November 10, 2025 • 22 mins
Maria chats with Co-Director and Producer Vicki Topaz and Director MIchael Collins about their documentary By My Side; the story of three veterans suffering from PTSD and how their service dogs
gave them back their life. By My Side has been in 46 film festivals and has won 16 awards (with more to come I'm sure!)
To learn more about the film, bymyside.com
If you would like to host a screening of the documentary Click Here.
Click HERE to watch the film.
gave them back their life. By My Side has been in 46 film festivals and has won 16 awards (with more to come I'm sure!)
To learn more about the film, bymyside.com
If you would like to host a screening of the documentary Click Here.
Click HERE to watch the film.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
It's Maria's MutS and Stuff. What a great idea. On iHeartRadio,
Welcome to Maria's Mutts and Stuff. And with me is
director producer Vicky Topaz and producer Michael Collins with the
movie by my side. So thank you both for taking
(00:23):
the time out. I know it's busy time for you.
I'm excited about this movie, this documentary. So, Vicky, you
and I connected back when Twitter was cool. I look
back on it, back in twenty nineteen, and we connected
through there when I first learned about the movie. Yes,
(00:44):
that's right, right, And at that time it was it
had a different title, it was dog Walk Home. Is
that correct?
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Correct? Yes, and that was quite a while ago, but yes,
we did connect them.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
We did. And now the movie is the documentary, it's out.
You've been in many film festivals, it's one awards. So
let's talk about the journey from then to how you
got to now, Like, first of all, congratulations to both
of you, because it's very exciting.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
Yeah. So yes, let's talk about the journey a bit,
like how did this all begin?
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Well, I'm a photographer and a filmmaker, and years ago,
in many years ago, I learned about service animals veterans
with PTSD, and I didn't know anything about that, but
yet it kind of captured my imagination. And I was
(01:42):
finishing up another photo project, and one thing led to another,
and I met Mary Kurtani, who you've seen in the film,
who has an operation called what's called Operation Freedom PODSE
and chief partners veterans with service dogs. And for several
years I was going there every week to photograph and
(02:03):
interview these veterans, and I started meeting Over time, I
started meeting the children and their spouses, and I realized
that that was really a story that nobody knew about
that needed to be told, and I also felt that
it needed to be a film. So one thing led
(02:25):
to another. I met I met up with a filmmaker
when Padulla, who had you know, had filming quite a
long time, and so he and I got together. That
was back in twenty eighteen, I think. And so over
five years, the veterans that are in the film I
met through Operation Freedom pause and they were excited to
(02:50):
be part of the film because they felt it would
help other veterans sore about their journey. So after about
five years of time we finished. We completed the film
and in twenty twenty three we had our premiere at
GI Film Festival then in San Diego.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
Wow. Wow, And Michael, I mean that's I mean, that's
a phenomenal story. And I know so many times with
veterans with PTSD, having a service dog gives them their
life back in so many ways.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Exactly, Yes, And I think that that easy to see.
You can see that in the film easily.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
Yeah, right right. And then Michael, how did you and
you and Vicky get together?
Speaker 3 (03:36):
So I've I also make documentaries, and I've done many
over the years, and I've done a couple that were
on veterans as well, healing through other modalities, you know,
through meditation and time and nature and all kinds of stuff.
And so when Vicky was looking for some help on
the film, kind of finishing the film and bringing it
(03:58):
out into the world, we had a friend in common
who worked on my impact campaign for one of my
films called Almost Sunrise, reached out to me. You know,
Vicky's co director passed away while they were still in
production when and she didn't have as much you know,
experience in the film world as she did in the
(04:20):
photography world. So it was really just looking for some guidance,
and I watched the footage what they had so far,
and I have to say, I mean, I've been making
films for twenty something years, and immediately I was in.
I was just I mean, I make films because I
want to make a difference in the world, and for me,
that always comes from grabbing people in their heart, you know,
(04:42):
really connecting with people in a way that's not just
telling them on an intellectual way about something that's wrong
in the world that we should think about. It's actually
to walk in other people's shoes and really feel that
and have that experience. And what they had filmed was
just absolutely beautiful, and I knew it was going to
make a big difference in the world and that I
was lucky to be a part of it. So of
(05:04):
course I said yes, and we began working together and
we got through the edit and I introduced her to
some you know, we got an amazing musician named Andrew
Dost who is like a Grammy winning musician who came
in to do the score also happens to be a
dog lover, and we've just been you know, working together
ever since on building the campaign and you know, it's
(05:27):
a very we're a small group, but there's just so
much energy behind this sure little project because it's connecting
with people in such a meaningful way.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Yeah, yeah, and very much so. And it's something that
I feel many times well speaking to veterans that many
people aren't aware of, when somebody has PTSD and say
they come they come home from you know, from doing
service and the government wants to put them on medication,
and it's like, no, give me a service dog. And
(05:59):
I feel like that that that is what the norm
should be, is having a service dog. So having a
film like yours, it just kind of kind of confirms
that because talking to so many and I'm not as
many as you have, of course, but I just feel
like the fact that it gives them their life back
to for themselves. It gives them the courage and the
(06:20):
confidence to do the things that they did before they
experience PTSD, to go back to their family where sometimes
I hear like the children are afraid of their dad
for no reason other than you know, the dad's suffering
from PTSD. It's like the simple answer of an animal,
a dog. It's just you know, like it's mind blowing.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
Yeah, it is.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
I was just going to say, I think the whole
world would be better if we all had a dog.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
Well that's true.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
Yeah, but I think for sure, you know that, there's
no doubt. A big part of our impact campaign, of course,
is supporting veterans and trying to raise awareness around the
power of you know, canine can opanions and sure and
how much they help in these situations. But yeah, I
mean it's something that seems so obvious to us, right,
like connection love through instead of you know, granted, you know,
(07:13):
sometimes pharmaceuticals help in very certain instances. Like you said,
it shouldn't be the default just to drown people in pills, correct,
default should be to try to reconnect, you know, in
loving living ways and then manage symptoms as needed in
other ways.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
Yeah, And I mean just having the love and the
guidance of a dog is so simple and so obvious,
you know. I mean I think to us it is.
I think it is you and you see it, saw
it firsthand and see it firsthand from veterans with their
service animals, and how amazing you know the person does.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
Yeah. When I was photographing at Operational Freedom Pods, when
I first began. I would see veterans come in for
the first time with the sunglasses and the hat pulled down,
and they were not talking. They didn't like it that
I was taking pictures, and then anywhere from a couple
of weeks to three months, I was just seeing them
(08:14):
come alive and change right before my very eyes as
they were partnered with their animals, with their dogs. Wow,
it was just amazing experience to have captured that and
to have seen it.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
And yeah, yeah, no, for sure, yeah, yeah, yeah. And
I mean the fact that you were able to see
that and take photos of it and make a film
out of it is such a huge public service to veterans.
You know that, or you have to know that.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
Well, it was my goal, as Michael was saying, I
wanted to make a difference with the film, and I
think that we have made a difference with it with
an absolutely amazing crew that worked with me over the
five years that we put this together. I mean, it
was such an amazing experience because we were going into
veterans' homes and believe me, most veterans are not going
(09:05):
to invite you into their course alone with a film through.
So it was the whole thing was I think just
heartfelt by all of us, you know, while we were
filming and getting in their face and asking for their
children to be to be interviewed as well and filmed.
So it was I can't tell you. And it's still
we're still friends. We get together, we go to some
(09:27):
of them come to the festivals with us. So it's
really great experience.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
Yeah, I'm sure that's wonderful. And I see here because
you've had it in forty six film festivals, is that correct,
across twenty one states, three in Europe, and you've also
won awards. Let's talk a little bit about the awards
that you've received.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
Well, there have been several awards for things like Best
Short Documentary, Best Documentary, Most Inspirational Film, things like that,
you know, very fulfilling to note that the film is
being acknowledged in that way, sure, and that folks can
(10:07):
hear about that, learn about it, and you know, pique
their interest a little bit more actually seeing the film.
Speaker 3 (10:14):
Right.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
Well, I think also you're both very modest about this.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
I think one of the best things about all of
the awards, honestly is that it raises the profile of
the film, which means it has more impact I think
for us. Vicky has been at nearly, you know, all
nearly all of the festivals, most of the screenings, the
community screenings, and I've been at many. And the most
satisfying moment is just when you talk to someone after
(10:40):
and they've had a shift in perspective, like something's opened
up inside of them, some healing is starting to take place.
They're seeing possibility and potential and that they're just those
tiers of gratitude that are coming. That is immeasurable. You know,
there's no awards for that, sure exactly why we do
this work, We just it just it makes it all
(11:02):
worth it because these are hard. It's hard to it's
hard to make an independent film and to get out there.
There's not a lot of support for this. But every
single time you show up and you see people have
an experience with it, you're reminded, Okay, this is this
is worth it right right.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
And I'm sure every time someone thank you, because I'm
sure you had many thank yous for veterans.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
Yeah, yeah, yeah. And another thing that's that's really fulfilling
is almost after every screening there's a Q and A
or a panel and many times there will be a
veteran in the in the audience who is you can
tell there in bad shape. And we have you know,
(11:45):
one or two of our veterans that are in the
film on the panel, and the conversations that have gone
between them, seeing seeing one of this vet with trouble
in the audience and seeing it come you know with them,
they have a you can just see them wide up
a little bit when they hear, like Amelia or Ramone
(12:06):
talk about how their dog has helped them, how they've
dealt with PTSD, and it's just it's amazing.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
I'm sure. Yeah, it's heartwarming. And I think also it
goes along because it makes them feel like they're not alone,
that they're not the only person who's having the feelings
or the doubts or whatever they're experiencing. To hear another
veteran talk about it and see it just knowing, I
think it's the human human nature to always think, oh,
I'm the only one who's going through this and they're not.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
So Yeah, and that's how the kids felt also. But
I think overall, I think the film really shows that
there is hope. Mm hmmm, that's important.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
That's huge. Yes, that's something that everybody deserves in their
life to always live with hope. And yes, I think
that's that's huge. So what would you say, I mean,
and maybe if there was a piece of advice to
give to someone in the public, is there something that
I don't know that you would suggest to someone who's
never had any experience with veterans or any experience with PTSD.
(13:09):
Is there something that you both I don't know, either
learned when you were making the movie to pass forward
or I mean, obviously for them they should just go
see the movie, of course, but I mean, if there
was something like it you didn't know until you experience
the veterans and the service dogs.
Speaker 2 (13:26):
Is there anything I'm gonna let Michael address this, but
the one thing that I will tell you that I
learned during the filming and being with veterans and the
photographic project is just listen. Let them tell their stories. Listen,
don't interrupt them, because that is something that I've found.
(13:46):
Families don't necessarily want to hear their stories, and they're
not always they don't always feel that their stories are welcome,
and so that was a really important thing for me
to learn.
Speaker 1 (13:59):
That's huge though, by the way, Yeah. I think that's huge, Vicky,
because I think a lot of people don't listen honestly
in life. Yes, Michael, I'm sorry.
Speaker 3 (14:07):
Yeah, No, I agree with that. I think just piggybacking
off of that. You know, something that I've learned is
oftentimes people will just say thank you for your service
and not really want to engage, and in a way
they think that they're saying something nice, but there's something
that's very distancing about that statement. It's just pushing someone away,
(14:28):
it's putting them up on a pedestal. And I think
what we should be able to, what we really want
to do, is connect with people and see them as
our siblings who raise their hands to do some of
the hardest work that one can volunteer to do in
your country, and we should be grateful for that. But
we should also, like Vicky said, ask them, ask them
(14:49):
to share what's going on, and you don't have to
be able to relate to it. You don't have to
pretend to be able to relate to it, but to
be genuinely curious and to just create space to invite
people to connect. Because I think that's what happens is
a lot of times these folks come back from their
service and they isolate because everyone is just in a
(15:10):
way pushing them away. Oh, thank you for your service.
And they've had experiences that are very complicated, you know,
and they don't want to just be seen as a
one dimensional anything. Of course, yes, and so to have
that and I'll be honest with you, I think that's
what the magic of this film is in the conversations
that happen afterwards, because what we're doing is we're creating
(15:33):
spaces and environments for people who are you know, veterans
and civilians alike, to have a safe space to have
conversations like it sparked so much. Sure, you know, you're
in that space together, and that's what, as Vicky said,
there's usually a conversation afterwards, and having these veterans up
(15:55):
there on stage who are so open and modeling such
vulnerability and simultaneously and that one doesn't negate the other.
So the fact that this film becomes a catalyst for
that is why we've started this impact campaign, which is
inviting people to host screenings all over the country. You know,
just hey, if you want to get to know the
(16:17):
veterans in your community, have a screening invite them to
come and speak afterwards, just create space underwalking their shoes
for a little while. Understand the military family experience. Sure,
because it's not just the veterans who serve, it's the
whole family. Which is another thing that really attracted me
to this film is because Vicky really did such a
brilliant job in showcasing the voices of the kids, you know,
(16:40):
all of that stuff, that it's not just about this
one person, This whole family has served. How can we
as a community show up, reconnect, understand and move forward together.
Speaker 1 (16:51):
Sure, And I think most people don't realize that. They
think it's just the veteran and they don't realize it's,
like you said, the whole family really served and it
affects everyone. So those are so great points that you
that you just offered. So the impact campaign. So if
someone who is listening right now and they want to
host a screening, they can by going to buy my
(17:14):
Side doc dot com. Is that correct? Y?
Speaker 3 (17:17):
Yeah, yes, they can go to the Doyeah.
Speaker 1 (17:20):
Doc dot com. Okay. And for someone who doesn't want
to say host an event, but just but they want
to see the film, how can they?
Speaker 2 (17:29):
Well, right now, it's KPBS down in San Diego actually
been screening the film for some time and they still
are and there's a link for that.
Speaker 3 (17:41):
Okay, but we'd love for people to I would just
say we'd love for people to go to the website
because you can engage in so many different ways. You
can watch little videos about what some of these q
and as look like some people. If you're associated with
the Educational Institute or you know any kind of community,
there are ways to host screening through all of these
different platforms. We even created like a discussion guide for
(18:05):
people to help guide them through conversations if they want
to do something lesson plans for schools, all kinds of stuff.
All the resources are up there on the site, so
we would just invite people to go and look around
and if there is if they still have questions, of
course they can just contact us through the site. And
we'd love nothing more. I mean, the most important thing
for us is to have as many people see this
(18:26):
as possible, because we know it's not about quantity, it's
about the quality, you know, and of course that one
person sees it and it changes their perspective in the
world and the way that they're moving through the world.
The ripple effects of that are immeasurable, so we want
to do everything we can to get it out, which
is you know, honestly, while we're so grateful for you
too for inviting us on and giving us a platform
(18:48):
to talk about this for a few minutes, we really
appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (18:51):
Well, thank you, I appreciate you. I've been wanting to
talk with Vicky for a long time, so and now
meeting you, Michael, this is wonderful for me. But thank you.
I mean, it's the least I can do. I mean,
I feel like your message is just so important and
your your film is just so important for people to
be aware of. I also saw for people who are listening,
they can also support your impact campaign. They can make
(19:11):
a donation on your website as well.
Speaker 2 (19:13):
Yes, yes, yes, that's correct.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
Well I think that's important. Yeah, yeah, we are.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
On the website where to click for that?
Speaker 1 (19:20):
Yeah, yeah, thank you, Yes, of course, of course. So
it's by my side doc dot com. So I know
that you know, this was a long endeavor for you
and the end result is just incredible and amazing. It
might be too soon for me to ask both of
you this, do you see the two of you working
(19:42):
together next year and a couple of years like next project?
Do you have a next next project? Or is it
really way too premature for me to ask that.
Speaker 3 (19:50):
Well, for me, I mean don't.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
I don't have any any plans for the future right now.
My heart is in showing this film as long as
it's possible to do it, having community screenings across the country,
and I have really thought that far ahead. However, Michael
go ahead.
Speaker 3 (20:12):
Well, I'll just say that I think this project, as
we're seeing is it's sort of it's evergreen in some
ways where we've seen, like Vicky said, this premiered in
twenty twenty three, this I can't believe it. I've never
had this happened in a film before this. Two years later,
this film is still a festival Darling. It's still getting
invited to festival, it's still doing really well. I think
(20:35):
for us it's about just constantly evolving the Impact campaign.
How are we reaching more people, How are we getting
into more schools, into more communities, all of that kind
of stuff. So how are we growing our team when
finance is allowed, or just doing what we can with
what we have. So the Impact campaign and the impact
(20:57):
distribution of this is the next pro honestly. Okay, well,
I have other projects going on, and I'm you know,
doing a few other things. But I think for my
collaboration with Vicky, where as long as there's some energy
behind us and we think that it's making a difference
in the world, we're going to keep on showing up
for it.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
Good for you, no, good for you, because it is
making an impact. And yeah and yeah, it's like snowballing.
That's how I feel, you know, I feel that what's
happening with it. So thank you, Thank you both for
doing this and taking the time and talking about it.
I'm you know, I'm so thrilled that we finally had
a chance to talk about it. And for my listeners,
please go to buy myside doc dot com. Whether in
(21:42):
your community you can host a screening, or you're a
teacher or a volunteer with your kids' school and you
can get it in the school. I think it's very
very important because you know, knowledge is power, and I
think the more people are aware of our veterans and
they're PTSD and how just having a service dog can
(22:04):
help them get their life back, I think, you know,
we can't say it enough to get the word out.
So for my listeners, please go to buy my side
doc doc dot com. So, Michael Collins and Vicky Topaz,
thank you, thank you, Thank you for your movie, for
talking with me, for all that you've done and are doing.
Speaker 2 (22:24):
Thank you Maria for your support for your interests. We
really appreciate it. It means a lot to us.
Speaker 1 (22:30):
Yeah, well, thank you.
Speaker 3 (22:32):
Thanks Maria,
It's Maria's MutS and Stuff. What a great idea. On iHeartRadio,
Welcome to Maria's Mutts and Stuff. And with me is
director producer Vicky Topaz and producer Michael Collins with the
movie by my side. So thank you both for taking
(00:23):
the time out. I know it's busy time for you.
I'm excited about this movie, this documentary. So, Vicky, you
and I connected back when Twitter was cool. I look
back on it, back in twenty nineteen, and we connected
through there when I first learned about the movie. Yes,
(00:44):
that's right, right, And at that time it was it
had a different title, it was dog Walk Home. Is
that correct?
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Correct? Yes, and that was quite a while ago, but yes,
we did connect them.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
We did. And now the movie is the documentary, it's out.
You've been in many film festivals, it's one awards. So
let's talk about the journey from then to how you
got to now, Like, first of all, congratulations to both
of you, because it's very exciting.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
Yeah. So yes, let's talk about the journey a bit,
like how did this all begin?
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Well, I'm a photographer and a filmmaker, and years ago,
in many years ago, I learned about service animals veterans
with PTSD, and I didn't know anything about that, but
yet it kind of captured my imagination. And I was
(01:42):
finishing up another photo project, and one thing led to another,
and I met Mary Kurtani, who you've seen in the film,
who has an operation called what's called Operation Freedom PODSE
and chief partners veterans with service dogs. And for several
years I was going there every week to photograph and
(02:03):
interview these veterans, and I started meeting Over time, I
started meeting the children and their spouses, and I realized
that that was really a story that nobody knew about
that needed to be told, and I also felt that
it needed to be a film. So one thing led
(02:25):
to another. I met I met up with a filmmaker
when Padulla, who had you know, had filming quite a
long time, and so he and I got together. That
was back in twenty eighteen, I think. And so over
five years, the veterans that are in the film I
met through Operation Freedom pause and they were excited to
(02:50):
be part of the film because they felt it would
help other veterans sore about their journey. So after about
five years of time we finished. We completed the film
and in twenty twenty three we had our premiere at
GI Film Festival then in San Diego.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
Wow. Wow, And Michael, I mean that's I mean, that's
a phenomenal story. And I know so many times with
veterans with PTSD, having a service dog gives them their
life back in so many ways.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Exactly, Yes, And I think that that easy to see.
You can see that in the film easily.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
Yeah, right right. And then Michael, how did you and
you and Vicky get together?
Speaker 3 (03:36):
So I've I also make documentaries, and I've done many
over the years, and I've done a couple that were
on veterans as well, healing through other modalities, you know,
through meditation and time and nature and all kinds of stuff.
And so when Vicky was looking for some help on
the film, kind of finishing the film and bringing it
(03:58):
out into the world, we had a friend in common
who worked on my impact campaign for one of my
films called Almost Sunrise, reached out to me. You know,
Vicky's co director passed away while they were still in
production when and she didn't have as much you know,
experience in the film world as she did in the
(04:20):
photography world. So it was really just looking for some guidance,
and I watched the footage what they had so far,
and I have to say, I mean, I've been making
films for twenty something years, and immediately I was in.
I was just I mean, I make films because I
want to make a difference in the world, and for me,
that always comes from grabbing people in their heart, you know,
(04:42):
really connecting with people in a way that's not just
telling them on an intellectual way about something that's wrong
in the world that we should think about. It's actually
to walk in other people's shoes and really feel that
and have that experience. And what they had filmed was
just absolutely beautiful, and I knew it was going to
make a big difference in the world and that I
was lucky to be a part of it. So of
(05:04):
course I said yes, and we began working together and
we got through the edit and I introduced her to
some you know, we got an amazing musician named Andrew
Dost who is like a Grammy winning musician who came
in to do the score also happens to be a
dog lover, and we've just been you know, working together
ever since on building the campaign and you know, it's
(05:27):
a very we're a small group, but there's just so
much energy behind this sure little project because it's connecting
with people in such a meaningful way.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Yeah, yeah, and very much so. And it's something that
I feel many times well speaking to veterans that many
people aren't aware of, when somebody has PTSD and say
they come they come home from you know, from doing
service and the government wants to put them on medication,
and it's like, no, give me a service dog. And
(05:59):
I feel like that that that is what the norm
should be, is having a service dog. So having a
film like yours, it just kind of kind of confirms
that because talking to so many and I'm not as
many as you have, of course, but I just feel
like the fact that it gives them their life back
to for themselves. It gives them the courage and the
(06:20):
confidence to do the things that they did before they
experience PTSD, to go back to their family where sometimes
I hear like the children are afraid of their dad
for no reason other than you know, the dad's suffering
from PTSD. It's like the simple answer of an animal,
a dog. It's just you know, like it's mind blowing.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
Yeah, it is.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
I was just going to say, I think the whole
world would be better if we all had a dog.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
Well that's true.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
Yeah, but I think for sure, you know that, there's
no doubt. A big part of our impact campaign, of course,
is supporting veterans and trying to raise awareness around the
power of you know, canine can opanions and sure and
how much they help in these situations. But yeah, I
mean it's something that seems so obvious to us, right,
like connection love through instead of you know, granted, you know,
(07:13):
sometimes pharmaceuticals help in very certain instances. Like you said,
it shouldn't be the default just to drown people in pills, correct,
default should be to try to reconnect, you know, in
loving living ways and then manage symptoms as needed in
other ways.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
Yeah, And I mean just having the love and the
guidance of a dog is so simple and so obvious,
you know. I mean I think to us it is.
I think it is you and you see it, saw
it firsthand and see it firsthand from veterans with their
service animals, and how amazing you know the person does.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
Yeah. When I was photographing at Operational Freedom Pods, when
I first began. I would see veterans come in for
the first time with the sunglasses and the hat pulled down,
and they were not talking. They didn't like it that
I was taking pictures, and then anywhere from a couple
of weeks to three months, I was just seeing them
(08:14):
come alive and change right before my very eyes as
they were partnered with their animals, with their dogs. Wow,
it was just amazing experience to have captured that and
to have seen it.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
And yeah, yeah, no, for sure, yeah, yeah, yeah. And
I mean the fact that you were able to see
that and take photos of it and make a film
out of it is such a huge public service to veterans.
You know that, or you have to know that.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
Well, it was my goal, as Michael was saying, I
wanted to make a difference with the film, and I
think that we have made a difference with it with
an absolutely amazing crew that worked with me over the
five years that we put this together. I mean, it
was such an amazing experience because we were going into
veterans' homes and believe me, most veterans are not going
(09:05):
to invite you into their course alone with a film through.
So it was the whole thing was I think just
heartfelt by all of us, you know, while we were
filming and getting in their face and asking for their
children to be to be interviewed as well and filmed.
So it was I can't tell you. And it's still
we're still friends. We get together, we go to some
(09:27):
of them come to the festivals with us. So it's
really great experience.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
Yeah, I'm sure that's wonderful. And I see here because
you've had it in forty six film festivals, is that correct,
across twenty one states, three in Europe, and you've also
won awards. Let's talk a little bit about the awards
that you've received.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
Well, there have been several awards for things like Best
Short Documentary, Best Documentary, Most Inspirational Film, things like that,
you know, very fulfilling to note that the film is
being acknowledged in that way, sure, and that folks can
(10:07):
hear about that, learn about it, and you know, pique
their interest a little bit more actually seeing the film.
Speaker 3 (10:14):
Right.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
Well, I think also you're both very modest about this.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
I think one of the best things about all of
the awards, honestly is that it raises the profile of
the film, which means it has more impact I think
for us. Vicky has been at nearly, you know, all
nearly all of the festivals, most of the screenings, the
community screenings, and I've been at many. And the most
satisfying moment is just when you talk to someone after
(10:40):
and they've had a shift in perspective, like something's opened
up inside of them, some healing is starting to take place.
They're seeing possibility and potential and that they're just those
tiers of gratitude that are coming. That is immeasurable. You know,
there's no awards for that, sure exactly why we do
this work, We just it just it makes it all
(11:02):
worth it because these are hard. It's hard to it's
hard to make an independent film and to get out there.
There's not a lot of support for this. But every
single time you show up and you see people have
an experience with it, you're reminded, Okay, this is this
is worth it right right.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
And I'm sure every time someone thank you, because I'm
sure you had many thank yous for veterans.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
Yeah, yeah, yeah. And another thing that's that's really fulfilling
is almost after every screening there's a Q and A
or a panel and many times there will be a
veteran in the in the audience who is you can
tell there in bad shape. And we have you know,
(11:45):
one or two of our veterans that are in the
film on the panel, and the conversations that have gone
between them, seeing seeing one of this vet with trouble
in the audience and seeing it come you know with them,
they have a you can just see them wide up
a little bit when they hear, like Amelia or Ramone
(12:06):
talk about how their dog has helped them, how they've
dealt with PTSD, and it's just it's amazing.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
I'm sure. Yeah, it's heartwarming. And I think also it
goes along because it makes them feel like they're not alone,
that they're not the only person who's having the feelings
or the doubts or whatever they're experiencing. To hear another
veteran talk about it and see it just knowing, I
think it's the human human nature to always think, oh,
I'm the only one who's going through this and they're not.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
So Yeah, and that's how the kids felt also. But
I think overall, I think the film really shows that
there is hope. Mm hmmm, that's important.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
That's huge. Yes, that's something that everybody deserves in their
life to always live with hope. And yes, I think
that's that's huge. So what would you say, I mean,
and maybe if there was a piece of advice to
give to someone in the public, is there something that
I don't know that you would suggest to someone who's
never had any experience with veterans or any experience with PTSD.
(13:09):
Is there something that you both I don't know, either
learned when you were making the movie to pass forward
or I mean, obviously for them they should just go
see the movie, of course, but I mean, if there
was something like it you didn't know until you experience
the veterans and the service dogs.
Speaker 2 (13:26):
Is there anything I'm gonna let Michael address this, but
the one thing that I will tell you that I
learned during the filming and being with veterans and the
photographic project is just listen. Let them tell their stories. Listen,
don't interrupt them, because that is something that I've found.
(13:46):
Families don't necessarily want to hear their stories, and they're
not always they don't always feel that their stories are welcome,
and so that was a really important thing for me
to learn.
Speaker 1 (13:59):
That's huge though, by the way, Yeah. I think that's huge, Vicky,
because I think a lot of people don't listen honestly
in life. Yes, Michael, I'm sorry.
Speaker 3 (14:07):
Yeah, No, I agree with that. I think just piggybacking
off of that. You know, something that I've learned is
oftentimes people will just say thank you for your service
and not really want to engage, and in a way
they think that they're saying something nice, but there's something
that's very distancing about that statement. It's just pushing someone away,
(14:28):
it's putting them up on a pedestal. And I think
what we should be able to, what we really want
to do, is connect with people and see them as
our siblings who raise their hands to do some of
the hardest work that one can volunteer to do in
your country, and we should be grateful for that. But
we should also, like Vicky said, ask them, ask them
(14:49):
to share what's going on, and you don't have to
be able to relate to it. You don't have to
pretend to be able to relate to it, but to
be genuinely curious and to just create space to invite
people to connect. Because I think that's what happens is
a lot of times these folks come back from their
service and they isolate because everyone is just in a
(15:10):
way pushing them away. Oh, thank you for your service.
And they've had experiences that are very complicated, you know,
and they don't want to just be seen as a
one dimensional anything. Of course, yes, and so to have
that and I'll be honest with you, I think that's
what the magic of this film is in the conversations
that happen afterwards, because what we're doing is we're creating
(15:33):
spaces and environments for people who are you know, veterans
and civilians alike, to have a safe space to have
conversations like it sparked so much. Sure, you know, you're
in that space together, and that's what, as Vicky said,
there's usually a conversation afterwards, and having these veterans up
(15:55):
there on stage who are so open and modeling such
vulnerability and simultaneously and that one doesn't negate the other.
So the fact that this film becomes a catalyst for
that is why we've started this impact campaign, which is
inviting people to host screenings all over the country. You know,
just hey, if you want to get to know the
(16:17):
veterans in your community, have a screening invite them to
come and speak afterwards, just create space underwalking their shoes
for a little while. Understand the military family experience. Sure,
because it's not just the veterans who serve, it's the
whole family. Which is another thing that really attracted me
to this film is because Vicky really did such a
brilliant job in showcasing the voices of the kids, you know,
(16:40):
all of that stuff, that it's not just about this
one person, This whole family has served. How can we
as a community show up, reconnect, understand and move forward together.
Speaker 1 (16:51):
Sure, And I think most people don't realize that. They
think it's just the veteran and they don't realize it's,
like you said, the whole family really served and it
affects everyone. So those are so great points that you
that you just offered. So the impact campaign. So if
someone who is listening right now and they want to
host a screening, they can by going to buy my
(17:14):
Side doc dot com. Is that correct? Y?
Speaker 3 (17:17):
Yeah, yes, they can go to the Doyeah.
Speaker 1 (17:20):
Doc dot com. Okay. And for someone who doesn't want
to say host an event, but just but they want
to see the film, how can they?
Speaker 2 (17:29):
Well, right now, it's KPBS down in San Diego actually
been screening the film for some time and they still
are and there's a link for that.
Speaker 3 (17:41):
Okay, but we'd love for people to I would just
say we'd love for people to go to the website
because you can engage in so many different ways. You
can watch little videos about what some of these q
and as look like some people. If you're associated with
the Educational Institute or you know any kind of community,
there are ways to host screening through all of these
different platforms. We even created like a discussion guide for
(18:05):
people to help guide them through conversations if they want
to do something lesson plans for schools, all kinds of stuff.
All the resources are up there on the site, so
we would just invite people to go and look around
and if there is if they still have questions, of
course they can just contact us through the site. And
we'd love nothing more. I mean, the most important thing
for us is to have as many people see this
(18:26):
as possible, because we know it's not about quantity, it's
about the quality, you know, and of course that one
person sees it and it changes their perspective in the
world and the way that they're moving through the world.
The ripple effects of that are immeasurable, so we want
to do everything we can to get it out, which
is you know, honestly, while we're so grateful for you
too for inviting us on and giving us a platform
(18:48):
to talk about this for a few minutes, we really
appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (18:51):
Well, thank you, I appreciate you. I've been wanting to
talk with Vicky for a long time, so and now
meeting you, Michael, this is wonderful for me. But thank you.
I mean, it's the least I can do. I mean,
I feel like your message is just so important and
your your film is just so important for people to
be aware of. I also saw for people who are listening,
they can also support your impact campaign. They can make
(19:11):
a donation on your website as well.
Speaker 2 (19:13):
Yes, yes, yes, that's correct.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
Well I think that's important. Yeah, yeah, we are.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
On the website where to click for that?
Speaker 1 (19:20):
Yeah, yeah, thank you, Yes, of course, of course. So
it's by my side doc dot com. So I know
that you know, this was a long endeavor for you
and the end result is just incredible and amazing. It
might be too soon for me to ask both of
you this, do you see the two of you working
(19:42):
together next year and a couple of years like next project?
Do you have a next next project? Or is it
really way too premature for me to ask that.
Speaker 3 (19:50):
Well, for me, I mean don't.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
I don't have any any plans for the future right now.
My heart is in showing this film as long as
it's possible to do it, having community screenings across the country,
and I have really thought that far ahead. However, Michael
go ahead.
Speaker 3 (20:12):
Well, I'll just say that I think this project, as
we're seeing is it's sort of it's evergreen in some
ways where we've seen, like Vicky said, this premiered in
twenty twenty three, this I can't believe it. I've never
had this happened in a film before this. Two years later,
this film is still a festival Darling. It's still getting
invited to festival, it's still doing really well. I think
(20:35):
for us it's about just constantly evolving the Impact campaign.
How are we reaching more people, How are we getting
into more schools, into more communities, all of that kind
of stuff. So how are we growing our team when
finance is allowed, or just doing what we can with
what we have. So the Impact campaign and the impact
(20:57):
distribution of this is the next pro honestly. Okay, well,
I have other projects going on, and I'm you know,
doing a few other things. But I think for my
collaboration with Vicky, where as long as there's some energy
behind us and we think that it's making a difference
in the world, we're going to keep on showing up
for it.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
Good for you, no, good for you, because it is
making an impact. And yeah and yeah, it's like snowballing.
That's how I feel, you know, I feel that what's
happening with it. So thank you, Thank you both for
doing this and taking the time and talking about it.
I'm you know, I'm so thrilled that we finally had
a chance to talk about it. And for my listeners,
please go to buy myside doc dot com. Whether in
(21:42):
your community you can host a screening, or you're a
teacher or a volunteer with your kids' school and you
can get it in the school. I think it's very
very important because you know, knowledge is power, and I
think the more people are aware of our veterans and
they're PTSD and how just having a service dog can
(22:04):
help them get their life back, I think, you know,
we can't say it enough to get the word out.
So for my listeners, please go to buy my side
doc doc dot com. So, Michael Collins and Vicky Topaz,
thank you, thank you, Thank you for your movie, for
talking with me, for all that you've done and are doing.
Speaker 2 (22:24):
Thank you Maria for your support for your interests. We
really appreciate it. It means a lot to us.
Speaker 1 (22:30):
Yeah, well, thank you.
Speaker 3 (22:32):
Thanks Maria,
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