Mission
It can be disheartening when progressive social change and transformative personal change happen slowly. At 1° Shift Productions, we draw hope from the fact that a small shift in course today can lead to a whole new destination tomorrow. Through the power of the moving image, we move people towards new ways of thinking and taking action.
We utilize the empathic and educational qualities of video to achieve impact in a number of ways:
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Independent Film Production about Social Issues and the Creation of Audience Engagement Campaigns
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Video Production for Non-Profit Organizations and Small Businesses with Transformative Missions
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Media Production Workshops, Classes, and Private Instruction for Youth and Adults - all with a social change focus
Founder and Director
Ali Pinschmidt, Filmmaker
Alexandra Pinschmidt is a filmmaker and educator, and works to amplify the perspectives of others through video training and outreach. In addition to her work at 1° Shift Productions, Ali founded and directed Don't Take That Receipt!, a youth-adult collaboration in Holyoke that educates local businesses and institutions about toxic chemicals on thermal paper products and provides tools for reducing exposure. DTTR uses their award-winning education film to spread the word. Previously, Ali served as the Western MA Program Director for Transformative Culture Project, launching a Holyoke branch to the Boston-based youth media organization. TCP in Holyoke provided media education to over 200 youth and part-time employment for over 40 youth producers in training from low-income neighborhoods.
Ali holds a Master’s in International Development and Social Change from Clark University, where she later taught Video for Social Change. Ali has also taught at Holyoke Community College, and has worked with several international and US-based nonprofits in the fields of education, poverty alleviation, and direct service. She has served as the Site Manager for the Interfaith Homeless Shelter in Northampton, MA. Over the years she has worked with a number of organizations that use video as a tool for empowerment and impact, including Community Supported Film in Boston, Video Volunteers in Goa, India, and through a collaborative exchange with La Poderosa Media Project in Bahía de Caráquez, Ecuador. Ali served on the Board of Directors of Holyoke Media, and as the Outreach Campaign Director for The Breast Archives film project, as well as on the educational and film-selection advisory boards at React to Film.
Ali was trained by industry leaders from Working Films and the Fledgling Fund at Reel Change, an intensive course on designing audience engagement campaigns for social issue documentaries. Ali also gives Video for Change workshops for young people, activists, nonprofits, and educators. She lives in Haydenville, MA.
