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"Community is the guiding light behind any being, any people, to help achieve their life purpose." - Sobonfu Somé

BEHIND BEING will be a 20 minute documentary that explores the spirit of culture and community through the people keeping it alive.

Exploring the mysterious culture of Indonesia, I was given the opportunity to attend traditional Bali-Hindu ceremonies as well as learn how to play (the most basic instrument) with a Balinese gamelan group.  Within this rich world of traditional music, dance and ceremony, I felt a hidden power.  My curiosity led me to begin to ask questions.  We often hear the word, but what does community actually mean?  How has Balinese culture survived and stayed strong through the forces of colonization?  Within the passing of tradition, what hidden powers are transferred from generation to generation?

Family tradition being carried on: Son of Ida Bagus Anom, master mask carver (Mas village, Bali, Indonesia)

PASSING GIFTS TO THE NEXT GENERATION

In Indonesia, I observed the passing of traditions from the elders to the youth as an essential element of community.  I then realized that this film will be made possible with the passing of gifts through the generations within my own family.  My aunt Martha, who has been traveling to Asia for many years, gave me the opportunity to join her and her friend, Chee Choy while they led an American tour group throughout Indonesia.  I both explored on my own and joined the tour for part of the time, where I was connected with individuals who I would later interview for this film, including:

• Ida Bagus Anom, master traditional mask carver (Bali)
• Agus Ismoyo, traditional batik artist, Brahma Tirta Sari Batik Studio (Java)
• Marzuki Muhamad a.k.a Kill the DJ, musician fusing Javanese tradition with hip-hop, Jogja Hip Hop Foundation (Java)
• William Ingram, culture conservationist, Threads of Life (Bali)

Martha Banyas (my aunt) and Chee Choy (founder of Jalan Jalan Asia) helped make this project possible from years of dedicated work (Borobudur Temple, Central Java, Indonesia)

BEYOND INDONESIA / FULL CIRCLE

I will utilize my trip to Indonesia as a platform for sparking the conversation about the role of community in modern society.

Since my return I have captured local cultural events at the Celilo Salmon Festival and the Hillsboro Latino Festival.  I plan to capture another interview with a prolific indigenous spiritual / cultural teacher that I have connections with.  I intend to use the interviews combined with the local cultural and Indonesia footage to bring the documentary full circle to the contemporary western audience.

Where Subconscious War was an overview, revealing the shadows of a death-cult power structure, this film will be from the ground up, upholding the life-force of community and culture.

Potential outreach for the documentary includes film festivals, community broadcast stations (PBS, LinkTV), educational institutions and community-based organizations.  It is not to be used for commercial purposes.  

I observed the Balinese as strong and balanced people, grounded in family and community (Bali-Hindu temple ceremony, central Bali, Indonesia)

YOUR PLEDGE WILL ALSO SUPPORT

OUTREACH TO YOUTH / CRITICAL THINKING

With my previous documentary, Subconscious War I was invited to screen the film and speak with students at Cleveland and Grant High School in Portland, OR.  The presentation sparked engaging post-show discussions where students addressed critical cultural issues of our time.  I intend to do the same with this film.

HELPING ME PURSUE A CAREER

I intend to pursue this nature of work in other parts of the world.  The completion and distribution of this film will help to create connections with potential collaborators and open doors for future projects.  I will continue to create work that is meaningful and compelling, and has the power to inspire and awaken.

ANOTHER PROJECT: SHORT PROMO VIDEO FOR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, YAYASAN WIDYA GUNA and WINS Project USA

In the video you see footage of traditional Balinese dance and gamelan being taught to the children.  This was shot while spending time at a learning center for underprivileged Balinese children in Budulu village, Bali.  Your donation will help pay for the editing of a short promo video for Yayasan Widya Guna and WINS Project USA to use anyway they see fit.  I will also include this video in the Special Features section of the BEHING BEING DVD.

Children of Yayasan Widya Guna (Bedulu village, Bali, Indonesia)

HOW IS YOUR PLEDGE BEING SPENT?

• Living expenses during the editing and creative process: gas, food, and rent for a month and a half = $2,250
• Continued production work using all my own equipment: 1-3 interviews = $400
• Soundtrack work: I have a talented and skilled friend who I will collaborate with to help score the film for an extremely reasonable price = $400
• Rewards: photo prints, DVD mastering + graphics + packaging + shipping = $400
• Film festival entry costs = $350
• Kickstarter + Amazon fees = $300
• Legal work: copywriting for television broadcasting, photo releases, etc = $200

Total: $4,300

PLEASE NOTE: This project has NOT been funded by any other source (grants, investors, etc.).  The finished film is intended to be NON-PROFIT.

Late night at a Bali-Hindu temple ceremony lasting until 4am (central Bali, Indonesia)

DIRECTOR'S PREVIOUS WORK

Subconscious War Trailer

Subconscious War: 30 minute documentary on media, reality and war.

Occupy Portland: Voices of a Movement: Short documentary shot on the grounds of the occupy movement: Day 1, Portland, OR.

Beautiful Revolution: Commercial made with high school students while teaching a film and video class at SEI academy in Portland, OR. Please note: I do not intend to support Nike; they sponsored this project.

Marv Ellis "Space Case": Official music video recently released! NW hip-hop!

Process of traditional-style keris' being crafted (Java, Indonesia)

IN CONCLUSION

BEHIND BEING will be a film of honest expression that reveals the principles and spirit of authentic community, conveyed to modern society as an inspiring and empowering reminder at this important time in history.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Contributions of any size are greatly appreciated.  Another way you can participate (other than backing the project) is by spreading the word - email, social media, online forums, word of mouth, any way you can!

Following the success of the fund-raising process, exclusive updates and developments will become available to supporters.

Feel free to ask me any questions you have by using the "send message" link at the top of this page.

Peace and gratitude,

Quincy