WHAT DID YOU MAKE THIS YEAR?
Every year, a little too close to the deadline, you sit down at the kitchen table. You break out your shameful little box of receipts. You carefully classify them into piles, according to a system that you’ll forget by next April, and you punch those numbers into a calculator that hasn’t seen the light of day since this time last year. Really pulling back the curtain on my life here...
It all starts out with the question: WHAT DID YOU MAKE THIS YEAR?
There’s a discomfort to that question – It’s private. It’s maybe smaller number than you’d hoped. It’s a secret. It’s rude to ask about.
Why?
Why are we so set on the intrinsically financial meaning of that question? Sure, it’s important to know where you’re at financially. But our impact on the people and the world around us is far more important. And that’s the position that TurboTax took with this campaign.
What did you make this year? Maybe it was $65,400. Or maybe you made your family proud. Maybe you made a massive leap towards a lifelong goal. And maybe you made connections that you’ll cherish for the rest of your life.
These are stories about real Canadians who are reframing that age old question, told in stills and video.
What did YOU make this year?
RICHELLE TRELENBERG // THE MECHANIC
VANCOUVER, BC
Richelle is a motorcycle mechanic based in Vancouver, BC. She runs her shop out of the back of a custom built van, serving all kinds of people in the motorcycle community. Richelle’s story and message can serve as an inspiration to anyone – everything you do, do it with kindness, and the world will return the favour.
ANDREW SZETO // THE MAKER
OTTAWA, ON
Deep in the woods, in the hills near Ottawa, Andrew Szeto creates all kinds of things, mostly out of recycled skateboards. He’s got a million projects on the go at all times, and is absolutely fired up to share them with anyone, including his 30k+ Youtube subscribers. He’s the prototypical maker, chasing his dreams in the mountains. Can’t argue with that.
IAN AZARIAH //
THE ANALOG PHOTOGRAPHER
VANCOUVER, BC
Ian is a photographer, entrepreneur and maker based in Vancouver. He runs a fleet of film photobooths across the region, which he’s fully restored to working order himself. His deep connection with analog and manual processes has steered him down a fulfilling path of creation and adventure as he continues to build his business .
MIRIAM DELOS SANTOS //
THE FASHION DESIGNER
WINNIPEG, MB
Miriam Delos Santos had a picture-perfect life. The house, the car, the career — then Mara arrived. This short film unfolds Miriam’s story as she abandons the expected, embarking on a path that imparts to her daughter the profound importance of self-belief.
KENDRA GRITTANI // THE CELLIST
OAKVILLE, ON
Kendra Grittani is a professional cellist based in Toronto, Ontario. Everything in her life has pointed towards her purpose – performing – since before she can remember. This film tells the story about the one thing that threatened to take that all away, and her journey in overcoming those challenges.
LINA VANDAL // THE ARTIST
MONTREAL, QC
When I grow up, I want to be like Lina. She’s a firm believer that dreams aren’t only for youth – she left her successful career in advertising at 50 to pursue her life long goal of being an artist. She’s a model, she’s a trapeze (!) performer, and she’s an amazing role model to her grandchildren. I’ll let her story speak for itself.
THE BLACKSMITH BOIZ //
MISSION, BC
Kaden and Logan are both wildly talented creators, in both the physical and the digital space. They’ve struck out on their own, leaving ‘regular’ jobs behind to pursue lives creating all kinds of metal projects in the mountains outside of Vancouver. They shoot content for Tiktok along the way, and have amassed a hefty following as they goof around and create magic. These guys are truly living their best lives, and having a ton of fun along the way.
BEHIND THE SCENES
An infinite thank you to all those involved in bringing this project to life. From crew, to subjects, to TurboTax team, it was truly a pleasure to create this work with everyone. I’m forever thankful for the experiences this career gives me, and this project certainly cemented that feeling.
Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings. Let’s make something cool together.
Co-Directed and photographed by Christian Tisdale
Co-Directed and DP’d by Liam Mullany
Ignited by Stefania Mancini & Toph Clarke
Campaign line by Library Collective
Made by a million talented individuals.
Thank you.
Christian
IMAGES IN THE WILD
Content from this campaign launched on broadcast, out-of-home, print and web channels across Canada.
Interested in real-people storytelling for your brand?