By Ethan Thomas
How do you simplify a discussion in an impactful way so that it records the important ideas of a large group of people involved in a learning think tank?
Discussion and change start with listening. Chris Malapitan, a visual facilitator, speaker, and artist takes this idea further.
Directed and produced by Christopher Scott Carpenter, the short documentary, Visualizing Change, gives audiences a deep dive into Chris’s process, as he visually documents his experience at Change the Script, a two-day talk hosted by policy-makers, non-profit leaders, academics, and young people who come together to explore the future of learning. The film is curated for the Planet Classroom Network by the Dream a Dream organization based in India.
Chris’s method involves capturing the heart of every message. By plotting out the main points of the various speakers of Change the Script on a large whiteboard in a cohesive and simple way, the audience has a clear path to start a discussion. We see this being embodied as various kids and adults, encouraged by Chris, add to his wall with drawings and messages of their own. The end result is a beautiful framework that incorporates everyone’s ideas and takeaways from the conference. And, all of this captures the essence of the film’s message that working together can be both fun and productive at the same time.
Visualizing Change truly succeeds in showing the energy of the discussion created by Chris. The documentary’s audience doesn’t have to take his word on the power of his techniques, they simply have to watch the excitement and true inspiration sparked throughout the convention hall of Change the Script. This film was a powerful tool in teaching the importance of simplicity, empathy, and connection. Chris and his story can be helpful to students, educators, and policy-makers alike, and I would truly recommend anyone who values discussion and bringing about positive change to watch this film.
I give this film 4 out of 5 stars.
Ethan Thomas is a current student at Florida State University, set to graduate in May 2023. He is double majoring in Creative Writing and Information Technology and is pursuing a career in filmmaking.
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