Motives for Undertaking Project: As a mother, I often spend an irrational amount of time worrying about the health and well-being of my children. Yes, I understand that worrying is part of the game, but to some extent I give too much energy to worrying. I told my father about my fears for my children: their happiness, health and overall life. He said, "Shelby, if you think about it, it's not common for parents to lose a child [to death]. It's just that when it happens, it stands out as a big event so it only appears like it happens a lot." I think to some extent he is right, however as he spoke, I couldn't help but think of the numerous mothers I knew who had lost a child. So many mothers that I can not even tally them on my fingers. It seems, at least, that in my world loosing a child happens more often then one would think.
I've spent so much time these last few years watching the people in my life grieve the death of their children. It's one of those things where I wish I knew the right words to say, the right thing to do, but at the same time a part of you is dying to NEVER have to know or understand how they feel. You don't ever want to be in their shoes, but yet as a friend, you must somehow walk with them through this reality.
As I slowly mustered the strength to say something, anything to these mothers, I've come to learn that the best thing I can do, that you can do, is to help people remember the child. Don't let people forget. So I've dedicated my story to these mothers and their children. To remind people of Lucy, Isla and Knoxley and to encourage you, as the viewer, to reach out in friendship to those in your own life who have lost a child. Be a friend.
Methodology: Audio/video sequences included in “Share” were developed and arranged from about 15 hours of research for images, script sampling, storyboard development, and narrative exercise from December 2014 and January 2015. All music by Chris Zabriskie, and narrative audio recording by myself, Shelby Miller. Photos and screenshots came from the Facebook pages of the video subjects: Charlene Freisen, Moira Johnson and Kate Colton. footage came from Carter family home movies, family photographs, and original photographs.
Equipment used: MacBook Pro 2008, iMovie for Mac, Photoshop, MS Word.
I've spent so much time these last few years watching the people in my life grieve the death of their children. It's one of those things where I wish I knew the right words to say, the right thing to do, but at the same time a part of you is dying to NEVER have to know or understand how they feel. You don't ever want to be in their shoes, but yet as a friend, you must somehow walk with them through this reality.
As I slowly mustered the strength to say something, anything to these mothers, I've come to learn that the best thing I can do, that you can do, is to help people remember the child. Don't let people forget. So I've dedicated my story to these mothers and their children. To remind people of Lucy, Isla and Knoxley and to encourage you, as the viewer, to reach out in friendship to those in your own life who have lost a child. Be a friend.
Methodology: Audio/video sequences included in “Share” were developed and arranged from about 15 hours of research for images, script sampling, storyboard development, and narrative exercise from December 2014 and January 2015. All music by Chris Zabriskie, and narrative audio recording by myself, Shelby Miller. Photos and screenshots came from the Facebook pages of the video subjects: Charlene Freisen, Moira Johnson and Kate Colton. footage came from Carter family home movies, family photographs, and original photographs.
Equipment used: MacBook Pro 2008, iMovie for Mac, Photoshop, MS Word.
