The Environment is my Muse 

Forging Partnerships with students in the discipline of film, and bridging the gap between the Environment and the Orange Economy. 

As 2021 kicks off, the world waits with baited breath to see what grandiose advances can be made in the way the world progresses and evolves. The pandemic being a consideration or rather yardstick to which everyone has measured success or failure by in 2020. In the creative world however, people have suffered tremendous losses particularly those that are in the 'orange economy' (culture, arts, film, modern theater) or other activities attached to such. 

One of the duties and responsibilities of civil society is to ensure people power and minds are utilized to drive every sector of the world's economic situation (even if it means developing forums for idea generation and thriving innovative ideas). Environment Tobago being a humanitarian, civil society seeks to find a creative way to incorporate into our own production and content output, students at university level in all disciplines. On the morning of March 10th, 2021 Sean McCoon (Environment Tobago's Manager), partnered with UWI film students that are developing content related to the legend of the silk cotton tree in Tobago. How can the we bridge the gap between the Orange Economy and the Environment?

A thought to consider:
How can we make one of major drivers and sources of content and 'muse' the environment? Think of it... A sonnet of sorts, except encompassing full scale productions with a view of showcasing how important the environment is, and how rich and valuable it is in terms of the creative process.

 
The Major in Film Production is offered by the Faculty of Humanities and Education as an interdisciplinary programme designed to teach potential filmmakers the technical skills of production at the very highest level. This presented us with a grand opportunity to insert into the conversation the idea of climate change, and the long term effects of this, among many other environmental issues that affect Tobago (and by extension the region).  Truly an opportunity to inform the conversation in a way that was meaningful and edifying. 

Our young film students handled the selection of location on Gibson's Jetty (entrance to the Bon Accord Lagoon via the Bon Accord Estate) and what better place to discuss the natural environment and society's influence on how our opinions, and thoughts are shaped? Questions were addressed on the relationship between social practices and how it affects the idea of conservation.  Our manager raised the idea of sustainable partnerships and Tobago's very well poised and positioned place in the region to be a noteworthy contributor to environmental conservation thrusts.

The recently debated marine parks bill, which was sent to the national parliament for consideration, being one example of Tobago on a governance level being interested and keen on institutionalizing environmental conservation and awareness into it's legislative framework. On a more practical and operational level, the premise remains the same as it was in previous decades. Irrespective of which political entity populated the co-corridors of power, the common denominator was always, "how do we protect the environment". 

Arguably in this post-covid or post pandemic world, there is a greater need for understanding the relevance of sustainable development as it relates to protecting the natural environment and all that is therein.  Our contribution to this production surely gave our young, budding and aspiring film makers the opportunity to see the value of the environment not only in their own personal production experience, but also the economic benefits to be had in due course of covering such hard hitting and topical content. A truly viable option if someone wants a never-ending source of documented and constantly developing output.