransom that could forever change the lives of me and my family, I seriously doubt I would make different choices. These actions are driven by desperation, by poverty, by a lack of any chance at a better life. They’re in survival mode, and decisions made when trying to survive I personally find difficult to judge. Instead, I feel motivated to find out what’s causing the behavior, and how can I help put an end to it. In my opinion: end the poverty, end the desperation driving the behavior, end the piracy.

Sincerely,

–

Malachi A Leopold

Tagged: Africa, foreign policy magazine, poverty

Changemakers in Film: Cecilia Peck

Left Brain/Right Brain Productions, LLC — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 18:21:34 +0000

In 1998, Linor Abargil was crowned Miss World in the Seychelles Islands. Only six weeks prior, she had been brutally raped while working in Italy. Linor’s story serves as the primary narrative in the Linor Documentary, a project involving the direction of Cecilia Peck, with Producer/Editor Elisa Bonora,

Before the Linor Documentary, Cecilia Peck most recently directed and produced, with Barbara Kopple, the feature-length documentary “Shut Up & Sing”, which chronicles the political backlash against and artistic triumph of the Dixie Chicks following their criticism of President Bush just prior to the invasion of Iraq. The film, shortlisted for the 2007 Academy Awards, was awarded Best Documentary by the Boston Society of Film Critics and the San Diego Film Critics. It won Best Documentary at the Sydney, Aspen, and Woodstock Film Festivals, and Jury Prize at the Toronto and the Chicago Film Festivals.

Here’s a trailer for the Linor Documentary:

Follow their Vimeo page for updated reels.

Tagged: cecilia peck, documentary, rape

Independence for South Sudan

Left Brain/Right Brain Productions, LLC — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 18:33:44 +0000

The vote of the southern Sudanese to separate and form their own country comes as no surprise to me. Having spent several weeks in south Sudan in the spring of 2009, the sentiment of the population was unanimous in terms of separation. From village chiefs to military commanders to government officials to school teachers to restaurant owners. This is an exciting, inspiring, and historic moment where Africans are choosing their own borders. They are saying “These are the people with whom we identify. This is what we define as our own country, our own nation.” It’s what we did ourselves over 200 years ago. And I’m excited and proud to live in a nation which supports the Sudanese in their rights to self-determination.

For a background on what is happening in Sudan, check out this Telegraph article. Also, you can get more info on our short documentary filmed in Sudan, 22 Years From Home.

Tagged: Africa, independence, Sudan

To Be or Not to Be (for Profit) : Documentary Fundraising

Left Brain/Right Brain Productions, LLC — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 22:04:19 +0000

In my experience, the world of documentary filmmaking has been traditionally approached from a non-profit POV: Sourcing funds as donations from foundations and individuals who support the cause to which the film is attached.

However, I think there has never been a better time for documentary filmmakers to re-think their financial approach to documentary production. We now have a combination of factors which I think is a perfect storm for profitable documentary filmmaking that still has the ability to create positive social change. And personally, I think maximizing commercial value is one of the best means of ensuring maximum social impact.

For one, over the last 5-10 years, the style of documentary storytelling has evolved in such a way that docs have become more popular than ever among viewers who want to be entertained by a great stories about real life, which also address issues of social, political, or environmental significance (such as The Cove or Food, Inc.). No doubt reality TV has helped increase documentary viewership to a degree, but I think the primary reason for the increased popularity has been the ability for a new wave of storytellers to integrate and adapt tools, styles and techniques from the the narrative storytelling world. This has, in my opinion, raised the bar.

Second, the technology we now have gives us an unprecedented ability to deliver outstanding production value for low cost with minimal crews and gear.

Third, new legal forms now give us the ability not to have to choose between LLC and 501c3. The fairly new L3C is a hybrid legal model developed initially for social enterprises, but works well for filmmakers with a social mission. For example, the L3C allows you to accept tax-deductible donations from corporations and foundations which could not give to a for-profit LLC. But what if you have an individual financier who would like to make money and make a difference at the same time? Before the L3C, you would have to choose between donations or investments. With the new model, not only can you still accept the corporate and foundation giving, but an investor can put money into the project and have the ability to make a profit. In this case, instead of giving the money to you for your film as a tax-deductible donation, they now give it to you as an equity investment with an expectation of making profit from their investment in your project.

When doing any of our own productions, we focus on a “triple-bottom-line” approach like what you’d find with L.A.-based Participant Media: creating projects with maximum commercial/entertainment value, returning profits to investors, and creating social action campaigns giving viewers the tools needed to create positive social change.

In summary, today’s legal and technological tools, combined with new approaches to storytelling, gives the ability for all stakeholders involved in a project to reap its rewards – the people who benefit from the social change created, the people who can now benefit financially (and emotionally) from investment in the project, corporate and charitable foundations whose mission is furthered by the project, and the producers themselves who can benefit financially and professionally by creating these projects which succeed in all areas; that triple-bottom-line of entertainment value, commercial value, social value.

Tagged: documentary, fundraising, Participant Media, pre-production

Chicago is Trepping Out

Left Brain/Right Brain Productions, LLC — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 21:35:27 +0000

This week’s announcement of the new series Trep Life made ChicagoBusiness.com as well as ReelChicago take notice. No surprise, since everyone is buzzing about the blooming startup scene in Chicago. The social Q&A site Quora recently addressed the question of exciting startups in Chicago. You can check out the answers and editorially compiled list here.

Though Trep Life will look at entrepreneurs outside of the Windy City, there will be a number featured right here in the home of Groupon:

Howard Tullman of Tribeca Flashpoint Academy
Sittercity founders Genevieve Thiers and Dan Ratner
Matt Maloney and Mike Evans of GrubHub
Designer Lara Miller
Mark Achler of Redbox
James Miller and Samantha Ballenger of Network After Work
Nicole Bradley of the Be Legendary Project
Greg Pekarsky and Brad Robbins of Vesta Preferred Realty
Lindsay Avner of BrightPink
Mike Samson and Ross Kimbarovsky of crowdSpring
Scott Wilson of Minimal
Eboo Patel of Interfaith Youth Core

Speaking of Mr. Patel, below is a snippet from his quest to hail a cab in the Chicago Loop. Malachi is getting used to the camera running in the backseat of a taxi. Just a taste of the hustle.

Tagged: chicago, entrepreneur, Trep Life

The Grind. The Hustle. The Payoff. Announcing Trep Life

Left Brain/Right Brain Productions, LLC — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 20:48:47 +0000

Left Brain/Right Brain Productions is pleased to announce the launch of Trep Life, a new web/TV series giving audiences a unique 360-degree view of what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur (“trep”). Individual web-based episodes run 6-8 minutes in length, feature a single trep or trep team, and are comprised of three short segments entitled “The Grind,” “The Hustle,” and “The Payoff.”

Here’s a trailer entitled “Write Him a Check”

As a filmmaker, Malachi Leopold loves inspiring stories of people overcoming adversity. As an entrepreneur, Malachi knows firsthand the challenges of creating not just a sustainable business, but a business with heart with a mission beyond just making profits. Trep Life widens the lens on people striving to make a difference.

Go to the Trep Life to see additional teases, and updates on series premieres.

Tagged: entrepreneur, Trep Life

Video Tools & Tips: Personal Field Gear

Left Brain/Right Brain Productions, LLC — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:05:13 +0000

If there’s one thing that sucks, it’s gear that’s literally a pain in the ass when you’re trying to focus on getting a great shot.

The first time I traveled abroad, it was to southern Sudan to direct a documentary about the family reunion of Kuek Garang, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan. Never having been outside the US before, I did the best I could to ensure I had adequate gear for the trip. And I’m not just talking about the required gear for shooting a great film – cameras, tapes or cards, lenses, etc. I’m talking about personal gear that can make the difference between security and suffering. The trip to Sudan, and two additional journeys to Gaza and the Congo, gave me a crash course in gear selection for everything from the desert to the rainforest. Below is a short list of personal gear I have found to be essential to ensuring that the one thing you don’t have to worry about while filming in harsh or remote locations is your gear. Having that security can really help you put your focus where it should be – on telling a great story.

A quick note – when traveling to remote locations, you may run into restrictions on weight limits for luggage and cargo. I highly recommend finding out ahead of time as much as you can about any restrictions on weight or goods. For example, if you book a UN flight to a remote location, there will be a weight limit. However, you can usually work with them ahead of time to make arrangements, and also know how to pack.

1. One of the first things I learned was the value of the proper type of underwear. Believe it or not, having those bare essentials taken care of makes a big difference to daily comfort in an environment which can give you temperatures during the day of over 110, and at night, not dip below 95. After a 13 hour ride in the back of a Landcruiser with no air conditioning, and several other people and dozens of bags all squeezed in together, traditional tighties or boxer briefs will not be comfortable. Paying $25 – $30 or more on a pair of underwear may seem ridiculous, but believe me, having quick-drying, non-chafing performance underwear is worth it. I recommend REI or a comparable brand of quick-dry, performance boxer briefs. They run about $25 a pair. Get two pairs, and wash them each night. Bring a couple pairs of regular underwear as a backup.

2. Socks – again, quick-drying, high performance socks are a must. I recommend 6 pairs. Do one change each day, wash the dirty sox each night, and hang to dry. Having 3 days worth ensures you’ll always have 2 pairs of dry socks. I bought 6 pairs of REI performance socks that we made from recycled plastic bottles. $10 a pair, but my feet were happy for 2 solid weeks in the rainforest because of it.

3. Pants and shirts – even in the extreme heat, I recommend long pants and long-sleeve shirts. Having worn both shorts, pants, and long and short-sleeve shirts, I’ve found I’m actually more comfortable in long pants and long sleeves. In fact, there were times I felt cooler having long sleeves for protection from the sun. Well-made linen shirts are invaluable, and are easy to wash and dry quickly. I recommend taking 3, plus a short-sleeve linen shirt to wear at night. Just make sure the shirts are rugged enough to take a beating. For pants, I’ve worn heavy cotton cargoes, as well as nylon pants. I do NOT recommend heavy cotton cargo pants. They’ll make you sweat more, and don’t dry quickly. Find a good pair of thin but sturdy. lightweight pants that breathe well, and will dry overnight. Again, I got mine at REI, and they ran between $60 and $70 each. I recommend taking 2 pairs of pants, with one of them being convertible into shorts for sleeping at night.

4. Shoes – my vote for best shoe you can possible find for extreme environments is the Merrell Moab Ventilator. Lightweight for hiking shoes, comfortable out of the box (never gave me blisters), quick drying, great support, and somewhat breathable even in hot environments. If they’re good enough for Bear Grylls, they’re good enough for me. Run about $85 – $90 at REI or other sporting goods stores. I also recommend a pair of Crocs. I’ve worn both flip flops and Crocs in remote environments, and the breathability, comfort, and extra support the Crocs provide make them, in my opinion, a better choice.

5. Hat – baseball cap or boonie hat, doesn’t matter. Just keep your head out of the sun, it will help keep you cool and help keep the sun out of your eyes.

6. Headlamp – Why not just carry a flashlight? If you ever have to use the bathroom at night in the bush, believe me, go with a headlamp. Plus, with a good one with adjustable levels of brightness, you can use it to read at night or, in situations where the electricity goes off at 7pm but you’re still awake and working until much later, it’s better to get the headlamp. A good one runs between $35 and $50 from REI.

7. And speaking of using the bathroom – bring your own toilet paper. In some locations, there may not be any, so bring at least 2 rolls for every week you’ll be gone. Plus, as sometimes happens when traveling, if you have to use the bathroom often the first few days, having a high quality toilet paper that you’re used to using at home is a small but comforting and valuable thing to have with you.

8. Personal food items – although it’s nice to try the local cuisine, if the success of the trip and the film depends on you staying healthy, I highly recommend taking a large assortment of non-perishable food items to supplement your diet. For example, in certain places in Sudan, much of the food prep was questionable and the water was not palatable. I would have liked to have tried some of the food my hosts offered me, but I couldn’t risk going down for 2-3 days from a stomach illness. So I recommend lots of Clif Bars and tons of trail mix. If you’re going some place where there’s not a lot of fresh fruit or produce (Congo had plenty, Sudan practically none), it can be good to take some dried fruit as well as dietary supplements to make sure you’re giving your body the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and energized. Trader Joe’s carries a great variety of food perfect for these types of trips.

9. Waterproof bags and pouches – even if not traveling to a rainy location, these are awesome for ensuring cleanliness and protection for everything from underwear and clothes to toilet paper and journals. REI carries several varieties of dry sacks of varying sizes. Although they can run as much as $40 or $50, they’re well worth the security of knowing your gear is dry and safe.

10. Foot powder – For every 2 weeks you’ll be gone, carry 1 bottle of Gold Bond foot powder. Your feet will love you for it.

11. Pocket knife and multi-tool – why both? Because sometimes the simplicity of the pocket knife is all you need. I’ve been quite happy with my Gerber knife and multi-tool, but Leatherman also makes some great tools, although they tend to run a little more.

12. Bandanas – endless number of uses. I always pack 4.

13. Bandaids – lots in multiple sizes, the stretchable fabric bandaids being my favorites.

14. Hand sanitizer – it’s not always easy to find a good source for washing your hands before eating.

15. Quick dry towel – for about $20, you can get a micro-fiber quick drying towel from REI that weighs a few ounces. Compare that to a large, plush towel like I took to Sudan. Bulky, heavier, and after the first shower, doesn’t quite dry all the way. Spend the money on the performance towel!

This is by no means exhaustive, but includes some items that to me are indispensable. You will pay more for higher quality gear. But I can say that, having shopped on price and having shopped for performance, higher performance will always trump cheaper for me from now on. In an environment like Sudan or the Congo, when you’re being challenged in every way physically, emotionally, and mentally, having that comfort knowing you have great gear on which you can rely will, again, help you keep your energy focused on telling a great story. You will see the difference on the screen!

Tagged: congo, field gear, foot powder, hat, headlamp, shoes, socks, Sudan, toilet paper, underwear

Changemakers in Film: Elena Rossini

Left Brain/Right Brain Productions, LLC — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 21:02:31 +0000

Film has been a man’s world. Elena Rossini is doing her best to change that. In addition to doing high quality commercial, fiction, and documentary work, she founded No Country for Young Women, a multimedia project that draws attention to women pursuing a wide variety of career options.

Elena is in the process of funding The Illusionists, a documentary exploring the manipulation and exploitation of women’s insecurities about their bodies – for profit. We wish her the best of luck and look forward to seeing a final cut.

Here’s a taste of what’s to come: Ideal Women, a short film commissioned by ARTE Web & the Louvre Museum for their “4 Semaines” project.

Ideal Women from Elena on Vimeo.

Tagged: beauty, social change, women in film