Being in the middle of production with all three Ontario projects now, one word really summarizes it all: AMAZED. I have had the privilege to be on set with all the directors and be involved in pre-interviews, events covered and interviews executed. In doing so it’s allowed me the opportunity to hang around afterwards and get to know the people involved in all the initiatives, from community members, clients, volunteers, staff, managers, executive directors, founders, the whole gambit.
Before beginning production, I had been very aware of what these organizations do, sitting in on the research meetings where these community initiatives were being discussed and decided upon, making our final decision as a board, and prepping the pre-production material for our directors. But all this was largely just on paper, in the abstract, ideas, words, etc. Where as in the midst of production, having meet all those involved in starting up, or running, or working for, or volunteering at these initiatives has revealed to me the remarkable level of commitment, thoughtfulness, enthusiasm, care and enjoyment everyone takes in tackling the very complicated issues these initiatives take on. The experience has really blown me away.
Being a part of Good Evidence, a non-profit community initiative in its own right, you think I would have not been so surprised or affected by this reality, the synergy of all these amazing qualities of everyone involved in the community initiatives we selected. But I suppose it is one thing to know this in theory, but much different to experience, witness and get to know those people doing this incredible, divergent work that is improving and enriching a number of communities around us in Ontario. I am in awe of these organizations and inspired by the people involved in them. I am very glad we chose to create videos for each of them. I hope we do them justice!