Invitation to Lifelong Learners | Be Digital Ambassadors for Humanity!
Flip the Lens invites lifelong learners to be digital ambassadors for humanity! In an age of selfies and virtual reality, make a stand for authenticity, connection and empathy.
How? Film a three-question interview with the person of your choice about one of three universal themes: Belonging, Creativity or Culture. Have a powerful experience of seeing life through someone else’s eyes, and be part of a movement to bring social media from me to we. We’ll publish your video on Flip the Lens YouTube Channel.
The Human Need for Connection
In today’s global world we are more connected than ever before…and yet, paradoxically, many of us often feel more alone, alienated, different, and less-than.
The human need to feel connected is unmistakably universal – even if we each experience it in a uniquely personal way. As instinctive as it is to want to be a part of something bigger than ourselves, there is no one among us who hasn’t at one point or another felt disconnected, unheard, and on the outside looking in. COVID-19 has only exacerbated that sense of isolation and lack of purpose.
A Fun & Enriching Way to Experience Our Shared Human Condition
Flip the Lens was co-founded by a senior who credits her sense of wellbeing to an insatiable curiosity about people and the human condition. Flip the Lens offers an opportunity for the curious and creative of all ages to get out of themselves, expand their horizons, and dare to ask questions about someone else’s livelihood, life and culture. Producing a piece of art or journalism is the icing on the cake!
Flip the Lens (FTL) is a revolutionary platform for everyday people from all walks of life to create powerful and meaningful short video interviews about our shared humanity. Whether you are an independent lifelong learner, affiliated with an OLLI or OSHER program, or part of a senior living community, we’d love to have you involved with FTL!
Another way to be a part of the Flip the Lens movement is as a subscriber to the FTL YouTube channel! Enjoy an ever-growing library of short films that define being human, revealing both how individual and alike we all are. These videos celebrate our unique differences and shared humanity, reminding us that while our individual experiences may be personal, we are all members of the human race.
Each interview is an affirmation that we all encounter many of the same life events and emotions. As a FTL subscriber, you’ll regularly receive new video interviews that will likely inspire “Aha!’ moments as you see yourself in others, no matter how different they may seem.
Discovering Untold Stories About Belonging, Culture and Creativity
An alternative to self-focused social media, Flip the Lens is a digital social innovation initiative that offers people of all ages a forum for changing the world, one conversation at a time. FTL is a catalyst for starting and sharing intimate Q & As on important topics that matter.
Participants in Flip the Lens conduct and record short video interviews with others on three universal human themes: Belonging, Creativity and Culture. The interviews are published on the Flip the Lens YouTube Channel, and form a collective body of content that documents diverse views from around the world on what it means to be human. We believe that by using a camera as a window rather than a mirror, there will be more peace and understanding in the world.
Flip the Lens aims to be a global movement for people to turn their lens outward, engage with the world around them, and share video projects about our shared human condition. We are building a community of cultural co-creators who want to foster greater understanding among people.
Three-Question Interviews on Three Themes
The focus of FTL is to share people’s definitions and experiences of three dimensions of being human: Belonging, Creativity and Culture.
Who Should You Interview?
Anyone who you think would have a thoughtful, insightful, interesting perspective on one of the three FTL themes you decide to conduct your interview on. It could be someone you know, or a stranger. You could interview one of your children; your college roommate; a professional or artisan you admire; your yoga or piano instructor; a member of your community; a local in your next travel destination. Maybe your book club would like to pair off and interview each other!
Flip the Lens’ Belonging Project looks at everyday situations, circumstances, interactions, and emotions that affect our sense of belonging. We provide three thought-provoking questions for FTL filmmakers to pose to their interview subject.
Flip the Lens’ Creativity Project is an opportunity for identifying, appreciating and showcasing the umpteen ways people think creatively. Our three-question interview reveals to each FTL filmmaker and their audience how personal and universal creativity is!
Flip the Lens’ Culture Project presents how people perceive the role of their culture in their lives. FTL’s three interview questions shine a light on how culture can contribute to peace and understanding, and minimize misunderstanding and prejudice!
If You Have a Phone, You Are a Filmmaker!
Many people today are fluent in how to use digital technology–and many are not.
If you are someone who is interested in creating a video interview but have no idea what’s involved or how to get started, we are happy to guide you through the process. And if you get stuck, we can help!
We offer a menu of tutorials that includes interviewing tips, storytelling techniques, and how to film with your phone and do video editing.
We also have a Forum where members of the community can ask for help, exchange ideas, and share best practices.
Reach out to co-founder Meg Pier at meg@flipthelens.com on how to get involved. Meg is happy to present workshops on how to participate.
Submission Guidelines
Excited to get started? Then check out our submission guidelines, which spell out the step by step process for becoming a Flip the Lens filmmaker!
Paying It Forward
Sharing a sense of connection is a huge part of what Flip the Lens is all about! We’ll share your video on the FTL Community Forum page and tweet it out on our Twitter feed!
We invite you to be an active participant on the Community Forum and to share your own work, and that of other FTL film-makers on social media!