resist < record < Repeat
One of the more empowering things I encountered at the Women’s March was the spectrum of media makers there. Documentary filmmakers, video journalists, live streamers, YouTubers, and video artists were wielding everything from professional camcorders to tricked out smartphones. In a moment of inspiration, I decided to shoot portraits of women and their rigs along the route, in solidarity and gratitude. I had the luxury of not being on assignment, but many of the women I photographed did not. They were working.
Run and gun or one woman band production at an event can be extremely physically and mentally demanding work, particularly when you’re working on projects with limited resources (read: almost all independent media projects). You’re shooting video and recording sound, maybe monitoring multiple channels. You’re recruiting subjects, asking questions — then asking for complete sentences — obtaining correct spellings and permissions, and trying to stay hydrated, because a bigger water bottle just means a heavier pack. Do you have b-roll of that thing she was talking about? Shit, you forgot sunscreen / now it's raining. Wireless interference. Dropouts. Low batteries. Changing light. The patriarchy.
So, to all the story tellers out there, professional or not, and especially those featured here, I say thanks for helping the world hear and see this movement. Don’t stop. Resist. Record. Repeat.
Because this project unfolded on the fly, I didn’t have a chance to get everyone's name and contact. If you recognize anyone, please email me so I can put names with faces: robinurbansmith@gmail.com