How Our Vision Became a Video!
I’ve been fortunate to never personally know what it feels like to go without hygiene supplies. However, I do often consider what it may be like if I did not have access to the hygiene supplies I use daily and how that would change the way I am able to accomplish my goals and show up in the world. If you’ve never faced this hardship before, acknowledging that is OKAY! It’s what we do next, that matters.
Empty shelves and drawers
This is where the focus of Simply the Basics’ newest commercial video stemmed from. With the support of a local videographer, Cameron Stewart, together with our Deputy Director, Brittany Horwich (that’s me!), our aim was to spread awareness of the growing issue of hygiene insecurity and show what our bathrooms may look like if we ourselves did not have access to our most basic needs. While watching the video, you’ll notice supplies slowly vanish from the shelves they once sat on, leaving the viewers only with the image of empty shelves and no essential hygiene products anywhere in sight.
Products not People
Simply the Basics’ policy states that we don’t ask Recipients for photos. The ask itself creates a power dynamic as service providers at the moment that may lead to the Recipient feeling like they have to say yes in order to receive supplies. Instead, we either won’t take any photos or will ensure outreach for an event states that photos will be taken so Recipients can self-identify at the door as either being okay with photos or noting that they would not like their photo taken.
“So how do we come up with an awareness video that speaks to people, with no people?!” This was the question I posed to Cameron in one of our first meetings as we brainstormed what was important for us to highlight and focus on. Lucky for us, Cameron was filled with creativity and imagination that led us to the moving and impactful video we have to share with you today. With a focus on the hygiene products and the commonality that many of us share, with bathrooms and linen clothes typically stocked with the products we all need to be healthy and hygienic, we finally had our vision.
A giraffe toothbrush was all it took
Cameron packed his film equipment and he and the Simply the Basics team met up for a big day of filming - and also talking. We talked about each hygiene product, our own bathrooms, our preference for specific products and scents, and the reality that many of our neighbors aren’t able to afford many of these essential products. It wasn’t until we came to the beloved child giraffe toothbrush, that we took a minute to talk about all the families and children who are now better able to access supplies thanks to Simply the Basics programs.
Currently, 2 in every 5 American families are struggling to afford their most basic needs.
And now, the magic happens
I thought the filming is where the magic happens, but it turns out, I now believe that it’s the editing! While I focused on the script, Cameron was busy editing the different clips to make hygiene products disappear before our eyes and then, SPOILER ALERT, reappear! That’s the magic of not only Cameron’s editing but also Simply the Basics programs. With our growing network of receiving site partners, Simply the Basics is reaching communities across the country and connecting more individuals and families to the essential basic needs that we all use in our everyday lives.
We work to ensure that communities are able to access hygiene supplies, regardless of income, so that their bathroom and linen closets can also be filled with the essential hygiene products they need to be healthy and thrive in their goals.
This is the best part!
You can be a part of making this all possible. We hope you enjoy our commercial video and share it with your wider community. The more people who are aware of this growing issue the better, as it allows for greater support, and greater reach.
If you would like to make a donation to support our goals, you can do so HERE. Simply the Basics is 100% privately donated, meaning we simply can not do this work with supporters like you.
And now, without further ado, Simply the Basics’ newest commercial video…
Meet the Director and Producer behind the magic!
“Hello, my name is Cameron Stewart, I am a director and videographer going to school at Lewis and Clark College. Working on this project was a major highlight of 2021 for me, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have worked with Simply the Basics!”
You can follow more of his work @_Cameron_Stewart_