Statement from Co-Director, William Gazecki I was well into my 30s before I realized that the acknowledgment, advice, encouragement and criticism I had received over the years had indeed been mentoring. By the time I was 35, I'd had the good fortune to work with men of remarkable experience and wisdom, who were considerate enough to share of themselves and offer counsel. Not all of these relationships were necessarily pleasant. The man who helped me to understand self-discipline was quite uncompromising. But the man who taught me to appreciate virtuosity was quite a visionary. And the man who taught me how to "hold my ground" was quite courageous. Mentoring is something that happens over time- it's a process within a relationship. The benefits unfold gradually, sometimes long after the relationship is over. Statement from Co-Director Sheila Laffey Ph.D. Young people with goals encounter challenges. Will they reach their potential? Will they change their lives for the better? Will a mentor help make the difference? These were real questions with answers that would emerge only at the end of our filming their journeys. I felt honored to connect with the mentors and mentees as they shared various aspects of their lives. I found that the sparks of hope and bursts of true comraderie emanating from the mentor/mentee processes galvanized my work on the film over the three year period it took to make the film. I sometimes even felt overwhelmed by the positive moments recorded and not recorded, well aware that the ripples of light of their shared stories could multiply many times over. I also saw that mentoring happens in big and small ways. As a professor of film studies and a filmmaker, I work with young people on a regular basis. My hope is that transformative values and a commitment to make a difference are what my students take away from their relationship with me. WHAT'S HAPPENING? | GET THE DVD |
