Our World - Old Masset : Our World
Kiefer Collison, 2009, 3 min 11 s
Kiefer Collison, 2009, 3 min 11 s
In October 2008, Lisa Jackson and Catrina Longmuir made a preliminary visit to Old Masset to meet with youth to discuss story ideas and to talk about the “Our World” project. Thanks to Nate Jolley who already does video workshops in Old Masset, we were able to access talented youth that were already well versed in filmmaking processes. We had a very productive couple of days workshopping ideas with the youth for their 250 word stories.
Most of them had a clear idea of what they wanted to do by the end of day 1. On day two we wrapped up the writing and even had time to do an animation exercise in ‘pixilation’. Each of the six youth involved were artistic, talented and had a great sense of filmmaking already. Because Nate is a resident of Masset, doing media workshops, it meant that not only were we building on the youths’ skills, but he was also there to continue working with them after we left. We felt we were part of a continuum, and that we were able to bring another dimension to what they already knew. It felt great to know that they would almost definitely be continuing to build their new skills and tools.
We were very fortunate to be working with the Xaad Kihlgaa Hi Suu.u Society (Speak Haida Society) with Lucille Bell to help with the translations for the six films. With help from Northern Credit Savings Union, we were able to work with language experts for four days. Elder Ts’inni Steven Brown meticulously translated and narrated all 6 pieces and even starred in two of the films! With the help of Lisa White, Jordon Seward and Primrose ‘Bipsy’ Adams, we were able to have simultaneous transcription take place for eventual Haida subtitles of the films.
For each film, the young filmmaker would sit with the language experts and help explain what he or she was trying to evoke. It proved to be a really great learning experience for the youth, and was a unique way in which they could be giving back to the community. Two of the youth even spoke in their pieces -and I’m sure if there was more time they would have narrated their entire films. (Next time!)
The six young filmmakers each made very different types of film, in style and in content. Tao Stocker, our youngest participants, created a sophisticated short piece with images he manipulated in photoshop. The piece is a surreal contemplation on change. Tao also created a magnificent soundtrack from scratch in Garageband.
Kiefer Collison created a short bold film stating that the community needs to listen to the youth because they are the future and must be heard. His piece was also done primarily in live-action video form. Having trained with Nate, he already had a strong sense of storytelling through images and sound. Kiefer is working with Nate’s production company, and is seriously considering film school.
Curtis Brown’s film is a touching account of how he (a “lost raven”) was uprooted at a young age and now as a young adult is rediscovering his roots as a Haida dancer. He also played the flute for three of the six pieces, and performed in his own piece, traditionally and in a contemporary form. Curtis is also seriously considering going to film school. Brandon had a strong sense visually of what he wanted to accomplish from the very beginning. It is obvious in his short stop-motion animation that he is very artistically talented. His piece integrates the voice and face of Ts’inni Steven Brown, speaking in Haida about the loss of culture and the resurgence of it through future generations. It explores the power of Haida art and the importance of sustaining it.
Kristy Bell created a very personal and poetic piece about her struggle to belong. Given the Haida name for Bashful by her Ts’inni Steven (our language expert), she goes on a journey to discover the world out there, only to discover that her heart is content when she is surrounded by her community and her roots. Kristy calls herself a “photographer-poet” which is very apropos. Kristy is taking Haida language courses and even narrated some of her piece in the Haida language. Kristy is moving to Terrace in the fall to pursue a degree in First Nations Visual Art.
The community screening held at the end of the week was a great success! It was held at Tluu Xaada Naay Long House in Old Masset and was a packed house. Thanks to the grant from Northern Credit Savings Union we were able to hire a contact of Nate’s hired a projectionist who brought his professional projector, enormous screen and beautiful sound system. Each film was a great hit with the audience. We followed the screening with a Q & A session, where the youth individually talked about where their films. Audience members were also quite animated and we had a few very encouraging and positive remarks from the community. It was a magical evening. We really felt that the youth were delivering something that was not only about their own expression and accomplishment; but that the pieces were real contributions in the Haida language back to their community as well.
Pixilation - during our intro session we did a fun little pixilation exercise - here's kiefer about to make a move on kristy with tao in the middle... 
Nate and Lisa j - pixilating (left to right) Curtis, Nate, Tao and Lisa Jackson. 
Kristy Brown and her Ts'inni, Stephen Brown work on her piece 
Kristy, our photoshop queen 
Kiefer shooting at something.. an eagle perhaps? 
Kiefer shooting from ground - Kiefer shooting Curtis' dancing raven feet 
Brandon, the artist 
Catrina and Gwaliga getting to know Our World films. 
Gwaliga taking a break. 
Lisa Nielsen shooting Curtis hip hopping in the rain. 
Tao was the aerial shooter for Curtis' raven dance film. 
A full house of the Our World films at Christian's longhouse. 
The young filmmakers talking about their films to the audience. 
Lucy Bell hands out gifts from the Haida Speak Society. 
