I am making a short documentary film called, “Green Screen: Cultivating Life in the Digital Age.” You can find out all about it in this PDF.
What it’s about.
The film tells the story of the development and launch of a new Facebook game called GardenQuest, which is sort of like Farmville for ornamental plants. Springing from the story is an examination of our digital culture, how technology is changing us, and why plants and gardening will remain important and relevant to life on planet earth. The message is simply: technology tends to be bad for both nature and human nature; gardening is good for both nature and human nature. What happens when the two are combined? Who wins?
Why we’re making it.
We are interested in two things: plants and pop culture. A gardening video game? That sits pretty much in the center of where these two subjects intersect. Also, we want to make films. This seems like a good place to start. We hope the film will cause people to think about plants and gardening in a new light, and with a new determination to actually do something positive and reconnect with nature through gardening.
Who’s the audience?
The GardenQuest game had over 80,000 fans pre-launch. Farmville and other social media games have many hundreds of millions of players. We think this story will be of general interest. This is not an “industry-focused” film. The intention is for our industry to speak to the world, not (as we do on OpenHort) speak to the industry itself.
Where’s the money?
This is self-funded. GardenQuest is giving us access and liberty to tell the story. There is no financial relationship. This is not a puff-piece infomercial.
When will it come out?
Not sure. The original plan was to film this summer then edit in the winter (my “slower” times, when the nursery isn’t quite as busy). However, it remains to be seen what exactly will happen to the GardenQuest game? Will it suddenly become a big hit in October? Will the company go bankrupt in December? The story may change!
How can you help?
We’d love your help! First, we’d love to know if you think this is interesting. Second, tell us what you think about the subject…what do you think we should be telling the world? Third, tell us who you think should be in the film? Fourth, volunteer to be in the film yourself!
We are looking for:
- People who love the game or the idea of the game.
- People who hate the game or the idea of the game.
- People who can speak to why gardening is good and beneficial.
- People who can speak to how healthy the industry is.
Sneak Peek
This is a brief video we made from some footage we filmed on the day GardenQuest went live (in “beta”).