Meg Pinsonneault is an immensely talented filmmaker, cinematographer, writer and a director based out of Los Angeles, USA . She has even designed for short films, videos and commercial movies like Chasing Happiness ( Kashmira Shah plays a role in this Hollywood movie). She is also a published poet and a commercial still photographer. Apart from the creative part, she is into social work through 'Faces of Tomorrow' a non profit group that specializes in operating on children with facial deformities.
Team OKIEDOKS wishes all the success and happiness in life to the charismatic lady.
1) Please tell us something about your initial days. How did you get into the art field?
I’ve always been involved in arts, as my mother introduced me to photography at a young age. She gave me a 35mm camera when I was around 10 and I would take summer art classes at a program called “College for Kids” at the local college. I got into writing, poetry and acting in high school. I drove to NYC every weekend during my junior year to attend TV and commercial acting classes. I wrote and directed a couple plays for my high school as well. I even made our senior class video, where I spent the better part of the year interviewing and collecting memorable pictures for our graduation ceremony. Throughout high school, I attended summer acting and directing programs in cities like NYC and Boston, which inspired me to continue my artistic education into college.
2) Kindly tell us something about 'Faces of Tomorrow’, which is on IMDB, and screen at the prestigious Sacramento International Film and Music Festival this year.
Faces of Tomorrow is a very special non-profit organization that specializes in facial reconstructive surgeries for children in developing countries. I had the wonderful opportunity to travel with this organization to Quito, Ecuador, where they performed over 55 successful surgeries in just 10 days. At a one-woman crew, I directed, shot, and edited as short documentary about the organization’s journey in January 2009. The documentary was originally intended for fundraising and promotional uses. But due to all the positive feedback, I decided to enter the short documentary into the festival circuit. I was thrilled when it was premiered at the Sacramento Film and Music Festival. It has also aired on the local ABC and CBS affiliates in Sacramento, CA. My experience with the organization changed my life forever, solidifying my love for documentary filmmaking and the compassion behind it. I held a fundraiser for the organization this passed weekend, where we raised almost $10,000 for next year’s trip. That’s nearly 35 facial reconstructive surgeries for children that would otherwise never have the opportunity for a healthy and happy future. One day, I hope to collect enough footage for a feature documentary, as I truly believe this is an honorable cause and one that deserves the exposure. I’m excited to travel back to Ecuador with Faces of Tomorrow, during their upcoming 2010 mission trip.
3) From a director's point of view does the approach or the preparation change if it’s a music video or a documentary?
The preparation is very different. Documentaries require a sense of adventure and the willingness to go with the flow. You can prep all you want, but most of the time, you don’t know what will happen. The story writes itself, as you’re filming and in the editing room. There is only so much preparation you can do for a documentary. (However, it does depend on subject.) With most music videos, there is a lot more preliminary thought involved. What is the song about? What is the artist’s image about? What visuals and feelings does the music provoke? Music videos can me abstract, or have nothing at all to do with anything. They can be literal or completely stylistic, like Michel Gondry’s work. In contrast, documentaries are about real people and real experiences, even though they may be wild or abstract
4) Awards, recognition and limelight. Do people react differently now, when your talent is taking you places?
No, not really. I have some great and supportive friends. But I still have a long way to go!
5) Poetry and Photography are the purest forms of expression. Do you feel that commercialization has eaten these fields as well?
As with any respectful art form, commercialization and globalization has inevitably taken a toll. For me, photography and poetry are merely hobbies that I love for the art. As soon as you are paid for something, there are more people than just yourself to answer to. That will ultimately lead to changing your vision. If it’s only a hobby, then it’s for you and only you. This will keep your art in its purest form. However, I can’t say I would pass up a paying job for either photography or poetry!
6) You are quite good looking, so why do we see you behind the camera only? Did you ever want to be in front of the camera as an actor where you could handle your subject more creatively?
First, thanks! Second, my background is in acting. I started stage acting at a very young age. I attended summer acting and theater camps all throughout my education, even driving to NYC every weekend to attend commercial and TV acting classes. I went to BostonUniversity’s Summer Theater program in 2000, which solidified my love for the city. I was accepted to EmersonCollege in Boston as an acting major and a journalism minor. However, during my first semester, I really began to doubt my dedication to the art form. I wanted more control over the source material. I wanted to be the creator, not just the facilitator. Hitchcock once said, “Actors are like cattle...” Unfortunately, I quickly realized he was right and I become disenfranchised with acting all together. I soon found my true calling and I changed my major to film and my minor to screenwriting. I haven’t looked back since!
7) Do social networking sites like orkut, facebook and myspace help artists in any form?
Definitely. I highly suggest getting a page on every network you can. It’s a fantastic way to show your recent work and keep in touch with other industry professionals. Not to mention, most of these social site are free! If you’re interested in documentary, www.IDA.com is a good site. I love www.vimeo.com, as well as www.mediamatch.com. There are so many more out there as well.
8) The Obama Claymation contest made you quite famous and has it changed the perception you have about politics. Alternatively, do you feel that politics can influence common people as well?
I’m a very politically active and socially conscious person. I created that ad as a way to show that I’m happy about the progress my country is making toward a better democracy. My beliefs are the same as before I made the Claymation ad. I’m just thrilled that others recognized it and a small part of me believes that it helped to promote President Obama during the 2008 election. It’s a great feeling when you know something you created touched another person, or better yet, opened the minds of many people. There’s no better way to change the world, then through the art of film.
Politics most definitely affect the common people, even if what they’re hearing or what they’re watching is false. The beautiful thing and the most dangerous thing about mass media is how you can shape a person’s mind. I believe that fact is the single major factor why the United States is so divided. However, I still have hope. I truly believe that through film and all its avenues, you can make a real difference. If you can open the heart of just one person, then you’ve succeeded.
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