Share your story

We make artful documentary films about ‘interesting people doing cool things with plants.’ Does that sound like you?

The first thing you need to know: there will be no exchange of money. We won’t ask you for a donation, and we won’t write you a check, either. The only people who get paid are our filmmakers, and PlantPop pays them (not you).

Who are your filmmakers, and how do they get paid?

We have both in-house staff and freelance filmmakers. To avoid costly travel, we generally assign a filmmaker close to the story we want to capture. If the story is compelling enough, we will pay for travel or recruit a new filmmaker in that area. PlantPop pays everyone from our budget. All funds are provided by our generous patron, Lancaster Farms, a wholesale container nursery in Suffolk, VA.

What does Lancaster Farms get out of this?

Rest assured, Lancaster Farms will not use your name, likeness or any part of your film to promote their business. As an ornamental plant producer (that does not sell to the general public), Lancaster Farms simply desires to enhance, cultivate and inspire the “culture of horticulture” and is therefore a committed supporter of PlantPop’s mission.

What will you do with my film?

PlantPop does not promise to do anything with your film. Sometimes, things just don’t work out. If the quality is not to our standard, we will not release a film. (It’s rare, but it does happen.) If all goes according to plan, we will release your film on YouTube, Vimeo and other social channels, including our website. We may use your film (or portions of your film) to screen at live events, film festivals, educational events, or for marketing & promotion. We may monetize your film (but we haven’t figured out a way to do that quite yet!) We will not betray your trust (you won’t be promoting BitCoin or something).

Why should I tell my story?

Is this worth your time? Only you can answer that question, but our aim is to inspire, encourage and affirm others. That means you, too. We encourage you to watch our films. Do they inspire you? Do they encourage you? Are you glad those amazing individuals took the time and effort to share their personal, heartfelt stories? If so, maybe it’s your turn.

Why should I NOT tell my story?

Here are a few “bad” reasons: 1) you want to promote yourself, 2) you want to sell stuff, 3) you want a “free commercial” made, 4) you want to impress somebody. These things may happen, but we don’t think they’re good reasons to make a documentary.

Honestly, we’re not doing this to make a name for ourselves, either. We want to promote plants.

What kind of stories are you looking for?

Watch some of our films; you’ll get a good feel for what we’re looking for. We want to get at the heart. We don’t want “how to.” We want “why do.” Why do plants enchant, delight and enthrall? Creativity! We love artists and designers. We love how people outside the professional world of horticulture use plants. We are mostly interested in non-famous people because they are relatable and genuine. For the same reason, we are most interested in common and familiar plants, not rare exotics. As documentarians, we are drawn to the “hidden delights” that can be easily overlooked. We are also very interested in “fish out of water” or unexpected stories: like a biker gang that collects Bromeliads. We love contrarians, people who do things in untraditional ways. In summary, we are seeking what we call “horticultural hedonists.” These are people who use plants for deeply personal reasons, and derive great meaning, purpose and pleasure from plants. Their emphasis is on their own benefit, happiness and wellness. “Keeping up appearances” and “curb appeal” are dull reasons for planting. Home improvement bores us. Life improvement? That’s where it’s at.

How long does it take?

Pre-production normally starts with a 30 to 40 minute phone call. There likely will be a follow-up phone interview for about an hour. Scheduling the shoot depends on so many factors, but it can take from a week to three months.

Production is normally completed in one day, but—if time and budget allow—a two day shoot is ideal. Our filmmakers need a minimum of one hour to set up. Typically, the sit-down interview takes about one hour as well. The sit-down interview is followed by “B-roll shots,” where the filmmaker captures the details, processes and all the important visuals we need to show your story. This will take one to two hours at a minimum.

Post-production (editing etc) can take several months. We try not to fight the seasons. We tend to spend more time filming when the weather (and the landscape) is nice, and save the editing for times of the year less desirable for filming.

Once completed, your film will join the queue of films ready to be released. That might be almost one year.

Where do I sign up?

We’re glad you asked! You can call our producer, Kendhal at 757-814-0517…or fill out the form below!