University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses

Connected: living mindfully in the digital age

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Connected: living mindfully in the digital age

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Conn ected :
Living Mindfully in the Digital Age
B y
Melicia Johnson

A Thesis Presented to the
FAC ULTY OF USC GRAD UATE SCHOOL
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
In Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree
MASTER OF ARTS
(SPECIALIZED JOURNALISM)
AUGUST 2018

Copyright 2018 Melicia Johnson
1

Table of Contents

1. Background to the Documentary ...................................................................................pg. 2
2. Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………. ...pg. 7
3. Background Bibliography ..............................................................................................pg. 8
4. Documentary Script .......................................................................................................pg. 9
5. Script Bibliography ......................................................................................................pg. 23

2

Background to the Documentary
“Connected” Living Mindfully in the Digital Age is a documentary that follows two
millennials, a Hindu monk, and a life coach, as they use the practice of mindfulness to build
authentic connections in the digital age. I chose this topic because as a millennial I have
experienced the distractions and pressures that come with always being online. I’ve seen how the
desire for likes and comments can take you out of the present moment. I started wondering why
the digital world began to seem more important to me than the real world. As a journalist, I saw
an opportunity to tell the story of two young people who prioritize self-reflection, self-
development and inner growth when everything around them is moving so fast. I was curious to
learn more about their perspectives as well as the techniques, and tools they use to create a
healthy balance between themselves and the digital world.
Social media is beneficial in many ways, but we can’t ignore its downside. In an article
on Theconversation.com, author Tony Rao describes millennials’ obsession with social media as
an addiction, and he compares it to the baby boomers’ abuse of alcohol and drugs. Rao states,
“The problem with social media is that self-image relies mainly on others and their opinions. A
recent study found higher narcissism in millennial college students, compared with previous
generations. This does not bode well for a society where self-reflection is key to making
informed and balanced decisions.”
1

1
Tony Rao, “Social media is as harmful as alcohol and drugs for millennials,” The Conversation, June 12, 2017,
https://theconversation.com/social-media-is-as-harmful-as-alcohol-and-drugs-for-millennials-78418.
3

This story is significant because it brings up a relevant issue: many millennials secretly
feel a need to prove that their lives are always exciting. The financial site LearnVest surveyed
1,000 millennials and found 56 percent of millennials admit that they’ve posted a photo on social
media to make it look like they were staying, eating or visiting somewhere more expensive than
they were.
2
In a New York Post article, Fran Walfish, a relationship psychotherapist, stated:
“One reason they do this is because they’re trying to create jealousy and make themselves appear
more desirable.”
3
The millennials profiled in the documentary were vulnerable, admitting that
they had felt the need to be seen as perfect in their peers’ eyes. “Connected” explores the
pressures created by social media, but it also provides a possible solution. That solution is
mindfulness.
I learned so much while producing this documentary. From a technical standpoint, I
learned what it takes to create a visual story. It was fascinating to discover how sequences are a
vital component of a documentary. I also discovered that a documentary is composed of two
stories, told simultaneously, which complement each another. These two stories are the
interviews and the sequences. The production process consisted of a lot of trial and error, but I
am more confident now than I have ever been before in my ability to film a visually compelling
story.
Research and interviews showed me that technology and social media are beneficial.
However, they also showed that technology and social media is causing a lot of anxiety and

2
Research, Wakefield. 2017. LearnVest's Money Habits and Confessions Survey Highlight American's Travel
Spending Habits. LearnVest.com.
3
Hill, Catey. 2017. Why Millenials Lie to Each Other On Social Media. June 20.
https://nypost.com/2017/06/20/why-millennials-lie-to-each-other-on-social-media/.

4

depression.
4
Capturing images of young people on their devices; I saw how much my generation
relies on technology and social media. It became apparent how we use our devices as a crutch
when we experience social anxiety.
I am a visual learner, and I have always been intrigued by the educational value that
documentaries offer. When I decided to tell the story of “Connected” through a documentary, I
faced a lot of challenges. The biggest one was feeling passionate about the idea but not knowing
how to turn it into a story. It was difficult to bring my idea to life visually. My first instinct was
to find a group of Luddites, but because they do not use technology it became nearly impossible.
Shortly after, I concluded that I wanted to tell the story through the lens of spirituality. I reached
out to the Carmelite Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Los Angeles to see if I could follow their
millennial nones’ for a day and see how they interact with technology. I never received a
response. Finally, I decided to google “millennial monk,” and I came across an article
highlighting Jaya. Jaya Chaitanya Das is a millennial Hindu monk who lives in a community
with 180 fellow seekers. I reached out to Jaya to gauge his interest, and he agreed to be part of
the film. After receiving some direction from my professor, I decided that I could visually tell his
story by a tour of the tight-knit community where he lives.
Jaya’s story is very intriguing, especially since millennials are turning away from religion
faster than any other age group.
5
According to the Pew Research Center, more than a third of

4
Ph.D., Graham C.L. Davey. 2016. Social Media, Loneliness, and Anxiety in Young People. December 15.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/why-we-worry/201612/social-media-loneliness-and-anxiety-in-young-
people.

5
Taylors, Audri. 2017. Why Millenials Are Turning away from Religion According To Study. March 7.
http://www.universityherald.com/articles/67899/20170307/why-millennials-turning-away-religion-according-
study.htm.

5

Americans between 18 and 35 consider themselves to be religiously unaffiliated.
6
I knew that I
needed a non-religious millennial to balance my story. I asked a classmate if she knew of a
millennial life coach and she referred me to Brandilyn Tebo. Visually I decided to tell her story
through her life coaching sessions with her clients.
The video worked as an excellent medium because the community where Jaya lives is
colorful. I was able to take my audience into a monastic community that they likely have never
seen. Brandilyn’s story visually worked because you can see the benefits of connecting face to
face with someone as she consults her client.
I am proud of what I was able to accomplish in this film. As a storyteller, my mission is
to educate, inspire, and entertain. “Connected” hits all three of those points. The process started
off rocky, but I was able to put together a visually compelling story with the message I wanted to
share: There is more to life than social media. I was able to find experts to complement my main
characters, and I was able to tell the story without completely bashing technology and social
media. I found a balance between discussing the benefits of social media while raising concerns
about the adverse effects and providing solutions.
I was unable to get perfect footage. As a beginning cinematographer, I captured good
footage here and there. For my next project, I would like to focus on the visual aspect as much as
the story concept. However, I was able to answer the question that interested me: How can
millennials live mindfully in the digital age? Brandilyn and Jaya are prime examples of
individuals dedicated to living mindfully. As a storyteller, I was able to showcase two people
who have different ways of doing that but who also have much in common. Those things are a
desire to be the best version of themselves and a desire to help people. They don’t allow social
media to control them, rather they use it as a tool to learn, grow, and help others. The

6
Michael Lipka, “Millennials increasingly are driving growth of ‘none’s’,” Pew Research Center, May 12, 2015,
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/05/12/millennials-increasingly-are-driving-growth-of-nones/.
6

information and insight that I received while documenting this story has been beneficial to me,
and I hope that it will be helpful to viewers as well.

7

Conclusion
The story of “Connected” Living Mindfully in the Digital Age worked because it’s a
timely piece. Recently, various news outlets have been covering the topic of how social media
negatively affects young people.
7
I decided to take a different approach: what it looks like to be
mindful about your use of technology. I wanted to showcase millennials who are defying our
generation’s reputation as narcissistic. Jaya and Brandilyn are two young people who are selfless
and want to make the world a better place.
This documentary could have been stronger if I focused more on the “connection” aspect
during Jaya’s portion of the story. I concentrated more on his lifestyle than how he is monitoring
his social media use. I could have provided more information on Brandilyn and Jaya’s screen
time and social media habits. The piece could have been stronger if I had the voice of someone
with a celebrity status sharing their story and perspective. I would be curious to know how
famous people balance living in the moment with a life that necessitates using social media for
product endorsement and fans engagement. Overall, this was a life-changing experience for me. I
learned how to produce a documentary, and I’m eager to see how this process will aid my future
endeavors.

7
Fox, Kara. 2017. Instagram worst social media app for young people's mental health. May 19. Accessed May 07,
2018. https://www.cnn.com/2017/05/19/health/instagram-worst-social-network-app-young-people-mental-
health/index.html.

8

Background Bibliography

Fox, Kara. 2017. Instagram worst social media app for young people's mental health. May 19.
Accessed May 07, 2018. https://www.cnn.com/2017/05/19/health/instagram-worst-
social-network-app-young-people-mental-health/index.html.
Hill, Catey. 2017. Why Millenials Lie to Each Other On Social Media. June 20.
https://nypost.com/2017/06/20/why-millennials-lie-to-each-other-on-social-media/.
Lipka, Michael. 2015. Millennials increasingly are driving growth of ‘nones’. March 12.
Accessed May 2, 2018. http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/05/12/millennials-
increasingly-are-driving-growth-of-nones/.
Ph.D., Graham C.L. Davey. 2016. Social Media, Loneliness, and Anxiety in Young People.
December 15. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/why-we-worry/201612/social-
media-loneliness-and-anxiety-in-young-people.
Rao, Tony. 2017. Social media is as harmful as alcohol and drugs for millennials. June 12.
Accessed May 2, 2018. https://theconversation.com/social-media-is-as-harmful-as-
alcohol-and-drugs-for-millennials-78418.
Research, Wakefield. 2017. LearnVest's Money Habits and Confessions Survey Highlight
American's Travel Spending Habits. LearnVest.com.
Taylors, Audri. 2017. Why Millenials Are Turning away from Religion According To Study .
March 7. http://www.universityherald.com/articles/67899/20170307/why-millennials-
turning-away-religion-according-study.htm.

9

Documentary Script

Connected”
Living Mindfully in the Digital Age
Producer/Writer: Melicia S. Johnson
Thesis (Fine Cut May 2, 2018)

Video Link: https://youtu.be/6pfqu_UFpig
PROLOUGE

Montage young people on their devices
VO Jaya Chaitanya Das
Montage young people on their devices

These days we are all day on our news feeds,
but we forget to feed ourselves.

SOT Jaya Chaitanya Das INTV

I think if people were to work more on
themselves before approaching these objects
and devices, then they will be able to use
them more beneficially for themselves and
others.

Montage young people on their devices
VO Varun Soni

The black lives matter wouldn’t have
happened without twitter. Me too wouldn’t
have happened without twitter. There has
been extraordinary solidarity support and
community organizing that has happened
around the world because we are able to talk
to each other. But we also live in a toxic
online environment.

SOT Varun Soni INTV

Within that you can see that the tool itself
might be value neutral, but it reflects what’s
best in us and it reflects what’s worse in us
quite frankly. Our responsibility is to ensure it
continues to reflect what’s best in us.

Montage young people on their devices
VO Narrator

ORIGIN RESEARCH GROUP PUBLISHED
A SURVEY IN 2017 REVEALING THAT
MORE THAN 50% OF USERS BETWEEN
10

THE AGES OF 18 AND 24 ARE SEEKING
RELIEF FROM SOCIAL MEDIA AND 34%
OF YOUNG USERS HAVE DELETED
THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS
ENTIRELY.

Montage young people on their devices
VO Brandilyn Tebo

Because we live in such a highlight reel
culture where we only share about the
positive stuff.

SOT Brandilyn Tebo INTV

It makes everyone think that when I’m
dealing with something negative I’m the only
one, because everywhere I look everyone is
just happy and smiling so what’s wrong with
me that I’m dealing with this.

VO Narrator
MS Brandilyn and boyfriend playing with cat

MS Jaya in front of Iskcon Temple with
fellow monk

MS Brandilyn with crystal in her home

MS Jaya walking towards the street from
Iskcon Temple

BRANDILYN AND JAYA ARE TWO
MILLENNIALS WHO USE THEIR
SPIRITUALITY AND MINDFULNESS AS
A TOOL TO BALANCE BUILDING A
CONNECTION WITH THEMSELVES AND
HAVING A CONNECTION ONLINE.

SOT DR. Peter Whybrow INTV

Mindfulness in its simple definition is just
self-awareness really.

VO DR. Peter Whybrow

Montage of young people on their devices

It’s just the ability to be able to reflect upon
physiological function and your
thoughtfulness and put it together in a way
that's quite and dependent on the moment.

SOT DR. Peter Whybrow INTV

GFX: Connected, Living Mindfully in the
Digital Age
Not something you're thinking about in the
future or the past. Its bringing yourself into
the present.

11

END Of prologue

EST. WS Downtown Los Angeles
Lower Thirds Los Angeles, CA
EST. MS Busy street downtown LA
EST. WS Hollywood sign
EST. MS Welcome to Beverly Hills sign
EST. WS Santa Monica Pier

EST. Cars driving on VENICE Blvd
PAN to Watseka Ave sign
VO Jaya Chaitanya Das

CU Flower Bush
MS Of Jaya walking past flower push
MS Of Jaya walking past flower bush with
Venice Blvd behind him

This neighborhood is probably the last place
you would expect a temple to be because
were in the middle of Los Angeles. There is
18 million people around us. But our mission
is a mission of giving so we don’t decide to
be in the caves or the forest.

SOT Jaya Chaitanya Das INTV
CG: Jaya J.C. Das, Millennial Life Coach

We want to be where the people are because
that way we can reach them.

VO Narrator
WS Of the Iskcon Temple
PAN From Iskcon Temple to show the
community

JAYA IS A HINDU MONK WHO LIVES IN
A COMMUNITY THAT SURROUNDS
THE ISKCON HARE KRISHNA TEMPLE
CALLED NEW DWARKA. THIS
COMMUNITY HAS A VEGAN
RESTAURANT, A MUSEUM, A GIFT
SHOP AND IS THE HOME TO 180
DEVOTEES.

MS Jaya walking up to the front door of the
apartments

VO Jaya Chaitanya Das
CU Of Jaya’s feet going up the stairs

OTS Of Jaya entering the apartment complex

We have so many different monks from
around the world. We have so many people
from around the world. We have people from
China, Japan, Russia, India, Africa, Jamaica,
Egypt.

SOT Jaya Chaitanya Das INTV

12

Canada, Hawaii, we might even have some
penguins somewhere. It’s really cool getting
different perspectives on life.

SOT Jaya Chaitanya Das
MS Jaya pointing out the apartments
PAN of the balconies of the apartment homes

These all apartments where different devotees
stay just so they can stay close to the temple.
It’s a really nice community.

VO Jaya Chaitanya Das
WS PAN Of the courtyard of the apartment
building

A monk is basically not a punk. We focus a
lot on the internal.

SOT Jaya Chaitanya Das INTV

What we are supposed to is we are supposed
to love people and use things, but nowadays
we love things and use people, so its bringing
it back to that wholesome essence.

SOT Varun Soni INTV
CG: Varun Soni, Dean of Religious Life at
USC

It’s rare to find any millennial monk these
days. Let’s not forget that he is a monk in Los
Angeles, not a monk in some ashram in India
in some monastery. He’s not living in the
Himalayas, he’s not doing on some deserted
island. He is very much in the heart of the
most religiously diverse city in the world.

VO Narrator
MS Varun on the computer

CU Varun typing

CU Varun’s face
CU Varun’s hand on mouse
MS of Varun on the computer

VARUN SONI IS THE DEAN OF
RELIGIOUS LIFE AT THE UNIVERSITY
OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. MUCH OF
HIS WORK IS FOCUSED ON PASTORAL
CARE, SPIRITUAL COUNSELING, AND
INTERFAITH ENGAGEMENT.

SOT Varun Soni INTV

From the Hindu perspective, the Indian
perspective, and from the generational
perspective. He is really unique. To be in the
role that he’s in means that you have a lot of
courage in my opinion. You are a very brave
person to essentially say this is what is
meaningful to me, this is the way I envision
13

my life, and this is how I’m going to focus
my life. Not on celebrity, security, status, or
salary, but on the things I find meaningful.

SOT Jaya Chaitanya Das
MS Jaya standing outside of temple before
entering Rama

So, Rama is an actual person. He came
thousands of years ago. Today we are
celebrating. It’s kind of like a birthday party
for Rama that we are having.

MS Jaya walking towards the shoe rack
outside of temple

CU Jaya taking off his shoes

VO Jaya Chaitanya Das
MS Jaya standing in line to enter temple

GFX: Jaya in music studio on piano
GFX: Jaya sitting on couch in music studio
MS Jaya walks into the temple and the door
closes behind him

Prior to me joining the temple, I was
producing music. I was in the music industry
making beats. I was making hip hop Indian
beats. I was making music for film, television
and hip-hop artist. I made this really cool beat
and I sent it to this very prominent hip hop
artist and he agreed to be on the beat. So, I
thought that now my life was going to shift
into a real positive direction.

SOT Jaya Chaitanya Das INTV

I was getting really spiritual at the time as
well.

VO Jaya Chaitanya Das

When he sent back the lyrics to the beat It
was everything I was against. It was talking
about drugs and intoxications and treating
women with no respect etcetera.

MS Jaya’s feet as he walks up stairs inside of
the temple
MS Jaya walking up the stairs and entering
the balcony
MS Of ritual on stage
WS Of ritual on stage

SOT Jaya Chaitanya Das INTV

I was like I can’t be part of this because if this
song goes out there it’s going to lower people
consciousness and I’ve already seen what it’s
doing.

14

VO Jaya Chaitanya Das
WS Of ritual on stage
CU Jaya face as he looks at the ritual

So that’s when I decided to take a break from
the industry and work on self-development.

VO Narrator
MS Jaya face as he looks at the ritual

PAN From Jaya’s face to the stage and crowd

MS Jaya’s back as he walks down the stairs

AFTER MAKING THAT CHOICE JAYA
BEGAN TO GO TO A TEMPLE REALLY
CLOSE TO HIS HOUSE. AFTER
SHOWING UP EVERY DAY AT FIVE
O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING. THE HEAD
MONKS AT THE TEMPLE BEGAN TO
TAKE NOTICE. EVENTUALLY THEY
TOOK JAYA UNDER THEIR WING AND
TAUGHT HIM THE DISCIPLINES AND
PRACTICES THAT COME WITH
MONASTIC LIVING.

MS Of guy playing drums

VO Jaya Chaitanya Das
PAN From guy playing drums to Jaya’s face

CU Of fire ritual
PAN To Jaya engaging in the ritual

MS Of Jaya and crowd celebrating

One day they said hey we don’t want you to
be here anymore. I said what? What do you
mean did I commit some offense, why are you
saying this to me? They said you know what
we have been observing you and we think you
are ready for the next level. So that’s when
they instructed me to go to the LA temple and
ever since being here I’ve never left, and I
feel a lot of happiness.

EST. WS Brandilyn’s home
CU Of flowers in Brandilyn’s front yard
MS Of Brandilyn’s home, side POV

VO Brandilyn Tebo
CU Of cat on kitchen table
MS Of Buddha statue
CU Of Brandilyn writing in her notebook
PAN From notebook up to Brandilyn’s face

Out of control, okay. which of these are most
intense to you?

SOT Brandilyn Tebo
CU Brandilyn’s face

Or which are you in most resistance to? Your
anxiety, your frustration? Your feeling of
15

being a victim? Your uncertainty or your
feeling of being out of control?

VO Narrator
WS Of Brandilyn in a life coach session with
client
CU Of Brandilyn writing in the notebook
CU Of Brandilyn’s face

BRANDILY TEBO IS A LIFE COACH, A
RETREAT HOST, AND AN AUTHOR.

SOT Brandilyn’s Client
CU Of Brandilyn’s client face
How do I remain authentic to what I have
learned and what I have gained?

VO Brandilyn Tebo
CU Of Brandilyn’s client’s hands

It’s so easy to be in reactive mode of just
dealing with the circumstances of your life
and just constantly reacting to things.

SOT Brandilyn Tebo INTV
CG: Brandilyn Tebo, Millennial Life Coach

GFX: Brandilyn at the age of 7 years old

GFX: Brandilyn eating birthday cake

GFX: Of Brandilyn at the age of 16 years old

CU Of Brandilyn modeling

GFX: Brandilyn’s magazine photoshoot
CU Of Brandilyn modeling in black and
white

WS Of Brandilyn modeling in black and
white

When I was about seven or eight years old. I
was sexually assaulted, so I went from having
this sense of unconditional worth and
unconditional specialness to feeling like I’ve
done something wrong. I didn’t tell anybody
what happened I just harbored this secret.
How it ended up affecting me was, I decided
to be perfect in all other respects in life, so
nobody would find out I was secretly bad or
secretly wrong for what had happened. Of
course, when things like this happen, we
blame it on ourselves especially when we are
so young.
When I was 16 or 17 maybe I was at a Justin
Bieber concert for my birthday and I got
scouted by a modeling agency. For somebody
with a perfectionist overachiever
personality…. the worst industry to get into.
Because there is only one thing you can
control and that’s your weight. All that shame
I had from my past just coalesced and resulted
in anorexia. I reached a crucial part in my life
where things had to change and that was
when all of this started.

SOT Brandilyn Tebo
CU Of Brandilyn’s face as she meditates with
her client
PAN To client’s face
Is there anything she wants to be truly heard
in? That she can’t tell anybody else?

16

SOT Brandilyn’s client
CU Of client
MS Of Brandilyn and client from ground
POV
You’re not an accident, you are capable, you
matter, it’s okay to take us space.

SOT Brandilyn Tebo INTV
WS Of Brandilyn working with her client
PAN From over client’s shoulder, showing
Brandilyn’s face

It’s so important that we actively create space
to connect with each other and we set aside all
of the devices and everything else and just
look in the faces of our family and friends and
we really genuinely ask, how are you?

VO Brandilyn’s client
CU Of Brandilyn switching pens as she writes
in her notebook

I kind of felt knocked over for a while.

SOT Brandilyn Tebo
MS Of Brandilyn writing in her notebook

Hm okay so what are like the deeper
questions?

SOT Brandilyn Tebo INTV

MS Of Brandilyn and client laughing
Because we live in such a highlight reel
culture where we only share about the
positive stuff. It makes everyone think that
when I’m dealing with something negative
I’m the only one, because everywhere I look
everyone is just happy and smiling so what’s
wrong with me that I’m dealing with this.
SOT Varun Soni INTV

CU Of Brandilyn’s clients face from ground
POV

When you compare what you know to be true
in your life with the best or the most curated
aspects of someone else’s life, you’re going to
feel bad about yourself. We know that’s the
case. We know the longer you spend looking
at your friends post the worst you feel about
yourself. We know that FMO, the fear of
missing out is a generational issue caused by
social media in a lot of ways. But don’t
believe the hype. No one is living a better
version of their life than you are. If people
were to be honest and many people are you
would see that your fears and anxieties are
similar across the board just as your dreams
and your aspirations are similar across the
board.

SOT Brandilyn’s Client
CU Of Brandilyn’s clients face from ground
POV

If I take another risk I will just end up where I
was?

SOT Brandilyn Tebo
17

MS Of Brandilyn explaining next steps to her
client

So here you are sitting in this room right now.
What’s next? What are the next actions that
you are going to take to get you that much
closer to that dream.

SOT Brandilyn Tebo INTV

The more we can connect about our triumphs
and our trails the more we can allow space for
everything. The more we can be like it’s all
okay. It’s all part of the human experience. I
go through it too so let’s talk about that.

VO Dr. Peter Whybrow
PAN from ground up to see Brandilyn
listening to client
PAN To client’s face

Many people spend hours a day on their
devices and so there isn’t much time for
reflection. They are very addictive.

SOT Dr. Peter Whybrow INTV
CG: Dr. Peter Whybrow, Human Behavior
Specialist

So, every time the thing flashes or rings they
pay attention. So, they don’t have the same
opportunity as I had growing up to wonder off
into the woods and figure out what is going
on in the woods. Someone else is always
bombarding you.

VO Narrator
MS Semel Institute sign in front of building
MS Of the Semel Institute building

MS Of Dr. Whybrow on his computer

CU Of Dr. Whybrow’s hand as he types

WS Of Dr. Whybrow on the computer

DR. PETER WHYBROW RUNS THE
SEMEL INSTITUTE FOR
NEUROSCIENCE AND HUMAN
BEHAVIOR AT UCLA. AS A
PSYCHIATRIST AND NEUROSCIENTIST,
HE IS INTERESTED IN WHO WE ARE AS
HUMANS, OUR BEHAVIOR AND HOW
TOGETHER WE CAN BUILD A
SUSTAINABLE FUTURE.

SOT Dr. Peter Whybrow INTV

We are all busy pushing the marketplace and
having people think that the next best thing or
the next thing they buy is going to change
their lives when in fact sitting down thinking
helps changes your life too.

WS Of Jaya at the books table
18

SOT Jaya Chaitanya Das
PAN Of the books on the table

PAN Up to Jaya’s face

PAN Back down to books

Yeah these are all meditation books. We don’t
really sell them we just ask for donations if
people can help out. They teach a lot about
values and spiritual principles in life. We feel
that when you give someone a book you don’t
give someone ink paper and glue, but you
give them the possibility of a whole new life.
That’s a quote by Christopher Morley he’s
like a famous American writer.

SOT Jaya Chaitanya Das INTV

My self personally I like to be with the
people, so I go to different universities
colleges, places yoga studios and basically
just talk about spiritual life.

SOT Jaya Chaitanya Das
MS Of Jaya interacting with client

How is it going?

SOT CLIENT
MS Of client interacting with Jaya

Hi How are you?

SOT Jaya Chaitanya Das
MS Of Jaya interacting with client

Welcome to the table.

SOT CLIENT
MS Of client interacting with Jaya

Thank you.

SOT Jaya Chaitanya Das
MS Of Jaya interacting with client

We are just giving books today to awesome
people. Are you awesome?

SOT CLIENT
MS Of client interacting with Jaya

I think so.

SOT Jaya Chaitanya Das
MS Of Jaya interacting with client

Oh, then you qualify

VO Jaya Chaitanya Das
CU Jaya handing client a book

I think it’s really important for young people
to be part of different communities and
environments that deal with meditation and
these different aspects.

SOT Jaya Chaitanya Das INTV

Because if young people didn’t have these
programs then they would be programing on
their phone. They would build a community
19

CU Of client taking the book and looking at it

on their phone and that’s okay in one sense,
but it’s not the all in all. There should be a
type of balance out there.

SOT Varun Soni INTV

I think science is offering these principles
who come from different faith backgrounds or
no faith background at all. These are actually
now secular principles for everyone to live
by. Yoga, meditation, community building,
service to others. You don’t need to theistic to
do any of that.

SOT Client
MS Of client interacting with Jaya

So how does it work, do I just get to take the
book home?

SOT Jaya Chaitanya Das
MS Of Jaya interacting with client

Yeah, we just ask if you could leave a
donation, just try to keep it under a million, is
that possible.

SOT Client
MS Of client interacting with Jaya

What about a million and one?

SOT Jaya Chaitanya Das
MS Of Jaya interacting with client

I got change for a million. We are like balling
out monks.

SOT Client
MS Of client interacting with Jaya

Balling out monks, Hashtag.

SOT Jaya Chaitanya Das
MS Of Jaya interacting with client

My name is JC, what’s your name?

SOT Client
MS Of client interacting with Jaya

My name is Deja.

SOT Client
MS Of client interacting with Jaya

PAN From client and Jaya down to books on
the table
Nice to meet you as well. I’m going to go get
some donation money and check out some
books.

EST. WS Of Brandilyn’s home
CU Brandilyn’s hands playing the guitar
MS Of Brandilyn playing guitar
CU Of Brandilyn’s hands on the guitar

SOT Brandilyn Tebo

I do several weekend retreats and now I’m
actually doing a ten-month program, so we
20

MS Of Brandilyn sitting at the table on her
computer

CU Of Brandilyn’s computer screen

MS Of Brandilyn sitting at the table on her
computer

can really take women a lot deeper. We are
working with a small group of just ten women
who are really committed to making a
difference in the world and have something
that they want to pursue and birth out into the
world. So, we are calling it Root and Rise a
Sacred Incubator for the Awakening Change
Maker. So, we are going to have six virtual
gatherings where we all host our own private
cacao ceremony for ourselves, but we are
connected so it’s almost like were all in the
same room together. Which we were speaking
about wanting to find ways to use technology
to stay authentically connected and this is one
of the ways that were doing it.

MS Side of Brandilyn’s face as she is typing
on computer
MS Front of Brandilyn’s face as she is typing
on the computer

SOT Brandilyn Tebo INTV

I think a lot of our generation has lost touch
with how we are showing up in the present
moment. We have to get out of this obsession
with results. Obsession with what we’re going
to do. What we’re going to produce in the
future and remember that this is it. This is it.
Right here right now. This is life.

SOT Dr. Peter Whybrow INTV

Mindfulness in its simple definition is just
self-awareness really, it’s just the ability to be
able to reflect upon physiological function
and your thoughtfulness and put it together in
a way that's quite and dependent on the
moment, not something you're thinking about
in terms of the future or the past.

EST. WS Of Mantra House
CU Of Visitor sign

VO Jaya Chaitanya Das
MS Of Mantra House Sign

We are only happy when we are doing one
thing in life and that’s growing.

SOT Jaya Chaitanya Das
CU Of Jaya as he teaches a class

When I wake up in the morning the first thing
I ask myself is how will I grow today and
21

PAN MS From the back of the class room to
see audience
CU Of Jaya’s phone turned off next to him
PAN CU to Jaya’s notes

when I go to sleep at night the last thing I ask
myself is how did I grow today? If we are not
growing in life, then we are not happy.

SOT Varun Soni INTV

PAN MS Of audience from the front of the
class
MS Of Jaya teaching

In some ways technology has made the world
much more closer and more intimate. It has
connected us in ways that we have never been
connected before. In some ways technology
has taken us away from that which is intimate.
Taken us away form that which is human.
Has made us more disconnected, more
disembodied, disempowered than we have
been before.

SOT Jaya Chaitanya Das
CU Of Jaya’s face as he talks to the class

CU Audience reactions

MS Of Jaya teaching the class

SOT Jaya Chaitanya Das INTV

I feel fortunate because I have different
mentors and role models and those that have
lived a monk life for many years and we can
turn to them. We are building that type of
community here. That type of songa here. So,
when people do have some stress or problems
they can come and unplug and get some
solutions.

When young people get together and meet
people we really think we are developing
them from within. I think it eliminates a lot of
depression as well because, when you are on
your phone all day and you’re seeing what
everybody else is doing this feeling comes of
loneliness and isolation and I don’t think
that’s healthy. I’ve experienced it myself and
I think many of us have. Having association is
crucial and that’s what we’re trying to do.

VO Varun Soni
Montage young people on their devices

As long as we are in control of the technology
for purposes that make sense for us.

SOT Varun Soni INTV

As oppose to technology being in control of
us in a way that makes sense for it or the
companies that are creating it, I think we can
use it for a force for good.

22

VO Jaya Chaitanya Das
Montage young people on their devices

Have good intentions. What is your purpose.
We should really think before we post that
picture or post that post. Why is it that I’m
posting this? What is the purpose of this?

SOT Jaya Chaitanya Das

It could be that I just want to post this
sandwich I’m eating. What’s the big deal?
Yeah, it’s cool its totally awesome, but a
higher level is to post something with
meaning and with purpose I feel. At the end
of the day for at least myself, I would like to
make a difference in people’s lives.

VO DR. Peter Whybrow
Montage of young people on their devices

In this modern technology driven society we
have to create a mindfulness.

SOT DR. Peter Whybrow

And the way to do it is to just think about
how many times you’re breathing in for an
example. Try to recognize in that breathing if
your heart rate goes up or down. You can do
all sorts of interesting things if you just reflect
upon yourself.

VO Brandilyn Tebo
Montage young people on their devices

Whenever we say that technology is going to
drive us apart we are creating that, that’s what
the future is going to be.

SOT Brandilyn Tebo INTV

I am 100% responsible for how the future
turns out you are 100% responsible for how
the future turns out. So, if we just start to
language it differently and say that’s it’s
going to be different. It will be.

TEXT CARD: “In today’s rush, we all think
too much, seek too much, want too much and
just forget about the joy of being.” – Eckhart
Tolle

Credits

Credits
END

23

Script Bibliography

Das, Jaya J.C., interview by Melicia Johnson. 2018. Millenial Monk (March 20).
2017. Meet Generation Z, the Social Generation . Research Study, Boston, MA: Hill Holiday,
Orgin Research Group.
Soni, Varun, interview by Melicia Johnson. 2018. Dean of Religious Life at The University of
Southern California (April 18).
Tebo, Brandilyn, interview by Melicia Johnson. 2018. Millennial Life Coach (February 8).
WhyBrow, Dr. Peter, interview by Melicia Johnson. 2018. Neuroscientist and Human Behavior
Specialist (January 13).

Abstract (if available)

Abstract Connected” Living Mindfully in the Digital Age is a documentary that follows two millennials, a Hindu monk, and a life coach, as they use the practice of mindfulness to build authentic connections in the digital age.

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Asset Metadata

Creator Johnson, Melicia Shae (author)

Core Title Connected: living mindfully in the digital age

School Annenberg School for Communication

Degree Master of Arts

Degree Program Specialized Journalism

Publication Date 08/09/2018

Defense Date 08/07/2018

Publisher University of Southern California (original), University of Southern California. Libraries (digital)

Tag digital media,Hindu,life coach,mindfulness,OAI-PMH Harvest,social media,Spirituality,Technology

Format application/pdf (imt)

Language English

Contributor Electronically uploaded by the author (provenance)

Advisor Birman, Dan (committee chair), Weiss, Allen (committee member), Winston, Diane (committee member)

Creator Email meliciajohnson@yahoo.com,meliciashaej@gmail.com

Permanent Link (DOI) https://doi.org/10.25549/usctheses-c89-61190

Unique identifier UC11672485

Identifier etd-JohnsonMel-6703.pdf (filename),usctheses-c89-61190 (legacy record id)

Legacy Identifier etd-JohnsonMel-6703.pdf

Dmrecord 61190

Document Type Thesis

Format application/pdf (imt)

Rights Johnson, Melicia Shae

Type texts

Source University of Southern California (contributing entity), University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses (collection)

Access Conditions The author retains rights to his/her dissertation, thesis or other graduate work according to U.S. copyright law. Electronic access is being provided by the USC Libraries in agreement with the a...

Repository Name University of Southern California Digital Library

Repository Location USC Digital Library, University of Southern California, University Park Campus MC 2810, 3434 South Grand Avenue, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, California 90089-2810, USA