Tricia Creason-Valencia editing footage for Mammoth Discovery!
Mammoth Discovery! is an exciting exhibit for us in many ways. It is steeped in science and natural history, shares a connection with our own backyard, and has brought many different people to the table. Documentary filmmaker, Tricia Creason-Valencia is one of the new partners that Mammoth Discovery! allowed us to bring to the table. Creason-Valencia, the founder of the San Jose-based documentary film production company, FLACAFILMS, is a teacher, a mother of two young children and deeply committed to education and creating positive change in her community.
Our Exhibits Production and Construction team wanted to create a unique way to capture the excitement of the discovery and the science behind it. A documentary film presented in the entry way and in interactive kiosks proved promised to do just that. It’s tough to find someone to tell your story the way you envision it being told, and even harder to convey that message in two languages. When our project came to Creason-Valencia, she was looking for a way to transition into working locally here in San Jose to help balance her film career with raising her children, and our project spoke to her heart, as she describes the Museum as a “second home” for her family.
Creason-Valencia interviewing paleontologist Paul Koch.
Documenting Roger Castillo’s story and the science behind Mammoth Discovery! ultimately proved to be easier than Creason-Valencia imagined, thanks in large part to the extensive research she had at her disposal from our partners at UC Museum of Paleontology. Creason-Valencia began her project by capturing answers to the questions our Planning Team developed to help share our story. She then set out to interview the many scientists involved in the Discovery, and Roger Castillo, the discoverer, himself. All in all, seven scientists were interviewed for the documentary and Creason-Valencia was able to adapt her questions to find the unique perspectives each scientist brought to the table. The FLACAFILMS production crew would come to the location, set- up for an hour and a half while Creason-Valencia would begin to talk with the interviewees, taking tours of their site in order to ease any tension or nerves they might have. Cameras can create an awkward environment and it was her job to find each person’s language of excitement and let the storytelling flow.
Filming Roger Castillo at the discovery site.
The results were much different than your stereotypical educational interviews. Creason-Valencia was blown away by how animated and passionately the scientists responded to sharing their material, and how easily they were able to articulate the message in a manner that would resonate with children. It was clear that everyone was excited about “getting kids stoked about science.” And Roger Castillo was “wildly enthusiastic about the discovery and has a lifelong connection to the river.” His love and passion for the river and storytelling came across nicely and really helped to “capture the excitement of actual discovery.”
Filming geologist Dave Andersen
As a professional, Creason-Valencia feels very proud of the film and the way science education is conveyed. As, a mom, she is thrilled about our Mammoth Discovery! exhibit and having it become part of the fabric of her family. And as a community member, she is proud of the thoughtful consideration Mammoth Discovery! represents.
“If kids get inspired, I did my job.”
