A Reframe

Last week I had coffee with one of the characters in Children of the Wolves, off the record. We were having a conversation about the obstacles we face while trying to pursue our dreams. I was stumbling over my words, trying to articulate an apology that would suffice for being publicly away from a huge project for 2 years (challenge: impossible). She stopped me and said "Barb, you spent years watching us grow up through your lens. But the thing is, you were growing up at the same time."

I think that was exactly what I needed to hear to reframe my perspective on the last few years. People go through things, creative work takes time. You end up growing up somewhere along the way. And once you do the painful thing - whatever that is, to spark creativity, the rest comes naturally. I have reached unbelievable heights through this project, and I have also faced all-time-lows through the same project. I have come full circle on something that I (at times) never thought I had the capability of finishing. Huge thank you to Matthew Podolsky and Seth Randal for basically dropping everything at a moment's notice to be present for this project. However, not only were they present when it counted, but they are also a huge reason I have ultimately kept at it and not given up. Without their unwavering support through the years, this project would simply not be possible.

After a week in Boise capturing interview material with a ton of amazing characters, I feel a quiet motivation coming on that only comes after you've been through your worst with something you believe in. This project is bigger than myself. It's bigger than wolves, and the young people advocating on their behalf. It's a portrayal of what it's like to grow up being passionate about the things you believe in, and how that passion evolves over time into something else entirely. What is it that it turns into? Well, you'll have to stay tuned to find out....