one day in sf (11)

One Day in San Francisco

Profile Spotlight: Justin Chin

Posted by Winnie Wong on April 26, 2014 at 12:11am

I've known Justin for about 4 years now and I'm not alone in claiming him as a mentor. This man is a craftsman - encapsulating an unparalleled work ethic, unsurmountable precision, and a deep respect for the field. I'm honored to bring him on as our latest Ambassador. You can check out more of his work here.

Who are you and what is your profession?
Justin Chin, cinematographer, filmmaker, artist

Can you tell us a little about your background and upbringing?
Born in Brooklyn, NY and at an early age my parents divorced. My mother traveled across the country to Oakland, with 3 kids in tow, in order to start a new life and home.

What inspired you to become a filmmaker?
We where always raised as creative kids. I was doing pottery, making puppets, and taking black and white photographs with my twin reflex camera and developing them in a dark room, pretty much before I was 10. Cameras have always been a part of my life. Perhaps it was inevitable that growing up with the era Sesame Street, Star Wars and the very first "computer games" on teletypes machines that I would become a visual storyteller. 

Who or what do you most admire?
I admire compassionate people.

What do you love about SF (Bay Area)?
The bay area is a diverse world onto itself. Technology and experimental films thrived here. You're less than an hour away from forests and the Pacific in all directions. It's that mix that creates and inspires people to be both craftsmen (technical and the arts) and engage in deep internal exploration.

What do you fear most for SF (Bay Area)?
Cities evolve and change - that's inevitable. The fear I have would be that we would lose the diverse and artistic elements in the future.

What do you hope for the SF Bay Area in the next 20 years?
My hope is that the SF Bay Area maintains the diversity and opportunity that has made it such an amazing place to this day.
 
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One Day in San Francisco

Profile Spotlight: Eugene Huang

Posted by Winnie Wong on April 25, 2014 at 9:06am

I met Eugene when I first had a meeting with members of a magazine called Hyphen. Hyphen is churning out thoughtful, entertaining, risque, and brilliant work geared towards creating awareness of social issues, fostering a sense of community, and offering a platform for progressive Asian Americans to discuss what's on their minds today - AND it's run by a group of activists, organizers, journalists, multi-disciplinary artists, educators, and just people you'd want to hang out and have a beer with.

Eugene plans to film stories about the sharing economy. He is also planning to do ride alongs tomorrow with different drivers of cabs, Lyft, Sidecar, etc. He's hoping to also collaborate with other participants from Hyphen and CAAM, who will be covering topics like the future of Asian Americans in cities like SF, doing a walk through with District Supervisor Jane Kim for a SOMA beautification project, interviewing residents of Manilatown's International Hotel, exploring an art program and exhibit in Chinatown, filming a bike party and riding to a Bike Film Fest with the SF Bicycle Coalition, attending a comedy night at the Chinese Historical Society of America, and much more. Very excited to welcome Eugene and the rest of the Hyphen and CAAM team to One Day in SF.

Who are you and what is your profession?

I’m a freelance director, producer, cinematographer, animator and illustrator. I love visual storytelling. I work with organizations and individuals that include Fortune 500 firms, non-profits, startups, magazines and artists.

Can you tell us a little about your background and upbringing?

I’m a Bay Area native. Born in San Jose to Taiwanese immigrant parents, and raised in Cupertino, in the heart of the Silicon Valley. I earned my degree in economics from UCLA and did a three-year stint in the consulting world. After that I decided to take a leap and pursue my passion for filmmaking. I have been working professionally as a filmmaker, animator and illustrator since 2012.      

What inspired you to become a filmmaker?

Watching movies as a kid and being moved by what happened on screen. I think it’s the most powerful medium that exists today.

Who or what do you most admire?

I admire anyone who has passion and loves what they do for a living; they eat it, drink it, sleep it. It doesn’t matter if they’re a barista, an engineer, a teacher, or a banker, being around people with passion is inspiring.

What do you love about SF?

I love that it’s a city of hustlers. It’s competitive in the sense that bad ideas and laziness don’t survive here. This city draws hard working, talented and creative people of all persuasions, backgrounds, and industries.

What do you fear most for SF?

I fear San Francisco will become a city where money rules all, where ideas will be judged based on their economic value instead of their social values.

What do you hope for SF in the next 20 years?

I hope in 20 years SF will still be evolving, and it’ll be a city that never stagnates.  

 

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One Day in San Francisco

Profile Spotlight: Hervé Cohen

Posted by Winnie Wong on April 24, 2014 at 11:01am
Please meet Herve, who is teaming up with Pierre Forcioli-Conti and SPUR to tell stories this Saturday about city residents and their relationship with public transportation.
Who are you and what is your profession?
My name is Hervé Cohen. I am a documentary filmmaker and cinematographer. I have traveled the world doing what I like the most: making documentary films and capturing human stories, generally about memory, exile, or education. I speak 5 languages and have lived in Paris, New York, Jacmel (Haiti), Miami, and have been living in San Francisco for the past 4 years.
Can you tell us a little about your background and upbringing?
I was born in Paris. My mother was a school teacher and my father was a lawyer who worked from home. He often shared with us at the dinner table the many incredible stories he had to deal with every day. He also shared his anxiety which was induced by a very overwhelming type of work. He gave my 2 brothers and I the love for human stories and storytelling, as well as the idea of justice and political awareness. I became, at 17, a member of Amnesty International, while pursuing a passion for photography. And right after high school, I was torn between studying anthropology and law. 5 years later, I graduated from a Law School in Paris, but then my creative mind won, and I quickly dived into the film world. By the way, my 2 other brothers also work in film...
What inspired you to become a filmmaker?
Actually, my early desire to become an anthropologist didn't leave me, and combined with my passion for travel, photography, and music, pushed me in the direction of being a filmmaker, in order to fulfill all these obsessions.
What do you love about SF?
Coming from Paris, France, I must admit that there were not that many places I could live in the US. I love San Francisco, for so many little and big things. Things I miss from Paris - open air markets, art-house movie theaters, love for good food -  and things I could not find in France: an open spirit and a relaxed atmosphere. I love SF because it's a city at a human scale.
What do you fear most for SF?
What I fear for SF is also what I fear for Paris or what happened in New York City: I fear that the city would lose its special spirit, and its diversity - ethnic and social diversity. I am afraid it's already happening.
What do you hope for SF in the next 20 years?
I hope for SF to be a place that still welcomes new ideas, sticks to its original spirit of openness and tolerance, to be a beacon for risk takers and a real human melting pot.
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One Day in San Francisco

Profile Spotlight: Leo Chiang

Posted by Winnie Wong on April 23, 2014 at 8:48am

I first heard about Leo's work when I met Brittany Shepard a few years ago. We were working with Samantha Grant on A Fragile Trust, her documentary about Jayson Blair and the New York Times. Leo is known for several films that has done very well with audiences in the festival circuit. Mr. Cao Goes to Washington won the Inspiration Award at the 2012 Full Frame Film Festival. A Village Called Versailles won 8 festival awards, aired on Independent Lens (a PBS series), and has screened at hundreds of academic institutions and national libraries. We're happy to have Leo bring his storytelling techniques to this project on Saturday, and without further delay, let's get to know Leo a bit here.

OUT RUN - David Kuria sketch (7:45) from Walking Iris Media on Vimeo.

Who are you and what is your profession?

I am a documentary filmmaker and teacher.

Can you tell us a little about your background and upbringing?
I was born and raised in Taiwan and moved to San Jose as a teenager. I had a previous life as an electrical engineer in the Bay Area before studying film at University of Southern California.

What inspired you to become a filmmaker?
I enjoy meeting unusual people and visiting new places, and I love storytelling. Documentary seems to be the perfect medium.

Who or what do you most admire?
I admire passionate people who are committed to doing what they love and persist and persevere to achieve their goals.

What do you love about SF?
I love its beauty, its diversity, and its history. I love its outside-the-box-ness.

What do you fear most for SF?
I am afraid that the city is becoming less weird & wonderful and more homogeneous. I am afraid the rising cost of living here is taking away its diversity.

What do you hope for SF in the next 20 years?
I hope San Francisco can find a solution to its housing problem. I hope that the city invests more in the arts and spend more resources to nurturing emerging artists from all disciplines. I hope that San Francisco continues to be open-minded and welcoming.
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One Day in San Francisco

Profile Spotlight: Nina Parks

Posted by Winnie Wong on April 21, 2014 at 10:32am
The more I get to know Nina Parks, the more I realize she is one rebel with a cause. I met Nina (whose birth name is Leah Weitz) through Jason Wyman (at TILT) when he told me about a local movement called Taking a Stand SF. Jason had been collaborating with Nina for an event taking place in the heart of the Mission a few weeks ago. I met her there, in person, and the wheels started turning. I noticed what a wide range of people were there as a direct result of her passion for communities, unabashed honesty, and unapologetic fierceness. I also noticed that she'd been working on a beautiful black & white photo series - essentially portraits of SF residents holding a sign declaring "I'm Taking a Stand for SF." It's this kind of "I'm just going to go out and do it" attitude that turned my head and convinced me that she would make a powerful local ambassador. Let me introduce you to my latest girl crush: Nina Parks
Who are you and what is your profession?
I'm a struggling entrepreneur and thriving artist. I'm in between jobs right now. I was blessed to work in my (15 years old self's) dream job as an after school educator and case manager for the past 5 years. My job became difficult for me to do when I came up against a system that has a history of criminalizing brown and black youth and community politics. I realized that I had a lot more to learn about life and myself before I could be effective in that kind of working environment. So, here I am pursuing a passion for learning how to tell stories, in the infant stages of a career in filmmaking. 

Can you tell us a little about your background and upbringing?
I'm a middle class, Filipino-Jewish American kid from a divorced family with a passion for photography, movies, and loud music. Art has always been a natural coping and reflective medium for me and I believe deeply that art is the truest expression of the human spirit.

I grew up in a martial arts studio and in SF's public school system until my parents pulled me out because I was stealing from Walgreens, tagging on buses, and running away from home. In my own defense, my home life wasn't pretty at the time and I fell in love with the freedom of being outside in the world. In hind sight, I was irresponsible with that freedom. 

I was then sent to school in Pacifica and was asked to leave in 10th grade after I refused to take a standardized test. Instead I wrote a short essay on the Scantron which stated that I didn't believe that filling in bubbles and answering questions posed by institutions (that aren't regionally relevant) was the most productive way to gauge the aptitude of students or effectiveness of education. I also advocated for teachers to gain more support and resources. In the months prior to being asked to leave, I organized with a youth organization called 3rd Eye Movement. We organized against investment in the prison industry (in the form of CA Proposition 21) and advocating for investment in educational resources. 

My school and parents felt like they didn't know what else to do with me, so I was sent to a Scientology boarding school in New Mexico. When I finished the program, I came back to the public school system to discover that none of the academic work I did at the boarding school transferred. Going back to high school was no longer an option in my mind and I decided to take the California High School Proficiency Exam to begin an Injustice Studies program at San Francisco City College and later at San Jose State and San Jose City College. 

During my time at SFCC, I lost several friends - one to murder and the other, my best friend from boarding school, to cocaine. All of which just created a deeper desire to study healing practices and criminal justice. At the age of 24, I got my job working at the Excelsior Community Center down the street from my house. After a few years there, I got burnt out by the politics. I began focusing on taking photos and shooting short videos of my friends who are hip hop artists in the Bay. In 2012 I began to seek out mentorship in documentary filmmaking and found Debra Koffler, a producer and one of the camera women for A Tribe Called Quest: Beats Rhymes and Life. She was hiring a manager for her youth documentary film program, Conscious Youth Media Crew. It was the perfect opportunity and I seized it. I began working 30 hours a week for that program and 15 hours organizing youth summits designed to encourage law enforcement and youth communication in hopes that it would bridge a gap. I began to see the value in the community being confident in capturing their own stories. Since then, I have been determined to learn how to create digital media.

What inspired you to become a filmmaker?
My passion for filmmaking began with my father. He used to ask my brother and me questions and record (on video) our answers when we were kids. My pride for the community and the need to process through experiences of youth is what really brought me to filmmaking.  

Who or what do you most admire?
I admire those who are open minded and willing to speak up for what they believe in, as well as those who are willing to work in order to create the world they hope to live in. I also admire compassion and the gumption to work through tough periods in order to get something done.

What do you love about SF?
Aside from our vista points and beautiful water front views, I love the people of SF. They are proud, dedicated, creative, open minded, green, and socially conscious. We have so much flavor, class, culture, and a deep sense of freedom of self here in SF. I love the hustle that the city creates. It's, of course, slower than places like NYC or LA, but it's also because we take the time to enjoy our atmosphere.  

 What do you fear most for SF?
I fear we will lose the culture that people fought so hard to build here in SF. The heart of the city seems to be under attack, a target of assassination by new money. SF feels extremely divided right now. 

What do you hope for SF in the next 20 years?
                                                                                    
In 20 years, I'd like SF to find an equilibrium. There has to be a way to build communities that invest in its people vs investment in acquiring material status. I don't know how that would be achieved, but one can hope, right?                                                                                                                                                                                 
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One Day in San Francisco

One More Week

Posted by Winnie Wong on April 18, 2014 at 8:02am

A few sources of inspiration come to mind (aesthetically) when I think about how I want to go about filming on the 26th: Humans of New York, Wendy MacNaughton's Meanwhile in SF, and The Bold Italic's Chinatown Sartorialist. Curious to know how you'll approach your day.

Here's what's going down this weekend...

-A pageant called Mr. Hyphen tomorrow night at the Marines' Memorial Theater, hosted by Hyphen Magazine. Hyphen has been a great partner communicating what they'd like to capture on the 26th (in collaboration with CAAM - ranging from the new immigrant experience to talking with restaurant and hotel workers in Chinatown to art & activism at the Manilatown I-Hotel Center to the different options of transportation used by the local AAPI community.

-BFF.fm online radio interview on Sunday 2-3pm in which hosts Tiffany Yau and Victoire Poumadere will ask us questions about the One Day in SF project. Here's a write up about SF's "best new (underground) station."

-Backyard Films Sunday 5-10pm in Bernal Heights. I mentioned this in a previous post. Definitely worth checking out if you've never been. Here's the info and to RSVP.

Recent articles & op-ed pieces I came across and found really interesting:

SF's Class War (visual/graphic data research)

Story of an Oakland artist crafting tiny homes for local homeless

Homeless GoPro Project (I've actually talked to Adam and the founders of the project and there are some ideas ruminating about collaborating on the 26th)

Tech and Community: a #OneCity Approach

What do owls have to do with SF's Housing Crisis?

Oakland Real Estate Watch

Solutions to Stop Displacement?

Things we'd love for participants to capture footage of:

-A child being born
-A wedding
- A birthday
- Live music being played or a live concert
- Footage from every neighborhood and of every major ethnic group in SF
- Arial or Drone footage
- High speed footage
- Cityscape time lapses (Pro tip: Karl the Fog loves to be filmed)
- Someone capturing interviews of all 10 questions all day

The Bay Area really isn't lacking activities already scheduled for 4/26. Here's further proof (much thanks to One Day in SF volunteers Lily Yu and Carly McCarthy for pooling some of these together):

SF Bicycle Coalition Orange Bicycle Tour (Dutch Kings Day)

SF Bicycle Coalition Bike Party & Organized Ride to Bicycle Film Festival

Hospitality House Community Arts + UrbanStreet Films presents OralNOW Stories & Mapping Project @ [Freespace]

The San Jose Tech Museum's Open Make Day

SF International Film Festival (filmmaker & festival-goer One Day interviews @ the 2nd floor bar of the Sundance Kabuki Theater, 12:45p-4pm)

BAYCAT's free premiere of Endangered: A Healthy Bayview for All (Screening & Panel at the Roxie)

SF vs Cleveland (Giants game)

Ferry Building Farmer's Market

Treasure Island Flea Market

Alemany Farmer's Market

Grand Lake Farmer's Market

SF Anti-Displacement Coalition Act Now! Our City, Our Homes! rally

Public Intimacy meeting 

SF Jazz Center

SF Lyric Chorus

March for Babies!

Family House Speakeasy Gala

Opening Day on the Bay

Advanced Wellness Class

Secret Improv Society

Dash Improv Show

The Candlelight Club: Class of 2015 Junior Formal

First Graduate's Discovery Day

DJ Battle & DMC SCRATCH Competition

Haiti Solidarity Celebration and Fundraiser

Chivalry Club 

The Great Gatsby Night

AUDIUM 9: SOUND SCULPTURED SPACE

Earth Day Beach Cleanup

It's a Jungle Down There

Union Square Fire Dancing Expo

Church of 8 Wheels Roller Disco

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One Day in San Francisco

If you missed last week's Meetup, here's a snippet...

Posted by Winnie Wong on April 17, 2014 at 5:33pm

Sending a very special thank you to Adrianne Chu who captured this footage last Thursday and Hailey Yang who edited this in a flash (took 3 hrs of footage and cut it down to 1:43)! Nice work ladies!

Adrianne and Hailey are local freelancers and available for hire on projects where you might need a solid shooter and/or editor. Feel free to contact them. They are members of One Day in SF and their profiles can be found under the Community tab.

One Day In SF from Hailey Yang on Vimeo.

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One Day in San Francisco

Profile Spotlight: Rebekah Fergusson

Posted by Winnie Wong on April 16, 2014 at 11:59am

I remember meeting Rebekah in person one rainy afternoon maybe 2 years ago. Prior to our Divisadero coffee date, I had attended a Backyard Films screening in Bernal Heights on a rare balmy summer night and was in awe of the shorts that were curated to be screened that night. I remember leaving the screening thinking, Wow, there IS a film community here and it impressed me how un-LA the crowd seemed (sorry LA).

At the time, I was newly freelancing, fresh out of grad school, and trying to navigate through the city's film and video scene. For anyone who lives here, you know that a lot of startups, tech ideas and companies, and industrial projects help to pay the bills but you're always working on at least 5 other "passion projects" that don't pay a dime. Oh, Bay Area.

Rebekah is a co-founder of a local Facebook group and forum called Bay Area Filmmakers Happy Hour. She shares the title with fellow Ambassador Vanessa Carr and a talented cinematographer Carlo Silvio. The three can attribute their group's success to the fact that while the film community in the Bay can feel divided, there are a lot of individuals who want to connect, share ideas, resources, and even paid gigs. Imagine that. I know I have profoundly benefitted from having joined this group and I've met some really incredible people at their screenings.

Rebekah also directed Pelada, a documentary about the global game of pick up soccer which did very well at several film festivals including South by Southwest. She also went behind the camera for The Case Against 8, which recently announced winning the Directing Award for US Documentary at Sundance this year.

We are very happy to have Rebekah on board to film for One Day in SF on April 26th. Feel free to stop by and say hello to her here or in person at the next Backyard Films happening this Sunday, April 20th. For more info and to RSVP- go here. 

A Sunday in San Francisco from Rebekah Fergusson on Vimeo.

Who are you and what is your profession?
My name is Rebekah Fergusson, and my title always seems to be changing.  I'm a documentary filmmaker, but I'm also a freelance producer, a DP, and sometimes an editor.  I think the essence of what I do for a living has to do with story, ideas, and the logistics of making those a reality on film.

Can you tell us a little about your background and upbringing?
I lived in North Carolina until I was 23, when I moved out to CA to make my first documentary.  A lot of my time growing up was spent on a soccer field.  I played soccer from five years old through college and after.  

What inspired you to become a filmmaker?
A soccer teammate of mine at Duke was taking documentary film classes and turned her camera onto our team.  I suddenly realized that the stories that I noticed behind the scenes could be teased out and captured through documentary.  The first stories I did had something to do with sports.  Sports were a lens, a language through which I could capture stories and characters I thought were compelling.

Who or what do you most admire?
Anyone making a living as an artist.  

What do you love about SF?
That you can dress the way you want, do what you want, be what you want, and nobody cares, or if they do, they are usually genuinely interested.

What do you fear most for SF?
That the open, exploring, curious, creative vibe of the city will get lost in the din of business and competition...and that there will be more people in suits.

What do you hope for SF in the next 20 years?
That we find our own path to being a city that is both a business and creative center. That we start taking care of the people on the bottom as much as those at the top. And, I hope that filmmakers and artists will still crave to come to SF to find themselves and their inspiration.

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One Day in San Francisco

Profile Spotlight: Brian & Austin Chu (The Werehaus)

Posted by Winnie Wong on April 10, 2014 at 9:50am

I've known most of the gentlemen that make up The Werehaus for a few years now, and it's great to see that they will be contributing their talents and raw, honest, street style to this project. 

If you'd like to get to know them even better, come by the One Day in SF meetup tonight at the Secret Alley where you can chat with them in person. Event details can be found here. Hope to see ya'll tonight!

The Bold Italic Presents: Tony Campos' Epic Backyard Skate Ramp from The Bold Italic on Vimeo.

Who are you and what is your profession?

Brian: My name is Brian Chu. I've been directing and editing film and video at WEREHAUS for the past 4 years. 

Austin: I'm Austin Chu, 31, and one of the founding partners of WEREHAUS - a creative production studio in San Francisco.  I spend the majority of my time on the open road, seeking destination-less adventures and searching for solitude in strange places. 

Can you tell us a little about your background and upbringing?

B: I grew up in the suburbs of Orange County — typical life I guess for a kid growing up around that time. My parents were always really hard working and supportive of the things we were interested in. My dad owned an auto repair shop and my mom took care of us at home. 

A: I’m originally from Irvine, California — a city/suburb in Orange County located between Los Angeles and San Diego. My parents immigrated to southern California from Taiwan in the late 70's in search of the American dream. I spent summers chilling at local swimming pooIs and going on long road trips with my family, exploring America’s vast landscapes.

What inspired you to become a filmmaker?

B: Ever since I was a kid, I remember watching my dad take photographs. I always wanted to play with this home video cameras. Once I started skateboarding and riding bikes, it gave me a reason to take one out to film. When I got home, I would plug it into the VCR and review the funny things that happened that day. It wasn't until recently that I really felt like I was in a position to influence ideas or create content that had emotion. I'm inspired to share moments and this is something that just fell into place. 

A: I never thought I would become a filmmaker, and it’s not something I completely identify with. For me, I see filmmaking as a vehicle for my curiosity, more than a profession. I’m moved by the struggle that people endure on a daily basis; it inspires me to be honest with myself and connects me with humanity. 

Who or what do you most admire?

B: People who have a sense of direction and a distinct sense of style. Artists and musicians are usually good about finding this and it resonates with others. I also admire people who can be creative and and make money from their ideas.

A: I admire the freedom of birds and women CEO's. 

What do you love about SF?

B: SF is small, at times rough around the edges, and really is diverse in its culture. It's awesome that people are usually open to interaction, and you have a chance everyday to meet someone new. 

A: I love when the ocean is stormy and when the dense fog rolls in.

What do you fear most for SF?

B: I fear SF will lose its art, culture, and style. It has been a place for renegades and people who really didn't want to follow everyone else. It's known for being free, progressive, and at times anti-establishment. Those things are quickly being lost and it's becoming just a financial destination for other businesses and industries. 

A: I fear San Francisco is losing its place as a cornerstone for culture and diversity.

What do you hope for SF in the next 20 years?

B: I hope we can learn to balance all the change that's happening — keep the essence of the city yet provide opportunities for people who want to move here. We all needs jobs and money to pay rent, so hopefully that continues to provide. 

A:

  • Be the first city to ban throwing cigarettes on the ground
  • An abundance of mom and pop shops
  • Cool schools
  • And, a fresh wave of women Mayors
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One Day in San Francisco

Vanessa Carr: Profile Spotlights

Posted by Winnie Wong on April 7, 2014 at 12:31pm

As one of the first Ambassadors we brought on for One Day in SF, Vanessa will be working on capturing stories about housing, displacement, and the gentrification and change of neighborhoods and communities on April 26th. Please welcome and get to know a little about Vanessa Carr. 

The City of No Illusions from Vanessa Carr on Vimeo.

Who are you and what is your profession?
I'm a documentary cinematographer and have lived in San Francisco for almost a decade.

Can you tell us a little about your background and upbringing?
I grew up in a suburb of Boston where people are obsessed with revolutionary war re-enactments. My mom was a feminist and an activist and she's informed a lot of my worldview today. 

What inspired you to become a filmmaker?
I've been in love with documentary films since I was about 12 but never imagined filmmaking could be a viable career path. (I'm still not sure it is.) Instead, I worked in law firms and non profits, took journalism classes at City College, and eventually enrolled at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, intending to pursue magazine writing. While I was there, I fell in love with being behind the camera and have been working as a full-time shooter since.

Who or what do you most admire?
I admire people who stay committed to creativity and social impact in the face of many challenges.

What do you love about SF?
I love the incredibly strong sense of community I have found here, including a pretty robust documentary community. I also love that I can bike some of the most beautiful coastline in America 12 months out of the year.

What do you fear most for SF?
I fear that San Francisco will be a place where only rich people can afford to live. I have trouble seeing my own future here.

What do you hope for SF in the next 20 years?
I hope that San Francisco will find a way for people of many backgrounds and income levels to be able to afford and build a good life, and that it will stay weird.

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One Day in San Francisco

Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee: Profile Spotlights

Posted by Winnie Wong on April 1, 2014 at 11:44am

If you've been following the One Day in San Francisco Facebook page, if you've had a conversation with me or any of our lovely, local partners over the last month, if you saw something in your inbox this morning about a local meetup happening next Thursday night - you know it's a very busy time here.

My name is Winnie, and I'm your local SF Bay Area producer working with One Day on Earth to bring you a glimpse of San Francisco.

The blurb for each Ambassador on the Team tab just doesn't do justice, so to give you a sense of his personalilty, interests, and opinions, I'd love for you to take the next few minutes to meet and warmly welcome Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee.

Who are you and what is your profession?
 I'm a filmmaker, musician and composer.  I also founded and run The Global Oneness Project, a Webby award-winning online educational and media platform using stories to deepen learning and empower change. 

I was born in London and moved to West Marin County in 1991. My first love was the acoustic bass and jazz, which consumed me from the age of 11 on.  I studied improvisation and composition at Berklee College of Music, and before getting involved in film, spent many years as a performing, touring and recording musician. 

What inspired you to become a filmmaker?
 I was fascinated by the creative process of blending story, imagery and music to create an immersive experience. That and seeing how film had the power to engage and empower audiences in such a deep and profound way continues to inspire me.

Who or what do you most admire?
 Don't think I can pin that down to a two-sentence answer.

What do you love about SF?
 I've never lived in SF, only coming in to work, so I guess I always feel like a country boy visiting the city. I have fond memories of performing in SF jazz clubs as a teenager. North Beach in particular had a great jazz scene back then. I miss that. I spend less time in SF these days, but enjoy coming in every once and awhile for a concert or to surf at Ocean Beach.

What do you fear most for SF?
 It feels like the city is becoming richer and richer and more unreal by the minute.  That doesn't feel good. I'm concerned about the future of cities in this country as a whole and think they will have to undergo major changes if they are to thrive in the coming decades. Sustainable access to food, water, energy and education are also major issues here. 

What do you hope for SF in the next 20 years?
 I hope SF can meet its challenges and become an example of what a city can be like.  We have the resources, know how and energy (human energy) to make that happen.

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