Citizen Screen: How often have you wondered if you make a difference in the world? If your actions have any impact?
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Image courtesy of connectivityproject.com [/caption]
Citizen Screen is a monthly column dedicated to film and film-related topics, sourced and curated by Port Townsend Film Festival. This month’s column is by filmmaker Rose Madrone, the Producer/Director of the Connectivity Project film. Working at the intersection of community building, filmmaking, sustainability, and education, Rose has created effective tools with which to reinforce the importance of understanding the interconnections at play all around us.
In these challenging times, so many people are seeking ways to make a difference and have an impact on the things that are the most important to them. They wonder if they do…make a difference.
And if we knew that our choices do make a difference, would we act differently? Make different decisions?
The Connectivity Project short film series began as a simple thought experiment. It started with wondering if there was something I could do to help cultivate a conversation that would facilitate making our (my) lives/community/world more aligned with a caring and compassionate way of seeing things. And make a difference in the world.
How to get there was the first step. If we could be exposed to and be reminded of a deeper sense of belonging and awe to the world around us, this could lead to a sense of responsibility to protect what we each care about.
“There’s a harmony and a relationship that is undeniable in any interaction in nature. I’d been a teacher for many years, but I knew that by teaching in small groups and classrooms, my reach was small.”
— Rose Madrone
Working as a botanist and teaching herbal medicine earlier in my life and spending much of my time in nature, it was always evident how interconnected things are. There’s a harmony and a relationship that is undeniable in any interaction in nature. I’d been a teacher for many years, but I knew that by teaching in small groups and classrooms, my reach was small.
I’ve been influenced by documentaries for a long time and know that they can be life-changing with the right information, storytelling and visual impact. So, leaning into the idea that the best way to reach the most people would be through the screen, be it via film, computer learning, films, TV, etc. I mused… Someone should make a short film to inspire, empower, and educate the viewer that we live in an interconnected world, and their actions matter.
“Hmmmm, could I be that person?”
In the making of this film, my first, I was able to create an amazing team of fellow filmmakers, experience deep collaboration, interview inspiring thinkers and teachers, scientists and activists. I’ve learned so much about people through the interviewing process. At times I was too shy to ask for an interview from someone, and I was often astounded that people love to share their beliefs and talk about what is in their hearts if they think it is for a good cause.
Some of the best advice I received early on while performing interviews was if it feels right, try to leave the mic on even when you think you are done with the interview. When the formal part of the session is over, sometimes the person is so relaxed and at ease that the richest stories come up. (Of course, always make sure you get permission if you want to use any of that material.)
Fast forward a few years, a steep learning curve, and a great deal of work… this film has finally found its wings. To inspire and encourage this understanding that our actions do make a difference. By examining the ripple effects of our actions, in a world that operates in an interconnected way.
The result is a series of three 15-minute films. This series has been screened in dozens of film festivals and is being used in schools across the country with an accompanying study guide. It’s been shared with congregations and public interest groups to raise awareness and inspire new thought, cultivating that conversation of making a difference.
And now this little experiment has great news. The film has been invited to be a part of programming with Public Television to help educate and be a means to start conversations about interconnectedness and inspire millions of viewers!
You may have seen one of the episodes of this series at the Jefferson County Connectivity Fair over the last two years. The film was the actual seed of inspiration that started the whole effort to create this local community event. And at the fair, there was a gym full of local non-profit organizations from across our community. It allowed deeper connections to form and for folks to learn how they might want to help serve this community through working with or contributing to some of these organizations. It also facilitated deeper connections between organizations.
One of the questions at the heart of this project was, “Does an individual's actions make a difference?” The answer is yes.
To learn more about the Connectivity Project and to donate money to help adapt the pieces For Public Television, go to: https://www.connectivityproject.com/
Mark your calendars for the upcoming Jefferson County Connectivity Summit (new name) on March 7-9, 2025.
We look forward to exploring a variety of film and film-related topics in the months to come. Want to propose a topic? Send your thoughts to: info@ptfilm.org.
