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Let’s not get ahead of ourselves yet but I can tell you that the
feeling amongst the team is extremely positive. We feel like we
are doing a great job on an enormously important project. The
confidence in and enthusiasm all of us have for this documentary
is richly rewarding. We all know that there is a long road ahead of
us with lots and lots of hard work but it does not feel at all
daunting because, the fact is, we know how special this film is
going to be, how it is going to open eyes, infuriate and inspire our
viewers. We feel like we are a part of something that can do more

than simply shine a light on the issue, we feel like we might be
able to be part of the solution and, as documentary filmmakers,
few things are ever so special.

Today, we turned the cameras inward and focused on one of our
own. In the course of discussion during a production meeting a
a few weeks ago, project manager extraordinaire Gabrielle McNicol
shared with us the agonizing story of her mother, Mary’s,
immense struggles with health and financial stability. We all felt it
as she told us her story and it was not long before one of us
asked Gabrielle if she thought her mother would be comfortable
sitting for an interview. We shot that interview today and it was so
heart-wrenching, it so epitomizes what we are trying to say in the
documentary. Suffice it to say that there were some moist eyes in
front of and behind the camera. But we are not finished with Mary,
we will be following her around town as she shops for groceries
and tries to do her best with extremely limited resources.

Next week, we have an interview scheduled with George Matysik.
Executive Director of Share Food Program and one of the major
forces in the fight against food insecurity in the city.
Following that, we will interview Mariana Chilton, PhD, MPH, a
Professor in the Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel
University and Director of Dornsife’s Center for Hunger-Free
Communities, a community-engaged research and advocacy
center focused on developing solutions to the challenges of
hunger and economic insecurity.

Again, we are working to keep our confidence in check but this
film is coming together in a big way and all of us are excited.

In the heart of Philadelphia, a groundbreaking documentary project is taking shape, spearheaded by the visionary executive producer Harry Hayman. With a focus on the pressing issue of food insecurity, this documentary is rapidly gaining momentum, thanks to a dedicated team and a series of successful interviews and collaborations that promise to bring this critical story to the forefront of public consciousness.This project is beginning to feel unstoppable, things are falling into place and moving quickly. Just today, the crew sat down with Larry Downey of Broad Street Ministries for our first formal interview. Next week we interview Jonathan Deutsch, director of the Drexel Food Lab at Drexel University.

We have added camera operator Jupiter Fox to the team. Fox is a sharp, savvy all-around filmmaker whose input will go far beyond his camerawork, he will add his insights and opinions about the film. The team is clicking, with Harry Hayman doing a great job of rising to the challenge of being the executive producer. But, unlike most EPs who primarily write checks, hire and fire people, Harry is extremely hands-on and is really the one driving the ship – making sure that director Kaloni Davis has everything he needs with regards to access and equipment and that writer-producer David J. Greenberg able to help with grant applications, compose interview questions and coordinate with the people we want to speak with on camera. Keeping the horse on the track is our crackerjack project manager, Gabrielle McNichol

The pressure to produce is real. We want to get this story out here but we are eager to have the film ready to submit to the important fall film festivals.  

A Dynamic Start with Key Interviews

The project kicked off with an inspiring start, marked by a significant interview with Larry Downey of Broad Street Ministries. This conversation set the tone for the documentary, highlighting the complexities and human stories behind food insecurity in Philadelphia. The momentum continued with plans to interview Jonathan Deutsch, the esteemed director of the Drexel Food Lab at Drexel University, next week. These interviews are crucial, providing expert insights and personal perspectives that will form the backbone of the documentary.

Expanding the Team with Expertise

Recognizing the need for technical excellence and creative insight, the team welcomed Jupiter Fox, a camera operator whose expertise extends far beyond his camerawork. Fox’s sharp filmmaking skills and valuable opinions are expected to significantly contribute to the depth and quality of the documentary. This addition underscores the project’s commitment to not just telling a story but telling it well, with every shot and angle carefully considered to enhance the narrative.

Harry Hayman: A Hands-On Executive Producer

At the helm of this ambitious project is Harry Hayman, whose role as an executive producer defies the conventional boundaries of the title. Far from being a distant financier, Hayman is deeply involved in the day-to-day operations, ensuring that director Kaloni Davis and writer-producer David J. Greenberg have the resources, access, and support they need. His hands-on approach and dedication to the cause are driving the project forward, setting a high standard for leadership and involvement in documentary filmmaking.

A Unified Team with a Shared Vision

The synergy within the team is palpable, with each member bringing unique skills and perspectives to the table. This collaborative environment is anchored by the project’s manager, Gabrielle McNichol whose expertise in keeping the project on track is invaluable. Together, the team is navigating the challenges of documentary production, from securing interviews to managing logistics, all while maintaining a shared vision and commitment to bringing the issue of food insecurity to light.

The Road Ahead: Challenges and Aspirations

As the documentary progresses, the pressure to produce a compelling and impactful film is real. The team is eager not only to tell this important story but also to showcase it at major fall film festivals. This deadline adds urgency to their work, motivating them to capture the essence of the issue and create a film that will resonate with audiences and drive change.

This documentary, under Harry Hayman’s guidance and driven by a passionate and skilled team, is poised to make a significant impact. By focusing on food insecurity in Philadelphia, it aims to shed light on a critical issue, spark conversations, and inspire action. As the project continues to gather momentum, it’s clear that this documentary is not just a film; it’s a movement, with the power to transform how we understand and address food insecurity in urban communities.

The team is clicking, we are making progress and, more than anything, all of us are
more and more eager to get our message out there. Food insecurity is a bigger problem
in Philadelphia than anywhere else in the country and, unlike other parts of the country,
it is not getting better, it is getting worse. This is why we are all so committed to this
documentary. It seems like every time we meet to debrief on the last interview and
prepare for the next interview, one of us has read a new article on the subject or spoken
with someone full of insights from the front lines of the battle.
Last week, we shot an interview with Jon Deutsch of the Drexel Food Lab that was both
sobering, eye-opening and inspiring. This man convinced us that the solutions are there
and ready to go but, for whatever reason or reasons, very little has actually been set in
motion. Our documentary seeks to correct this issue, to get the work done and the
people fed.

This week we interviewed Professor Judith Levine of Temple University. Where Jon
Deutsch comes to the issue as a food industry veteran, Professor Levine views the issue
through a social-economic lens with her background in studying poverty. Besides that
angle, she is also active in the field of gender and race studies, both of which often
factor into issues of food insecurity. We are so eager to hear what she has to say.
Speaking of Temple University, where both director Kaloni Davis and screenwriter David
J. Greenberg studied film; the team plans to attend a screening of Pardon Me, a
documentary about the little-known or understood topic of getting a pardon after being
convicted of a crime. The film has won several awards and director Shuja Moore was
gracious enough to meet with us and discuss the process of producing this inspiring
film.