Clips

If We Get Occupy Right, We Get Everything Right

November 26, 2011 by Ian MacKenzie

Original Occupy Wall St flyer

WHEN I FIRST heard the call to Occupy Wall St for a few months, I knew this was big. I knew it would be more than just a “protest.” This felt different than the usual march to voice specific grievances. It was a call for something more profound, and much deeper, than even the original participants realized as they gathered their signs and tents.

I knew because I’d be following the various manifestations of this movement for over a year, working with Velcrow Ripper as he traversed the globe working on his new film: Evolve Love. The premise is complex to capture, but simple to state: humanity is waking up.

On Sept 17, 2011, 2000 people showed up at Zucotti Park. On Nov 26, 2011, they are still there.

The mainstream media, if they aren’t busy denigrating the movement and highlighting its flaws, are still grappling with how to cover it. Who are the leaders? What are your demands? No answer has been given. Instead, they Occupy.

Early on, journalist Naomi Klein recognized the significance as well. She called it “The Most Important Thing In The World Now“:

Yesterday, one of the speakers at the labor rally said: “We found each other.” That sentiment captures the beauty of what is being created here. A wide-open space (as well as an idea so big it can’t be contained by any space) for all the people who want a better world to find each other. We are so grateful.

“Why are they protesting?” ask the baffled pundits on TV. Meanwhile, the rest of the world asks: “What took you so long?” “We’ve been wondering when you were going to show up.” And most of all: “Welcome.”

At its heart, Occupy is not a protest. It’s about creating space. It’s about modeling a new way of being, that requires a fair amount of “unlearning” the way society and human nature has been taught. It’s asking the question: why? Why are things they way they are? Is it, in fact, human nature to be greedy, violent, and cruel? Or is it possible that these are symptoms of a systemic order?

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Occupy Vancouver – Moving Day

November 22, 2011 by Ian MacKenzie

Yes, Occupy Vancouver is messy. Yes, everyone is not perfect. But they are trying their best. They are asking us to stop ignoring our shadow. Today was moving day, and this is what it looked like:

Tell me a part of you doesn’t want to feel this alive.

Andrew Harvey urges Occupy Vancouver to fuse love with action

October 28, 2011 by Ian MacKenzie

Just returned from Occupy Wall St. in New York to catch author and sacred activist Andrew Harvey speaking to the crowd at Occupy Vancouver.

Love is the movement people. Check out Occupy Love.org

My interview with Robert Redford: Stop the Keystone Pipeline XL

October 18, 2011 by Ian MacKenzie

Stoked to share the interview I shot with Robert Redford earlier this month. It was an opinion piece for the New York Times, sharing Robert’s urge for Obama to say no to the Keystone XL pipeline, and yes to a future based on sustainable energy. (While I shot the piece, the editing and broll was completed by another team.)

Meeting Robert in person was a surreal experience, as with meeting any celebrity. It’s always startling to realize they are just normal people. Granted, not all have such a respectable history of being an all around artist and great human being – yet he was warm, courteous, and I thoroughly enjoyed the shoot.

Burning Man – CORE Project Vancouver

April 12, 2011 by Ian MacKenzie

In support of the Burning Man CORE project, I shot this video for the Vancouver regional team. Check out more at Playa Time.

A Video Introduction To MatadorU

March 7, 2011 by Ian MacKenzie

A little piece I whipped together to promote MatadorU – the online media school offering classes in travel writing and travel photography. It’s part of a new crop of videos I just completed shooting in DC and New York. More to come!

The Enemy Within

December 15, 2010 by Ian MacKenzie

Last week, I shot the Cancun Climate Summit (COP16) for the upcoming documentary Evolve Love. I produced this short clip of one of the climate actions put on by 350.org, to urge negotiators to hurry up (some countries are literally drowning)

It was a fascinating experience to be among world leaders and activists from all over the world, deciding on the future of the planet (or at least humanity’s role).

Just a few months earlier I was in an elementary school in the suburbs of Vancouver, shooting a friend’s “Zero Heroes” theatre show encouraging kids to be green.

I realize there is a war going on… and it’s fought on multiple fronts.

Now more than ever, we need to realize the true enemy isn’t evil corporations, fundamental terrorists, shady governments, or apathetic populations… these are merely symptoms of the greater issue. We need to shift the paradigm of who we are and why we’re here… and drop the delusion:

We are not separate from the greater whole, and we never were.

Breaking Free: American Expats Following Their Dreams

October 13, 2010 by Ian MacKenzie

This past summer, I directed a piece for Matador Network. It’s a concept for a reality-TV show that shows expats following their dreams abroad. The demo was shot and edited by the talented Brian Chu.

The host, Robin Esrock, wrote a fantastic report on each of the subjects. Also check out the photo essay from the journey.

Where is the project now? It’s currently being pitched around to various TV networks. Sign up here to be in the loop!

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