Shooting Mental Illness

The video can be found here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxcNx0Ain1w&feature=youtu.be

Shooting Mental Illness – I wanted to thank DT O’Rear for asking me to do this, for the privilege of doing this. The WHY is summarized beautifully by a close friend and witness to the event Shari Nettles.

– Posted by Shari “Thinking on yesterday’s shoot of DT O’Rear by Craig Gum. I was not there in photographer capacity, though I did take a couple of shots of Craig and Trent as they made art. I was there for moral support because the shoot was very emotional and difficult. Trent was recently diagnosed with mental illness and has been seeking help and the shoot’s concept was for him to sit and talk about that, and his journey, so it could be shared with others, so the monsters could be brought out into the light. And as with anyone who has had to struggle with that, there were tears and there was rage and remorse, and guilt, and pain. It was incredibly powerful and it was an incredibly brave thing to do, to sit exposed and let someone document the inner demons most of us have struggled with. I was sitting next to Trent in this shot and saying some rather harsh things to him, I did it a couple of times during the shoot, pushing him to go farther, deeper. With his permission, of course. The shoot was a combination of video and stills and I cannot wait to see the results. On top of what I know is going to be a powerful and moving piece of art, I think it can serve as a tool for those still struggling in the dark. A beacon. You are not alone. Thank you both so much for letting me be a part of that. I’m honored and still moved.”