Public Television Offers Film-Making Classes, Access to Equipment
In 1997, Crohn’s disease decided it’d be fun to hitch a wild ride in my gut and live with me, permanently.
Since then I thought about making a documentary film about Crohn’s – an inflammatory bowel disease.
Being a video game designer and not a documentary filmmaker, I put the idea to rest thinking it would be impossible to accomplish and that I was on one career path and shouldn’t switch lanes to go on another.
But the idea never went away.
So recently I decided to give the documentary idea some more thought. I settled on what I think is a compelling concept: focus on people who take a proactive approach to regaining control of Crohn’s through alternative treatments, not pharmaceutical drugs. My own experience has taught me that pharmaceutical drugs are very dangerous. I believe one that I took, called Accutane, created the conditions necessary for Crohn’s to develop in my gut.
I know of several people who use diet, including myself, to keep the disease in remission. There are also alternative treatments using supplements, hemp medicine, raw milk and intestinal hookworms. Unfortunately, the first treatment for Crohn’s prescribed by doctors is not a new diet, but often dangerous and expensive pharmaceutical drugs. Those suffering from Crohn’s need to know about alternative treatments.
With newfound enthusiasm and focus in the documentary concept, I started calling on people for help. Luckily, the Eugene community is full of amazing and helpful people.
“Luckily, the Eugene community is full of amazing and helpful people.”
One person recommended I talk to another and that person recommended I talk to the folks at CTV29. I never knew they existed, but they are a local non-profit public access television station for Lane County.
I found out that CTV29 offers several different kinds of classes at their station behind Sheldon High School, lasting from four to six weeks. Each class begins when they have enough people signed up. Upon completion, students get a certification that allows them to use the CTV29 equipment on hand, collaborate with others on film projects, and even use the facility’s space to conduct interviews in a quiet, well-lit room.
I was invited to visit the station to meet people and soak in whatever I could about the process of creating content for TV, all for free! When I arrived, I expected to be observing and learning, but Larry, the producer, put me to work immediately. He showed me how to operate the cameras in a few minutes and that was all I needed.
The camera controls are very similar to video game controls. Being an avid gamer with most of the latest consoles, I felt right at home with the fine range of control I needed to have in my thumbs to zoom in and out, not unlike controlling my avatar’s walk speed with an XBox 360 or PS3 controller. Adjusting the focus requires a twist of the wrist. No problem there, thanks to my many hours of Nintendo Wii gaming.
I also found my observation skills I gained from looking for detail in a video game scene translated well to making sure things looked right in the camera monitor. Was the person’s face framed correctly? Is the face in focus?
It was really empowering to come in thinking I knew nothing about cameras and filming and leave having operated a secondary camera for three filmed programs that night. My name even appears in the credits of each one.
Another benefit is that I can add this and future experience to my resume. Employers like seeing motivated people who are proactive in learning new skills or volunteering for a community. At CTV29, I am doing both.
Since that evening, I have purchased my very first digital camcorder. Once the classes fill with registrations, I will be able to take documentary and studio classes. If you are interested in taking one of CTV29’s film classes, you can learn more here.
Crohn’s can make one’s life miserable, with debilitating gut pain and diarrhea. Drugs often make the condition worse in the long term or introduce new health issues. With any luck, my experience at CTV29 will enable me to make a documentary film that empowers people with Crohn’s or other diseases to skip the expensive and dangerous drugs and give alternative treatments a try.
Two years ago, I never thought I’d be working towards making a documentary. Sometimes, all it takes is asking for help and people will be glad to point you in the right direction and sometimes they’ll just give you the controls and say, “Go for it.”
Reid Bryant Kimball is a freelance video game designer and aspiring documentary filmmaker. He is passionate about using media to help people improve themselves and the world around them. Visit Reid’s website or connect with him on Twitter.
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