Why BendFilm? As the fest nears, a word from a local film lover.

Michelle Haynes Alvarado; Owner and Director at Wahoo Films

September 13, 2017

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arly in my career, I thought I knew everything. I was fortunate enough to work for National Geographic, land a production job at one of the best aquariums in the country, and even snagged Best of Show at the EPIC film festival. I felt ready to make my own feature documentary. Age 24, I had a camera and microphone, a boyfriend and some frequent flyer miles, so I quit my job and set off to the Patagonia region in South America.

"Since then, I've studied talented documentary filmmakers like Howard Hall, MacGillivary Films and attend numerous film festivals like BendFilm to spark new ideas on how to make a good story become great." tweet this

For six months, I traveled the country by foot and van, capturing penguins, foxes, salmon, beavers, alpacas and giant glaciers with loud rumbles. When I returned, I sat in front of an editing computer only to discover ...I had no story! And without a story, I had no film. It was this moment that made me realize I had been so focused on technology, I lost sight of what really matters...a meaningful visual story with conflict, characters, and plot. Quickly I returned to the storytelling books from college (with a newfound attentiveness) including my favorite "A Hero's Journey" by Joseph Campbell. Though I couldn't recover the six months in Patagonia, I learned an important lesson: story first.

This is the first feature in a series of stories from filmmakers and film-lovers about how storytelling enhances our lives. #ItsAllAboutTheStory #IndieFilm #BendFilm