To help veterans and military families cope with posttraumatic stress and improve their mental health through filmmaking that reduces their stress symptoms, and empowers them to seek treatment and reconnect with family and community.
To accomplish its mission, PVP holds its I WAS THERE film workshops at military installations, vet centers and qualified clinical facilities, enabling veterans to create visual narratives that creatively express relevant service experiences, and substantially reduce their symptoms of post-traumatic stress. During the multi-day I WAS THERE film workshops, participants are introduced to theoretical and practical aspects of filmmaking, and collaborate with veterans to conceive, shoot and edit short films. Our experienced film instructors, supported by social workers and medical personnel, work closely with participating veterans to facilitate their storytelling process as they ‘unpack’ and ‘repack’ often traumatic memories associated with service and deployment, and reclaim their personal narrative as only they are qualified to do. On completing the workshop, participants may take their films home to share with others at their discretion.
All veterans (active-duty, reserve, discharged, retired) who have served in the US Armed Services are welcome to attend. The workshop is free to all participating veterans.
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On average, participants report a nearly 20% reduction in their post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms over the course of a workshop.
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Help us support those who have so honorably and bravely served us.
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