Digging the Suez Canal With a Teaspoon

Documentary collaboration with Mr. David Stairs, Professor of Graphic Design, Department of Art and Design, Central Michigan University. Digging the Suez Canal With a Teaspoon is a documentary film that investigates the pros and cons of what has come to be called the “social design space.” This in itself is a bit of a misnomer, as clearly all design requires some sort of social contract, but the term has come into universal use from a need to differentiate design’s civil society and community characteristics from its commercial aspects. Over the last fifteen years there has been a general movement attempting to redefine professional practice in the various fields of design ranging from graphic and fashion design to architecture and industrial design. This movement has taken many forms, from the establishment of philanthropies, to new environmental competitions, and finally including critical exegeses. To date, no one has attempted to document these activities in a coherent or critical manner. It is the purpose of this project to be the first to do so. (Excerpt from FRCE grant proposal) Professor Stairs is responsible for overall project conception, budget management, correspondence with participants, scheduling, logistics, post-production, and distribution. I am responsible for tech set up, filming, editing, post-production design, and distribution. The festival's mission is to empower women filmmakers in all aspects of Motion Pictures and Television, providing a forum for women from all countries to come to Los Angeles and show their films. Their goal toward change is to engage both men and women in raising awareness through working together and participating in panel discussions and workshops to balance the power scales and end gender and racial inequity. Panels and workshops are focused on filmmaking, directing, writing, producing, composing, costume design, artistic support, financing, distribution, activism in the arts, and ending the systemic culture of sexism and abuse in our industry. The festival programs are designed to help empower women, creating a strong foundation for future filmmakers while helping to create opportunities for women filmmakers today.