Narrated by Alessandro Nivola, the documentary
was created by Reel Works Teen Filmmaking and Student Conservation
Association in partnership with American Express
NATIONAL PARK DIARIES will premiere at the
SCA’s 60th Anniversary Celebration at Olympic National Park on
August 12
Reel Works Teen Filmmaking and the Student Conservation
Association (SCA), in partnership with American Express, announce
the launch of a new student-directed film, NATIONAL PARK DIARIES,
narrated by actor Alessandro Nivola. Shot in Denali National Park
and Preserve in Alaska and the Boston Harbor Islands National
Recreation Area, the film follows two teenage SCA volunteers and
their conservation crews over a transformative three weeks working
in and experiencing the national parks.
The film will premiere at the Student Conversation Association’s
60th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, August 12, at Olympic
National Park, just north of Seattle, Washington, and will be
shared with national parks and festivals around the country to
screen throughout the rest of this year.
Narrated by actor and producer Alessandro Nivola (THE WIZARD OF
LIES, AMERICAN HUSTLE, FACE/OFF), the film chronicles the highs and
lows of two teenagers’ experiences. In the hour-long documentary
feature, the audience experiences the trips through the teens’ eyes
as they adjust to their new surroundings, develop lasting
relationships with their peers, and emotionally and physically push
themselves to their limits, all while contributing to the national
parks.
Taylor Newkirk, an 18-year-old from Suitland, Maryland, and
Nichlos Gutowski, a 15-year-old from Nome, Alaska, were selected
from hundreds of SCA volunteers to participate in the making of the
film. The students, as well as their crew mates and project
leaders—all of whom are featured in the film—are diverse in
personality and backgrounds and provide varying perspectives on the
volunteering experience.
“Exploring and protecting the wildlands of my home state with
some awesome crew mates was an epic, life-changing experience,”
Nichlos states. “We hope that by sharing our story, we’ll inspire
others our age to serve, to grow and to celebrate the great
outdoors.”
The documentary was captured and edited by a selection of youth
directors from Brooklyn’s Reel Works organization, which provides
free filmmaking education and mentoring to young urban filmmakers
in New York.
“From the shooting to the editing, Reel Works’ graduates and
young trainees were part of the film’s entire creative process, and
clearly connected with our courageous and kind SCA volunteer
subjects,” says Stephanie Walter Williams, artistic director, Reel
Works Teen Filmmaking. “We were invested every step of the way in
the development of this story. We think the audience will fall in
love with the characters in this film, and be impressed by the
remarkable skill our young filmmakers have shown in capturing and
creating this unique documentary.”
The film was created to inspire a younger and more diverse
audience to explore volunteer roles and career opportunities in the
conservation field and at national parks. The documentary
illustrates how SCA empowers young people from all backgrounds
through hands-on service to nature. “These challenging experiences
in the wild are demonstrably transformative,” says SCA CEO Jaime
Matyas. “Participants gain self-confidence, persistence and other
skills that fuel optimal advancement and a lifetime of growth.”
The film was made possible through an American Express grant of
$100,000 to Reel Works. The company is a premier partner of Find
Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque, a bilingual movement created by the
National Park Foundation to inspire people to connect with,
celebrate and support America’s national parks and community-based
programs, including through volunteering.
The grant complements American Express’ $5 million, multi-year
commitment in support of mobilizing one million volunteers in
national parks and public lands annually. American Express is also
a partner of SCA, supporting the organization’s Find Your Park
volunteering events nationally.
“American Express has cultivated community service and civic
engagement programs throughout its 167-year history,” said Timothy
J. McClimon, president, American Express Foundation. “National
parks are critical to our communities, and we hope this film will
inspire a new generation of diverse park conservation leaders and
stewards to conserve and protect our prized public lands.”
To find a screening at a national park or a festival, please
visit thesca.org/Diaries. For more information about the film or
for permission to screen it, please contact Kevin Hamilton, SCA
Vice President for Communications, at 1.888.722.9675 /
khamilton@thesca.org.
About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing
customers with access to products, insights and experiences that
enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at
americanexpress.com, and connect with us on
facebook.com/americanexpress, instagram.com/americanexpress/,
linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress,
and youtube.com/americanexpress.
Key links to products, services and corporate responsibility
information: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, Plenti
rewards program, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards,
merchant services, Accertify, corporate card, business travel, and
corporate responsibility.
About Reel Works Teen
Filmmaking
Reel Works Teen Filmmaking is one of the leading digital media
educators in the United States. Reel Works provides free filmmaking
programs for NYC Youth. Using a unique, one-on-one mentoring model,
we challenge our students to tell their stories and have their
voices heard. In turn, they build vital skills of literacy,
leadership and self-confidence to create productive futures. It’s a
powerful combination that changes young lives while creating
startling and original films that have been seen by over 9 million
viewers since our founding in 2001. Learn more at
http://www.reelworks.org.
About the Student Conservation
Association
The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is America’s largest
and most effective youth conservation service organization. SCA
transforms lives and lands by empowering young people of all
backgrounds to plan, act, and lead, while they protect and restore
our natural and cultural resources. Founded in 1957, SCA’s mission
is to build the next generation of conservation leaders, and 70% of
its 80,000 alumni are employed or studying in conservation-related
fields. SCA is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and maintains
regional offices across the country. For more, visit
www.thesca.org.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170811005334/en/
MEDIA:Jeff McBride, FRANK
PRjeff@frankpublicity.com646-713-4755orAmelia Woltering, American
ExpressAmelia.t.woltering@aexp.com212.640.7034
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