A Conversation with Thaddeus Setla: Director of "Beyond The White Picket Fence"

Thaddeus Setla, director, producer, cinematographer, and paramedic, believes that children have the power to break down barriers between cultures when given one powerful tool: music. Causecast Films talked with Setla about his upcoming documentary, Beyond The White Picket Fence, a feature-length film that takes its audience to South Africa, where the Voena Children's Choir journeyed across the country to sing their way into the hearts of the people.

South Africa is a country that could benefit from some inspiration: 16 years after the end of apartheid, the nation is still rife with racial tensions and prejudice. Music has always been a part of South Africa's culture, and its potential for turning around violence and racism is important to recognize. "Children have a funny way of being able to cut through a lot of the BS, whether it's political or bureaucratic," says Setla, who followed the choir for two weeks in October for his documentary. "It doesn't matter what part of the world you're from...if you see children embracing and accepting other children, that's something you walk away from thinking the world is going to be a better place."

To get a sense of the movie, check out the trailer:



Voena (Voices of Eve 'N Angels) Children's Choir is made up of American children from ages six to eighteen who represent 35 different cultures. The choir has performed for American presidents and Pope John Paul II, and has shared the stage with icons like Maya Angelou. Setla got to know the choir because his two children go to school near a church where the choir trains in Benicia, CA. "But I became a part of the Voena family on my trip with them," he says.

The movie is currently in post-production, but Setla hopes to take his team back to South Africa for the 50th anniversary of the famous choral group Ladysmith Black Mombazo, who asked the choir to perform with them. Meanwhile, he is looking into different distribution options. "We're in the process of deciding where to take this," he says. "We've gotten some interest from TV stations about potentially putting this on Bravo or A&E , and we're questioning whether that's an option or whether we want to create a web series." Setla acknowledges that "content is key on the web," and wants to develop a social platform for the film in advance. "As a filmmaker, I know that a film is only as good as the number of people who are able to see it. You need to get it in front of as many people as possible."

Making Beyond the White Picket Fence marked a shift in Setla's attitude towards filmmaking. His previous ventures, including the documentary Level Zero about the Emergency Medical Services (EMS), have been for-profit, with merchandising involved.

Now his aim is to go into cause-related projects. His next production is a TV series called Chronicles of EMS, which looks at what EMS is like in different countries of the world. Setla, who has been a paramedic for the last ten years, has an ambitious agenda with this project, and hopes to create a forum where paramedics can "discuss the triumphs, concerns, and challenges of the system." He adamantly believes that the best discussions take place around entertainment. "When you watch people discuss things and it's visually stunning, that engrosses you and takes you to the next level of understanding and appreciation for the conversation." I completely agree.

If you like the idea of music breaking barriers in South Africa, also check out the acclaimed documentary Amandla! A Revolution in Four Part Harmony, about the struggles of black South Africans against apartheid through the use of music. You can watch the whole movie on YouTube, and I highly recommend it.

Meanwhile, keep up with Setla's new project, Chronicles of EMS. You can see a pilot at www.chroniclesofems.com. You can also follow him on Twitter to hear more.