So, it’s been quite a bit of time since we’ve blogged. And with it being a snowy, windy day outside, it’s a perfect opportunity to provide a badly needed update to the film’s progress!
First off, the event was a great success, and I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all the sponsors and guests that came out. It was a great opportunity to tell people in the community what we’re doing and our goals for the film, as well as help spread the word about the Slave Chapel (which I’m happy to announce, seems to have secured it’s funding to move the chapel!) that spawned this entire project. Of course, our cameras will be rolling when the chapel is moved, and we’ll be certain to showcase the actual move on the site with a short video. We’re just waiting to get word on when the move is actually going to take place. But it was great that our event (even in its own small way) helped make that move a reality. Of course, we’re now beginning to plan our next event, which is scheduled to take place during Black History month – and revolve around a free showcase of the film’s progress so far with a little sneak peak of one of the stories. But that’s a few months away, and in the meantime we’ll be forging ahead with another interesting little story we found...
... which is a local piece that surrounds another historical icon in the area. Of course, that’s Western Fair’s horse-racing track. Although more “modern” in the historical context (opening its doors in the 1950s), the harness racing industry is currently in a state of flux after the government of Ontario announced that it was pulling some of its financial support from the sport. We’ve already shot an interview with one of the horse trainers – you’ll have seen some of the pictures on the site already – and we’re arranging an interview with the horse track owners, as well as some getting some really awesome “behind the scenes” footage of competition on race days. I don’t want to give too much away about that story, but I will say that at the beginning we were firmly on one party’s side – but since researching more, Steve and I actually find ourselves on opposite ends of the spectrum on which side we’re supporting. It should provide for an interesting short film, and we hope to have it released on the site in January. I’ll be blogging about it in more detail after we shoot the second interview... which I’m really, really, REALLY looking forward to shooting soon.
We’ve also began the grant proposal process. Contact has been made with arts councils, and apart from the universal curiosity when we mention our project and what we’re working towards, we’ve been steered towards some very promising grants. We’ve also joined forces with another accomplished documentarian, who’s offered his assistance in building the proposals with us – a HUGE boost for us. His name? Juan Andres Bello, and I can say I’m quite excited to have the opportunity to work with him. (IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4496195/) We’ve been told by multiple people, other filmmakers and grant officials alike, that this film is particularly well positioned to get consideration from some major grants in the country... which is something we suspected already, but it’s been really uplifting to hear it from others. Makes us know we’re on the right track.
Speaking of IMDB, we were also recently granted an IMDB page for our film: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3344354/ - not much on it as of yet, but we’ll be adding information to it as we go. We’re in the big leagues with the project now!
Also, have you seen our official teaser poster? They’re in production now, and for a limited time, Steve and myself are signing them for donors that give more $10 in support of the film. They make a great Christmas present (just sayin’) for that history-and-film buff on your list.... ;) Of course, all the profits from the donations go directly to the costs of the film, and I’m happy to see some donations already rolling in.
Now, for the final plugs: be sure to follow the twitter account (@TheLightDoc) and like the Facebook page (link at the top of the site) to get more exclusive updates and pictures as we go along. No pressure, of course, but it’s an easy way to stay in touch with all the chaos and exhilaration of the filmmaking process without any of the stress! It’s also a quick and easy way to get in touch with either Steve or myself if you ever have any questions about the film.
More to come soon. With Christmas on its way, it’ll provide both Steve and I a chance to take a break from our “normal” jobs, and get some of the heavy lifting on the film done... so I’ll be drinking an eggnog to that prospect!
First off, the event was a great success, and I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all the sponsors and guests that came out. It was a great opportunity to tell people in the community what we’re doing and our goals for the film, as well as help spread the word about the Slave Chapel (which I’m happy to announce, seems to have secured it’s funding to move the chapel!) that spawned this entire project. Of course, our cameras will be rolling when the chapel is moved, and we’ll be certain to showcase the actual move on the site with a short video. We’re just waiting to get word on when the move is actually going to take place. But it was great that our event (even in its own small way) helped make that move a reality. Of course, we’re now beginning to plan our next event, which is scheduled to take place during Black History month – and revolve around a free showcase of the film’s progress so far with a little sneak peak of one of the stories. But that’s a few months away, and in the meantime we’ll be forging ahead with another interesting little story we found...
... which is a local piece that surrounds another historical icon in the area. Of course, that’s Western Fair’s horse-racing track. Although more “modern” in the historical context (opening its doors in the 1950s), the harness racing industry is currently in a state of flux after the government of Ontario announced that it was pulling some of its financial support from the sport. We’ve already shot an interview with one of the horse trainers – you’ll have seen some of the pictures on the site already – and we’re arranging an interview with the horse track owners, as well as some getting some really awesome “behind the scenes” footage of competition on race days. I don’t want to give too much away about that story, but I will say that at the beginning we were firmly on one party’s side – but since researching more, Steve and I actually find ourselves on opposite ends of the spectrum on which side we’re supporting. It should provide for an interesting short film, and we hope to have it released on the site in January. I’ll be blogging about it in more detail after we shoot the second interview... which I’m really, really, REALLY looking forward to shooting soon.
We’ve also began the grant proposal process. Contact has been made with arts councils, and apart from the universal curiosity when we mention our project and what we’re working towards, we’ve been steered towards some very promising grants. We’ve also joined forces with another accomplished documentarian, who’s offered his assistance in building the proposals with us – a HUGE boost for us. His name? Juan Andres Bello, and I can say I’m quite excited to have the opportunity to work with him. (IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4496195/) We’ve been told by multiple people, other filmmakers and grant officials alike, that this film is particularly well positioned to get consideration from some major grants in the country... which is something we suspected already, but it’s been really uplifting to hear it from others. Makes us know we’re on the right track.
Speaking of IMDB, we were also recently granted an IMDB page for our film: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3344354/ - not much on it as of yet, but we’ll be adding information to it as we go. We’re in the big leagues with the project now!
Also, have you seen our official teaser poster? They’re in production now, and for a limited time, Steve and myself are signing them for donors that give more $10 in support of the film. They make a great Christmas present (just sayin’) for that history-and-film buff on your list.... ;) Of course, all the profits from the donations go directly to the costs of the film, and I’m happy to see some donations already rolling in.
Now, for the final plugs: be sure to follow the twitter account (@TheLightDoc) and like the Facebook page (link at the top of the site) to get more exclusive updates and pictures as we go along. No pressure, of course, but it’s an easy way to stay in touch with all the chaos and exhilaration of the filmmaking process without any of the stress! It’s also a quick and easy way to get in touch with either Steve or myself if you ever have any questions about the film.
More to come soon. With Christmas on its way, it’ll provide both Steve and I a chance to take a break from our “normal” jobs, and get some of the heavy lifting on the film done... so I’ll be drinking an eggnog to that prospect!
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