Ideas Just Waiting For You

Lobster Coast

Mon, 2 Apr 2012 11:54:30 -0400

Project ID: LTDF-004
Log Line: An aging fleet of coastal lobstermen struggle to find relevance in a modern world of high stakes trawling. While their tall tales are the stories that history is based on, can we find value in the lessons learned from their past?

Concept:
Lobstering is a historical way of life along the northern seaboard. Until the early 1800, lobstering was done by gathering them by hand along the coastline. It wasn’t until 1850 that the lobstering industry came to Maine, which has had as many as 6300 lobstermen working the coast.

Lobster Coast (working title) documents the historical nature of this industry in the form of first person interviews. It’s initial purpose to record the story of the old day, told by those that live them before they are gone and the stories can’t be told. These stories will be the basis for a series of episodes focusing on specific issues faced throughout the last 150 years.

Initial Needs:
- List/Database of senior lobstermen
- Funding Sources/Grants
- Seek individual contributions
- Story Writers
- Initial Set of Story Lines
- What else?

Have an idea on how to see Lobster Coast come to life? Then please Email Us or contribute to the conversation in the Lobster Coast blog.

Split Second

Mon, 5 Mar 2012 19:57:07 -0500

Project ID: LTDF-003
Log Line: A convicted felon struggles the rest of his life over the simple decision made in a split second. While they can never go back, can a few minutes of their insights save others going forward from a similar fate?

Concept:
Life is a series of consequences - cause and effects. For every action, there is a reaction. That decision you make today will impact your life tomorrow, as is the case with those serving hard prison time.

Over the course of an sixty minutes, Split Second looks at the life of three inmates in order to find that one second in time, in each of their lives, where they might have been just like you and me. It examines that one imperfect, poorly made decision, that shifted their course of events, then follows it to its inevitable cold conclusion - prison.

Initial Needs:
- Approvals from Federal Prison System (e.g., Maine State Prison)
- Funding Sources/Grants
- Seek individual contributions
- Story Writers
- Initial Set of Story Lines
- What else?

Have an idea on how to see Split Second come to life? Then please Email Us or contribute to the conversation in the Split Second blog.

Redemption

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 21:07:41 -0500

Project ID: LTDF-002
Log Line: Abandon dogs and cats spend their life in a half way houses only to find that their caretakers lives become transformed through the simple act of caring.

Concept:
Redemption: Transforming Lives through the Humane Society of Knox County
Length: 22 min (targeted for 30 min TV broadcast slot)
Format: Filmed in HDV 1080p24 (high definition 24 fps)
Distribution: SD DV – NTSC (Standard Definition), HD DVD (High Definition)

The film opens with an early morning panoramic view of Rockland in the foreground and the harbor with its anchored boats in the background, the sun is just breaking over the horizon. Soft music fads in, as the sounds of city become more intense. The distant barks of dogs begin to be heard and a few cat cries from a distance are sensed. As the camera slowly tilts up, the audience hears snippets of scratchy phone calls, one after another, between anonymous concerned people talking about key changes in their lives, all with some sort of dog or cat tie-in. In the final call, a young woman makes an emotional plea to the shelter; the stress in her voice can be felt as she begins to ask for help… Fad to Title - Redemption: Transforming Lives through the Humane Society of Knox County.

The first part shows the staff arriving at the shelter and going about their duties. During this part we are introduced to the some of the staff, dogs, and cats. We get an intimate feel for the facility and its residents. The film shows the arrival of new animals; the loving-care by the staff as homeless dogs and cats are processed; the lonely ride to veterinary, the nervous checkup by the vet, and the joyful trip back to the shelter. The film stresses the value of community involvement by following a few volunteers on dog walks and the intimate interplay by others with cats.

The middle part of the film, intended as a breather, shows a brief history of the shelter, its impact on the community, and the vast areas the shelter supports. Lyman Pope Jr. Foundation is spotlighted as a key financial contributor through a few photographic stills of his life and relationship with his dog. An interview with a member of the foundation talks about the importance of the shelter while eager supporters are shown bidding the Pussyfooting Around painting as the auctioneer calls our the next bid during the annual Art for Animals auction. A brief exploration of the Maine State Prison outreach program is highlighted.

The third section, which shows the staff working in serious situations, digs a little deeper in the staff-homeless animal relationship. The film follows the staff as they intervene in an animal crisis. It is noted that while the shelter tries to help animals as many ways as possible, the realization that some animals have physical problems that are to severe to overcome can be seen in the euthanization of cat or dog. A new family is followed through the shelter as they joyfully adopt a animal. This section of the film ends by following “Sammy” as the staff reflects on the reality that some animals will be in their long-term care, with little to no hope of adoption.

The last material part of the film takes a quick look at building operations, planning, and future needs. The Executive Director of the Humane Society of Knox County appears at this stage, talking directly to the camera. Her function is to make explicit what has only been implied up to this point: that the shelter really cares about its homeless animals and the ongoing need for community support. Fad to black.

The film closes with another panoramic view of the city of Rockland in the foreground and the sun setting to the west in the background. “Amazing Grace” begins to play; a single piano accompanist and girlish childlike like voice sings. Images of successfully adopted dogs and cats begin to flash across the screen; grainy films of happy kids and adults embracing their new family members are shown. As the last images fads from the screen and “Amazing Grace” fads out, a distance dial tone can be heard, immediately followed by dialing. A young woman answers the phone and says, “Humane Society of Knox County; May I help you?” The voice of a very happy young boy, high pitched, can be heard asking, “My mommy says I can get a puppy. Do you have any?” Fad to black – roll credits.

Approvals:
- Humane Society of Knox County has approved this project and will provide access to their facilities and staff.
- 50% of the proceeds from this film will go to the Humane Society of Knox County

Previous Activities:
- Shot 10 hrs of test film (learned a lot about documenting animals)
- Produced short music montage

Future Needs:
- Funding Sources/Grants
- Seek individual contributions
- Small production support crew (sound, cameraman, etc.)
- What else?

Have an idea on how to see Redemption come to life? Then please Email Us or contribute to the conversation in the Redemption blog.

I Am Alive Tube

Mon, 2 Jan 2012 09:59:08 -0500

Project ID: LTDF-001
Log Line: A homeless person battles against man’s callus nature in order to be seen in an otherwise invisible world.

Concept:
I Am Alive Tube was a Social Filmmaking community who's purpose was to puts a face on America's homeless society, so they may never be forgotten. It ran for 12 months before funding ran out the program was stopped, which was a very sad moment for all of us.

The Urban Institute estimates that about 3.5 million US residents, including 1.35 million children, have been homeless for a significant period of time. Over 37,000 homeless individuals, including 16,000 children, stay in shelters in New York every night.

Through social filmmaking, we believe you can bring a face to those that otherwise are faceless. You can show the darkness of their plight and pain; the magnitude of their misery. But you can also shine the light of hope by documenting the kindness of a helpful hand, programs that help those in need, or just a cycle that was broken.

Live The Dream Films was proud to be a founding sponsor and charter member of this very special social filmmaking community.

Critical Activities/Dates:
- Site Development (March 1, 2009)
- Site preload (April 6, 2009)
- Facebook/MySpace Community Development (April 6, 2009)
- Outreach (April 13, 2009)
- Alpha Video Uploads (April 20, 2009)
- Beta Release (April 27, 2009)
- General Release (May 11 , 2009)
- Discontinued operations do to lack of funding (June 2010) - very sad day
- Restarted activities - Date to be determined by you

Next Steps:
- Find long term funding partner
- Seek individual contributions
- Create national video program for high school students

Program Coordinator:
Dr. Jerry A. Smith
jerry@livethedreamfilms.com

Have an idea on how to see I Am Alive Tube come back to life? Then please Email Us or contribute to the conversation in the I Am Alive Tube blog.