Called to Serve (ERM's)

When we began talking David and I wanted to find a subject that we are both passionate about, without looking to far we realized we both had a connection the unrighteous stigma that is often associated with early release or non-missionaries.  As we approached this subject we knew maybe all to personally that this is a delicate subject, and one that often goes overlooked so it was important that the video was informative yet honest to the emotions. One of the videos that impacted our approach to this assignment was “Stoop Sitting” it was focused on normal people in a normal environment. We have all sat on a front porch before, and that is why we can all relate so well to it. We also wanted to semi satire the “I’m a Mormon” ad’s by adopting their style and approach to professing their faith.

Originally we wanted to interview UVU professor Kris Doty who has pioneered new research to the adverse effects of being an “Early Release Missionary” (heretofore referred to as ERM(‘s)) on young men. She clearly had a deeply personal connection and a scientifically rounded approach to the subject. Initially after reaching out to her she was eager to participate and we were very excited, however last minute obligations got in the way and she would not be able to participate before the deadline so we decided to take a new approach to the project.

David had been an early release missionary, before his mission he looked down on missionaries that returned early. Marshal finished his mission and often considered the missionaries that returned home early wimps with “not enough faith”. When his younger brother returned home early from his mission for mental health issues, he was stunned and his outlook changed overnight. Over time what David and Marshal had to come understand and what we wanted to members of the LDS church to understand is that the Lord issues the calling, whether it is two years, two months or a lifetime, as long as you serve to the best of your ability that is a “full time mission” and a worthy one.

We approached this film with a more personal tone and asked Marshal’s brother to be interviewed for the piece, he agreed. So we filmed him while he went for a hike to see the sunset (one of his favorite past times), and delved deeper into his emotions, his concerns and what he is doing to reform this unrighteous stigma and help future ERM’s. We initially had shot B-Roll of missionaries, the temple etc. but ultimately felt that the images distracted from the real message, which is the “worth of souls” in particular, Parkers. Arlene Goldbard said in our reading “If our higher purpose is to develop societies securely grounded in possibility, compassion and connection, our task is to collectively imagine these things. There is no more powerful way to do that than by making art that rehearses the future we wish to help into being”. We feel that we accomplished this by (1) letting Parker rehearse his mission, emotions and experiences (2) paint his image of a better society (3) testify to his belief in said future.

1. http://www.chron.com/news/article/Study-probes-impact-of-early-returned-missionaries-4983273.php

2. http://blogs.uvu.edu/newsroom/2013/10/30/uvu-study-reports-on-the-reasons-for-and-reactions-to-early-returned-missionaries/