For the past several years, I have had an idea floating around my head to create a video on the challenges of shifting toward green habits, specifically on switching from using paper and plastic bags at the grocery store to cloth bags. Whenever I shared it with people, they would laugh and say, “that’s exactly what it’s like for me.” Last month I turned this idea into a reality, and with the City of Austin’s recent passing of the plastic bag ban ordinance, I hope that it will help educate people about making the change.

Robert and Ian Meredith in “Paper or Plastic, No Thanks!”

I finally put my plan into action when I came across Sierra Club’s “Spring 2012 Eco-Comedy Film Competition” in February that seemed to be a perfect match for my idea. The goal of the contest was to make a humorous film of three minutes or less with a green message.  The films were judged on three criteria:

• Humor
• Addressing the issue of green jobs and/or clean energy
• Reaching a broad audience beyond just environmentalists

My son Ian and I were in Los Angeles at the time, which posed some logistical challenges, but we were fortunate to be staying at a hotel called Oakwood that caters to child actors. It was here where we met the remaining cast and crew of our short: three boys from Plano, TX, North Carolina, and Michigan, and a wonderful Film graduate student named Jarrett New. Austin’s homegrown Whole Foods Market was the obvious choice of company to work with. The employees at the Whole Foods Glendale location in California were wonderful–many thanks to all of you for your support!

In a matter of three days, we filmed, edited and sent our video off. We’re quite proud of our entry “Paper or Plastic, No Thanks”:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-NS8VWf5Jo

Alas, despite being a worthy entry, we were not the big winners. The victor was a short called “Clean Coal by the Bituminous Marketing Agency“ created by Mythtakenproductions. It is a brilliant, ironic take on the marketing schemes used to position coal plants as a good source of energy. Congratulations to Mythtakenproductions:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-NS8VWf5Jo

As far as my writing, directing, and producing capabilities go—I know, I won’t quit my day job, thank you very much.  Still, it was a fun experience and I’m thrilled with the end product and its worthwhile message.  Pass it on to Austin and beyond!

Ian Meredith in “Paper or Plastic, No Thanks!”

Susan Meredith

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