David Scantling

Akron, OH

I'm a filmmaker, currently directing and producing a feature length documentary film called PATROL BASE JAKER (www.patrolbasejaker.com) about the US Marines and the practice of counter-insurgency in Afghanistan.

I was the Executive Producer (along with Gary Sinise) of the award-winning feature-length documentary film BROTHERS AT WAR (www.brothersatwarmovie.com) about an American military family and the Iraq war. The film won best documentary at the 2008 GI Film Festival, received theatrical distribution in 2009 from Samuel Goldwyn Films and nationwide DVD distribution by Summit Entertainment in 2010 (including a box set exclusive release in Walmart with THE HURT LOCKER).

I have been in entrepreneurial mode for the past twenty years at a variety of small, medium and large sized businesses. I've led start-up technology teams at Uprizer, Econex, Grey Haven and Storage Continuity. As a senior executive at IBM, Hewlett-Packard and the US Department of Defense, I worked on major business transformation, Internet and telecommunications initiatives. In 2008, I earned the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service for my work in Iraq on economic development and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) during 2006-7. Back in the day (1991), I graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BA in Philosophy and International Peace Studies (Go Irish!).

I live in Akron, Ohio, with my wife Molly (a physician and Medical Director of the Akron General Hospice Care Center) and our 6 children.

dave.scantling@gmail.com
twitter.com/dave_scantling
facebook.com/dave.scantling

Projects by David Scantling (1)

What might success in Afghanistan look like? Help fund PATROL BASE JAKER to find out.

by David Scantling

See US Marines make counter-insurgency work in Helmand Province--the Taliban's stronghold in Afghanistan.

101% funded

$45,535 pledged

178 backers

successful

David Scantling is Backing (4)

A Hackerspace Grows in Brooklyn.

by NYC Resistor

NYC Resistor is a creative technology space in Brooklyn where we learn, share, and make things. We're moving to a great new location wtih 3x the space

150% funded

$3,000.96 pledged

46 backers

successful

Comix Journalism: Send Ted Rall Back to Afghanistan to Get the Real Story

by Ted Rall

Cover travel costs for independent cartoonist/war correspondent to travel and live with Afghans. He report from Afghanistan and write a book.

47% funded

$11,694.95 pledged

135 backers

19 days to go

STUFFER

by jake silbermann

The story follows Vasquez, a female officer returning home to her husband and daughter from the front lines of Afghanistan...with a secret. (15min)

148% funded

$48,001 pledged

182 backers

14 days to go

Lift Off!

by LaunchPad

A creative gathering place in Brooklyn focusing on community programs, the arts, technology, and anything else that captures the imagination.

100% funded

$6,000 pledged

120 backers

successful

Recent Posts by David Scantling

David Scantling
Posted project update #17

Patrol Base Jaker Rewards

This post is exclusive to backers.

Project: What might success in Afghanistan look like? Help fund PATROL BASE JAKER to find out.
David Scantling
Posted project update #16
Host a screening of Patrol Base Jaker
Team,

First of all, thank you to all of our Kickstarter supporters for helping us reach our fundraising goal of $45,000. Your support of Patrol Base Jaker will help this film educate viewers on the U.S. Marines' practice of counter-insurgency in Afghanistan.

If you or your organization are interested in hosting a screening of Brothers At War (2009) or Patrol Base Jaker along with an appearance and question and answer session with myself, please e-mail patrolbasejaker@thundertech.com.

To stay informed on the latest updates from Patrol Base Jaker, connect with our project on Twitter at www.twitter.com/patrolbasejaker or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/patrolbasejaker. You can also sign up for our e-newsletter at www.patrolbasejaker.com.

Your support for this project shows a demand for open and honest films that tell important stories. Thanks again for being part of our team.

Regards,

Dave

----------------------------
David Scantling
Director & Producer
PATROL BASE JAKER Movie
dave.scantling@gmail.com
Project: What might success in Afghanistan look like? Help fund PATROL BASE JAKER to find out.
David Scantling
Posted project update #15
Director's Statement: Why I'm Making This Film...
Team:

We made the $45k goal on Saturday with over 48 hours to go--awesome! Thank you for your phenomenal support of the PATROL BASE JAKER movie project on Kickstarter.

I would like to send a special thanks to those backers that posted their answer to my question "why did you back this film project?" in the Comments section of the movie's Kickstarter project page. Please note, if you would like to make a comment, you need to do so prior to the end of the project at 1700 EST today (i.e., once the project closes you will not be able to post a comment).

I made this film because I continue to be stunned by the lack of information--and misinformation--about what's really going on with the war in Afghanistan (previously, I addressed some of the same issues with media coverage of the war in Iraq with my first film, BROTHERS AT WAR - http://www.brothersatwarmovie.com ). Specifically, I honestly don't know why there seems to be such an extreme filter by the Mainstream Media--and much of Hollywood--regarding the service, sacrifice and achievements of the US military in Afghanistan and Iraq.

For example, here's a media case study that's relevant to the PATROL BASE JAKER movie:

1. Please read Nir Rosen's article in the January/February 2010 issue of Mother Jones magazine about counter-insurgency in Nawa, Afghanistan (where the PATROL BASE JAKER movie takes place) - http://bit.ly/Mother_Jones

2. Then read my response (special thanks to Mark Stanley and the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting for publishing this on their blog) - http://bit.ly/Pulitzer_Center

I hate war and violence. And more ofter than not, the people who suffer most in any war are the civilians--especially the children--that get caught in the middle of the fighting. However, the events of 9/11 opened my eyes to dark side of radical Islam. For the sake of our democratic society, and the rest of the world, we need to find ways to address and counter the extremists that have taken passages from the Koran and used them to justify murder, terrorism and crimes against humanity. Otherwise, we run this risk--as Dexter Filkins of The New York Times puts it--of fighting "the forever war."

Regards,

Dave

----------------------------
David Scantling
Director & Producer
PATROL BASE JAKER Movie
dave.scantling@gmail.com
Project: What might success in Afghanistan look like? Help fund PATROL BASE JAKER to find out.
David Scantling
Posted project update #14
Change of Command: 1st Battalion, 5th Marines
Team,

My filming of Lt. Col. Bill McCollough's Change of Command ceremony at Camp Pendleton, California, went very well today. I'll use the footage in the final scene of the PATROL BASE JAKER movie as a way to summarize for the audience the remarkable counter-insurgency accomplishments of the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, during their 7-month deployment in Nawa, Afghanistan.

Regards,

Dave

--------------------
David Scantling
Director & Producer
PATROL BASE JAKER Movie

(photo by Nate Bressler)
Project: What might success in Afghanistan look like? Help fund PATROL BASE JAKER to find out.
David Scantling
Posted project update #13
My First Backer on Kickstarter...
Team:

I'd like to give a "shout out" to Col. Joe Sheehan--my first backer for the PATROL BASE JAKER movie project on Kickstarter. Thank you Joe for your support!

Regards,

Dave

P.S. Joe gave me the attached photo featuring the two of us "back in the day" at Camp Fallujah, Iraq (circa Fall, 2006). Joe was leading several key Civil Affairs missions for the Marines and MNF-West in Al Anbar Province and I was an Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (ADUSD) on an economic development task force based at the US Embassy in Baghdad.
Project: What might success in Afghanistan look like? Help fund PATROL BASE JAKER to find out.
David Scantling
Posted project update #12
On Location...
Team:

Here's a view of my luxury suite that also served as my movie production studio at Patrol Base Jaker (aka the "Staff and O's" tent). Thanks to Andrew Lubin of Leatherneck Magazine for sending me this photo.

Regards,

Dave

---------------------
David Scantling
Director & Producer
PATROL BASE JAKER Movie
330-696-1039 mobile
dave.scantling@gmail.com
Project: What might success in Afghanistan look like? Help fund PATROL BASE JAKER to find out.
David Scantling
Posted project update #11
Why Did You Back This Film Project?
Team:

If possible, please go to the PATROL BASE JAKER project page on Kickstarter today, click on the "Comments" tab, and post your answer to the question "Why Did You Back This Film Project?" Here's the direct link to the project page - http://www.bit.ly/6x7INQ

Your thoughts and comments will help potential backers decide if they will make a pledge or not.

5 days to go and we're 68% of the way there. Thanks in advance...

Regards,

Dave

P.S. The attached outtake shows the oven that several Marines built at Patrol Base Jaker. It gave them a way to cook real meals as an alternate to the baseline of eating MREs three times a day during their 7-month deployment in Afghanistan.
Project: What might success in Afghanistan look like? Help fund PATROL BASE JAKER to find out.
David Scantling
Posted project update #10
Funding Update...
Team:

We just passed the $30k milestone on Kickstarter! Awesome! 6 days left to reach the $45k goal. Please consider inviting your friends and colleagues to make a $5 pledge today. It's very important because the number of people that have made a pledge--almost 100 so far--is one of the key factors that is helping me close some of the larger pledges from corporate sponsors. Invite your friends and colleagues to be a part of the team that gives a "greenlight" to the post-production of the PATROL BASE JAKER movie. Here's the link for the PATROL BASE JAKER project page on Kickstarter to include in your message - http://www.bit.ly/6x7INQ

Thanks in advance.

Regards,

Dave

P.S. I'm getting ready to fly out to California from Ohio for my last day of filming to complete the PATROL BASE JAKER movie. I will be at Camp Pendleton for the 1/5 Marines Change of Command ceremony on Friday, 19FEB10.

------------------------------
David Scantling
Director & Producer
PATROL BASE JAKER Movie
330-696-1039 mobile
dave.scantling@gmail.com
Project: What might success in Afghanistan look like? Help fund PATROL BASE JAKER to find out.
David Scantling
Posted project update #9
10 Days to Go...
Team:

We are making great progress on Kickstarter--thank you again for your support.

Here's the latest update on the PATROL BASE JAKER film post-production activities:

1. Marc Roberge (lead singer of O.A.R.) just sent me the rough cut version of "Morning Sons"--the Original Song that he's writing for the "Operation Khanjar" scene in the film. It's awesome!

2. I have one filming day remaining to complete the movie production--the Change of Command ceremony on Friday, 19FEB10, at Camp Pendleton, CA, where Lt. Col. Bill McCollough will relinquish command of the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines.

3. My next major post-production milestone will be to complete a solid cut of the film by 15MAR10 to submit to the GI Film Festival (Washington, DC: 12-16MAY10).

Step-by-step...

Regards,

Dave

P.S. Be sure to check out my posts on the fanpage regarding Nir Rosen's article about Nawa, Afghanistan - http://www.facebook.com/patrolbasejaker

------------------------------
David Scantling
Director & Producer
PATROL BASE JAKER Movie
330-696-1039 mobile
dave.scantling@gmail.com
Project: What might success in Afghanistan look like? Help fund PATROL BASE JAKER to find out.
David Scantling
Posted project update #8
COIN Research and Corporate Sponsors...
Team:

I'm in Chicago today--headed to the Pritzker Military Library to do some research on counter-insurgency (COIN) for the PATROL BASE JAKER film production.

We're making amazing progress on Kickstarter--$6,375 pledged by 69 backers. We have 14 days to go to reach the $45,000 goal. Do you know any potential corporate sponsors or businesses that may be interested in making pledges at the $2,500, $5,000 or $10,000 levels to host film screenings? Please let me know.

Plus, I'd like to give a "shout-out" to the Kickstarter staff--they have the PATROL BASE JAKER project featured today on their homepage "spotlight" and on the "popular" page.

Step-by-step...

Regards,

Dave

P.S. Please invite everyone in your network to a) make a pledge to support this film and b) join our Facebook fanpage - http://www.facebook.com/patrolbasejaker/

------------------------------
David Scantling
Director & Producer
PATROL BASE JAKER Movie
330-696-1039 mobile
dave.scantling@gmail.com
Project: What might success in Afghanistan look like? Help fund PATROL BASE JAKER to find out.
David Scantling
Posted project update #7
Memorial Service for 1/5 Marines
Team:

The 1/5 Marines honored their 4 comrades that were killed in combat during their 7-month deployment in Afghanistan at a Memorial Service this morning at Camp Pendleton, CA. It was a moving ceremony with lots of emotion.

Fortunately, the rain held-off long enough for the ceremony to be held outside on the parade deck. I had 4 teams with 4 different cameras, respectively, covering the event--RED ONE, Panasonic HXV, Canon 5D Mark II and Sony Handycam. We shot great footage in a way that was respectful to the Marines and their families.

Regards,

Dave
Project: What might success in Afghanistan look like? Help fund PATROL BASE JAKER to find out.
David Scantling
Posted project update #6
Camp Pendleton
Team:

Greetings from Camp Pendleton, CA. I"m here filming the Memorial Service for the 4 Marines that were killed in combat during the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 7-month deployment in Afghanistan.

I'll post an update with photos later today.

Regards,

Dave

P.S. Thank you again for your support of the PATROL BASE JAKER movie project.
Project: What might success in Afghanistan look like? Help fund PATROL BASE JAKER to find out.
David Scantling
Posted project update #5

Facebook Fanpage Update

This post is exclusive to backers.

Project: What might success in Afghanistan look like? Help fund PATROL BASE JAKER to find out.
David Scantling
Posted project update #4
Funding Update...
Dear PATROL BASE JAKER Team:

The PATROL BASE JAKER movie project just crossed the $2500 mark after two weeks on Kickstarter--awesome! I have three weeks to go to reach the $45,000 goal and I'm confident that we'll get there. I will be calling a number of potential individual and corporate donors this week to focus on the larger pledge levels (i.e., $1000, $2500, $5000 and $10000).

Here's what you can do to help:

1. Send out an e-mail and invite all your family and friends to pledge $5 (or more) to support the film. Here's a short version of the URL that leads directly to the project page on Kickstarter to include in your e-mail - http://bit.ly/6x7INQ

2. If you know of any individuals or companies that may be interested in making larger pledges, please send me an e-mail with their contact info and I will make a personal call to them and discuss the film project - dave.scantling@gmail.com.

3. Invite everyone you know to become a fan of the of the PATROL BASE JAKER movie on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/patrolbasejaker

Thank you again for your support. Go PATROL BASE JAKER!

Regards,

Dave

P.S. I took the attached photo of 1st. Lt. Mike Kuiper, USMC, at Patrol Base Jaker in October, 2009--his pledge this morning got us over the $2500 mark.

--------------------------------------
David Scantling
Director & Producer
PATROL BASE JAKER (www.patrolbasejaker.com)

Executive Producer
BROTHERS AT WAR (www.brothersatwarmovie.com)
Project: What might success in Afghanistan look like? Help fund PATROL BASE JAKER to find out.
David Scantling
Posted project update #3
Combat Footage
I've received some great combat footage from Marines that served at PATROL BASE JAKER.
Project: What might success in Afghanistan look like? Help fund PATROL BASE JAKER to find out.
David Scantling
Posted project update #2
Additional Filming Schedule
I'm headed out to Camp Pendleton, California, for the final two filming days for PATROL BASE JAKER. I will film the 1/5 Marines' Memorial Service on Friday, February 5, 2010, and Change of Command Ceremony on Friday, February 19, 2010.
Project: What might success in Afghanistan look like? Help fund PATROL BASE JAKER to find out.
David Scantling
Posted project update #1
Sundance Film Festival
I just returned from the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. I attended 10 documentary film screenings in 3 days--it was an intense viewing experience. Moreover, I learned as much from the Q&A with the filmmakers after each screening as I did watching their respective films.

I was pleased to see that the various films used completely different styles of storytelling. Some were topic based, others character based and a few combined both topic and characters in a unique ways. In addition, some used narration and others were cinema verite.

There were two Afghanistan war documentaries in the festival--RESTREPO (about an Army outpost in 2007) and THE TILLMAN STORY (about the friendly fire death of NFL star Pat Tillman in 2004). The cinematography, production quality and storyline of both films, respectively, was outstanding. I was concerned that RESTREPO would be directly competitive to PATROL BASE JAKER, however, it's actually complimentary. RESTREPO is a combat film and it highlights what happens when you don't have enough troops to fulfill the mission. PATROL BASE JAKER is a film about the practice of counter-insurgency and it shows the audience what's possible when you have enough troops to protect the population and accomplish the mission.
Project: What might success in Afghanistan look like? Help fund PATROL BASE JAKER to find out.