The Art of the Finish

Reflecting on 14 Years of Documenting Hurricane Katrina

As we approach the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s devastating landfall, I find myself pondering the complexities of creative completion. My documentary feature, Forced Change, took 14 years to complete – a journey marked by twists, turns, and lessons learned.

In 2005, I embarked on a mission to capture the stories of those affected by Katrina. I rented a car and drove from New York City to New Orleans, filming people returning to their homes for the first time. Little did I know that this project would become an all-consuming odyssey.

Einstein’s theory of relativity comes to mind when reflecting on time’s subjective nature. Imagine two people in separate elevators, moving at different speeds, experiencing time differently. It’s a concept that resonated with me as I navigated the ebbs and flows of documentary filmmaking.

Spike Lee completed his acclaimed four-part series, When the Levees Broke, in just one year. Trouble the Water, another notable documentary, earned an Oscar nomination in 2008. Meanwhile, I continued working on Forced Change, driven by a passion to tell a meaningful story.

The journey was marked by false starts, setbacks, and self-doubt. I initially followed 12 characters, but over time, some left the city, and others discontinued their involvement. I refined my focus to four key characters, weaving their narratives into a cohesive whole.

In 2014, I launched a Kickstarter campaign, raising over $30,000 to complete the film. With renewed momentum, I collaborated with an editor and cinematographer to shape the narrative. We found creative solutions, discarded unnecessary footage, and added visual elements.

However, just as I thought completion was within reach, one of my main characters decided not to return to New Orleans, upending my planned ending. I realized that a film must convey something larger than its individual stories – a nuanced, coherent message.

Forced Change finally premiered, and I breathed a sigh of relief. The PBS NewsHour featured 10 minutes of the film on the 10-year anniversary of Katrina. Though it wasn’t fully finished, I felt a sense of accomplishment.

Now, as the 20th anniversary approaches, I reflect on what it means to complete a work of art. Is it a fixed point or a fluid concept? Dutch conceptual artist Petra Groen once said, “An art piece is finished when I add something and then start to remove it.” This resonates with my own experience.

Documentary filmmaking is a complex, iterative process. It demands patience, persistence, and creativity. Deadlines and limitations can be beneficial, but they’re relative – flexible and context-dependent.

As I look back on my 14-year journey, I realize that completion is a moving target. Yet, it’s in embracing these uncertainties that we find the art.

Next year’s 20th anniversary of Katrina serves as a poignant reminder of the power of storytelling and the importance of perseverance. Forced Change may have taken 14 years, but its message remains vital – a testament to the resilience of those affected by tragedy and the enduring power of art.

“Art completes what nature cannot bring to a finish.”
― Aristotle

In a scene from Forced Change, Lorne and son, Aidenn, ride bikes together in Georgetown, Texas.