Tim Hedberg’s Post

I am so excited to announce that our feature documentary "Touching the Sky" is getting closer to a national distribution opportunity with PBS! Check out our announcement video below to learn more.

Deep in the Amazon rainforest, I was stung on my eye lid by a wasp. The local medicine man took one glance, then disappeared into the forest and returned with a single leaf. He pressed it to my eye and instantly the pain and welt vanished. That was just the beginning... Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to spend over a week in the Amazon rainforest, filming short documentary content with the Casilla Naira community, a vibrant mix of 12 different ethnicities, including Huitoto, Tikuna, Andoke, and Matapi. The stories we uncovered inspired us deeply, aligning perfectly with our mission at Motivo Media to create documentaries that truly capture the heart and engage the mind. Here are some key insights from this journey and lessons for aspiring storytellers: 1. Find a Compelling Documentary Subject: The Casilla Naira community’s desire to share their story with the world created the conditions for a powerful narrative to emerge. Their desire to preserve their culture and environment also set the stage for an engaging and meaningful film. We spent days building relationships with individual members of the community so that we could tell their stories with their full consent. When you identify your subject, stick to them like glue. 2. Overcome Obstacles: The external challenges included navigating the dense rainforest, dealing with the relentless mosquitoes, and managing the intense humidity and heat. Internally, it was about building trust and understanding with the community, leveraging my bilingual and cross-cultural background to connect deeply with locals who only spoke Spanish. Understand the difference between these two types of challenges. 3. Understand Stakes: The stakes were high: a) preserving the rainforest and the way of life of its inhabitants and b) understanding the importance of their natural medicines to their culture. This urgency added a compelling layer to our story, emphasizing the importance of sustainable tourism and sharing their stories with the world. Make sure your stakes are clear and compelling from the beginning. One of my core motivators it to tell the stories of those who don’t have the access or means to tell them themselves. This trip fortified that purpose. If you’re considering a trip to the Amazon, I highly recommend entering through Leticia, Colombia. I can connect you with wonderful people who would happily welcome you.

This weekend was truly unforgettable as I traveled to Las Vegas for the Anthem Film Festival 2024. Our recent animated short doc "Jawboned: Miss Information vs Free Speech" was showcased, and the Motivo Media post team secured the award for Best Editing! Beyond the competition, I had the honor of participating in panels and public speaking opportunities discussing the film's creation and the ideas within the film. The film festival also offered great panels on topics like how to tell true stories using narrative film and how AI tools can enhance production workflows. A huge shoutout to the talented producer, writer and assistant director Alexa Secrest, my Co-Director and Executive Producer Matthew Wood, Jo Ann Skousen for putting on the film festival, our incredible client who entrusted us with this important film, and the Motivo Media post team for their invaluable support in pushing the limits of what's possible in this creative space.

I had an absolute blast yesterday participating in a panel about our recent film “Jawboned: Miss Information vs. Free Speech” at the Anthem Film Festival in Las Vegas.

I'm excited to share some great behind-the-scenes photos from a video project we recently completed for the Seattle Waldorf School. Our team at Motivo Media had the privilege to create a series of engaging short and long-form videos highlighting the unique educational journey offered by the Waldorf School. 

Have you ever considered the profound impact that childhood experiences have on our future paths? My own journey from crafting simple films in the backyard to producing major cinematic works demonstrates how early passions can guide us to our true calling. As a young director, creating films with my siblings not only deepened my love for storytelling but also equipped me with critical leadership and creative skills. It also taught me the power that media can have no only on the audiences, but on the creators as well. These early experience were top of mind when founding Motivo Media in 2017. At Motivo, we value the transformative power of storytelling to delight audiences while effecting real change in the world. My own path reflects our commitment to turning compelling stories into meaningful visual experiences while having fun while doing it! Check out this 2-minute video that traces how my early interests in filmmaking have matured into a lifelong professional pursuit.

Big things coming for The Acro Documentary project!

We made it to Sundance Institute! Thank you to the Moving Picture Institute for bringing Brett Wietecha and the Motivo Media squad out!

I'm very excited for my first ever trip to Sundance Institute film festival next week! Anyone else going or anyone I should meet while there?