I recently interviewed Eli Yetter-Bowman, founder of Ethereal Films and lead documentarian for the new film, The Bowl, about a team of young women who compete in the National High School Ethics Bowl nationals at UNC. An amazing Ethics Bowl outreach tool, check out the trailer and order an institutional license at the film’s project page here.
Eli, I understand you’ve been involved with Ethics Bowl for many years as a judge. Why did you initially get involved and why have you continued? What have you found toughest about judging? What have you found most rewarding?
I got involved about ten years ago as an undergraduate Philosophy student at UNC who unwittingly took a class that had me mentor a local high school. I immediately fell in love because it was the first experience I had at Carolina that felt rooted in direct community engagement. I volunteered every year that I could because I still find it to be the absolute best activity at the UNC Philosophy department by a longshot. So much of Philosophy is abstracted from society, whereas this is directly benefiting local students by making them more careful, considerate and independent thinkers. I haven’t been able to volunteer since filming the Bowl as I was removed from the mailing list but hope to be reconnected.
Volunteering for so long I’ve seen that the most practical issues for judges are that the center organizing is relying on volunteers but struggles with outreach. This was a key reason I invested so much time and energy into creating this film to provide a community lift, but it has been incredibly difficult truth be told. Judging holds a great deal of power in dictating the outcome of matches despite a severe lack of heterogeneity among judges. I personally spend a lot of time preparing and considering all elements of matches when making those decisions, but that’s been developed over years of doing the activity. My hope would be that greater exposure to the program would broaden the net of judge volunteers to improve the fairness and quality of the pool.
Towards the end of the film, one of the students vaguely recalls a form she filled out for producers on how the team might or might not want to be portrayed. Was that real? If so, what sorts of questions were included and what was the purpose behind them?
No, as the student says this was a dream. However, all students and their parents, since many were under 18 at the time, completed general release forms. Still, it was more of a priority for the filmmakers to create an environment where, if any of the students were ever uncomfortable, they felt safe to voice it to the crew. The students feeling safe and able to be themselves on camera was extremely important, and without that trust, I don’t think the film would feel as special as it does.
What’s been the initial response to the film and how can interested folks view it?
Resoundingly described as HEARTWARMING. The students are truly exceptional in their intelligence, patience, and charisma throughout our journey. It’s amazing to have a story that leaves people feeling better off while also teaching them about such an important activity. The film is available now for educational & institutional screenings – simply submitting a request to your school library, public library, or allied business/non-profit on the project page. Educational licenses allow us to give the film to educators for free to use forever, while supporting the ~3 years of labor that went into making this film.
Thank you, Eli, for the interview and the awesome film! We’ll soon follow up with producer Ava Roan Richesin-Dodd. In the meantime, check out the trailer if you haven’t!