As described in the Charlotte Business Journal, here’s a great creative idea that combines film-making with civic engagement. The film is called “Crossroads Charlotte,” and it’s actually four films, each one envisioning a possible future (the year 2015) for the city of Charlote, North Carolina. They range from the bleak (“Fortress Charlotte”) to the idealistic (“Eye to Eye”).
Patricia Zoder, the film’s Executive Director, said, “…this film is one example of utilizing art to help drive people to action. The film was also a great use of local talent as all of the production people, writers, actors, and film crew are local.”
It is designed to inspire people and organizations “to do what they can to help steer our community towards a positive future and away from a negative one,” she added.
This looks to me a like amodel that could be used in a variety of ways—with other communities, even with young people facing choices in their lives. While film is the most dynamic medium for it, it could also be done in text or audio. You may even want to do it for yourself: what are four possible futures for you? Which one do you want? What do you need to do to get there?
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