This inspiring, lyrical short poses questions that the homeless and those in need are facing in real life, the first query being, “What if everywhere you went, people turned their backs on you?”
During the initial portion of this nearly three-minute film, there are large images of people with their backs turned projected on buildings and other backdrops. At the same time, we see and hear about the plights of the needy
The copy is written in such a way that it’s not a stretch to think that some such plights could surface for all of us–and are not just confined to the currently down and out. “What if the job you relied on no longer relied on you?” Or what if the people you counted on thought you no longer counted?
Next we are exposed to some stark realities–the tens of thousands who are homeless in Orange County, Calif., the one in six O.C. residents who don’t have health insurance, the 890,000 people at risk of hunger, including children.
Yet there are thoughts and images that then take hold in this short that spark hope for those at risk and for those who donate time and money, and volunteer to help. We are introduced to the “Live United” campaign which promotes a world where no one looks away from the face of need–a commitment that turns heartbreak into hope, dependence into independence, and “helps put the unity back into community.”
This short is for United Way Orange County’s fundraising efforts and will be sent to corporate partners and be posted on the United Way O.C. website. There’s also the possibility of cutting it down to run as a broadcast spot in select markets.
The film was directed and edited by James Lipetzky of Foundation Content. United Way O.C. came to Foundation Content directly based on the company’s work on a Gold Hugo-winning effort for United Way Chicago.
Oscar Nominees Delve Into The Art Of Editing At ACE Session
You couldn’t miss Sean Baker at this past Sunday’s Oscar ceremony where he won for Best Picture, Directing, Original Screenplay and Editing on the strength of Anora. However, earlier that weekend he was in transit from the Cesar Awards in Paris and thus couldn’t attend the American Cinema Editors (ACE) 25th annual panel of Academy Award-nominated film editors held at the Regal LA Live Auditorium on Saturday (3/1) in Los Angeles. While the eventual Oscar winner in the editing category was missed by those who turned out for the ACE “Invisible Art, Visible Artists” session, three of Baker’s fellow nominees were on hand--Dávid Jancsó, HSE for The Brutalist; Nick Emerson for Conclave; and Myron Kerstein, ACE for Wicked. Additionally, Juliette Welfling, who couldn’t appear in person due to the Cesar Awards, was present via an earlier recorded video interview to discuss her work on Emilia Pérez. The interview was conducted by ACE president and editor Sabrina Plisco, ACE who also moderated the live panel discussion. Kerstein said that he was the beneficiary of brilliant and generous collaborators, citing, among others, director Jon M. Chu, cinematographer Alice Brooks, and visual effects supervisor Pablo Helman. The editor added it always helps to have stellar acting performances, noting that hearing Cynthia Erivo, for example, sing live was a revelation. Kerstein recalled meeting Chu some eight years ago on a “blind Skype date” and it was an instant “bromance”--which began on Crazy Rich Asians, and then continued on such projects as the streaming series Home Before Dark and the feature In The Heights. Kerstein observed that Chu is expert in providing collaborators with... Read More