Day 4: Love What You Do, Do What You Love - Connor
The past few hours have seen us make our first true strides in the direction we want for our Falmouth Heritage Renewal journey. Picking up where we left off from yesterday’s work, our final preliminary rotation to experience the three choices of work available left Caleb, Izzie, Sydney, and me to interview some Falmouth residents and see their perspectives on our question for our in-progress film: “as a child, what did you aspire to be in the future, and how has Falmouth and Jamaica changed that or made it succeed?”
After searching the town for a while, it was time to get interviewing. I’ll admit, nervousness took over me. While searching for potential interviewees, the sun was beating down hard on the shanty buildings and eccentric, shaggy characters drifted in-and-out of view. A bustle of indiscernible voices in welcoming but unfamiliar accents were exploding in utter frenzy, and beads of sweat drifted down my face to the beat of the chorus. Who knew that two unassuming figures sitting nearby on a city bench were about to alter my entire perspective on the citizens of Falmouth?
Anthony and Julian had wide, disheveled grins that exude warmth and happiness. Walking up to the duo, we initiated our interview process in standard fashion: asking their occupation and whether they were from Falmouth, and how long they had been living there.
The first to speak was Anthony. Not hailing from Falmouth, he explains that he is staying here because of his diving business. The words, keeping with the topic, spill out of our mouths in a formulaic fashion to initiate conversation: “Is this what you initially wanted to do in life? If not, how does this change from your initial vision?” His outlook on his current job is optimistic and relaxed. “I’ve always loved the ocean.” Initially becoming good enough at soccer to go pro, Anthony instead pursued his true passion for the ocean and had it propel him to diving locations across the Caribbean, including only a couple miles from where we stood.
Julian had very different aspirations, choosing instead to dream of becoming a soldier as so many young men do, only to shift between that and being a carpenter in his mind. Choosing to pursue the latter, he has no regrets about his choice and is happy to discuss the very decision that is such a large part of his life today.
The two men contradicted much of what I thought Falmouth was full of: frustrated, disenfranchised people trying to make the best of what they have and provide for their families, choosing the typical route of taxi driver or restauranteur. Instead, they proved that with enough optimism and perseverance, you can break free of the molds that are generally set upon you. They remembered that some may choose what’s more readily available, or some may really go for something that they want. Even though pro soccer and being a soldier turned out not to be routes they took, they found other things that they loved. They didn’t need fame or status. Just their spirits driving them forward, themselves lighting the way.
After searching the town for a while, it was time to get interviewing. I’ll admit, nervousness took over me. While searching for potential interviewees, the sun was beating down hard on the shanty buildings and eccentric, shaggy characters drifted in-and-out of view. A bustle of indiscernible voices in welcoming but unfamiliar accents were exploding in utter frenzy, and beads of sweat drifted down my face to the beat of the chorus. Who knew that two unassuming figures sitting nearby on a city bench were about to alter my entire perspective on the citizens of Falmouth?
Anthony and Julian had wide, disheveled grins that exude warmth and happiness. Walking up to the duo, we initiated our interview process in standard fashion: asking their occupation and whether they were from Falmouth, and how long they had been living there.
The first to speak was Anthony. Not hailing from Falmouth, he explains that he is staying here because of his diving business. The words, keeping with the topic, spill out of our mouths in a formulaic fashion to initiate conversation: “Is this what you initially wanted to do in life? If not, how does this change from your initial vision?” His outlook on his current job is optimistic and relaxed. “I’ve always loved the ocean.” Initially becoming good enough at soccer to go pro, Anthony instead pursued his true passion for the ocean and had it propel him to diving locations across the Caribbean, including only a couple miles from where we stood.
Julian had very different aspirations, choosing instead to dream of becoming a soldier as so many young men do, only to shift between that and being a carpenter in his mind. Choosing to pursue the latter, he has no regrets about his choice and is happy to discuss the very decision that is such a large part of his life today.
The two men contradicted much of what I thought Falmouth was full of: frustrated, disenfranchised people trying to make the best of what they have and provide for their families, choosing the typical route of taxi driver or restauranteur. Instead, they proved that with enough optimism and perseverance, you can break free of the molds that are generally set upon you. They remembered that some may choose what’s more readily available, or some may really go for something that they want. Even though pro soccer and being a soldier turned out not to be routes they took, they found other things that they loved. They didn’t need fame or status. Just their spirits driving them forward, themselves lighting the way.
Interesting documentary topic. Can't wait to see what y'all make!
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