Filmmaking / Directing : The Evolution of Story - How to Create Responsible & Compelling Story for a Global Audience by Amanda Toney

Heather was engaging, relevant, and motivating concerning the topic. In particular, I was moved by her suggestion to change the storytelling narrative and relationships as content creators by moving away from a "colonial-based" view of diversity. I think it's provocative but necessary.

Hi Amanda! Thanks for moderating that talk. It was great. I would very much like to connect with Heather. Sarah Timmons from LifeOutLoud Films had suggested I contact her directly regarding the TV project that Sarah reviewed for me through Stage 32. If you'd please let Heather know that Sarah referred me, concerning this project, which has a female indigenous lead -- I'd appreciate it. I'm interested in finding indigenous creative partners who can be involved in the creation and provide creative input.

As well as any indigenous production and talent that would like to be involved....

My takeaway from the webinar is what I've known to be true all along, that we need to have indigenous characters be represented in all walks of life -- because they are, without question, an indelible part of human history and should be represented in every project going forward.

I feel so encouraged to continue to develop and nurture my own voice and ways of seeing the world after listening to this webinar!

A huge takeaway for me was when Heather mentioned the idea of listening, of deep listening not only to one's self but also to the world around them.

This was an incredibly worthwhile seminar, both eye-opening and heart-opening. I appreciated the take on history, particularly anthropology's implicit biases and strategies to install cultural supremacy and dominance, and the need to challenge the status quo. (I almost typed "anthropophagy"--another word for cannibalism LOL) I loved the mention of challenging privilege which I've come to see as a toxin in and of itself, perhaps deserving of its own 12-Step Program.

There is so much more to our world and it's nice to know that other people are as hungry for non-white, non-binary, more authentic ways of story as I am. Empowering.

That was such a great seminar! Thanks so much to the Writer's Room (perks). I have 5 pages of notes! Overall, it was so heart warming to know that there are people in Hollywood (or at least one person) who think and speak this way. I have one TV pilot and bible set from the Indigenous perspective of the war of 1812, and another concept set in Attawapiskat (Cree First Nation), but I'd put them 'away' because I felt as a white woman I just shouldn't even go there. Heather's message for me is that it actually behooves me to share these concepts because they definitely challenge and are meant to challenge colonialsim, but I have to "go about it as an ally, in the most responsible and inclusive way possible." I wish I knew more about what she meant by "exercise quantum access". Please bring Heather on as an executive with Script Services! I know I would be so so honoured to have her look at my work!

The goals and themes Heather Rae emphasizes are "keen" on the pulse of what the industry and as an extension the World needs to value a greater representation of authentic diversity in storytelling of the human experience.

Richard, I love your comment 'heart-opening'. Couldn't agree more!

I missed this. Have solely developed an activist screenplay award-winner. There aren't many in this wheelhouse. It is an extraordinarily heavy workload to pull one of these off. I hope Heather returns to look at pitches, and I don't miss that, too; but will relish the replay. Thanks for your interest in others in this field. Also, familiar with your films, colleagues, Annie S., for years, and your daughter, for those watching who may not know, is amazing, as is your team. FYI: I am working with Kashtin, as their music inspired me. "Wind River" is a favorite with those courageous and beautiful, difficult performances. Congrats on the recent huge success at Cannes. Please return to Stage 32. Best wishes.

Chesley Harding

Dear Heather, THANK YOU for today's wonderful webinar! I have never before communicated with a producer so in tune with my own vision and projects. May I have the honor of sharing my loglines and/or one-pagers for my two Native-starring scripts? I'm a Cherokee Nation citizen, a dual- French-American citizen (eligible for European film credits) and an MFA graduate of SFSU -- was thrilled to hear about Trinh T. Min-Ha! I learned so much today, and am newly inspired to fight for my stories! More at my website: www.viviluproductions.com. Thank you again, Heather and Amanda and Stage 32! All the best, Kathryn "Kate" Machi

My favorite takeaway is the mind-expanding fact that Indigenous peoples make up 1.5 billion to the Euro 60 million, yet 80% of content is geared toward that tiny percentage. That colonial mentality has been forming our outlook for centuries and is time to "Resist, Dismantle, Disrupt, TRANSFORM" the world with accurate and authentic representation. And to hell with trying to get a seat at the table -- create our own!

I have long believed that Anglo culture is currently transfixed with tattoos and finding their "tribes" etc. because, as Heather said, they were brutally dissociated from their own tribes centuries ago and are aching for this very human need of reconnection. One could argue this disbandment and deep-seated mal-orientation is the basis for gangs, from urban youth to the Hells Angels to the KKK. I believe the Boy Scouts began as a way for boys to connect to the tribal earth and spirit ways of our Natives. We are all interconnected and it is time for storytellers to both tell the real stories and also to begin to celebrate the many ways we are intertwined.

Thank you, Heather. And thank you, Amanda. Gratitude

Heather spoke with such a true voice and her message was very powerful. I am working on a feature film on a unique woman who started a re-wilding spiritual movement in Trinidad (Caribbean) in the 1970's. Would love to discuss some more with Heather and get her take on it.

Thank you again! You are a very inspiring presence!!

The Council of Indigenous Grandmothers is on the move!

Thank you Heather for the link.

I could not agree more. “The challenge should be write what you know, but we should be able to answer the question, Why do you care? Why this? Why now? And if you can find that thing and articulate it to others, then you are writing what you know.”

If anyone missed this, you can find it here: https://www.stage32.com/webinars/The-Evolution-of-Story-How-to-Create-Re...

Most new writers look at "write what you know" and interpret that as "I can only write what I've personally experienced."

And in that sense, "write what you know" is complete BS.

Lindelof shows what it truly means - if you want to write about something specific (out of your experience), start asking questions. Get deep, telling answers and you'll begin to "know." And therein you'll begin to write authentically about it.

"Write what you know" is one of the worst pieces of writing advice given to new writers.

I love the whole exciting , sweet, sometimes awkward and messy, pretty much unending process of researching a new project, from know-little to full immersion -- days spent mentally in another world, travel to meet strangers, and Dreamtime. Journalism background helps a lot -- meditation, too -- but fierce, honest curiosity and deep respect are keys to the treasure.

Man, I'm sorry to have missed this live, but I'm watching it now! I'm so glad we're having these discussions as storytellers, though, as there is nothing more painful than having our unconscious bias plastered in our art. Actually... having that bias carry over to our audience as if a conscious decision, and then have them add it to a belief system. That's the most painful. Because we're all looking for an audience for our stories, it's easy to overlook what we're saying in lieu of being heard. These are the conversations we have to have to keep our messages consciously reflective of where we want to go, not just what we've been subject to.

If you missed Heather's webinar, you can watch it here: https://www.stage32.com/webinars/The-Evolution-of-Story-How-to-Create-Re...

Karen, brilliantly articulated!

Fully Alive and Inspiring Narrative activism is the way to go.

Valerie Michele Oliver In Greece this is one of the hurdles, even if Greece was never a colonial state in the normal sense. Foreigners tend to take a colonial view of the place, think Zorba, bouzoukia, gyro and Big Fat Greek Wedding.

One producer even commented, as criticism, that my script didn't show the Greece foreigners would expect to see (I am paraphrasing). To me, that is a big part of the point.

Narrative activism, a new term for me but it describes the TV series I am pitching at the moment, which directly counters unconscious bias. It's an 'anti-TV show'. Creating it responsibily is the most crucial aspect. Yes - we all need to work to decolonise our minds and screens. I will have to catch up on this webinar with Heather Rae.