The 45 Cameras Project - Closing

The Journey within a Journey

All along the way we will pick up friends and philosophers, musicians and media folks, politicians, poets, peacemakers and parents who have lost children to violence. The discussions will go deeper and deeper as the miles fly by and we cross the vast expanse of the USA.

History, peacemaking, psychology, philosophy, violence management, active listening and the power of film – these will be our constant companions as we pick up our guests and cameras along the way. Their wisdom, and that of the street philosophers we chance to meet as we travel from Hollywood to New York will serve as a source of endless discussion and material for the 90 documentaries our young film  producers will gather, cull and create.
And along the way as they are shooting, a professional documentary will be shot of the shooters by our resident film maker and traveling companion, Mr. Micah Schaffer, producer of HBO’s “Death of Two Sons.”

 

In the end, we will produce:

1. Pulitzer Class Documentary (by Micah Schaffer) about the process

2. 90 film shorts (15 a week all summer) to be streamed over the internet and seen by the world

3. An international buzz that will help build bridges, understanding, dialogue, and funding for an endowment to produce this event annually

4. 45 new film producers – every year - with friends on the “other side” of the walls who will infiltrate and impact the future of media, politics and society in Palestine, Israel, the USA and across the globe

Final Thoughts

In George Orwell’s “Animal Farm,” the first thing the Pigs did when the animals took over the farm was to kidnap the puppies. They raised them together, then turned them loose as young strong dogs to reinforce the revolution. If there is to be a revolution for peace in the Mide it's time to kidnap the puppies.

    45 cameras.

    45 teenagers.

    45 days.

    Crossing America  in a bus on the road toward peace, film and understanding.

Maybe it’s time we kidnap the puppies.

And put them in a bus.

(Note to Blog Readers: This is in the germination stage. I would enjoy and appreciate your input, connections, counsel, and advice on the whole concept, as well as the processes your would recommend and the cautions you wish to convey.)

Comments

[JP]

While I think it is a very interesting concept, why is it all in America? Why is an understanding of "Peace" in the Mideast start with bringing them to the USA to experience the USA (Yes, it is not a normal trip to the USA. Do you conceive the USA being "neutral" ground?
From my limited understanding of the conflict between the Jews and Palestinians, much of it is cultural to that region, and while it might be meaningful to these children while they are in the USA, I think it would be hard for them to contextualize it back into their homes.