A conversation with visual storyteller Bill Lange 

Renowned for covering topics that speak to people’s hearts, visual storyteller Bill Lange has dedicated every possible moment to celebrating members of our community. Now, we're honored to celebrate him and his work! 

Lange has conducted countless interviews and captured videos of live performances and more, creating opportunities for community members to engage with topics they may not have fully appreciated until Lange invited them in. 

Topics include: 

• Artist Profiles 

• Music Artist Profiles 

• Stories from Our Local Firefighters 

• The Legacy of Hendy Bear 

• The Rise of Our Sea Levels and How That Impacts Us 

• A Year Around Chambers Lake 

Each of these truly deserves its own article, review, or discussion forum. In this column, I explore what Lange’s work in the arts means to me. I wish I had the capacity to write more columns about his work, but for now, I will say this: 

Lange engages with his personal creativity selflessly each day, stepping outside his own comfort zone as each passion project requires. As we continue to grapple with the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, I can’t help but admire that. 

Throughout the last 18 months of writing this column, I have heard people say they wish they could do what I — or the far more impressive people I discuss — do each day. What I hope this article conveys is that you can, you should, and the world will be a better place once you do.

Lange’s work also suggests that when we embrace our full selves, follow the lead of our passions, and take the bold, brave steps our guts are imploring us to take, the natural result can impact more lives than we may ever know. 

As long as there is breath in our lungs, we all have the opportunity to do something extraordinary. Sometimes, that might look as simple as smiling at someone. It can also look like making sure that children in scary situations receive a teddy bear (see The Legacy of Hendy Bear). 

One easy thing we can all do is watch Lange’s work — especially his projects on current political issues — and let ourselves engage with perspectives outside our own. 

Before you engage with his works, I invite you to get to know the man himself. Here is my conversation with Bill Lange! 

The conversation 

Benton: How did you get started making movies and docuseries? 

Lange: “Over 50 years ago, I bought my first camera to record the birth of my son and him growing up. Somewhere during that time, I saw a group of pictures from photojournalist Eugene Smith, whose pictures told stories.

“About 28 years ago, my stepson let me use his Canon camera. He told me how the camera made movies, and I was intrigued by that. Now the world is almost entirely video. Once I got hold of my stepson’s camera, I was hooked. I bought my own Canon D30 and became a photojournalist, not professionally but in practice. That’s how I started creating movies.” 

Benton: What are the stories that intrigue you? What are the topics that matter to you? 

Lange: “The common thread through all my movies is that I’m engaging with people that are passionate, whether that be about their art, music, or vocation like the Lacey Fire District people. These people are really focused, engaged in their craft, and they do extraordinary things.”  

Benton: If you had to pick a favorite among your works, which I know must feel like a “Sophie’s Choice,” what would it be and why? 

Lange: “The short answer is whatever the project is that I’m working on currently … that’s my favorite. My current project is not published yet, but it is about a woman named Maggie Bean, who was the first woman firefighter in Thurston County. A truly incredible person! Maggie was also a catcher with a semiprofessional team out of Yakima, and she toured the United States playing baseball. 

“When I make this movie about Maggie, I want to broaden the scope of who she is by telling some of the personal stories other folks have shared with me. One of the things her brother shared with me was that she’s the youngest of four siblings, all boys, and she outperformed them all in everything! The other thing he told me was that whenever anybody needed anything, Maggie was the first one there to help them out. … Her story needs to be told.” 

 Benton: What advice would you give to creative, young or old? 

Lange: “To quote Joseph Campbell, ‘Follow your bliss.” Do what makes you happy and fulfills you. That is what I learned from interviewing hundreds of people who were passionate about their art, music, and work.” 

Rachel is a writer, arts advocate, performing arts enthusiast, and passionate about our beloved Thurston County. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in History and Political Science and a minor in Music. You can enjoy more of Rachel's writings by visiting her website. All inquiries for Rachel can be submitted here.