Take a read. The Zine, Courageous Creativity, is a PDF. Open it. My article is called Unreasonable Commitment.

Let me know what you think.

Sproutwas way back in November, but I am still high from it. I have been so busy working on the film itself, I have not had time to reflect on the experience of Sprout. However, it was great and deserves a debrief. I have a moment here and am taking it.

Sprout is this amazing event  that happens twice a year  in Seattle. It was created by Sarah Steininger and Kristin Hoskins. It is such a cool thing.

How it goes is this: Artists apply to present—any kind of art project goes—dance, zine, film, poetry, sculpture, photography, music…you know… art. Six projects/ presenters are selected each time. People who love art and food purchase tickets to a yummy dinner made by a hip Seattle chef who cooks with a bunch of volunteers for the good of the cause. There is wine and beer and three courses. The vibe is fun, casual… warm. The design of the whole thing is classy, real and sweet. The presenters present in between courses. At the end of the evening, there is a vote. The two projects with the top number of votes, get the proceeds from the dinner ($1000 & $500).

I hear the food was delicious. I didn’t really get to enjoy this part of the evening because I was so nervous, I could barely take a bite. (Scott was off on a shoot and could not be there. I was on my own.)  I presented last. I was shaking a bit as I was introduced. The room was full of people and they were all starring at me. This was after a bunch of really cool projects and presenters. Even though I talk about Shanta and our film all the time, I still am unsure how much to include. What do people want and need to know about the film? Where and how does my emotional connection to the film fit into pitch? What scenes do I show?

I just went with it. I let it flow out of me. The 8 minutes I was allotted went by quickly. I got it all in. I saw folks’ heads nodding ‘yes’. I felt the room was there with me. It was a great feeling to say the least. And, to have my mom in the audience as well as some of my other dearest friends, just made the night amazing.

Winning was so much more than about the money for me. Don’t get me wrong, having $1000 earmarked for quality translation is  fantastic! But, even more than that—having a room full of people that don’t know me, believe in the project, was a serious high.

The next Sprout is March 31, 2012. If we are not in Nepal, we will definitely be there. We will see you there!

Pretty awesome. This is their 5th event. It is really taking off.

Here is how it works. They do a call for artists. Select a handful via an application process. People pay $20 for the evening of good food, drink and hearing about folks’ art projects. At the end of the night,the diners vote. The winner or winners get the proceeds from the dinner.

Simple. Brilliant. And I am honored, nervous and excited about it. The event is currently sold out but I will let you know how it goes down.

Whether our project gets the vote or not, I get to tell a bunch of interested people about what we are doing. So, we have kind of already won.

I have to go rehearse my presentation now.

Let’s face it, most of the Western made films about educating girls as a means of combating poverty (even when inspiring) are pretty predictable. They’re mostly promotional pieces like what we set out to make. Shanta’s death has compelled us to move this conversation to the next level.

We tackle that level by going inside Shanta’s family’s day to day life. This UN video below makes it look like a simple decision to send a girl off to school– like it is a matter of just the family making up their mind that it is the best thing to do. It does not mention the weight of hunger, financial stress and deep discrimination.

The costs of opportunity.

Hmmm…

However, thanks to the Art Lending Library (one of the coolest thing ever and just happens to have been born right here by our neighbors in our fantastic artist community, The Cooper School) they are now hanging in the admissions office of Hamilton International Middle School.

What is the Art Lending Library?

The Art Lending Library is a system of lending and borrowing artwork to the public for free.  It is a trust-based program where artists provide artwork to be checked out by any member of the public, and patrons allow artwork and artists into their homes; all in the spirit of sharing. It is rad. Basically, you become a member. You get a card with your picture on it. You come and pick out a piece of art from a local artist. The artist, or folks from ALL, come and hang it in your house for two months or so. Then you get come back and pick out something different. Everyone loves it. It is pretty much the only one in the country. And, it is currently working on expanding so it can reach a more Seattle patrons and artists.

The registrar at Hamilton International Middle School — a big fan of art, Elizabeth Piela, invited ALL to hang some photos in their office. Girlworld seemed a perfect fit. It was also a perfect place for me to advertise my Girlworld presentation for middle and high schoolers around Seattle. I want to know more what kids think about when they are watching the girls in Nepal. What surprises them? Does it make them think about their own education differently? Do they think they can do something to help? What?

Showing this film around to kids is going to make me a better filmmaker. I know this to be true.

I am hoping I get some calls from teachers soon. If we don’t…I am calling them. They would crazy not to invite me.