THREE DAYS UNPLUGGED

I’ve just finished syncing and organizing the transcriptions for nearly 30 hours of audio and 22 hours of video from two video cameras, two POV action cameras, and one temperamental drone. Ironic, given that the three participants were completely free from devices, aside from some motel cable TV at night, if they so chose.

Filming for u r here was a whirlwind three days on the road between Los Angeles, Joshua Tree, Route 66, and Barstow. The cast dove in without hesitation as they navigated with a paper map, learned the nuance of playing a cassette tape on a boom box, and wrote notes, reflections, and post cards with a pen instead of thumbs.

Aside from some time in a recording booth, their experience is done. Whether they choose to replicate those three days in some form or fashion on their own — whether for a few hours or few days — is on them. My hope was just to provide some moments of listening and learning — with others and themselves. As Rachel, one of the travelers, wrote in her journal:

“What if I get stuck in this moment? If I hold on too tightly, how will I be prepared to let go? It's scary to think about what might happen if I surrender to the now.“

Joaquin, Rachel and Evelyn somewhere in Wonder Valley, CA

I’m grateful to have provided the opportunity to them, and I’m grateful to them for allowing me to film it. Now it’s up to me to encapsulate the themes and value of the experience into a digestible piece that captures the wonder of the trip.