We Are Not Impervious to Hardship - with Documentarian Brenton Gieser

HAPPY NEW YEAR StreetPX Nation!!!

We hope that everyone had a wonderful (and safe) New Year Celebration...

We're kicking of 2018 with a bang, as we sit down and talk with Brenton Gieser, a San Francisco photographer, videographer and documentarian, who has spent countless hours documenting the people of the San Francisco Tenderloin District.

Together with his friend and fellow documentarian, Felix Uribe, Brenton continues to develop an inspiring collection of photos, video and audio interviews, focused solely on the inhabitants of the Tenderloin. A neighborhood synonymous with struggle - of money, of addiction, of crime - and creates a narrative that introduces us to a world often ignored, but robust in culture. A deep community spirit hidden beneath a harsh layer of conflict. Tender Souls immediately turns up the volume and gives voice to those with stories to tell and no one to listen.

Interview Excerpt:

Whether we know it or not, we’re all hanging on by a thread… Life is fragile… And I think that often times we feel like we are impervious to.. ya know, if your rich or ya know if your successful to any extent, we feel like we are impervious to hardship…

But, the film shows that nobody is… I think some people are born in to much more hardship than others and thats, I think, a truth that a lot of Americans choose to not acknowledge and that’s a shame… But what is the most beautifully surprising thing about the film and the subjects… is there is real underlying spirit of just, love and possibilities with each one.”

~ Brenton Gieser

Beyond our in-depth analysis of the Tender Souls project, we also dive into Brenton's technique in approaching and documenting individuals of difficult circumstances. How he gets past inherent human reservations to truly get to know and appreciate his subjects, no matter their background or situation. How a simple chat, can bring a human shadow into the light.

For you established or aspiring documentarians, Brenton continues beyond the project to offer us a fascinating conversation on taking a project from the mind, to the storyboard, to the street and to the people... including advice on distribution, planning and much, much more.

We have a ton of content to share and only an hour and a half to offer it... So scroll on up and hit that "Play" button.

This is StreetPX... and the street, awaits!

This episode brought to you by Glass Key Photo in San Francisco – Get your analog gear, film, repairs, local artists zines and meet the most welcoming camera junkies you’ll find in the Bay Area. Join us November 16th, as they host their Grand Reopening at 1230 Sutter Street, just off Van Ness Avenue in mid-town San Francisco.

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Brenton Gieser Instagram Feed

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Brenton Gieser Links

• Homepage and Portfolio
• Instagram
• Twitter

Tender Souls Public Film Screening and Fundraiser [Get Tickets Here]

• Date: Thu, January 18, 2018
• Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM PST
• Location: Covo, 981 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
• Tendersoulsfilm.com
• TenderSoulsProject.com

Show Links

• Catchlight.io
• City Hope
• Covo
• Coalition on Homelessness
• StreetSheet
• Felix Uribe Jr.
• Mayor of Tenderloin - Del Seymour
• Almost True, by Steven Bollman (F8 Books)
  • Episode 26 with Steven Bollman