Willie Harper

Director of Photography, Monkey Tongue Productions

Your toughest moment during production?

My toughest moment during the filmmaking was the amount of flights the crew had to make to produce this documentary. I believe we collectively flew between 40-42 flights. Because of my fear of heights, flying for me, was a real challenge. Putting on a poker face became harder after each flight.

Your biggest highlight during production?

Traveling for the first time to Puerto Rico, seeing a live waterfall at El Yunque Rainforest, and visiting the southernmost point in Key West. 

Which podcaster’s story touched you most?

All the stories we covered touched me but the one that stood out the most to me was Christy Haussler who expressed the success she’s had through the challenges of adversity of her personal life. 

Did you ever think making this movie would be so difficult or challenging?

I didn’t think making this movie would be difficult or challenging due to having three cameras and one drone available, but losing our editor, who had filmed almost 50% of the movie made completing the project harder in editing when we chose to not use his footage.
 

What are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of the completion of the film, knowing the challenges with losing an editor, family member and footage, we still were able to present a finished product without sacrificing the quality or story.

What would you say to podcasters reading this about the future of podcasting vs radio?

Podcasting is the wave of the future. Way more people are podcasting than radio shows are being produced. Everyone has a message and podcasting allows the listener to hear the content that they want, when they want, without any government or corporate limitations on content. 

Something you learned during filming that surprised you?

As a person who didn’t know that podcasting even existed I learned the power of a podcast to change {or even save} a person’s life; to educate, inspire, entertain and help build a community of like-minded people that come together to help one another. 

Two fun facts about you we probably wouldn’t guess by looking at you.

Most people wouldn’t guess by looking at me that I produce a children’s preschool puppet show called Needlz and Skratch on YouTube Kids. I also used to be a surfer and love going to the beach when I get a free moment.