The other day, I was showing a friend a rough cut of a film we had been working on. It was a story on depression and the importance of suicide prevention among the youth. I was looking for feedback and constructive criticism. That has proven to be very valuable to us as we develop our workflow for telling great stories.
What I got was something I had not expected.
My friend started to cry. And I don’t mean a few tears flowing between scenes. She started sobbing. She cried for what seemed to me like ages. When she finally caught her breath, all she could say was, “This needs to be in schools. This needs to get out there!” That to me was a reminder of what we’re doing at Pluggas. We’re not just making videos. We’re making a difference.
Last week, we picked up our new camera. It’s a Red Gemini. It’s a beauty for sure. This is the first time that we purchased a piece of equipment at this level of professionalism. And because it’s really awesome, it’s far from cheap too. I don’t think we’ve ever made an investment this big. The deposit on the Red alone is already higher than the total price of our last camera.
Why We Bought a Red Gemini
So why such a big investment? Is it really about the camera? Not really. While great equipment is a factor, you can create an amazing story with anything. I was reading an article on Variety the other day about 12 movies that were shot on an iPhone. So why invest so much in a camera?
To us, it’s more than just upgrading with a big and expensive camera. It’s about upgrading our impact.
I’ve always been a firm believer that stories are what change the world. Thought leaders, politicians, generals and corporate moguls. What were they? They were great storytellers. That’s why Pluggas exists. We want to help those with a powerful message make a dent in the world through the stories they have to share.
When we started, we were helping local businesses increase their reach through social media and film. Nowadays, we still work with them, but we also have invitations to bigger projects- Startups out to change the lives of individuals. And as we’ve evolved in terms of the clients we serve, we also think it’s time to evolve in our production.
Purpose and the Cost You Pay
There’s a lesson behind all of this. If you really want to make a positive impact, you need to be willing to pay the price. Purpose has a cost. For us, that cost was going through Muse Storytelling Film School sacrificing comfort and finances to upgrade our skills. That cost was purchasing a Red Gemini- one of the high-end cameras out in the market today.
What are your dreams and goals? I’m telling you that it will cost time, energy and resources. But amazingly, it’s always going to be fulfilling. Easy? Definitely not. But fulfilling nonetheless. The price you pay will always bring a return. So pay the price for value and purpose- it’ll be worth every time I guarantee.