“An Economic Narrative”

 The Middle East has always been a place I find intrigue, for its richness in diversity, it’s accompaniment in personalities and all that drives them in a land that favors opportunities in a grander economic narrative where each one of us fit in perfectly and can be replaced cyclically, with such an understanding I found sheer intrigue. But scaling past this grand narrative was a personal endeavor in having to understand its art and its culture. When my colleague pitched an interesting idea on constructing a documentary on the Bedouins who once hailed claim to this land over culture, heritage, and roots. I was hooked beyond measure and wanted to see to its fruition all to the very end.

With this notion in mind, I was very well past my egoism and my individualism. All in the service of this story. I acted as a writer, an assistant, a caregiver. All the roles I might have found hard to take if I were overruled by my ego. But fair not in this idea, I stood by it. All through the very end. I lifted equipment in and around the area to make ease for the production. I held umbrellas. Soaked me in rain. Caught cold and a deliberate fever after. I enjoyed it every bit of it. For it made for a worthy production. I truly realized the grand narrative here and how we all fit and can be replaced cyclically. Having a fresh mind and an open heart, I learned as much as I could absorb. I could see my Director and DOP well under pressure and I would say that I was there throughout this and helped ease their technical restraints and or creative ones. It was a worthwhile experience in trying to overcome ego, being humble and letting the story capture and fuel our senses. I also learned that teamwork has made me a better man in understanding the highly significant need in clear and meaningful communication having to impart trust and respect in a role assigned and bring to life the best abilities possible. Beautiful communication and effective leadership and a story worth telling with a penchant for the craft are all the secrets to a skilled production. And without the efforts of every crew member and their strengths and their willingness to look to other roles in learning. None would be possible.

Having looked at the final film, I have understood that not many can exceed well past individual angst and egoism and it’s not anyone’s fault. But it is a mistake if you do not act on it having noticed these minor details. And having to act is not complain but better yourself and do more for every crew role in and around production. I did my best. I call it being accountable to oneself. And if this idea was in everyone’s mind, it would show in quality over our final picture. Everyone is accountable for their action and those of the person next to you. This will always be teamwork to me on a larger scheme. But as you zoom closer to get the finest details in your story, there must be a surge in energy either through leadership or on the sheer excitement of the story. It is a collaboration. Traitorous cooperation with an enemy. But all in the service of the story.

 We must question ourselves throughout the process: “Why do we do this?” or “Do we seek to be better and learn more?”.

And all our answers lie in our efforts to make the film a better one and to understand that there is more to our wants and our desires. For every question I asked as I start my day during production, I had a brief answer at the end of it. All to help better myself and in turn, add me to be an effective and valuable team player. And in turn, adding to the grander economic narrative that is teamwork.