I wanted to be a documentary filmmaker, so I asked if I could sign up for the advanced class Documentaries for Social Change at Scottsdale Community College. It was the only documentary class I could find at the time. I was granted permission to attend, with no formal training prior. Breath Interrupted was my first official completed film...my assignment for that class.
I used a camera I did not know how to run that was gifted to me the day before I started shooting.
I edited it in iMovie because that was the only editing program I could use at the time.
I had no concept of audio, proper lighting or how to make a film other than what we learned in class.
All I had was a vision & a will to make an impact on society.
The film ended up being selected for screening at two film festivals...Jerome Film Festival and Comicon Film Fest. It was also selected to screen as the opening film for a local feature film called Tainted Love where we had a big turnout and red carpet magic thanks to Rachel, the director of Tainted Love.
I was also invited back every semester as a special guest to discuss the film in Doc class at Scottsdale Community College. I was also asked to discuss my interview techniques that were directly informed by my holistic educator and spiritual life coach background. I was also asked about my creative process balancing what I did know about film and what I did not.
I am forever grateful for what I learned making this film. We should always honor our roots, where we have been and how far we move along in our passions.
