Working Title: She Seas

Hello all! Thank you all so much! I am here in South Africa! I made it... all thanks to you. I hope you all understand how greatful I am for you.

We will be setting sail soon. Probably wednesday Feb. 3rd, for St. Helena. Please email home address (for postcards), questions, comments or tips to mariana.urban01@gmail.com.

Love truly,

Mariana

With 17 hours left.. check out this article about this indiegogo!

http://www.philanthrogeek.com/fund-this/fund-this-working-title-she-seas/

She Seas

My name is Mariana which translates to "goddess of the sea". I swam before I walked, and I have been sailing since I was seven years old.

I grew up in Seattle's Central District. After attending Garfield High School I went on to the University of British Columbia for a degree in Journalism and Media Studies.

When my big brother died unexpectedly in 2011 I decided to return to Seattle. I resumed my longstanding involvement with Reel Grrls, a non-profit comitted to media justice and female empowerment. I began my career working freelance and making shorts and promotional videos. Several of which have been accepted into international film festivals. 

On Christmas day of 2012 I recieved an email from a woman named Alice, inviting me to crew on her 38ft boat and sail half way around the world. From South Africa across the Atlantic and through the Panama Canal. I experienced a huge sense of hope I have not felt since my brother died. I was initially excited by the opportunity for adventure and reflection, but when I heard that she was making this trip around the world, intentionally with an all women crew, I knew this was an opportunity not to pass up. I conceived of the idea to make a film of my journey, the experiences of the other amazing crew women and also explore the checkered history of women adventurers and seafarers.  

This campaign is to raise involvement and awareness.

The timeline is short. We must leave Cape Town by the end of January to catch the tradewinds. 

Join me on this voyage and be a part of what's sure to be an amazing documentary — an intimate look into a transformative journey.

Thank you for your timely support!

What We Need & What You Get

We need to fund travel and production. Here are the specifics of what your donations will cover - Phase 1 (South Africa to Panama):

Equipment:

-2 HD GoPros Video Cameras (essential waterproof mounted cameras designed for picking up action at high speeds) mounted on three different point of view locations on the vessel.

-1 HD Flip Camera (portable high quality video cameras for interviews and targeted content) 

-Zume Audio recoder (Capturing audio from a distance at high resolution)

* If we exceed our goal, we will be able to get a waterproof hard drive and an additional GoPro and Flip Cam.

Supplies:

-Survival Life Jacket 

Travel:

-Airfare to South Africa

-$15 a day for food and incidentals for the extent of the trip

 **** If we exceed our goal, there is potential to continue on to Hawaii and return through British Columbia.

This is what I will give you in return:

-DVD of the final project

-Postcards from each Port

-Swag from the finished project i.e. T-shirts, posters, buttons

-Premier Passes

-Producer Credit

The Impact

I am passionate about women's voices and perspectives being a powerful source of change in the world. 

Take a look at the Discovery Channel, every adventure story you see is male-centric. Let's show the world what it means to be a female adventurer, a perspective not yet seen in mainsteam media. 

Historically, woman have been considered bad luck when sailing on the high seas. In this film, I would like to explore the lesser known history of women travelers and explorers, and the struggles behind their triumph. 

Traversing the world's oceans is one of the most terrifying and challenging feats know to man. By contributing, you will be a witness and supporter of four women's courage and watch as we push ourselves to the limit.

Other Ways You Can Help

-Donate gear

-Donate knowledge

-Donate stories 

-Link me up with your friends that live or have visited the places I'm going

-Hang out with my parents and kittens while I'm gone