Val Camp, Camera Man!
Have you seen the latest Sierra Harvest film? This short film was produced over the course of several months through the volunteer power of Val Camp and Jeannine Glista. I spoke with Val about his work for Sierra Harvest, and what he loves about making films.
SH: Why did you decide to donate your efforts to this organization and why video?
Sierra Harvest is a much-needed program in our area — food education is really important for our children, and I’d love for our kids to have a better lunch experience in the schools. Video touches your senses – visual, audio. The information goes beyond the written word — you can’t feel a person’s emotions through a written paragraph. When we interviewed Drew and Trish and people who are directly affected by Sierra Harvest’s work, there is an emotional connection that is hard to experience unless you are there. To see it on screen, it’s a lot more powerful. That’s why I do the work that I do. It’s about telling a story, and leaving people with a positive experience, and achieving our goals.
SH: What do you do when you are not volunteering for Sierra Harvest?
I work and take care of my two young boys. I’m a freelance camera man. I’m working on some videos for the fire department next.
Jeannine Glista
What was your role on this project?
I’m an independent producer/director of video media. For this project, I lined up all the details to get it shot and edited, figured out the story to tell, the questions to ask, found music, worked with the editor, and got transcripts made.
How else do you support the local food movement?
We have a garden and chickens and bees. I go to farmer’s markets, whenever we see local at the grocery store, we buy it. I talk to my kids a lot about why it is important to buy local and organic. I talk to my 14-year-old about agri-business, and what it would mean if McDonald’s went to grass-fed beef.
Why did you want to take on this project?
It was the right time for me to take on a new creative project, and the right team to work with. Sierra Harvest’s mission is in line with my personal beliefs. I only do projects that I am passionate about, and I really believe in what Sierra Harvest is doing with school food.