We are excited to announce Blooming in the Whirlwind, a new creative and collaborative opportunity for members of the Level Ground Collective and other interested artists. We are seeking submissions of poetry as well as applications from filmmakers interested in creating new, collaborative short films.

ABOUT THE PROJECT
In 1968—a year of deep turbulence and tragedy for so many Americans—Gwendolyn Brooks wrote ”The Second Sermon of the Warpland,” a poetic call to action for anyone in despair. In the face of massive social obstacles and personal loneliness, she writes,

Nevertheless, live.

Conduct your blooming in the noise and whip of the whirlwind.

In the latter half of this turbulent and tragic year, we aim to create new work that considers how we may get through these difficult and chaotic times. This work will be created through collaborations between poets and filmmakers, who together will craft new, original, 2-5 minute poem-films that inspire new ideas of how we can each “bloom in the whirlwind.”

HOW TO SUBMIT POETRY
We are interested in work from poets who address, in their own unique way, questions such as:

• What does blooming and thriving look or feel like in these times? 

• How do you find your center inside of a storm? 

• What forces are at work to cause such storms? 

• To use Brooks’s phrasing, what are some possible “medications for the whirlwind”? 

• Who or what gets overlooked in these times yet needs to be celebrated?

All styles of poetry are welcome, and poets of all experience levels are encouraged to apply. If selected, your poem will be featured on Level Ground’s website and will be adapted into a short film by a filmmaker. You will be given the opportunity to work in collaboration with the filmmaker we select to translate your words into moving images.

Submissions will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until August 15 or until all available slots are filled, so we encourage you to submit your piece as soon as possible.

HOW TO APPLY AS A FILMMAKER
Selected filmmakers and video artists will collaborate with one of the selected poets on a 2-5 minute short film adaptation of their poem. Alongside the original poem, you will script, direct, and edit a corresponding short film. We welcome all styles, types, traditions, and approaches of translating the written word into the moving image.

Filmmakers of all experience levels are encouraged to apply. Please note, however, that due to the independent nature of the project, we are looking for filmmakers/video artists who have access to most of the necessary equipment, who can shoot & edit their own work, and who are open to new collaborative filmmaking experiences. Level Ground may be able to provide connections to gear, stock music, and collaborators to assist in bringing your vision to life.

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until August 15 or until all available slots are filled, so we encourage you to submit your piece as soon as possible.

COMPENSATION FOR SELECTED WORKS
Level Ground is committed to providing compensation for those selected for the project. However, due to the impact of this year’s unprecedented events on our organization’s budget and fundraising, we are still determining the amount of compensation we can provide. We promise to keep you informed, but keep this in mind as you apply.

NEED SOME INSPIRATION?
For an example of just one way to adapt a poem into a film, check out the excerpt below from The Sky Remains, a short film recently shot by one of our Level Ground Collective members Andy Motz and inspired by the work of Rainer Maria Rilke. Keep in mind, of course, that there are many ways to adapt a work for film! We encourage you to lean into your personal style and inspiration.

NEED MORE INFORMATION?
If you have any questions or need further information, please email info@levelground.co. Thank you!