In 2011, elliot started Sunny Mind Productions to tangibly address social issues, especially prejudice, stemming from the misrepresentation of people and ideas. Sunny Mind prioritized self and collaborative representation processes, opened pathways for employment, adhered to a set of core values, and used video production processes as a means for youth and community development.
Sunny Mind films were produced strategically, specific to each project, audience and goals. Professional crews and/ or trained community crews were hired to work on projects. See Sunny Mind’s work at www.sunnymindproductions.org.
Although Sunny Mind dissolved in 2020 — its work, values, and mission continue on from all the seeds planted, cross pollinated and bloomed, that will never cease to grow.
Media representation shapes societies and cultures, and as such, Sunny Mind's media practices pursued alignment with a set of core values:
SUNNY MIND VALUES:
1) Produce content for the advancement of intersectional peace for all people, communities and the environment
2) Create a healthy, equal, and responsible space for collaboration and learning
3) Practice sustainability with ourselves, our clients and the environment
Select Sunny Mind Videos
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Find Your Park! Boston
This video was made as part of The National Park Service’s Find Your Park campaign under their nonprofit partner, Eastern National.
DISTRIBUTION
This video was shown at Fenway Park, TD Bank North Garden and Boston National Historical Park.
CREDITS
I wrote, produced, directed, filmed, edited, and facilitated community artists in making this video. Non-actors were trained in voice over acting and recording and community artists were trained in videography to support making this video. The majority of trained folx were young people engaged in video production youth development programming in Boston, aiming to make sustainable impact and follow up opportunities from their artistic journey. The project opened pathways for park visitation and collaborative representation. All participants were paid.
The Ride - Public Transit Public Good
This video was made in collaboration with Community Labor United, who recorded sound for the project. It follows the stories of multiple paratransit users and the impacts a doubled fare increase had on their lives.
DISTRIBUTION
This video was shown at civic action events and is hosted online.
CREDITS
I produced, directed, filmed, and edited this video. I trained community organizers who recorded sound for the project.
A History of Spectacle Island
This video was made for the Boston Harbor Islands National & State Park’s Visitor Center on Spectacle Island and outlines an interpretive history of the island for park visitors.
DISTRIBUTION
This video is shown in Spectacle Island's visitor center, Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park and online.
CREDITS
I co-produced, directed, co-wrote, filmed, and co-edited this video.
Boston Harbor Islands Discovery Camp
This video is a short documentary promo made to give first person and partnership insights about the camp to prospective and participating youth organizations.
DISTRIBUTION
This video is for internal use and can be seen online.
CREDITS
I produced, directed, and filmed this video.