I was admitted into a Masters of Journalism program in Vancouver. Thiss meant my time at BDFI was at its end. With sadness (but with excitement for my next foray), I told Joel, who has become such a good friend and a creative pal to me, and Patrick that I would be taking off soon to distribute my finished documentary, work and save some money, and to start my 2 year program in the fall. Then I told my other classmates and the teachers. I hate goodbyes!
Patrick seemed genuinely happy for me. I told him how important I thought the experience and work I was doing at the BDFI was in my application, and how I was sure it was a very important part of my new school’s decision to admit me into what I’m told is a fairly competitive program. He and I both agreed that this would not be the last we saw of each other and I told him that I plan to be in touch with my classmates and the school regularly. Who knows what is just hidden around the corner?
My last few weeks at school were so busy. While I wanted to spend time saying goodbye to Berkeley and my Berkeley pals, I found myself more often than not still locked in the editing rooms, tweaking this or that, burning copies, organizing files…I even squeezed in one last shoot for a project I need to edit in the next few weeks and send back to my classmates for their critiques before the end of their semester.
What do I miss? The rest of Dan’s sound class. What a bummer! Sharif’s jokes and his always enjoyable editing class. Patrick’s pressure to do more, work harder. My classmates’ continued ideas, pitches, challenges…I miss all of that.
I premiered my documentary in Edmonton, Alberta to members of the Canada Youth Climate Coalition (a nation-wide coalition of youth environmental NGOs banded to confront with climate change challenges). Granted, this was a sympathetic first audience for my doc about the impacts of Alberta’s oil sands boom and a group of young people who are biking over 1300 km across the province to learn about them (check out the film’s soon to be available website: tothetarsandsfilm.ca), but the reception was incredible. A standing ovation!!! And since then, I’ve been receiving daily emails from people interesting in purchasing their own copy for their family, organizing screenings across the country. The big pay-off for all of those editing hours.
In the next month or so I’ll begin to find out if the film has been admitted into the film fests to which I submitted. I will be absolutely thrilled (surprised, too) if it is included in the programming for these festivals. Thank you BDFI! This film would be only a shadow of what it is were it not for the community, teaching, resources, even building at BDFI.
More to come as the next month unfolds. Excitement!
Jodie Martinson