The IdeaLists

Shilpi Gupta caught our eye when she joined The IdeaLists a few weeks back. Beyond her role as a CBS news editor, Shilpi has amassed a body of impressive documentary film credits, including her debut film When the Storm Came, which won the Sundance Jury Prize in 2004. She shares a peek into her new documentary Changing the Game, unearthing stories of teenagers around the world, and their relationship to culture and politics through soccer.

Click to view teaser.

What's the hardest and most rewarding thing about working on Changing the Game?

Practically speaking, the hardest part is how spread out the story is over continents and, therefore, languages. And, of course, the bane of all documentarians, financing. The most rewarding part is working with these teens and youth leaders, who inspire me every time I think about them. And the vision that I have for its impact on children around the world.

What experiences did you face building relationships with teenagers? What commonalities did you see between them despite major cultural differences?

I’ve worked with similar age groups in the past, having taught video production to high schoolers in the Bronx and Salt Lake City. I believe there’s still a teen alive in me! The striking thing with all my experiences with teens is that there is so much more they have in common then not—relationships with their families, school, rebellion. If they have the avenues or guidance to think critically about their communities, the narratives they can tell themselves are more insightful than anything we will continue to try and tell for them.That's why I placed cameras in their hands, so they can share their story through their eyes.

Who do you hope goes to see the film?

With soccer as its narrative vehicle, the element of sports and competition should make the story exciting for most people. While watching a fun positive narrative, the viewer will also be moved by a story of resilience and triumph of youth from marginalized communities actively working to make change in their lives.

I’ve devised an outreach strategy to utilize transmedia platforms: a web-channel with an interactive-map and resources, a second-life game, etc., that will initially target children from similar communities in sports-for-development programs around the world. I hope it will take on a life of its own, expanding to children anywhere who can create their own action in their communities.

Where's your favorite place to get a bite when you're traveling the world?

Besides home-cooked meals at peoples' houses, I’m a big big fan of street food. The best stuff can be found on street-side grills and carts, or shacky-looking restaurants you happen upon accidentally.  I also have an unofficial motto to 'go where the locals go.' They've got the inside scoop.

Updates on Changing the Game and the teenagers who helped make it can be found on Facebook.