I was drawn into filmmaking in order to document the global water crisis. Water-related disease kills more people every month of the year than were tragically lost during to the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2005, yet this story goes unnoticed and unreported. I saw the outpouring of giving and compassion to the tsunami victims, and thought that
if people could just see footage of the water crisis, they would respond accordingly. I set out to get that footage, and tell that story.
I studied documentary film production at the University of Washington, and have taken those skills on the road over the past few years documenting the struggle millions of people go through each day to find drinking water. I’ve walked along to distant water holes with women and children to collect water from filthy streams where cattle are also drinking. I’ve followed the selfless, dedicated people who are working tirelessly to solve this problem and bring health and dignity to poor people in the developing world. This is demanding, rewarding work, and I believe that I am doing what I was called to do.
I used to be happy just building web sites. Now that I’ve learned a few new tricks, I’ve sought other work in the film business. Through my work with Ethos Water, I have shot and edited several short films for Starbucks Coffee Company, highlighting their philanthropic work around literacy and city park restoration here in Seattle. Starbucks has donated millions of dollars towards clean water projects in the developing world through their sales of Ethos Water, so you’ve got to know, I love Starbucks. Great coffee, too.
Next up is YouTube. I’ve just begun putting films online for FilmPhotoWeb, as well as Water1st. I hope to start a video podcast early in 2007 as well. Stay iTuned.
This is a short film I shot in the slums of Dhaka City, Bangladesh in October, 2006. This piece was shown, along with several others, at a benefit at Benaroya Hall in Seattle, WA, in November. Over $300,000.00 was raised that evening to help bring clean water to people in the developing world. I feel honored to have had a small part in that effort.