Kickstarter Responds. It Begins. The Board Of Education Doc.

Cameras
Posted by Admin on 26, August 2011 with 4 Comments
Twitt

I have been working on this little documentary for quite some time.  Now, I have to produce some real results and quite frankly, I’m not scared one bit. I have this film mapped out in such a way that almost anyone can visualize it. Talking heads from different parts of the country, explaining both sides of a topical issue. It almost sounds like a sixty minutes piece. Not an entire documentary. Well, I have a few tricks up my sleeve that will turn this little Sunday night special into a thought provoking film. We have lined up a few interviews in the key states that have the most number of “hits”. That is how it is described here in this graph from 2008. This is a real deal issue with two very strong opinions on both sides. It is sure to be a great film for discussion. I am just the man to tow the middle line. Here is the reply that I got from my 3AM application to Kickstarter.

“Hi Jared,

Thanks for writing in and sharing your idea. With Kickstarter, it’s important to be able to communicate past experience, visual examples of your work, and a comprehensive plan to complete your project within a reasonably certain time-frame — projects at the very beginning stages are less successful because they are not able to do this. Can you provide some more detailed information on the project and where you are in the process?

Thanks,
Elisabeth”

Here is my response.

Images
Jared Abrams
Friday Aug 26, 5:46pm PDT

For sure! I am unable to edit my application so I will just try and lay it out here in this message. I am a Cinematographer based in Hollywood, California. I have been working in the biz for quite some time. I got the Documentary bug working for the Maysles brothers in New York. (Grey Gardens, Gimmie Shelter, Etc.) I was Albert’s camera assistant. Fast forward to today and I have been pioneering the DSLR movement. First via Cinema5D as the “News Director” and now with my own little website and production company Wide Open Camera. We have a pretty decent following in the independent cinema community and we are always sharing our experiences with our very loyal viewership. This project is no different. We plan to share every little twist and turn in the process of raising funds for this very topical documentary. We plan to hit the seven key states that have the largest number of reported cases of corporal punishment in the public school system. They are; Alabama, Texas, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi and Oklahoma. The total number of students hit on record for all of the states in the union combined in 2009 were 223,190. These seven states make up well over half of those hits. Kids are being disciplined in schools by their teachers with force. Many aspects of society lead to this type of disciplinary action. We will explore both sides of this issue and hope to bring to light the reality that faces the students, faculty and parents of the states where this type of discipline is allowed. We will present both sides fairly and accurately. This topic is screaming to be told in a old school documentary fashion. We will start shooting by mid September 2011 and will commence principal photography by no later December 1, 2011. This film will be cut and ready for submission to film festivals by no later than January 1st, 2012. We have the production crew and shooting crew in place. We have lined up over six interviews in each state sans Texas. We will use a combination of Social media and local resources to source crew and talent in each state. This community approach to making this film goes along very well with the Kick Starter theme. Please consider our film as part of your kick ass funding system! Here is a link to the first article I have shared about this epic documentary with my viewers on Wide Open Camera.http://wideopencamera.com/cameras/go-ahead-steal-my-idea-i-dare-you/ For some reason I can’t include graphs or photos in this message. Is it too early to go on camera and shoot a short vide explaining the film? Total newbie here. Sorry for all the questions.
Thanks!
Jared


Admin
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Jared Abrams is a cinematographer based in Hollywood, California. After many years as a professional camera assistant he switched over to still photography. About two years ago a new Canon camera changed the way the world sees both motion and still photography. He just happened to be in the right place at the right time.
  • Sidney

    Hey Jared,
    I’m a fan of your blog.   Any mention 4 R film wld B most appreciated. R film abt hackers could use yr help. “Reboot” – http://t.co/e3RmM4n via @kickstarter..#indiefilm

  • http://www.TheValuePagesGroup.com Jason Sanders

    Hey Jared,

    I was born and raised in Oklahoma and now live in New Jersey.  I’ve got plenty of corporal punishment stories, and when I tell them to people here, they just can’t believe it.  I didn’t realize these policies were so localized until I moved back east.

  • Goforjared

    There are many factors to consider. It is a very local issue and I think it will make for a great discussion. 
    thanks for the response!

  • Goforjared

    Done!
    Thanks!