Youth Contributor

A Filmmaker: Liv McNeil

I stumbled upon the video Numb posted above. This video amazingly captures how youth may be feeling during this difficult time of forced virtual schooling. Then I learned that Numb was made by a 15 year old kiddo! I wanted to learn more about this film and the inspiration behind it. Watch Numb and then read my interview with the very talented Liv McNeil below. ~Ryan

Q: What inspired you to create Numb?
Liv: It was the last project of the year for my arts course in grade 9, and because it was the end of the year, it was pretty open ended, and my teacher let us have some fun with it. I took that opportunity and decided to make some more quarantine inspired art, specifically how isolation affects mental health, and what kids are going through right now with online school. I have already been making alot of art inspired by quarantine. right now is obviously an awful time, but I can’t do much about it, so might as well take away from this experience and turn it into art.

Q: How do you feel Numb will relate to other kids in the country?
Liv: I think kids everywhere right now can relate to this, no one is REALLY enjoying online school. wherever you are, we are all going through the same thing. I have had a couple kids my age reach out to me and say that they feel the same way and are glad their feelings have been shown so accurately. I am so thankful and happy I have all this support and all these people that relate to me.

Q: Do you feel Numb will help parents relate to how kids are feeling about the current shutdown of the country?
Liv: I think the teachers and parents that have already seen it are feeling a bit guilty… not that they should, I mean we are all feeling quite helpless right now, but they see how their kids are feeling and there’s not that much they can do. I just hope that they can realize what kids are going through right now and go a bit easy on them.

Q: What impact do you hope Numb will have to anyone who watches it?
Liv: It’s really cheesy but I just hope anyone who watches it knows that you are not alone, we are all going through the same thing. this seems like it’s been going on for forever and it will continue for forever but it won’t. This is just a moment in our lives that will pass soon and we will see the light on the other side of the tunnel.

Bio: My name is Liv McNeil, I’m 15, going into grade 10 at Etobicoke School of the Arts. I major in visual arts, I love art and I’ve been doing it my whole life. I have especially been making lots of art during the quarantine. I also do film outside of school with my brother. We make little music videos and small stories. I have always made art as a way to pass time and express myself (it’s also just fun). I might see something or think of a concept, then I just like to draw it and make art to get my ideas out. Some more things I do include skateboarding, snowboarding, sewing, gardening, listening to music, and biking around my city.