Concerned Citizen

Initially what caught our attention about Encircle was it’s purpose and methods to unify the community of Provo over an issue that is difficult for many to deal with and reconcile with their beliefs. Their motto is “No Sides, Only Love”, referring to loving and accepting LGBTQ youth that may be struggling with their gender identity but not condemning or condoning their chosen lifestyle. It was an amazing experience to talk with Jacob, the development director, and some of the other volunteers about the kinds of changes they get to witness within the youth and parents alike, and the positivity and the love that the house facilitates.

We originally wanted to meet with the founder of the organization, Stephanie, and we scheduled an appointment with her for Monday but we decided to just go on Friday to get some footage with her second-in-command, Jacob. We initially arrived on Friday to shoot some exterior and interior images that we could juxtapose along our narrative. We were pleasantly surprised when Jacob began to share his story and experience working alongside Encircle and helping it to grow and develop here in Provo. Immediately we began to shoot. We decided to do some of the visuals on a tripod, but most of the film was shot walking alongside Jacob handheld, which provided a very raw and organic look. We planned to shoot all that coverage and then interview Stephanie Monday but in the end Stephanie wasn’t able to do the interview so we just used what we had with Jacob. Unfortunately we weren’t able to focus on his story as much as we would have liked to because he was giving us background about the organization so that we could focus on Stephanie and her journey. Despite the inconvenience, we are still extremely pleased with what we were able to get and everything that Jacob told us. Even though he focuses mainly on the organization and the cool tidbits associated with its growth here in Provo, there is an immense amount of love and emotion evoked from his experiences that the viewer is able to feel as they view the piece.  

We decided to use a nonlinear editing style to introduce information about the place because we didn’t want to focus as much on the fact that it was an LGBTQ organization and more on their purpose of loving these kids and giving them a home. It isn’t towards the middle that you realize who this house is for, which allows for room to wonder first and put the pieces together. Encircle also tries to avoid calling attention to themselves and labeling themselves like other LGBTQ organizations because they consider their agenda to be different, to be focused less on making distinctions and labels, and more on helping all to feel loved and safe. As Goldbard in “Human Rights and Culture”, the people at Encircle are optimistic of the future and possibilities for all to feel love and acceptance and be treated the way that they deserve.