This week, I was able to connect with the owner of the Syracuse Real Food Co-op, who excitedly welcomed the idea of a documentary film. During our conversation, he repeatedly noted that a documentary would be perfect PR for his business, a great way to promote sustainable farming, and a justification for this alternative lifestyle. I walked away from the meeting feeling like the film had tremendous potential, and very excited to begin working on the project as soon as possible.
However, there are two aspects of documentary film that I find very challenging: First, the authentic portrayal of the films subjects, and second, communicating the nature of the story in a very short period of time. Minutes after the meeting was over, an enormous sense of pressure set in. I now felt a responsibility to create a film that would promote the store as much as possible. At first, this notion was daunting. However, I decided that I was going to do my best to mobilize these nerves to create the best film possible.
For me, this is a primary source of motivation, and a main reason why I want to create the best film possible for the Food Co-op. Although this film is my capstone, and I want to add this film to my professional portfolio, I feel like it is far more important to turn the focus towards the store, and how their passion for sustainable farming is transforming the food culture of Upstate New York.
Below is an interesting NY Times article about authenticity in documentary filmmaking, “How Real Does it Feel?”: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/12/magazine/12Reality-t.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
And a link to the Syracuse Real Food Co-op website: http://www.syracuserealfood.coop/
