How does one group of high school teenagers single-handedly cancel the use of plastic bags, not only in Santa Monica County, but also in the State of California? Team Marine is one of eight powerful stories of youth activists focused on reducing the carbon footprint in their communities created by the organization Young Voices for the Planet. The film is produced and directed by the organization’s Founder, Lynne Cherry, who is also a New York Times best-selling author and a firm believer that youth inspire us all to embrace the seriousness of climate change.
Team Marine follows the true story of young environmental activists from western Los Angeles County who take matters into their own hands and refuse to wait for change to come. We meet three of seven Team Marine students in a sit-down interview to deeper understand their passion for saving the environment and journey to getting plastic bags banned.
Cherry uses several film techniques to tell her story. She cleverly interweaves interview footage with personal footage of these young activists on how they not only influenced Santa Monica City Council but educated their community. She also uses the Ken Burns effect to add animation to the video. This effect is named after the famed American documentary filmmaker, well known for his archival photographs and footage. Cherry also plays the aspect ratios which helps the film’s pacing, making an almost six-minute film feel even shorter. It also distinguishes the footage she shot from the b-roll.
Overall, I enjoyed this film because it tells an inspiring story, educates the audience, and shows how others can get involved and invoke change. The audience for this film are students who are learning about the different sciences. I give this film 4 out of 5 stars. The film could have let us get to know our subject on a deeper level. Also, I believe the addition of hearing from some Santa Monica residents would have enhanced the film.
Screen this film on Planet Classroom YouTube Channel now
Justin DeCausey is a graduate student at Sacred Heart University studying Broadcast Journalism and Media Production. With a B.A. in TV Producing, he wants to help improve the narrative of people of color in media. In addition to contributing to CMRubinWorld, this multimedia producer has worked on various scripted and unscripted tv and film projects.
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