“I know that to change the narrative, you have to have a piece of the game.”
Path Ahead Stories
Diversity in Ownership
Less than 1% of founders in the outdoor industry are people of color. REI, the nations leading retailer in the outdoor industry, saw this as a problem. To help, REI created Path Ahead Ventures, a fund designed to support founders of color looking to break into the industry. When they approached Wondercamp to help promote and celebrate these founders, we knew that their individual stories would be a powerful tool to not only help support REI’s new program, but more importantly, help spread the word about the new and amazing brands.
In the end, we created three short documentary films, a compilation promotional, and social assets to help the audience discover new products from people they would connect with.
Director: Tim Kressin
Producer: Abdul Kassamali + Davis Goslin
DP: Greg Balkin
Sound: Davis Goslin
Editor: Tim Kressin + Makenna Wall
Sound Design: Jeff Yellen
Color: Greg Balkin
Client: REI Path Ahead Ventures
Starring: Martha Díaz
Synopsis
After immigrating to San Francisco from Central Mexico as a child, Martha spent most weekends outside with her family. Once she fell in love with backpacking, Martha realized one core piece had been missing - comfort food she could relate to. Itacate Foods was created to not only offer Latin backpacking food but as a way for folks to see a part of themselves and their travels represented on the menu.
Food for the Journey
Timing it right.
When a project allows for a healthy amount of lead time, it can create opportunities that serve the emotion behind the story. Case in point, we had spoken with Martha six months before we started filming. We had tracked her story during that time, aware that at any moment she might be packaging her first “official” meal soon.
Because the project focused so much on these being founders, we wanted to capture this pivotal moment in her journey and interview her during this potentially emotional time.
The patience paid off, allowing us to not only see a visual moment of progress on camera, but letting us have multiple emotional moments during Martha’s interview.
Food for the Journey has received a Vimeo Staff Pick.
Director: Tim Kressin
Producer: Abdul Kassamali
DP: Greg Balkin
1st AC: Avery Johnson
Sound: Davis Goslin
Editor: Makenna Wall + Tim Kressin
Sound Design: Jeff Yellen
Color: Greg Balkin
Client: REI Path Ahead Ventures
Starring: Sidney Baptista
Synopsis
Over the years of cultivating a diverse running community in his hometown of Boston, Sidney Baptista continually found that running apparel wasn't designed for the people he looks to serve. Coming from generations of entrepreneurs before him, Sid decided that failed promises from a $38B running industry was enough reason to create PYNRS, the first Black-owned running apparel company in the country. As he continues to be a role model for both his kids and his community, Sid is now in his second season of creating connection and clothing for everyBODY.
Piece of the Game
It’s Worth It.
As a small business owner, Sid often has to hustle to succeed. From late nights to going beyond the expectations of others. As a small company ourselves, we feel this pressure and desire. Even with this project itself, we were expecting to make a 4-5minute film, but felt like we had a longer story and more moments we wanted to use. So we went the extra mile, told the better story, and ended up with something that, yes, took a bit more of our time, but was worth it nonetheless.
Thanks for the inspiration Sid.
Director: Tim Kressin
Producer: Abdul Kassamali
DP: Greg Balkin
Sound: Davis Goslin
Editor: Makenna Wall + Tim Kressin
Sound Design: Jeff Yellen
Color: Greg Balkin
Client: REI Path Ahead Ventures
Starring: Livio Melo
Synopsis
Born in the Dominican Republic countryside, Liveo Melo spent his formative years outside but never realized there was an "outdoor industry" until he was 28. Gathering influence from his daily life in the Bronx and memories of watching trash wash up on shore in the DR, Liv began sourcing materials to design long-lasting ultralight outdoor gear. Two years later and their 500-foot apartment is now home to Allmansright, a growing business inspired by the Swedish tradition of allemansrätt, the right of everyone to freely roam and explore the outdoors.
Bronx Made
The Power of Place
The location of a story can often serve as a great backdrop for the film. But with Liv’s story, we wanted the location to be in the foreground, helping tell the story and sharing the uniqueness of it. After all, who would think that some of the best outdoor gear in the country would be born in the densely populated neighborhood known as The Bronx.
Beyond the neighborhood, Liv and Jen’s small apartment, with barely enough room for one-year-old Lucas, serves as an additional location to help anchor the “humble beginnings” characteristics that endear us and draw us in to Liv’s charming personality. A few extreme wide angles give us the perspective of what it is like to walk from your front door to your desk in… well no steps at all.
