(Graphic Footage on Recovery - seeking advice.

J

jefft99

Active member
Having filmed for over three years on issues of violence and recovery, the challenge of getting communities, which are not effected interested in this potentially ignorable issue, is quite difficult. Getting them interested in a film, even more so...



With that, how would you market the above? With so many individuals trusting enough to become involved in this film, placing it for social change is critical. On a personal note, filming this has been such an eye-opening experience...While blame is easy, with a deeper look, I found such an extraordinary amount of caring, engagement and trust from those who have everything to hide.

The above sample does not represent the story structure/scope as it was created early into filming for engagement purposes.... It has also been posted for other purposes .

I very much look forward to your input.
 
First off, this is excellent work! Very well done, very professional. I was impressed.

As for promoting, you should hit every local, regional and national news outlet you can find -- TV, radio, magazines and newspapers. They cover this kind of violence and its aftermath every day. They might be keen to interview you about the documentary and your experiences. Send out press kits with the trailer. I would also put the trailer up on YouTube and Vimeo, and anywhere else you can post it.

Try contacting talk radio stations. You can do interviews over the telephone with them. This is the kind of subject that everyone should be interested in.

Also talk to the various groups and organizations that are working to do something about this kind of violence and deterioration. It wouldn't hurt to contact churches and civic organizations as well.

Good luck! Keep us posted on your progress.
 
The above is good advice. In terms of promo, you should have a pretty easy time getting on radio and in the paper -- even though most people don't actually care, they like to pretend they care and that they're doing something. Exploit that! Also to the extent that you can get your subjects involved. They are already passionate about the issue and they're potentially some of the best ambassadors for your film. They may already have media contacts and other connections you can use to help promote the film.

As a sidenote, as someone who grew up in CT, glad to see people are trying to do something about the violence in Hartford. I grew up 15 minutes outside the city and I remember there seemed to be innocent kids getting shot all the time, especially back in the early 90s when the latin kings and los solidos were kinda running things.
 
Wow, that's was very gripping. From the first clip on ... very very well done. I was truly pulled into this.

I wish I could offer assistance or advice on how to get it out there, but I don't know, either. This does need to be seen by more, though. I had NO idea Hartford was dangerous. Connecticut just sounds like a nice quiet place. I even visited CT once for a week, and it WAS nice and quiet. But I wasn't in Hartford.
 
This is the exact kind of thing I see on "Frontline" or "Independent Lens". VERY WELL Done, Jeff. You had good access to the subject matter and were able to show the different disciplines (Community, medical, Law Enforcement) involvement. It wasn't just a talking head project.

My suggestion would be to start watching PBS or one of those types of stations, and see who the sponsors of that programming is. Then reach out to them with your project. I see this being funded, easily. Maybe even meet with them.

Off the top of my head, there is the Annenberg (spelling?) Foundation, William Koch Foundation
 
Last edited:
Thank you all very much for those kind words. I will post the official trailer when it is complete. Oddly, when engaging organizations who are supposed to be improving this situation with the film's findings, that engagement is, for the most part, ignored. This issue in many ways is more troubling than violence and is also a part of the film.

Please message me/or post with any thoughts, potential collaborations, etc...

Thank you

Jeff
 
Gripping stuff, especially being from Australia; a place where this stuff just doesn't happen.
Definitely left me wanting to see more.
 
Thank you again very much. It will be about 80-90 minutes when complete. Hoping to have a rough cut in about 6-8 more weeks. As the above focuses a bit too much on known issues of violence, the politics/politicians/policy around the issue, which is in-need of improvement, fixable and well worth competency, provide compelling insight into a devastating national toll.

It will need a lot of help to ensure success, national improvement and new/competent opportunities. With so many extraordinary talents on this board, I welcome collaborations. More than the film, the issue needs engagement. Email or PM me if interested.

Thank you again so much,

Jeff
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top