In-Kind

Ars gratia artis. “Art for art’s sake” is a worthwhile sentiment, but art for the sake
of affecting change means so much more. We sought to create “In-Kind” as a
means of beginning a conversation about the importance of kindness. Using
homelessness as the issue to establish this dialogue, we depict a true-to-life
scenario in which two worlds are represented: a warm, comfortable life shielded
from the elements, and a cold, harsh life exposed to the callous city streets. In
doing so, we collaborated with several talented artists and technicians who were
able to help us bring life to our vision. The story of the interior world of a middle-
class mother and her young daughter is told with steady camera movements and
bright and vivacious colors and textures. In contrast, the exterior world is
depicted through gritty, handheld camerawork and a cool color palette.
“Matching” editing techniques and music complement each world.

In telling our story, it is important that our characters remain nameless, in hopes
that each viewer could see a bit of herself or himself in one of them, thus
establishing a deeper connection with the theme of kindness. Our goal was
always to create an “urban fairytale” with as much realism as possible. To that
end, we found a talented, real-life mother-daughter pair who could depict a
natural chemistry on camera. Their co-star, who plays an unfamiliar homeless
man, was kept apart from the actresses until the moment they interacted on set,
in hopes to achieve a realistic, if not slightly uncomfortable, meeting with the
unknown.

Finally, we decided to use light as a motif to represent pure intentions and the
enlightened point of view one gains with an open heart and mind. Whether it was
through a lamp, a flashlight, the sun, or the moon, our aim is to shed a new light
on the issue of homelessness and the understanding that a modest act of
kindness has the potential to change lives for the better. You don’t need much
money or time. A simple smile or gesture will do.