A Call to Action (From the Comfort of Quarantine)

This quarantine is changing everything, for everyone, and we at Chocolate Diamond Media are no different. Prior to this we had a strong plan of action in how we were going to build and start working with clients, and then all of a sudden we’re stuck at home, and I personally am watching my son during the time when I would normally be proactive. A four year-old can be a major productivity killer, even if he’s a ton of fun, but I decided to use his energy, and try to focus on projects that would help me to showcase my filmmaking skills, and entertain him. The first week of quarantine was spent creating a short Instagram video:

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During this quarantine or lockdown or whatever it will be called, we’re pretty limited on what we can do for client work, and I’ve personally been mostly in charge of entertaining our ‘intern’ Logan, which this week, and maybe throughout this quarantine we’ll continue, making short films like this, which excercise his imagination, show off (to some degree) my skills, and keep us from letting the cabin fever kick in. Hope you all enjoy! #quarantine #minimovies #legominifigures #makingthemostofit

A post shared by Chocolate Diamond Media (@chocolatediamondmedia) on Mar 23, 2020 at 1:44pm PDT

We’re going to be spending our time working on mini movies like this to keep ourselves busy, but we’ll likely explore different genres and styles. It will give us the opportunity to really explore creatively, and have fun while continuing to make some samples (although they will be greatly limited by sheer scope because of the limitations that are out of all of our hands right now.

This is going to be a great plan for the day to day during this situation, but we’re always trying to work simultaneously on short term and longer term projects, and so I had an idea, something that would hopefully make us all feel a bit less isolated, without any of the risk that comes with ignoring the current health and safety guidelines.

Let’s make a documentary, about what it is that we are doing during this time, something that will really showcase the human spirit and drive during a time of crisis.

I want to crowdsource this idea and I want you all to help me (you’ll receive credit of course). Whether you’re a filmmaker or not, this will be something that I think we can all participate in and be proud of. Here’s what I’m hoping for from you all:

Make a video (or videos) of you telling what it is that you’re doing during this time, if you’re staying home tell us what you’re doing to stay busy/productive/entertained, if you’re having to go out and work tell us about that. Use your phone’s video camera (horizontal please) and shoot an interview no longer than 5 minutes, and if you want any video of your activities, also if you’re taking walks, or drives, get some footage of what you’re exploring (safely).

For the interview, please answer the following questions:

• State your name, location (can be city, or state if you prefer to keep it a little less specific), occupation, and whether or not you’re out of work, working from home, or going in to work.
• Talk about the biggest challenge that this quarantine is posing for you
• Talk about your feelings, whether it’s fear, annoyance, determination, purpose, whatever.

When you’ve made your video, please send it all (unedited so we can compile it) to chocolatediamondmedia@gmail.com, along with the name that you would like to be credited as, any job title/site/company you want also credited, and if your video is not in English, please include a transcript for subtitling.

Last thing, today is March 25th, and it seems like we’re weeks, or possibly months from the end of this, and so right now, I’d say the deadline for this will be April 25th, and will be extended if this quarantine/lockdown/whatever we’re calling it lasts beyond that. I look forward to see what we’re all doing, and hopefully making something that really can capture our collective human spirit.