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IN HER LENS
12: Melinda James on Viewfinding and "Oklahoma is Black"
Melinda James is an Black and Thai cinematographer. Her work encompasses documentaries, narratives, installations, commercials, and music videos. Centering her work on women, QTBIPOC, and underrepresented communities- Melinda recently DP’ed and co-directed, “Oklahoma is Black,” a poetic portrait of Black life in Oklahoma City which was nominated for Best Documentary Short at BlackStar and DC Black film festivals. Melinda was included on a list of “Mind Blowing Cinematographers” by Emmy Rossum & Free The Work and is a member of the International Collective of Female Cinematographers. In this episode, Melinda and Nadine chat about her journey to the filmmaking world through her education in sociology and about the differences between big commercial jobs, music videos, and video installations. We talk about safeguarding energy, in times like these but always, and about her creating of a time capsule. In connection to her work in “Oklahoma is Black,” they talk about the importance of footage and archives on who lived and how.
This episode refers to the works of David Attenborough and Clarice Lispector.
Melinda James is a Thai and Black cinematographer from California, USA. You can check out her work on her website: www.melindajamesdp.com
Nadine Reumer is a Dutch actress and podcaster based between Amsterdam and New York City. For further information on her work & to get in contact, visit her website: www.nadinereumer.com
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12. 31: Rumbi Katedza & Moreangels Mbizah on Zimbabwe's Landscapes
59:28||Season 3, Ep. 12Rumbi Katedza (she/her) is a filmmaker and writer living in Zimbabwe. She produces corporate and independent narrative and documentary content through her production company, Mai Jai Films. A company focused on pioneering a new generation of Zimbabwean films & filmmakers through creative co-productions. Mai Jai Films runs Postcards from Zimbabwe, a children’s audio-visual and life-skills training project, & ZimbabweFilm.com, a comprehensive Zimbabwean film promotion website. One of her latest films Transactions, tells a story of Zimbabwean migration through a family divided by the circumstances of a failed economy; separated across the world the family meets online to decide who needs the most financial support back home.Dr Moreangels Mbizah is a conservation biologist working at the intersection of conservation and community development in Zimbabwe. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Wildlife Conservation Action: an organization focusing on building the capacity of local communities to protect and coexist with wildlife while improving livelihoods. She received her Doctoral Degree from Oxford, is a TED Fellow/Speaker & Mandela Washington Fellow. In 2019, Moreangels gave the TED talk, “How community-led conservation can save wildlife.” Her study also followed the famous Cecil the lion- until he was shot by a trophy hunter in 2015. In the TED talk, Moreangels wonders how things could've gone differently by asking: "What if the community that lived next to Cecil was involved in protecting him?In this episode, host Nadine talks to the two pioneers about how they met and the film that Rumbi is developing about Moreangels. Moreangels shares the realities of conservation in Zimbabwe and Rumbi opens up about it’s film industry. Moreangels highlights the developments they've made like mobile boma's, and the walls they run into in their conservation efforts whilst Rumbi reminds us of Moreangels rare, inspiring story. They discuss the importance of funding, impact producing goals with the coming work, and the critically important right to tell one's own story. This episode refers to the following works: “One Woman’s Remarkable Journey to Protect Lions," "Transactions," Mbizah' TED TALK, Wildlife Conservation Action & their training programs, Mbizah' published studies, Katedza previous & upcoming films.Rumbi Katedza (she/her) is a filmmaker, producer, and writer living in Harare, Zimbabwe.Moreangels Mbizah (she/her) is a conservation biologist living in Harare, Zimbabwe.Nadine Reumer (she/her) is an actress and producer based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.11. 30: Dr. Judith Keilbach on Greening Dutch Film & Social Sustainability
45:28||Season 3, Ep. 11Dr. Judith Keilbach (she/her) is Associate Professor in the Media and Culture Studies Department at Utrecht University in The Netherlands. She received her Ph.D. in Film Studies from the Freie Universität Berlin. Her interests include media infrastructures, television history and theory, the relation of media technology and historiography. In 2023, Dr Keilbach was the spearhead of a published study in The Netherlands, called “Towards sustainable film production in the Netherlands.” The research by Dr. Keilbach and her team lead to wide discussion and an action plan at the Nederland Filmfonds. In this episode, Dr. Keilbach tells us about her interest in the infrastructures that produce film and television. Host Nadine asks her about her research with the University of Utrecht, it's structure and impact. They discuss the Dutch film industry and it's relationship to sustainability. The two talk about the correlation and significance of environmental sustainability vs. social sustainability: specifically in an freelance/project-based industry. Nadine asks Dr. Keilbach about eco-feminism, the awareness of the non-human, and ethics of care. Are we, as a society, ready for change? How do we hold onto hope?This episode refers to the following theories and studies: UU's Towards sustainable film production in The Netherlands, "Passing On Responsibility: Obstacles to Green Film Production in The Netherlands", Nederlands Film Fonds's Action Plan, Ethics of Care, Eco Feminism.Dr. Judith Keilbach (she/her) is a humanities scholar based in Utrecht, The Netherlands.Nadine Reumer (she/her) is an actress and producer based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.10. 29: Tembisa Jordaan on Marine Science & "Ulwandle Lushile"
01:02:48||Season 3, Ep. 10Tembisa Jordaan (she/her) is a South African marine scientist and filmmaker, living in in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Tembisa is the Biodiversity Stewardship & Biodiversity Economy senior manager at Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. She is also the coordinator for the Biodiversity Economy Initiative (BEI) in the province. She is passionate about sectoral transformation in the biodiversity space, and the improvement of conservation models to be people oriented. She starred in a 3-part marine conservation documentary commissioned by Off the Fence, called “Our Oceans” and won the N.E.W Film pitch competition at the Nature, Environment and Wildlife Film congress. Her short film "Ulwandle Lushile" is a result of her years of work in marine resource management with KZN coastal communities.In this episode, Tembisa guides you through her journey becoming a marine scientist. Host Nadine and Tembisa discuss the disenfranchisement and continued effects of South Africa’s apartheid regime. Tembisa tells us how this system and history impacts the local communities living by marine habitats. They talk about Indigenous knowledge systems in marine resource management. In connection to this- Tembisa opens up about her film "Ulwandle Lushile" and the process of how it was created to center the Sokhulu women. Host Nadine asks Tembisa about what she is missing today in the world of climate activism and storytelling. This episode refers to the following works and histories: South African Apartheid, "Ulwandle Lushile" - On South African Shores, Women Carry On a Harvest Once Denied, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.Tembisa Jordaan (she/her) is a marine scientist, filmmaker, and cook based in Durban, SA.Nadine Reumer (she/her) is an actress and producer based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.9. 28: "Climate Spring" with Lucy Stone & Victoria Steventon
43:46||Season 3, Ep. 9Climate Spring is a global organization that uses the power of the screen to transform how people see and respond to climate change. They offer early-stage development funding for scripted and unscripted content, and high-level pro-bono editorial consulting on the climate elements of feature film and TV projects for writers, commissioners and producers. Climate Spring supports in moving a project from idea to distribution. By incentivizing mainstream content makers to explore climate stories in a more impactful way, Climate Spring aims to help transform society’s response to the climate crisis.In this episode, founder Lucy Stone opens up about Climate Spring’s mission, and board of trustees member Victoria Steventon tells us about the power she sees in narratives mobilizing people. Host Nadine asks them about who they have identified as gatekeepers in this industry and how they navigate these relationships. The duo discusses the lost art of "world building" in Hollywood. Finally- the three touch on entrepreneurship, funding, and fundraising.Lucy Stone (she/her) is the founder of Climate Spring. Lucy is a leading narrative change expert and climate innovator having set up many successful organizations and initiatives. She is a leader in philanthropy, in social enterprise, and has advised UN organizations and governments.Victoria Steventon (she/her) is an Executive Producer of feature length documentary film. After working in both documentary and factual entertainment TV, she set up Influence Film in 2012. Since it's inception, Influence has executive produced and/or funded over 50 films including Emmy award winning "Trophy" and Sundance Audience Award winner 2023 & BAFTA nominee "Beyond Utopia."This episode refers to the following works: Climate Spring, the efficacy belief, The Game Changers, and the Hot House Development Lab.Climate Spring is an international organization, based in the UK. You can follow them on Twitter/X: @climate__spring and LinkedIn: Climate Spring Nadine Reumer (she/her) is an actress and producer based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.8. 27: Dr. Laura Marks on Streaming Media's Carbon Footprint
57:16||Season 3, Ep. 8Dr. Laura U Marks (she/her) is a media scholar, philosopher, author, and programmer. She works on media art & philosophy with an intercultural focus, and on small-footprint media. Dr. Marks is the founder of the "Small File Media Festival." As Grant Strate University Professor, she teaches in the School for the Contemporary Arts at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada. At SFU, Dr. Marks works with a group of researchers on tackling the footprint of streaming media. You can find their multiple publications, statistics, talks, and resources here: Streaming Carbon Footprint. Her new book, "The Fold: From Your Body to the Cosmos" will be published in March 2024 by Duke University Press. In this episode, host Nadine and Dr. Marks talk about why streaming media has a carbon footprint. Dr Marks explains the differences between going to the movies versus turning on Netflix. They discuss the rebound effect as it pertains to data usage and growth models. Nadine wonders about the ICT industry's "myth of efficiency." Dr Marks opens up about the power of the consumer in this fight. They explore small file eco media at Small File Media Festival, and Dr Marks' concept of “soul emblassages.”This episode refers to the following works: 2021 Study 'Tackling the Carbon Footprint of Streaming Media', Research at SFU, Small File Media Festival, 2022 Study 'Myth of Efficiency', 2022 Presentation 'On Greening Film Festivals' organized by Ger Zielinski Society for Cinema Studies, and physical publication “Scaling Down: On the Unsustainable Pleasures of Large-File Streaming,” in What Film Is Good For, ed. Julian Hanich and Martin Rossouw. Dr. Laura U Marks (she/her) is a media scholar, philosopher, author, and programmer based in Vancouver, Canada. @lauraumarksNadine Reumer (she/her) is an actress and producer based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.7. 26: Katharina Minwegen on Green Practices (feat. Johan Matton)
57:38||Season 3, Ep. 7Katharina Minwegen (she/her) is a Berlin-based nutritionist and life coach, and works as a producer at the green, sustainable, environmental production service "Changing Film." Alongside her life and business partner Johan Matton, she is the showrunner of Plant Kitchen- a new original show, currently in development, which highlights incredible, fine dining, and award winning plant-based cooking, chefs, and restaurants around the world. Katharina and Johan recently launched their new mindfulness company "Pulse." In this episode, host Nadine and Katharina talk through her steps through the fashion/modeling world leading her to her passion for wellness and sustainability. They discuss her work as a green officer producer. Katharina runs through on-set green practices, from travel, to plastic, to props and energy sources. She highlights the importance of building local networks and the impact of vegan catering on a productions emissions. Katharina opens up about how to communicate "new ways of doing" when faced with resistance. In the last 15 minutes of the episode, Nadine and Katharina are joined by 'Changing Film' founder and fellow producer Johan Matton. Together, Katharina and Johan talk about their new series Plant Kitchen, and their goals with "Changing Film."This episode refers to the following works and statistics: Changing Film, Plant Kitchen, Agriculture & Water Usage (USDA, 2016), Food's Environmental Impact (Science, 2019) & Environmental Cost of Food (Oxford, 2018), UNCCD Study on Impact of Fashion & Clothing (2019.)Katharina Minwegen (she/her) is a life coach, nutritionist, and producer based in Berlin. She is the host of "Soulfood" podcast on Podimo. @katharina.minwegenNadine Reumer (she/her) is an actress and producer based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.6. 25: Loren Waters on Indigenous Environmental Knowledge
54:08||Season 3, Ep. 6Loren Waters (she/her) is a filmmaker and citizen of the Cherokee Nation and the Kiowa Tribe. Focusing her art on the intersection of film and Indigenous storytelling, Loren has a passion for sharing stories that center environmental knowledge and impact. Loren has participated in fellowships such as Nia Tero 4th World Media Lab and the Intercultural Leadership Institute Year 4. Her second short documentary ᏗᏂᏠᎯ ᎤᏪᏯ (Meet Me at the Creek) premiered at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival this February 2024. The short is the fourth installment of a documentary film series that focuses on tribal environmental professionals. The first two films, celebrating tribal environmental professionals Polly Edwards and Yvette Wiley, premiered in 2019. The third film, Restoring Néške’emāne recently won Best Short Documentary at North Dakota Environmental Rights Film Festival.In this episode, Loren opens up about her journey as a filmmaker. We talk about her quartet of films centering tribal environmental professionals. Loren tells us about the currently reality of indigenous voices in both the filmmaking space and the environmental justice community. She talks about her experience on Killers of The Flower Moon and Reservoir Dogs.This episode refers to the following works and histories: the Concho Indian Boarding School, Tar Creek Superfund, Rebecca Jim and Loren's films Restoring Néške'emāne, and ᏗᏂᏠᎯ ᎤᏪᏯ (Meet Me at the Creek).Loren Waters (she/her) is a filmmaker and background casting director based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. @lorenkwatersNadine Reumer (she/her) is an actress and producer based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.5. 24: Aishah-Nyeta Brown's Climate Lens
34:50||Season 3, Ep. 5Aishah-Nyeta Brown (she/her) is a storyteller, creative, researcher, and advocate for vulnerable populations. She holds a B.A. in Climate Change and Society From George Mason University, a fine arts degree, and was part of the inaugural and prestigious cohort of the Global Sustainability Scholars. She has been studying climate change since the age of 17 and studied briefly at the University of Pretoria in South Africa while exploring geospatial technologies. Aishah-Nyeta hopes to creatively bring awareness of environmental injustices to the world with the knowledge and literacy of sustainability. Using her musical and fine arts background as a springboard, Brown has a knack for innovation in the climate change field, which requires a transdisciplinary understanding of the world. She is diligent in making a global impact on communities and how they learn about our changing climate—amplified through her work as a Gen-Z advisor for the Climate Mental Health Network.Good Energy Stories is a non-profit story consultancy for the age of climate change. They support TV and film creators in telling wildly entertaining stories that honestly reflect the world we live in now—a world that’s in a climate crisis. Good Energy provides consulting services, a playbook, research, and workshops. You can follow them on Instagram @goodenergystory.In this episode, you’ll get to know Aishah-Nyeta’s journey towards the intersectional work that she does today. We talk about the power of narrative, and how her multitude of passions manifest into the roles she holds today. We discuss her work with the Climate Mental Health Network, how to place a climate lens on new work, and what she brings to Good Energy Stories. Please note: since our conversation last year, Aishah-Nyeta has moved up in the company from Climate Lens Fellow to also now Social Media Manager. This episode refers to the following works and companies: Good Energy Stories, the Library of Experts, Climate Mental Health Network.Aishah-Nyeta Brown (she/her) is a creative storyteller, climate and disability advocate based in Blue Ridge, Virginia, USA. @aishah_nyetaNadine Reumer (she/her) is an actress and producer based in Amsterdam.4. 23: Bruno Olmedo Quiroga on Strategy at 'Good Energy'
01:04:59||Season 3, Ep. 4Bruno Olmedo Quiroga (he/they) is a Miami-based, culture and technology strategist from Cochabamba, Bolivia. He is a founding partner of Maybe Ventures; a boutique design and strategy consulting firm focused on regenerative business; he is the founder of Pixiesmith, a gender fluid fashion company designed to die from the beginning; and he's a Product Researcher, Designer, and Strategist at the financial tech company Plaid. Here, he speaks to us about his experience in a fourth role he holds: Director of Strategy at Good Energy Stories (an entertainment consultancy for the age of climate change.) Bruno has guest lectured at Stanford, MIT, Harvard, Tufts, and universities across Latin America. His work has been featured at SXSL, the MIT Media Lab, and publications such as Fast Company. In his free time, Bruno dances with fire at music festivals across Southern California. Good Energy Stories is a non-profit story consultancy for the age of climate change. They support TV and film creators in telling wildly entertaining stories that honestly reflect the world we live in now—a world that’s in a climate crisis. Good Energy provides consulting services, a playbook, research, and workshops. You can follow them on Instagram @goodenergystory. In this episode, Bruno talks about the career heartbreak that led them to finding Good Energy. He breaks down the company’s mission, vision, and offered pillars. Host Nadine and Bruno talk about what Bruno’s role of “Director of Strategy” entails and extensively breakdown the Pace Layering Framework: which based on recognizing that different parts of “the organization” change at different rates. They discuss GE’s case studies, designed targeted interventions, and their presence at this year's COP28.This episode refers to the following works and companies: Good Energy Stories, the Playbook, The Pace Layering Framework. Parasite, A Quiet Place, Wall-E, How To Blow Up a Pipeline, Big Little Lies.Bruno Olmedo Quiroga (he/they) is the director of strategy at "Good Energy Stories"; a culture & technology strategist based in Miami, FL, USA.Nadine Reumer (she/her) is an actress and producer based in Amsterdam.