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December 10, 2010
A chance to support the completion of June Gloom, a film about prisoner reentry
I received this interesting e-mail last night that I feel is worth sharing:
My name is Attila Adam. I'm a L.A. writer and director currently working on a new drama called June Gloom. The film is centered around a man's release from prison, into a world that doesn't want him. It's an example of how difficult restarting your life can be when you walk into that "gloom" without a strong support system.
I've been reading your work on Sentencing Law and Policy online and felt compelled to reach out and share what I'm doing. I believe that June Gloom has the potential to get a real message across about the importance of reentry and readjustment. I've put together a special intro video to the project that includes a short trailer. I hope it can give you a better idea of the direction I'm trying to go in. You can view it here.
I'm doing my best with the resources I have to get this project finished and seen. I've put together a set of creative rewards that I'm offering supporters in exchange for any size contribution. If you like what you see, I was wondering if you'd consider mentioning my project on your blog or spreading the word to colleagues. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this.
Notably, for the seemingly bargain price of only a $500 supporting pledge, one can get executive producer credit on this film. I wonder if readers and regular commentors like Bill Otis or federalism or Supremacy Claus or others will be interested in having their names on the big screen. Better yet, perhaps readers can pool pledges and we can have this blog's readers listed as a executive producer. Seems a small price to pay for a good cause and for having one's name on a movie, no?
The minimum pledge to support this project is a mere $10, and I will pledge to match (at least) the first $100 that come from SL&P readers for this project (in part because a pledge of $100 gets one goodies that include "a Special Thanks in the film's credits and on IMDB.com [and a] limited edition 11x17 poster of the film [and a] DVD of the film, including original audition footage & a behind-the-scenes slide show").
December 10, 2010 at 05:01 PM | Permalink
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Comments
Screen credits are nice, but I'm holding out for a romantic scene with Meg Ryan. Heidi Klum will do if Meg's unavailable.
Posted by: Bill Otis | Dec 10, 2010 5:13:17 PM
More seriously, I would support a film to help SL&P get a screen credit so long as the film reflected what I think is a wholesome and correct view of imprisonment, release and -- most important -- human will and capabilities.
Thus, if the film portrays the prisoner as a helpless victim of adverse social forces, who had little or no hand in shaping his fate, I would respectfully decline.
It depends on what the film's attitude is about (a) why the fellow wound up in jail to begin with; (b) what he did in jail to give himself a better shot when he got out (e.g., vocational training); (c) what efforts he has made post-release to take responsibility for his own life rather than assigning his fate to the nastiness of others.
I do not believe in human beings as mere victims of their environment. Too many of them -- by which I mean millions -- have overcome circumstances massively worse than imprisonment in America. If the film gives due regard to this reality, I will add my support.
Posted by: Bill Otis | Dec 10, 2010 6:54:03 PM
Looks like Bill Otis is trying to produce the film prior to funding it. As the movie is a drama, isn't he running the risk that a bad guy will be named Bill Otis? In fact, wouldn't it be easier to raise the money off this blog if the director promised to create a character named Supremacy Claus? He could give out death sentences to all the bad little girls and boys.
More seriously, how does the blog get credit for cash donated by readers. I'll throw in 50, but how can you tell if I actually do or not?
Posted by: Matt | Dec 11, 2010 12:19:40 AM
I'll trust you, Matt, since I like to believe that my readers (and my students and my children) will never lie to me. Also, I think the site for pledges keeps track of names.
Posted by: Doug | Dec 11, 2010 7:54:17 AM
Matt --
"Looks like Bill Otis is trying to produce the film prior to funding it."
I generally don't fund works with which I disagree. Do you? Before contributing to Movie X, I want to know what worldview Movie X will be taking. Is there something wrong with that?
From the description of the movie I have so far, it may or may not be the case that it will tell the story realistically and in a way that includes the importance of the ex-inmate's determination to turn away from the temptations that got him in trouble to start with, and to be responsible for his life from now on. I can't tell, so I need more info. Any person considering a contribution would take the same position. I hope it turns out that I'll be able to get on board.
Posted by: Bill Otis | Dec 11, 2010 10:18:16 AM
C'mon Bill, just playing.
I would note that I do sometimes give money to causes I with which I don't fully agree. Plus, this is a drama, which makes it arts funding, so my personal belief... doesn't matter.
Posted by: Matt | Dec 11, 2010 12:53:43 PM
Matt --
I also sometimes fund organizations with which I don't agree, e.g. the Cato Institute.
Dramtic presentations can have an impact, e.g., "Uncle Tom's Cabin."
Still, I agree generally with private giving to the arts. Hopefully it will help get the government out of it.
Posted by: Bill Otis | Dec 11, 2010 2:16:46 PM
