"In Plain Sight: A Street Artist on the Fringe of Survival" is an ethnographic documentary about an impassioned street artist in Portland, Oregon: the harsh reality of his past, the struggles he faces now and the continuous hopes he has for his future. This documentary will address such issues as loneliness, poverty, rules to play by on the street, survival and universal circumstances that could beset anyone of us.
In order to give a full understanding of what it means to be a street performer and the reasons behind why they do what they do, various street artists were interviewed where they normally perform, and when permitted, where they spent their time and how they interacted with others around them when they were not on the streets performing.
Each artist’s story will provide an "insider's" point of view on the logic of “how to get by” on the streets while exposing how a part of our society works through the eyes of the participants who perform on the streets for money. This film will provide a deeper insight into who they are on a personal level and what it means to be a street performer.

This ethnographic documentary will reveal some rules of the culture and each artist's story will provide an "insiders" point of view of the logic of how to get by on the streets while exposing how a part of our society works through the eyes of the participants who perform on the streets for money. Various performing artists through out the city were and will be interviewed where they normally perform, and when permitted, where they spend their time and how they interact with others around them when they are not on the streets performing, to give a full understanding of what it means to be a street performer and the reasons behind why they do what they do.

Although I have specific questions I want to ask each artist, the interview process is relaxed and conversational allowing the artist to feel free to say what is on their mind as they think about it. Time spent watching and sometimes dancing to their music, provides an insight into who they are prior to the interview, allowing me to develop questions that pertain to their life story. Moments I spend with them from time to time, with out the camera, when I'm in the city, have allowed a trust and closeness to develop that will be felt by the viewer. Using a photojournalistic approach to shooting will bring the viewer in close to the artist, allowing them to see into their eyes so that they can see what drew me to them, providing a more intimate view of each artist. Original music written by the street musicians will be used during their particular interview.

When editing, music written for the documentary by the street musicians will be used for the opening and closing scenes. Images of the city will be shown as I walk with each artist, providing an insight into where they go each day. Using a level cam to handhold everything I do, will provide a steady shot while allowing me to move freely as the artists sits or stands and using a smaller 3 chip camera, such as the Sony DSR PD100A, will help me to be less obtrusive, not only to the artist, but to people passing by. It's important to me that while I'm out there telling their story, that I'm not getting in their way of making a living.