Intentionally facilitating (through productions, events, trainings and more) relationships between established professionals of excellence and character from every department on set, and dedicated but under-experienced folks with an interest in movie making.
Mentorship
Kavita Parekh
Script Supervisor / Writer / Director
Kavita was Script Supervisor on the film Outdoor School, made in partnership with Lion Speaks.
“The Outdoor School experience was so profound for me in terms of realizing the way that films can be made,” Kavita reflected. “To have over 70% BIPOC and female crew or higher, while providing training to a lot of people — most filmmakers would be scared at the thought of that, but it happened so beautifully and everyone gave their all and was so invited in the story. It reminded me of why we all wanted to be filmmakers in the first place.”
Not only was Outdoor School a place for her to learn and connect with other filmmakers, but it gave her a chance to be unionized as a script supervisor when Lion Speaks granted her $1,000 towards her union dues. “Ime wrote me a letter of recommendation for the script supervising union in New York,” said Kavita. “I cried when I read that letter. Feeling support like that - it felt like nothing else.”
Immediately after Outdoor School finished filming, the connections she made on set led to a new job as script supervisor for the film It’s What’s Inside, now available on Netflix. “It was a challenging project - they knew they needed a good script supervisor,” says Kavita, “and because we worked together they thought I would be really great. It became a next step in my career in a lot of ways. It taught me a lot, that I took into the films that I’ve now been working on in New York City.”
Lorenzo Lowe III
Lorenzo gained paid experience as a Director of Photography, Camera Assistant and Production Assistant through Lion Speaks.
Director / DP / Editor
Lorenzo Lowe III moved to Portland eight years ago with a passion to use his love of filmmaking for the benefit of his community. “This was my second shot at being a full-time filmmaker,” says Lorenzo. “The first time I didn't have any of the connections or resources I have today. Working with Lion Speaks and being given connections and experiences through them has made a night and day difference, as well as giving me more confidence.”
“Through Lion Speaks, I’ve been given the opportunity to work with my first out of state clients, who are now consistent clients of mine,” Lorenzo says. “Lion Speaks also created an opportunity for me to work as Director of Photography on my first narrative feature this summer, by subsidizing the expense of hiring me, as well as bringing me on as a Production Assistant on some Travel Portland films.” He credits exposure and experience like this as the main reason he is thriving today. “As a creator of color, I didn’t see anyone who looked like me doing what I wanted to be doing. I didn’t have anyone I could reach out to to ask questions, someone who had a shared lived experience. It’s been an invaluable resource to feel I have support behind me, that I’m not alone in this creative venture. Culturally specific support is paramount – to see someone who looks like you doing the thing you want to do.”
Helped by his involvement with Lion Speaks, Lorenzo is now moving into a new role as Executive Director for the storytelling nonprofit Peripheral Vision PDX. He is excited to use his passion and experience to come full circle as both a mentee and mentor. “It checks boxes for all of the things that I care about. It’s great to continue to have the support of Lion Speaks through this journey of nonprofit work. I want to help create the next generation of filmmakers as we also honor those who laid down the road for us as well. It’s a never ending cycle, which is how it should be. We receive teaching to give teaching. To be paid and recognized for my work by Lion Speaks has helped me become the filmmaker that I aspired to be.”
Abibat Durosimi
Make Up / Hair / Actress
Abibat is the founder of Bloom Agency and was the head of the Hair & Makeup department during the filming of Outdoor School.
Although she had worked in hair and makeup in the commercial setting for nearly twenty years, Abibat credits working on Outdoor School, and finally getting into the union, as what jump-started her career in the narrative film world, even lead to a leading role as an actress in a feature film!
“Outdoor School was an incredible experience,” Abibat said. “I’ve been working towards being in the union for a very long time. It was something I longed for, and to finally have the sponsorship to make it happen was such a blessing. Little Wing, which was a movie on Netflix that I worked on after Outdoor School, wouldn’t have been possible if I wasn’t in the union.”
Working on Outdoor School also connected Abibat with other professionals which led to commercial projects with Nike, and a lead acting role on The Bride Price as Mama Rita. Abibat appreciated the openness of her experience with Lion Speaks in learning what it’s like to try many different roles on set. “That right there is really unheard of,” she said. “To rub shoulders with directors and other set members and learn from them. That is what is so special about Lion Speaks, is the opportunity to learn throughout the whole entire process. It’s being able to support each other, not just behind the scenes but in front of the camera. At the end of the day, it’s a family, and that is what Lion Speaks gives: we are supportive of each other, protect each other, and are able to grow and learn.”