As tragic as the COVID-19 pandemic has been, it remains true that citizens rise to the challenge whenever a disaster strikes to exemplify the more noble aspects of humanity. Such was the case when I received a message from the folks at Muse Storytelling.
As masters of video production their team not only produce world-class films, but they are world-class givers, sharing their expertise with the film industry at large, as well as the global community. So no big surprise when Muse created the Choose Hope Story.
Amid this crisis they decided to send the world a message of hope based on the poem Lockdown by Brother Richard Hendrick - spoken word artist Marshall Davis Jones is the voice pared with a stunning visual representation by a global team of filmmakers.
Born from a feeling of isolation and a fierce desire to find purpose in the face of helplessness, #ChooseHopeStory is the collective effort of over 250 filmmakers across the globe to share stories of compassion and unity amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic.
A global team of filmmakers came together over the course of just ten days to develop the creative, bring together footage, and edit the four-minute video while filming up until the last day on several continents around the world.
Each filmmaker brought in their own unique perspective of the pandemic in the film creation – from an expectant mother who is 33 weeks pregnant to a therapist and filmmaker who is struggling with the anger that the uncertainty has caused him.
To continue sharing the stories of these incredible moments amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Muse and their community are challenging people from around the world to continue to come together with stories of hope, sharing their inspiring moments on social media with the #choosehopestory.
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality.
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
While the majority of storytellers that I work with are destined to speak on a big stage, film is unmatched in its ability to combine the spoken word with crafted visuals which can present a story in a more visceral way. The eyes combined with the ears. It’s rather amazing to see/feel the impact of a sparse 352 words set within just 4 minutes of video.
Maybe the message that you’re sharing lends itself to creating a video representation, something that can illustrate your words beyond the words themselves. Read the text of Brother Richard’s poem. See how every word counts, adds value, meaning, clarity. Each frame of video last mere seconds, yet there’s a full story within each vignette.
Taking you behind the scenes
Lockdown by Brother Richard Hendrick
Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighbourhood
So that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.
A bit about Muse Storytelling
When your passion for the power of story exceeds your monetary goals, the world shall benefit from your generosity. So a hat tip to the folks at Muse Storytelling for inspiring those of us who share that same passion. Through story we advance as a society.
When we share the real lived experience of another person in just the right way, we are able to transport the audience into their shoes, into their world, and in so doing, have the opportunity to inspire new perspectives and actions.
I hope that you enjoyed this post. If so, please share your wisdom and insights below. And don’t forget to subscribe. You can also find me on LinkedIn and Twitter, or even drop me a line with any thoughts or questions you may have about storytelling.