Shoot the Film. No, Really, Shoot It.

EDIT: A reader pointed out this foundation turned out to be a scam. Hopefully, someone with scruples takes this idea and runs with it.

I was reading American Cinematographer the other day, and I came across an article about the Wounded Marine Careers Foundation.

Basically, they take wounded marines, and train them in filmmaking. They can take classes in cinematography, editing, sound, and writing. By the end of it, they’re qualified to join IATSE, and can work on union shows.

This is pretty much the best idea I’ve ever heard. First of all, it’s not charity. They’re teaching these guys a marketable skill and finding them jobs.

Secondly, there are benefits to making movies that you wouldn’t find as, say, an accountant. Expressing oneself can be an important part of the healing process. They can learn to deal with what’s happened to them by telling stories from their own perspective.

Also, these guys are just badasses. The article mentions one marine who had lost an eye in combat. When asked how he handles shooting with just one eye, the marine said, “There’s only one eyepiece.”

Wow.

I would say I want this guy to film my next movie, but I’m pretty sure if he wanted to shoot it, it would be dead already.