ast winter Christy Park walked into the Chilmark Community Center to check out the Martha’s Vineyard Independent Film Festival.  She was immediately struck by the energetic yet laid back ambiance.  After watching Fisher Poets, a documentary about fishermen who read their poetry at annual conferences around the country, she was excited when after the film, the fisher poets—men and women from Alaska, Seattle, and Rhode Island, all stood at the front of the standing room only crowd and read their original works.  Their words were so inspiring and heartfelt. The poetry reading was then followed by a seafood meal and live music—and it was only noontime!  She realized that the MVIFF produced more than film screenings, they were passionate about creating powerful experiences for their community.

Her experience in media/video production with emphasis in grass roots community organizations was a good match for MVIFF.  It was only natural for her to volunteer for the MVIFF’s Summer Film Series.

Eight months ago, Park moved here from Somerville and immediately got involved with Martha’s Vineyard community life. Now, in her role as a Festival Coordinator, she promotes the MVIFF, organizes the volunteers, and helps out with the myriad of tasks necessary to produce any community event.

In her full-time job working for the Chamber of Commerce, her enthusiasm, outgoing personality, and love of her new home are put to good use.  She organizes events and programs for member businesses and works closely with people from all over the island.

You’ve worked on other Festivals, what makes the MVIFF unique? The festival is a microcosm of what I feel the community should be. It’s a gathering place for the arts, thoughts and ideas.

You’ve worked on a number of video projects. Are you still actively involved in filmmaking in any way? Yes. I recently wrote a screenplay with my best friend. We worked collaboratively on a story based in our hometown, Lexington, VA.

What do you like best about filmmaking? I like to figure out the story that needs to be told and find ways to communicate it using audio/video.

What’s your current career game plan? I want to continue to broaden my documentary filmmaking skills to better tell stories. Of course that entails working hard to save money like all starving artists. But having a goal is very satisfying and gives me a real purpose in life.

What do you like best about the Vineyard? I like the change of seasons. Fall is incredible. I also like the close knit community. In Boston you’re more anonymous and just a face in the crowd. Here, I can’t stop running into people I know. It reminds of Virginia where I grew up.

If you were to do anything else, what would it be? Growing up, I always envisioned being a writer, but pen and paper were not enough to create that visual that you can only get with film. There’s nothing like translating the human condition onto film.

What’s your favorite movie? To me, rather than choosing a favorite movie, I like to watch the extra footage on DVDs, especially the “making of” the film. It’s cool that we have this option now as it turns every DVD into a documentary.

Who’s the most interesting person you’ve met? My best friend and I had dinner with Edward Albee. He talked about his creative process – how he does all his writing in Montauk. We spent some time talking about the Vineyard and who Martha was. The piece of advice he gave me was, don’t write about yourself. You need the distance to judge your work objectively.

Do you plan to stay on the Vineyard for a while? I see this as being a home base. The solitude and natural setting are perfect for reflection and creating. There’s nothing like a drive around West Chop.

by Gwyn McAllister photography by David Welch

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