Q+A with Olivia Haun, Director of Bayou City, 2021 Jackson Wild Finalist

• Describe some of the challenges faced while making this film/program?
  • I may have flown my brand new drone into the murky waters of the bayou on the first day of filming…no big deal!
• How do you approach storytelling?
  • My approach to telling Bayou City was through a series of place/character vignettes that also guide us through overarching umbrella topics, such as history, habitat destruction, advocacy, habitat preservation, habitat restoration, and environmental outreach. Each vignette isn’t directly connected to the next, but they all support each other, both in theory and in reality. 
• What impact do you hope this film/program will have?
  • My goal with this film has always been for people to shift their perspectives. What you think is a concrete jungle is actually a biodiversity hotspot. What you think is just a ditch used to be a thriving ecosystem. I hope people come away from this film with a new understanding of Houston, of its people, of its natural spaces, and knowledge that there is immense beauty, even within our urban spaces. But if we don't actively work to enhance and protect them, then it’s going to ultimately work against us. We have ecological support systems all around us. All we have to do is support them in return. 
• Were there any surprising or meaningful moments/experiences you want to share?
  • One of the most meaningful aspects of this film is that I was able to capture the voice and story of Mark Kramer, Conservation Director Emeritus at the Armand Bayou Nature Center. Mark is a legend in Houston’s conservation community. However, since the production of the film ended, Mark has subsequently lost his ability to speak due to health issues. It was a joy and an honor to capture Houston’s history through his eyes.
• Any fun facts about the film/program, the subject matter or the production crew that might surprise the audience?
  • Through a grant from Fin & Fur Films and Explore Ranches, I was able to hire one of my dearest friends, Megan O’Connell (@lapsidasical) to be my production assistant and assistant editor. I couldn’t have done it without her!