Story
Neighbors in the Presidio, Gozde, and Carol met on the lawn, chatted about their day, and let the dogs play. Their conversations evolved over time.
Carol was attentive to all of the life around her, and Gozde was curious about it. She woke up to the birds in the morning, to the owl at midnight, and to a woodpecker in the afternoon. She heard the sounds of the Presidio like a soundtrack—the colors, the movements, the touch of the rain, the run of the squirrel, and the fall of the hawk as scenes.
Little by little, Carol and Gozde started to talk more about the different things they see, think about and feel. Presidio Living is their reflections storied in different forms: videos, photos, photo essays, observations and more.
Presidio Living: neighborship
Short Documentary Series by Gözde Efe
Everyone sees the ravens and hears the hawk, walks by the coyotes, or pauses to cherish the view en route on a bike. For many, they are the wildlife in a city. For us, they are neighbors. When you are neighbors with them, you get to lock eyes. The tree across is a home. You think of them during the storm; watch out when you drive down the road, and check in just like you'd do with your human neighbors.
Presidio living: neighborship
Short Documentary Film Series
Stakeholder Pitch Cut
Concept Developer, Cinematographer, Director and Editor Gozde Efe
Gozde is an artist, storyteller, educator, filmmaker and entreprenuer.
Gozde Efe in Piper Loop where she filmed and photographed for Presidio Living
Photography by Anastasiia Nelen
HELP ME BRING MORE OF PRESIDIO LIVING TO LIFE
It's been a while since I have been documenting the wildlife around my house day by day, morning by morning and spot by spot; the very tree across my yard, chimneys, branches, street lights and more.
I locked eyes with the animals countless times many mornings at 5am observing them and witnessing almost the same behaviors over and over again. I was inspired to write about and document what I was seeing.
I filmed the wildlife for hours on different occasions; during the storm, at midnight, during sunset, sunrise, in the rain and more, catching them in their elements.
One day, I came up with a concept; the experience of neighborship with the animals and wrote:
Everyone sees the ravens and hears the hawk, walks by the coyotes, or pauses to cherish the view en route on a bike. For many, they are the wildlife in a city. For us, they are neighbors. When you are neighbors with them, you get to lock eyes. The tree across is a home. You think of them during the storm; watch out when you drive down the road, and check in just like you'd do with your human neighbors.
Then I cut the video above.
I curated my photos and professionally printed them. Then, I portrayed myself at the very locations I documented the wildlife.
I'm looking for opportunities to reach out to potential stakeholders who would help me keep working on this project and exhibition and/or screening sites.
I really hope to hear from you if this brings any ideas.
You can reach me at efegozde@gmail.com
