Hi, my name is Antoinette Lavalle.
I am from Des Moines, Iowa and my film is titled
Green Witch.
♪♪
Antoinette Lavalle: It was for a
school project.
It was filmed on a 16mm Bolex film camera.
It is about, well it is inspired by the writings
of Arin Murphy-Hiscock's book, Green Witch and my
own writings as well.
And so it's kind of a visual diary of those
writings and really it's about reconnecting with
nature and ideally being able to live in harmony
with nature as well.
Antoinette Lavalle: So, I was born and raised in Des
Moines so I always have this connection here.
I went to undergrad for business art and then I
just wasn't completely happy with everything that
I learned there, I just felt something was
missing.
So I went back to school for film production as the
The New School in New York and it was nice because at
that school I could just focus in on film.
Antoinette Lavalle: So, the film was shot in
Connecticut.
I shot in Connecticut just because that was the
closest to me being in New York City, that's where I
felt like I could be in nature.
And so I felt -- I had some family up there that
could help me carry my tripods around and there
were just so many beautiful spots in
Connecticut.
Within the project we had kind of like full freedom
to do whatever we wanted.
We were able to have two film cartridges to use up
and then I had to learn how to rig lighting right
and I had to make sure that things were in focus.
So, shooting on the Bolex was stressful but it was
kind of fun.
And it's like a pat on the back when you get it
right.
And you can practice and film is expensive so you
can't practice that much, but you can just like kind
of know what you're doing but then like at the end
of the day I feel like luck also kind of plays
into it.
What begins of my backyard will reach the lives I
cannot begin to see or know.
Antoinette Lavalle: I don't know if I got that
sense of like victory or that a-ha moment right
away.
I do think after I got the film back and you kind of
wait around for a couple of weeks, that's when I
was like oh yeah, like a little pat on the back,
like we're going to have something here.
The roll didn't come back completely blank, like
there's something we can work with.
So I would say it was a little bit delayed.
It wasn't that instant gratification but yeah,
over time.
Spirit of nature, elements around me.
Nurture and guard me as I walk the path of the Green
Witch.
May my every action be for the good of all.
For humanity and nature alike.
Bring me wisdom, peace, serenity and balance as I
walk this path.
(water rushing)
Remind me that
what I do and the decisions I make affect
the world.
What begins of my backyard will reach the lives I
cannot begin to see or know.
(water rushing)
Remind me that one size or lack of voice doesn't
determine their intrinsic value.
(water rushing)
That we all have the right to live
and share the Earth regardless of shape, color
or size.
(water rushing)
Grant me the
confidence to do the work you require of me and
strength to bear the burdens --
(water rushing)
While knowing that I am truly educated when I live
in harmony with the Earth.
Carrying the words from woodpecker with me always.
(water rushing)
I swear to guard the soul of nature,
to work with nature, to honor nature and all who
compose nature's multitude.
These things I promise and this I ask of you.
On this day, in this place, as a Green Witch I
so swear.
♪♪