About Counter Stories Productions
Counter Stories Productions is committed to film as a resource to amplify voices and stories that have been silenced and enable wider community engagement around justice issues.
“People live their lives inside of stories; which are themselves determined by broader narratives. Those narratives have a way of shaping us over a longer term. Changing any system without changing the narrative that gives sense to the system results in new systems supporting the old story; changing the story but not the system produces the old story. We have to change the narratives and examine the structures that are used to reinforce them as well as ask how we can shift resources, relationships and structures in ways that will allow us to live in new and preferred narratives.” Dr. David Hooker
These films and stories are funded by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. PDA recognizes the value and importance of "Story" as a means to connect and cultivate wider circles of community engagement and action.
About David
David Barnhart is an award-winning producer, director, and documentary filmmaker for Counter Stories Productions (CSP) and is committed to story and film as a resource for wider community engagement around justice issues. “Flint: The Poisoning of an American City,” “Trigger: The Ripple Effects of Gun Violence," “To Breathe Free,” and “Locked in a Box: Immigration Detention” have received awards and been screened at festivals across the country and have become resources for justice movements. “I see these films as a resource and catalyst for gathering wider circles of community around issues and collective action for change,” Barnhart said. “Filmmaking is rooted in listening and relationships, and in this collective process, we are invited to work alongside communities and amplify voices/counter stories that challenge dominant narratives.” Counter Stories Productions’ most recently completed film, “Evicting the American Dream,” amplifies the voices and stories of children and families confronting homelessness and eviction and explores the root causes and systemic issues that perpetuate this epidemic. Barnhart and CSP are currently in production and conducting listening sessions with communities across the country on new projects focused on environmental racism and with communities working to prevent gun violence.
About Scott Lansing, Editor: Sabotage Film Group
Sabotage Film Group’s Director/Editor (he/him) Scott Lansing has spent 20 plus years as a long form feature narrative, documentary, network promotions, and feature trailer promotions director editor. Scott has directed and edited two decades of award winning promotions and spotlights, earning him 15 Promax awards , 3 BDA design awards, 20 film festival nominations and 16 film festival awards for his narrative and documentary editing.. His work with Turner Classic Movies, including “TCM Remembers’ and “This Month on TCM” has been seen nation wide.
Starting as a live show and music video director, Scott has worked with signed artists John Mellencamp, Injected, Butch Walker, Dillenger Escape Plan, Black Dahlia Murder, Mastodon, Granville Automatic, MinusDriver, QuietHounds, Shannon Wright, and Cat Power.
Scott has edited / AD/graphics work on several features including Bleed, Cinema Purgatorio, Unbecoming, Robert Shaw:Man of Many Voices, Trigger: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence to name a few.
Sabotage Film Group site: http://www.sabotagefilmgroup.com/