Zach Marion

It is not very often that a project comes along that reminds me of why I chose topursue a career in production. This was my experience working on "Through Eyes andHearts", a video project for the Anne Carlsen Center (ACC).


In middle school, I was required to complete a service project as part of my Bar Mitzvah, working with peers who had Down Syndrome. It had been a long time sinceI had been around individuals with disabilities. On my first visit to the ACC, I was nervous as to how I would react or if I would feel comfortable.

Within tenminutes upon setting foot on the Jamestown campus, all of my fears were replaced with amazement.I had never been in a place that was as welcoming, friendly, understanding, andaccepting. Along with the ACC's Communications Director, Lori Gress, it was my jobto capture this essence and bottle it in video form. We hit the ground running.

Over the course of several months, Lori and I knocked out a demanding shooting schedule.We recorded all of the services we intended to cover through footage of staff andstudents interacting. We used interviews with staff members and parents to tellthe story. They spoke with open hearts about their experiences with the ACC-- atestament to the intangible spirit we were trying to nail down.

Back at Video Arts Studios, we wrote scripts and then edited the footage into differentlengths to suite presentation for both the web and in-person meetings; a 20-minuteoverview, a 10-minute overview, and 8 mini videos that each focus on a different ACC service. The Center hopes to use the videos for recruitment and orientation of new employees as well as awareness for donors and the general public.

One of the stars of the video is an adorable little boy named Sander, who has madetremendous strides since coming to the Center. As his dad puts it, "To have Sanderhave such huge medical challenges at such a young age, you lose those dreams. Ithink that we just have to be grateful because we're getting some of those dreamsback."

Looking back, my initial fears seem selfish-- and to an extent, they were. My personalsituation allows me to live a very me-focused life. How am I feeling today? Whyam I not as happy or fulfilled as I could be? I forget to observe the simple factthat, today, right now, I am alive and well.

At the ACC, this fact is not taken for granted. The remarkable individuals thatmake up the ACC staff spend every day improving the lives of others. Everyday, studentsat the Center inspire those around them with their courage and perseverance.

Thisis the spirit of the Anne Carlsen Center that empowers individuals with disabilitiesand their families to live rich and fulfilled lives.It was an honor and a privilege for me to be a small part of the Anne Carlsen Center'sgreat legacy.

I just returned from a weekend trip in San Francisco. My main reason for going was to attend the 54th annual San Francisco International Film Festival with my cousin, Brad, who happens to work for Pixar. I have to brag that I got a private backstage tour. The facility is awe inspiring and teaming with creativity. For 3 days, we talked, breathed, and ate film along with some fantastic food. One thing is for sure– I love the city by the bay.

Here are two films from the festival definitely worth checking out:

Circumstance
An impressive debut feature from NYU alum, Maryam Keshavarz. The protagonist’s brother gives a chilling performance as a former drug addict turned Islamic fundamentalist.
Check out the trailer.

13 Assassins
After five depressing flicks, 13 Assassins was exactly what I needed. The Castro was packed, and it was the first time that popcorn was absolutely necessary. Part Kurosawa, part Jackie Chan, pure awesome.
Watch the trailer.

Just for fun, here’s the first short film I ever made. I was a sophomore in high school at the time in Arizona. Please excuse the pixelation– the only existing copy of the film was low resolution.

We (the old high school crew) shot this little ditty in a wash tunnel under a road up in North Scottsdale. A few minutes after wrapping, two cops came creeping down into the wash with their guns drawn. My friend was holding an air rifle that he had brought in case we needed it– you know, if a last minute script change called for it. “Drop the gun!” the cop screamed. My friend did.

After we explained ourselves, the cops told us they were there responding to a report of possible gang activity. And a gang we were, of gnarly and naive filmmakers inspired by the mad rhymes of one DMX.

Shoutout to the most talented cast of actors with which I have ever had the pleasure of working: Manar Shahabandar, Chris Tossan, and Anthony Tsontakis.