PJ Gaynard: Community Growth Film Educator
PJ Gaynard has been working as a film educator for the last six years. His passion has spun from teaching assistants on set to creation of a fully accredited film technician associate degree program.
He has also developed a speciality in community growth filmmaking, having lead and participated in four uniquely diverse productions (and for a few non-profits). These four productions focussed on developing a communities voice and giving their members a chance to learn through the filmmaking process. Below is some info on each position/project.
Community Based Film #4: All Nite Skate
PJ worked as Director of Photography and leader on this extremely community driven feature film in Jackson and Puxico Missouri. Most of the crew and cast were local highschool / college students or their parents. Most were trained onset to work in technical positions.
Check out the trailer by clicking here.
See the entire feature film for free by clicking here.
Community Based Film #3: Parallels
PJ was the lead instructor for this film made predominately by people on the Autism spectrum including the director, writers, first assistant director, sound person, grip and electric crew, and production design team. Created in partnership with Arts for Autism and Evolve Coaching.
Community Based Film #2: Rehabilitation of the Hill
Made in collaboration with Steeltown Entertainment Group, Two Kids with a Camera, and the University of Pittsburgh. PJ gave presentations on Cinematography to students and members of the Hill community. He mentored on set to University of Pittsburgh students, Community College of Allegheny County students, and recent Douglas Education Center graduates along with members of the community hired on to the crew. PJ Gaynard was also the director of photography of this feature film.
Steeltown Entertainment Group
Steeltown Entertainment Group is a non-profit focussed on creating opportunities for the community through the filmmaking process.
Worked as a teaching artist for their highschool programs specializing in camera and lighting.
Gave multi-hour presentation to community about grip trucks, large scale lighting, and cinematography.
Community Based Film #1: S.P.E.A.K.
This project was born out of a job corps program the Douglas Education Center put on for Monessen, PA at-risk young adults. Drug use and addiction was (and still is) completely engulfing their community. The group wanted to make a series of six anti-addiction public service announcements in response even though they had never made videos before. They interviewed many of their own family members, each other, and a few people they hadn’t met from their community. PJ Gaynard lead the students through the entire creation process.
The PSA’s that were made can be viewed by clicking here.