After the phenomenal success of eBay, founder and social entrepreneur, Jeff Skoll, decided to dedicate himself to promoting innovations and businesses that benefit humanity, and accessing people in a different way – through popular culture. Skoll’s latest company, Participant Productions, works on the idea that media is a powerful tool that can create social change. Their corporate mission – to deliver compelling entertainment that will inspire audiences to get involved with the issues that affect us all – aims to effect social change by educating the general population and inspiring them to take action. Participant’s film Syriana, which explored the politics of the global oil industry, became the first major film to be recognised as climate neutral. The company offset 100% of carbon dioxide emissions generated by production during filming – an estimated 2040 tons – by investing in various sources of renewable energy. In each of its films, Participant aims to foster storytelling while presenting topical issues in unique and interesting ways that incite a passionate response in their audience. North Country, starring Charlize Theron, spotlights sexual harassment against women in the workplace, while Fast Food Nation is a sickening exploration of the fast-food industry. But perhaps the most famous of Participant’s productions is An Inconvenient Truth, the documentary that educated millions on the dangers of global warming and saw Al Gore gracing the cover of Vanity Fair alongside George Clooney and Julia Roberts. And hey, if the company can successfully propel Al Gore onto the Hollywood A-list, who’s to say they can’t change the world? Here’s hoping… (Keep an eye out for Participant’s upcoming films Chicago 10 and The Kite Runner.)
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Carl Lindgren
