Newspapers / University of North Carolina … / Nov. 15, 2007, edition 1 / Page 6
Part of University of North Carolina at Asheville Student Newspaper / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
riiiuidin. Xoxcinbcr If), 2007 { T he B LUE B anner} Lifestyles Page 6 Nonprofit organization crafts short films to inspire others By Courtney Willis Iwo Nirangers living miles apart shared recurring dreams they iden tified as vision' of how to help humanity. Imlay, Debra Roberts and l.inda Mclatan execute these visions through Little Pearls, their nonprolit organization. ■ | had a strong nighttime dream that gave me very specific guidance on creating .10-second television spot.," said Roberts, founder of Lillie Pearls. "It gave me a Iheme, style, content and technical pointers. It was quite a nigfit. this resulted in the founding of l.itile I'earls. a non profit that creates liny films that open hearts and minds." I illle Pearls creates and distrib utes short films, ffie films consist of people, animals, relationships, cur rent events and inspiring ideas that are meant to touch people's hearts. .McLean, executive director, said the idea is lor one to see a film and get inspiretl. The inspiration can help that person do better or feel compassion for someone or something to which they might not normally pay attention. After Roberts and .Mcl-ean met each other through mutual friends, they discovered their love for helping others. "I recall meeting her for the first time in my living riHim. As she intriKiuced herself and her interest in l ittle Pearls, my heart burst wide open," Roberts said. "I realized in that first meeting that someone with a similar vision had come into my life, someone who was probably going to stay. We walketl into the partnership slow ly but surely." I ittle Pearls depemls on dona Ai.i. Photos Provided Bv Little Pi;.-\ri,s l‘inkey, an orphaned baby owl, was brought to Clyde Mollifleld for rehabilitation in the spring of 2005. Pinkey is filmed both while in rehab and after his relea.se. He now lives in the wild, as is meant. tions to pay its technical workers, such as the cameramen and edi tors. .McLean said a lot of places give them discounts because it is for a good cause. So far the organization has pro duced several films, and one film, "Wild and Tree: A Screech Owl Named Pinkey." appeared in the Asheville f-ilm Lestival. The documentary focused on Clyde Mollifleld, 6,1, a certified pet therapist who rehabilitates birds of prey, like raptors. Mollifleld rescued Pinkey. a screech owl, and taught him how to survive on his own. Me eventually set Pinkey free along with another screech owl. "The film covered a period of two years of raptor rehab even though it is only a 10-second tiny pearl of a film," Mollifleld said. Mollifleld is also involved in the Read to a Dog program for chil dren .The first film Mollifleld did with Little Pearls was “Dr. Willie.” in which Mollifleld did the voice- over about Dr. Willie, a three- legged handicapped dog. Mollifleld ends his film by say ing, "If a little three-legged dog can help others, well, maybe we all can. There was Lassie. Rin-Tin- Tin and now Dr. Willie." The short film was made to show people the possibilities of life and the importance of helping others, even if challenges stand in the way. "If you care about Willie and see what he can do, then you may see the amazing possibilities for the animals you encounter or have in your life." McLean said. "Reaching for the Stars" is another inspiring short film about a 17-year-old girl named Amanda who is wheelchair-bound. As an infant, Amanda suffered a brain injury, leaving her chal lenged but extremely determined in life, according Patty Levesque, her mother. Roberts said the idea for Amanda's pearl came to her in a dream. Amanda is focu.sed and inspiring, and she pursues her dreams with a passion. Roberts said. Amanda graduated from UNC Greensboro and now has her own apartment in Asheville. "I am very proud of her, and it meant a lot to the both of us to see the finished pearl,” Leve.sque said. The video consisted of Amanda riding in her wheelchair on the stage of her high school. Because Little Pearls is nonprofit and has a strict budget, Amanda’s friend did her voice-over for free. The high school also let them use the stage for free. Little Pearls depends on donations Above, “Great Katie” Latimore turned 105 in November of 2005. She mostly spoke of God, love and her family. Left, Willie was hit by a truck and left for dead. He was found, rehabilitated and now works as a pet therapist for the Delta Society, despite the fact he has only three legs. and volunteers to help keep the business going. “Several things made me want to volunteer. The first was meeting Linda and sensing something vet) special about her. She just radiates good energy,” Dana Hoffman said. “When she told me about Little Pearls, I really liked the concept of positive media clips. Then when I saw how beautifully they were done, I knew I wanted to support these projects. The media really needs more of this sort of thing.’’ For more information, visit www.littlepearls.org East Te Saturday, Nov. 24iat'4:50'p. I ^
University of North Carolina at Asheville Student Newspaper
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Nov. 15, 2007, edition 1
6
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75