FilmingLife Academy 9 Day Keepsake Challenge | Jupiter Farms Hearts | Jupiter, Florida Photographer Filmmaker

For some time now I have been interested in filmmaking, but let intimidation keep me from giving myself the time to learn. When the country went on lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I quit coming up with excuses not to explore filmmaking.

On March 31st I purchased an online film making class by Courtney Holmes Films and Photos on CreativeLive. I instantly fell in love with her work. The films she makes for her clients are amazingly beautiful and emotional. After taking Courtney’s class, I looked more into her website and social accounts and discovered FilmingLife Academy that she founded. The FilmingLife Academy is an online community bursting at the seams with resources and other artists to encourage and inspire you.

FilmingLife Academy led me to their 9 Day Mini Keepsake Film Challenge and without thinking twice, I signed up. If I were ever going create something for my clients as beautiful as what Courtney has created for hers, this challenge would be the steppingstone to help me get there.  

Each day of the challenge included educational material or an unlocked film to spark inspiration and a daily task. The final task was to create a 90 second keepsake film with the option to submit for a chance to win a subscription to the FilmingLife Academy. When it came time to choose what I wanted to film, I knew I wanted to document my children and I wanted the film to tell a story of this unprecedented time.

I chose to tell the story of the solidarity of my community and how we came together to spread joy and give thanks to our essential workers, while sharing how my children participated in spreading that joy.  

That evening was beautiful. The lowering sun was met with winds that rendered my audio useless but created the whimsical feel that I wanted. From my daughter’s hair moving gingerly through the wind, to the dancing branches that would capture the exact feel I was hoping to achieve. Losing the audio was simply fine with me because I had the perfect song to use. This Little Light of Mine by JJ Heller.

I was so proud of myself for executing what I had envisioned and completing the challenge. That was all I needed! Never did I imagine that my film would be the grand prize winner. When I watched the video of the winner being announced, I felt my eyes tear up and my heart begin to pound, because before they announced my name, they described my video. I looked at my husband and said “That’s me. That’s my video they are talking about.” I was in complete shock. Not even a little part of me thought I could possibly be the winner.

Besides my children, this is one of my greatest accomplishments. This process has been so wonderful. I am so glad I decided to take this leap, and I am so grateful that I found the Courtney Holmes course on Creative Live, because it is what led me to the Keepsake Challenge.

Head over to the FilmingLife Academy blog announcing the winners and honorable mentions as well as featuring their films. Go check out all the amazing talent!

Now for my keepsake challenge video I created. I hope you enjoy the story!