“The infamous, oh-so-talented Mr. Jesse Oxford just left the project here after a whirlwind tour with a shotlist a mile long to create Nuru’s next two videos.  The dude was absolutely AMAZING.  He literally flew 19 hours, rode a “bus” for another 7 hours with some momma’s butt crushing him up against the window the whole time – only to hop right off the bus when he arrived onto a motorcycle to head to shoot his first video of the trip with [a Celebrity donor].  I mean, the guy had a tight timeline… but he got it all.  Where do we find these guys?”

– Jake Harriman // Nuru International Founder & CEO

Nuru International

Nuru is a new kind of humanitarian organization committed to ending extreme poverty one community at a time. We accomplish this by training and equipping rural communities in the developing world to lift themselves out of extreme poverty. We don’t give any handouts, instead, by listening to the community, we pursue holistic solutions based around 5 areas of development: agriculture, water & sanitation, healthcare, education, and community economic development.

Nuru is committed to telling stories that inspire the developed world to join with us to end extreme poverty. We aspire to produce best-in-class videos that “speak the language” of popular culture, and that is why we turned to Jesse Oxford.

Nuru & Jesse

In summer ‘09 we sent Jesse to our project in Kenya to document our maize harvest and the drilling of 4 deep wells. This was an extremely important assignment that was not only technically and artistically challenging, but physically demanding as well. It takes 3 days of travel to arrive at our project in Kenya, and in order to document our work, Jesse headed out by motorcycle each morning for 10-12 hour days in the field under the hot Kenyan sun in remote, rural locations.

Together Jesse and I roughed out a schedule and a shot list. Jesse then assembled the camera package and all audio recording equipment.  From the moment Jesse arrived in Kuria he tirelessly and excellently documented all of Nuru’s work.  He shot dozens of hours of footage and interviewed scores of local community members and Nuru staff.  Jesse not only got every single shot we needed, but he also trained a local volunteer to shoot video and properly use a boom mic.  During his “off” time, Jesse categorized and logged all the footage on the ground before he returned from Kenya. Jesse succeeded in capturing exactly what we needed, and his work was incorporated into one of the most impactful field update videos Nuru has ever had.

// Doug Scott is Chief Marketing Officer for Nuru International.  He is passionate about telling stories that mobilize ordinary people to do extraordinary things. To learn more about Nuru’s work, visit: nuruinternational.org.

“It’s not easy to work with the marketing campaign of a Hollywood feature film, with A-list talent (Robert Downey JR and Jamie Fox), and custom mold a faith-based campaign around it.  Jesse did just that.”  - Karen Frankel // Director of Marketing, Participant Media

Participant Media

Participant believes that a good story well told can truly make a difference in how one sees the world. Whether it is a feature film, documentary or other form of media, Participant exists to tell compelling, entertaining stories that also create awareness of the real issues that shape our lives.

The company seeks to entertain audiences first, then to invite them to participate in making a difference. To facilitate this, Participant creates specific social action campaigns for each film and documentary designed to give a voice to issues that resonate in the films. Participant teams with social sector organizations, non-profits and corporations who are committed to creating an open forum for discussion, education and who can, with Participant, offer specific ways for audience members to get involved. These include action kits, screening programs, educational curriculums and classes, house parties, seminars, panels and other activities and are ongoing “legacy” programs that are updated and revised to continue beyond the film’s domestic and international theatrical, DVD and television windows. To date, Participant has developed active, working relationships with 156 non-profits who collectively have the potential of reaching over 75 million people.

The Soloist & Jesse

I worked with Jesse to execute a screening program for the release of The Soloist, with Willow Creek Church.

Jesse’s well-versed aptitude in media, helped to create a program, which helped to satisfy Willow Creek’s mandate and also helped to broaden the film’s marketing outreach.

Jesse created a program which worked within Willow’s VOX series and encouraged students to make short videos, which reflected their understanding of issues of homelessness.  The winning films were selected and now live on Takepart.com as part of the film’s social action legacy components.  Jesse also planned a taste maker’s screening for Willow Creek for 500 congregants prior to the theatrical release.   Jesse was instrumental in outreaching to Willow Creek’s community about the program, and played the film’s trailer in 2 consecutive Sunday sermons, prior to the release of the film.  This not only helped to encourage students to participate in the program, attend the screening he planned for Willow’s community, but also helped to market the awareness of the film on a larger scale.

It’s not easy to work with the marketing campaign of a Hollywood feature film, with A-list talent (Robert Downey JR and Jamie Fox), and custom mold a faith-based campaign around it.  Jesse did just that.  Due to his creative, intuitive nature, we completed a successful screening program together.  I hope to continue to work with Jesse on future projects.

“Creating a compelling training curriculum to protect children from child sexual abuse is a tall order. Jesse employed a variety of teaching techniques in creating each of the ten memorable video segments, including an expert roundtable discussion, a first-person victim’s story of child sexual abuse,… and a narrative account by a convicted sex offender.”

- Marian Liataud // Editor, Christianity Today International

Reducing the Risk

In today’s churches, child sexual abuse is a risk that demands a proactive solution. The solution is Reducing the Risk, the leader in child abuse prevention training.  Now in it’s 3rd edition, this training program by Christianity Today International is supported by the largest insurers of faith communities (both Protestant and Catholic) in the U.S.

Reducing the Risk & Jesse

Creating a compelling training curriculum to protect children from child sexual abuse is a tall order. Jesse Oxford exceeded our expectations when he developed the Telly Award-winning Reducing the Risk video training for churches. With firsthand experience in student ministry, Jesse brought an understanding of the challenges churches face in getting volunteers to learn and implement best practices. Jesse employed a variety of teaching techniques in creating each of the ten memorable video segments, including an expert roundtable discussion, a first-person victim’s story of child sexual abuse, gripping legal perspective, interactive, situational training, and a narrative account by a convicted sex offender. He immersed himself in the topic, which gave him the ability to develop scenes and shots that elicit an emotional response and inspire viewers to do all they can to protect the kids they serve. While Jesse drove the project, selecting a team to complement his strengths, he also allowed our group to collaborate on the entire project, giving us a sense of ownership and confidence in the final product. Jesse is a gifted filmmaker, and I would be thrilled at the opportunity to work with him again.

- Marian Liataud // Editor, Christianity Today International