Fischer Edit/FX Blog

The Forest Count Potawatomi Tribe’s campaign for a greener Wisconsin.

by Katie Carpenter

“The culture, religion and way of life of the Forest County Potawatomi Community are closely tied to their natural environment. The Tribe and its members are very concerned about the impacts that they and others can have on the environment.” (quoted from website)

The TV spots, conceived by the Howl Fire agency in Minneapolis, were created in an effort to guide people to a new website that will make people more aware of the greener choices they can make for their life and the Earth.

Visit the Potawatomi Community’s “End Global Warming” website here.

By combining archival stills from the Forest County Potawatomi archives and public domain nature footage, I created a montage that was then projected onto moving fabric at Cinequipt Studios. Director Barry Kimm did a wonderful job with the Potawatomi children who came to Minneapolis for the shoot. John Hermanson of Modern Music also created the perfect tracks for the spots using flutes from his Native American flute collection.

The Potawatomi’s significant conservation efforts will inspire old and young to join together to protect Wisconsin’s natural habitats and resources, create more green jobs and make this one Earth we have a beautiful place to live, and live off of for generations to come.

I am so happy to have been a part of the team that created this beautiful message.

“Stop and Listen” About Global Warming Edited by Katie Carpenter from Fischer Edit on Vimeo.

Forest County Potawatomi Spot Edited by Fischer Edit’s Katie Carpenter from Fischer Edit on Vimeo.

[Editor's Note: Katie Carpenter is an editor at Fischer Edit/FX in Minneapolis.]

Highlights from the art gathering hosted by Sabrina Ward Harrison and Fischer Edit’s Katie Carpenter

Over coffee and wine at the Warehouse District’s cozy Corner Coffee, an intimate group of the Fischer Edit family and friends took some time to engage in open conversation about art, advertising, and creativity with mixed media artist and author Sabrina Ward Harrison.

Sabrina shared with us some stories about her life living in a one-room schoolhouse on the coast of California and read us some poetry that inspires her.  We learned about her own creative process in making her artwork in which she beautifully blends photography, paint, found objects and ink writing.  Sabrina’s work tells stories of her life in layers of found “bits” and honors the people of her past by using family photos and treasures.  Her art beautifully illustrates her life philosophy which is “Make what you most need to find.”

A free-writing experience challenged us to think deeper, let go of our day-to-day thinking process and happily embrace the messiness and “mistakes” that come out of doing that… showing us that the process of creating in and of itself can ultimately open up new possibilities of creativity and self-discovery.

Sabrina and I screened the short film that we collaborated on this summer for the Beacon Film Festival in New York called “The Story is Happening.”  The film was created from 8mm film footage shot in Italy, projection footage shot in NYC, as well as Sabrina’s photography, mixed-media pieces and her beautiful ink line art.  The film is essentially a moving collage celebrating her philosophy of making what you most need to find.  It was an honor to collaborate with Sabrina on such a special project.

It is the first film created for the True Living Project. Sabrina’s True Living Project inspires a generation of mindful pioneers through global collaboration and generational partnership.

You can view “The Story is Happening” film here:

“The Story Is Happening” edited by Fischer Edit’s Katie Carpenter from Fischer Edit on Vimeo.

A huge thank you to Sabrina for sharing so much of her story and for inspiring us.  And thank you to everyone who came for doing the same.  You made it very special!

-Katie

“The Story is Happening” is a moving collage of work by artist Sabrina Ward Harrison in collaboration with editor Katie Carpenter. Original music for the film was composed by Modern Music’s John Hermanson. This film is an homage to the lifelong adventure of handmade “true living.” Harrison’s True Living Project inspires a generation of mindful pioneers through global collaboration and generational partnership. This is the first film created by the True Living Project.

The Beacon Art Salon & Fovea Exhibitions presents
The Beacon Film Flam
An arts-crafts-puppet village & outdoor film festival
Saturday, September 13, 2008, Noon – 10:00 pm
At the lot on Main Street’s West End at Cross Street
Arts Village: Noon – 6pm
Film Festival: 7pm (dusk) – 10 pm
Fine arts and crafts vendors will sell their wares throughout the day.
Music performances, puppet shows and film showings are free to the
public. Featured fine arts include photography, painting, art gifts,
ceramics and more. The film festival will include a video presentation
by Fovea Exhibitions, followed by a screening of selected short films.
Special World Premiere Screening – “The Story is Happening”
a moving collage of work by artist Sabrina Ward Harrison as part of the True Living Project.

Read more from Fischer Edit’s Katie Carpenter here.

“Left Behind Without a Choice”

Documentary

When Kim Walsh Borgan (director; former Campbell Mithun employee) approached me about editing a documentary about the Hurricane Katrina animal rescue effort, I enthusiastically said “yes!” and it has been an honor working with Kim and the rest of the crew on “Left Behind Without a Choice.”

Hurricane Katrina left a path of physical and emotional devastation across the Gulf Coast region.  Not only were people forced to evacuate their homes, but they were also told that they had to leave their animals behind. In fact, many human lives were lost because they would not leave without their pets.

I remember very clearly seeing those haunting images on the news of a dog standing on the roof of a submerged car or a cat climbing to safety on a rooftop.  It was beyond comprehension that they were left to survive the five feet of toxic floodwaters without any human aid.

A group of dedicated volunteers, organized by Best Friends Animal Society came to the rescue. Working day and night, they were able to save thousands of animals (dogs, cats…even tarantulas!) in what became the largest animal rescue effort in American history.

Volunteers at Best Friends’ Tylertown, Mississippi rescue camp

Kim Walsh Borgan was one of those volunteers.  Kim took home movies and photos documenting her multiple experiences working at one of Best Friends’ rescue camps.  

Kim Walsh Borgan with a rescued dog

Another thing she took away from the experience was a rescued orange Tabby kitten named Linus!  When she returned, she was inspired to tell her story and honor the volunteers who made great personal sacrifices for the love of animals.                      

I am inspired by Kim and the volunteers featured in the documentary who miraculously found hope, beauty, and even humor in the one of the darkest experiences of their lives.  The film really is about the significant bond between humans and animals.  And, even though the floodwaters have receded, we still have a long way to go in helping the animals and people of the Gulf Coast Region.  My hope is that this film will inspire people to get involved in the effort.

A heart-warming reunion 

“The entire country shouldn’t forget.  It isn’t better.  It isn’t done.  It was big.”

-Sherry Woodard

Animal Behaviorist; Best Friends Animal Society

Original music was composed for the film by Minneapolis musicians Marc Perlman (Jayhawks), Jessy Greene, and Wally Borgan. 

Two of the tracks featured in the film:

• Memories by Marc Perlman
• Thick N Thin by Jessy Greene

The film will premiere in Minnesota August 29^th 2008 on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.  Stay tuned for more information.

by editor Katie Carpenter
Fischer Edit
Minneapolis, Minn.