Give Back program: creating videos for local non-profits affected by the pandemic shutdown.
In June of 2020, after 10 weeks of being shut down due to the global pandemic, Macbeth Studio received a loan from the US Government’s Paycheck Protection Program, which, if used for payroll and rent, would be forgiven.
Once we received the funds, we were able to recall all three of our furloughed employees. However, the world was still pretty much shut down, and so we now had a staff on payroll with little or nothing to do.
So late in the summer, we made the decision to offer an equivalent amount of work to the PPP loan we received (just over $25,000) in the form of video production, for local non-profits and small businesses who’d been impacted by the shut-down.
We put out a call for applications, and received over 50 submission, all of whom had a viable need for our services. After much discussion and research, we decided on 5 organizations who we could help. We looked at their local impact, their sustainablity, their track record of service, and finally, the potential for dynamic, appealing visuals that would provide our team with interesting opportunities to create great work.
Following are the videos we have created so far. Others will be added as they are completed.
Paddle With A Purpose
Paddle With A Purpose is a non-profit that was started in Fort Lauderdale, and moved to Orlando to continue their work of removing trash from Florida’s waterways. A team of volunteers gathers at a lake, and uses kayaks (provided free of charge by local vendors) to paddle around the shoreline, picking up trash and bringing it back to be weighed and removed.
Hearts, Hands & Hope
Hearts, Hands & Hope is a true grass-roots program that has grown to a substantial organization, which helps children and families in need by providing food, basic needs and programs of support in Seminole County, Florida. Volunteers work to pack food boxes and bags for needy families at weekly distribution locations, in a partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank.
Rebuilding Together of Central Florida
Rebuilding Together of Central Florida repairs homes, revitalizes communities, and rebuilds lives. They provide free critical home repair to neighbors in need. Their vision is safe homes and communities for everyone. By allowing people to remain in their homes, children are provided security, homelessness is reduced, and generational wealth can be created and shared.
Naked Bar Soap Company
Naked Bar Soap Co is a small, local women-and-minority-owned business in College Park. We are looking forward to the opportunity to film their process and interview their owners, to help them tell their story.
100 Black Men of Greater Orlando
100 Black Men of Greater Orlando is a mentorship program based at Jones High School in Orlando, that works with students of color to help them navigate the challenges of high school, college, and beyond. We look forward to getting to know them and helping to tell the story of their important work in Central Florida.