A few months back I was contacted by Sarahbeth Maney who introduced herself as a 3rd year photojournalism student at San Francisco State that happened to grow up in Martinez. She needed to do a multimedia project for school and wanted to interview local women who had made a difference. A recent article in the times made her think that me and the Martinez Beaver story was just what she was looking for.
She came by before earth day and we spent the morning chatting about the story and looking through the scrapbook, then I sent her footage of the beavers. Sarahbeth was very nice, engaging, responsible and startlingly young. (I think her mom and I are the same age.) It was one of those interviews where I was answering specific questions that you never hear in the video, but I think it mostly works when you see it.
Of course, I said way more than made it to the finish line, about salmon and frogs and birds. I’m pretty sure I even mentioned nitrogen removal. There’s never enough time to say all the good things about beavers. I’m glad the surviving footage mentioned climate change and California’s water problems specifically. I’m also really happy about saying there was a dramatic difference between how long it took to solve the actual problem rather than the fear of the problem!
Yesterday she sent the finished product which is a short retelling (2.5 minutes) and fun to see. It puts things together nicely using bits and pieces from the story, her video, photographs and my footage. I never love watching myself on camera but I’m fairly content that I don’t look or sound too insane or tired in this. (Let’s face it though, I’m grading on a wide curve.)
Thanks Sarahbeth, for sharing your talents with our beavers, and letting me tell their story.
