Melody Paine (@imperfect_joy_) is a photographer and filmmaker based in Massachusetts and the latest winner of the Alpha Female+ grant. Her work specializes in capturing authentic and emotional stories, and for her grant-winning project she will work hand-in-hand with Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island and the featured family. “The main goal is to keep the story authentic and natural to help transport viewers into the perspective of what it is like to be on the receiving end of this incredible organization.”
For her project, Paine will use her authentic storytelling experience to create a film with Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Paine’s inspiration for the project comes from a few months ago when a local family asked her to create an urgent wedding film. “This event looked like a wedding any girl would dream of – a horse and carriage, a unicorn, a lakeside ceremony and of course a beautiful dress – but everything about this moment was unconventional,” explains Paine. “Aubriella was on hospice at 6 years old during her battle with a mitochondrial disease. Our local vendors got together to donate this ‘wedding’ for them as part of fulfilling their bucket list of memories to make with Aubriella.”
She continues, “From this experience we started thinking about how we could expand on our approach of authentic storytelling to help support Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island, so we have been cultivating a new relationship with our local chapter over the past few months. We will create a film for their ‘Why of a Wish’ theme that focuses on a local family who received a playground from Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island after their son underwent surgery for a brain tumor. We hope this will be the first in a series of films that will allow us to use the power of filmmaking in communicating their mission.”
For the project, Paine will work directly with the organization and the featured family. “The main goal is to keep the story authentic and natural to help transport viewers into the perspective of what it is like to be on the receiving end of this incredible organization. The key elements of creating this story are determining the plot points, conducting an interview, forming a storyboard, filming B-roll, and assembling a final film of about 2-4 minutes.”
Stay turned to Alpha Universe as we follow Melody and the film. See how you can apply for an Alpha Female+ grant for your project. All of the details are on the Alpha Female+ page HERE. And you can see all the past grant winners and their projects HERE.
