Trust and Transformation: From Prison to Acceptance

Google Tech Talks February 19, 2009 ABSTRACT The Trust is a feature length documentary shot inside San Quentin State Prison and in surrounding Bay Area communities. The film is a character-driven story about the daily struggle of incarceration faced by three San Quentin inmates. After one man is released, the film follows him home as he attempts to re-integrate into society. The film takes you inside San Quentin on a one-on-one journey with inmates in The National Trust Program, a re-socialization program in which life-term inmates mentor, train and prepare short-term inmates to become positive citizens. The Trust follows the men as they battle conflicts between the expectations of parole officers, spouses, children and friends. The goal of The Trust is to start a national dialogue on the systemic effects of incarceration on communities across the country. In achieving this goal, Director and Producer Tamara Perkins has established extraordinary access through her relationships with the men of The Trust and the Warden and staff inside San Quentin. This project also captures a unique perspective on prison life through the use of an internal film crew, comprised of inmates trained in filmmaking through the San Quentin Media Project. There has never been a documentary film done on this topic, let alone, with this depth into the souls of the inmates and their families. The film shows the psyche of the inmates and how they have to overcome their own demons, and society's, in order to survive and remain free from returning to prison. Join us in a private, intimate viewing and unseen footage from inside San Quentin and discussions with the director and producer Tamara Perkins and Jesse Dana. See the trailer at: http://www.youtube.com/user/SQTrust For more information, visit: www.trustcommunity.org Speaker: Tamara Perkins Director/Producer Tamara is an independent filmmaker focused on documentaries that inspire dialogue and inform the public and policy makers. Combining creativity, service and activism, Tamara started the film production company Apple of Discord Productions, which showcases the talent of women and minorities through tough, yet poignant subjects. She has produced policy-based initiative and instructional DVDs and narrative and documentary films such as Niroga, a touching look into a program reaching hundreds of incarcerated youth through Yoga. Her clients include National Policy trendsetters Van Jones with Green for All and Junious Williams with Urban Strategies. Tamara Perkins' background working with children, youth and adults dealing with trauma enabled her transition into working with the men in San Quentin. Tamara had been working with The Trust in San Quentin for a year when she was asked to help tell their story. She has been afforded extraordinary access through her relationships with the men of The Trust as well as the Warden and prison staff. Speaker: Jesse Dana Cinematographer/Producer Jesse Dana's interest in film began with the desire to affect positive social change through new media experiences. This led to his first feature in 2000, One Way Ticket, a story about the immigrant experience post dot com bust, which received a limited theatrical release. Jesse completed his BA in filmmaking from San Francisco State University. He has been at the lens of many commercial and corporate productions as well as compelling narrative work including the completion of two more feature films, Next to Die and Spot Check!, both of which currently in post-production. To see more of Jesse's work visit his website at www.jessedana.com. Speaker: Dr. Garry Mendez Dr. Garry A. Mendez, Jr. is an author, public scholar and community activist. He addresses issues confronting African American individuals, families and communities using culture and value-based leadership. He is the Executive Director and Founder of The National Trust for the Development of African-American Men, an organization utilizing practical and creative management to identify and address the problems facing African-American males, primarily focusing on areas of health, crime prevention, leadership train...