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on May 17
Elaine McMillion
Posted project update #18In McDowell!
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Image: Gary, West Virginia by Elaine McMillion
Just a quick update to let everyone know we are making progress in McDowell County. This week I have spent most of my time meeting with residents, talking about the project and finding out what they would like to see come from this experience. We have set up several shoots for next week and yesterday I spent the whole day riding around with Alan Johnston and his friends as they photographed their county.
Image: Canebrake, West Virginia by Elaine McMillion
Yesterday morning, I toured Mount View High School where we will be holding the storytelling workshops on June 23, July 21 and August 18; and also got to see their new rooftop solar panels!
Image: Mount View HS Welch, WV by Elaine McMillion
Today I worked out an awesome deal with the 4H camp to hold an "Hollow" art project and balloon mapping session with the kids, ages 9-12.
I have been met with alot of enthusiasm about the project and everyone I speak to refers me to at least 5 other people! I'm excited for the rest of the crew to join me down here.
Make sure to check out our most recent blog post by Eric Lovell, our cartographer, who has been test flying the balloon mapping rig in his hometown.
Also check out Tumblr and Facebook for recent photos!
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on May 13
Elaine McMillion
Posted project update #17115% funded and exciting updates!
Post CommentThanks to 530 awesome backers we have reached and exceeded our goal!
This has been such a fun experience sharing HOLLOW with you and we are so grateful that you believe in the project to invest your time and money into it.
THANK YOU FROM ALL OF US...WE DID IT!
Production will start tomorrow when Elaine makes the trek down to McDowell to search for a place for the team to live. Today, Eric Lovell (our digital cartographer) will be testing out the balloon mapping apparatus in his hometown of Sistersville before heading down to McDowell in June to work with residents.
He recently made a trip up to Cleveland where he picked up the latest member of the HOLLOW team: Mr. Pepperoni. Mr. Pepperoni will assist Eric in dispensing helium for the balloon mapping...looks like they will make great co-workers!
Throughout the summer while we are filming in McDowell, our designer and programmer--Jeff Soyk and Russell Goldenberg--will be further developing user experience and the interactive website where HOLLOW will live.
We are still accepting donations (check or credit) through our non-profit at all stages of production. So if you know someone who didn't get a chance to donate there is still an opportunity at DER's website.
Stay tuned to The Washington Times: Communities who is doing a series featuring the people involved with HOLLOW. This past Friday they featured the very talented artist, Tom Acosta, who can be seen in this video I shot last August.
Make sure to "like" us on Facebook and follow us on Tumblr for daily updates!
Thank you again for making this project come to life...we couldn't have done it without you!
Elaine and the HOLLOW team
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on May 13Funded!
Hollow: An Interactive Documentary by Elaine McMillion
Exploring the issues and future of rural America through the eyes and ideas of those living in Southern West Virginia.
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115% funded $28,788 pledged
- 530 backers
- Funded May 13, 2012
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on May 11
Elaine McMillion
Posted project update #16Good morning from Appalachia
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The long drive from New England to West Virginia on Wednesday was well worth it when you have the chance to wake up to a view like this!
We wanted to thank you again for your support and let you know we're in the home stretch with only 40 hours remaining!
Thanks to the generosity of many we have a surplus of rewards left! We are now offering the "October Sky" DVDs (autographed by screenwriter, Homer Hickam) for $50 instead of $75.
This is what you get for $50: DVD of "October Sky" signed by Homer Hickam + Mp3 version of the HOLLOW soundtrack + advance access to the interactive site (still in development) + a warmfelt thank you on our website and credits + a digital still from the film
We also wanted to share a recent blog post by Laurie Stone (blogger of Pride of West Virginia). The post is an interesting look at her father's life--from his roots in a McComas, WV coal camp, to his accomplishments and dreams. She also related "Hollow" to her dad's connection to West Virginia.
She writes:
"Dad wanted to return to West Virginia and live in his beloved hills – but there was something more – I don’t know what it was – but I know he felt the need to give something else back to the area. He held a deep respect for those trying to give back to the people he left behind.
If dad was still around and knew about Elaine McMillion and her project Hollow, a documentary now in production, one that is an uplifting and motivating portrait of the people my dad dearly loved, he would be right in the middle of it. Dad would be calling his alumni buddies, emailing everyone he knew to let them know about this young girl from Logan county who is putting her soul into giving hope and inspiration back to her community."
Have a great day! And please help us spread the word about "Hollow" in these remaining hours!
Best,
Elaine and the "Hollow" teamFind us at
http://www.hollowthefilm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/hollowtheproject
https://twitter.com/#!/hollowthefilm -
on May 10
Elaine McMillion
Posted project update #1566 Hours To Go!
Post CommentWe're so grateful that many of you have continued to support "Hollow" even past our $25,000 goal!
We're so close to $26,000 with 66 hours remaining! Please continue to share our Kickstarter page, Facebook page, Twitter and website with your friends and family and help us reach $30,000.
Best,
Elaine and the "Hollow" team
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on May 9
Elaine McMillion
Posted project update #14New rewards!
Post CommentWe've exceeded our $25,000 goal thanks to all of our awesome backers! But, thanks to generous in-kind donations from native West Virginians, we have new rewards!
We have 10 autographed copies of the "October Sky" DVD available, signed by NASA engineer Homer Hickam. The award, along with other prizes, will be given away for donations starting at $75.
Homer Hickam has also generously donated three autographed copies of his hardback book "Rocket Boys." This, along with other prizes, will be given away for donations starting at $100.
We have one prize, for a donation of $150 or more, that is an original watercolor painting by Beckley, W.Va., artist Barbara Daniel. This will be given away along with an mp3 version of the HOLLOW soundtrack and advance access to the site.
If you would like to "up" your donation, you will not be charged again, but just for the additional amount you are given. If you're not interested in these rewards, please spread the word to your friends, family, whoever!
We thank you for supporting "Hollow." This has been quite the ride, and we are SO excited to begin production!
- Elaine and the Hollow team
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on May 9
Elaine McMillion
commented on a projectThanks Russell and Des!! Des, you should definitely come to WV...it's quite the beautiful place and holds some of the best people in this country. Russell thanks for cheering us on...we really are grateful and excited about all this positive feedback! Onto $30,000!!
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on May 8
Elaine McMillion
Posted project update #13$25,000 GOAL REACHED!!
Post CommentBackers: It's time to celebrate!!!
We have reached our $25,000 goal thanks to your generosity. It has been an amazing few weeks getting messages from so many of you about what inspired you to donate...I really appreciate all your interest and support for this project and want to encourage you to keep the comments and messages coming!
We still have 4 more days and if we reach $30,000 we can buy more cameras to give to the community!
Also, many of you may (or may not) know but Kickstarter takes a 5% cut, Amazon takes 3% and DER (our nonprofit sponsor) takes 5%...this leaves us with approximately $21,750 not $25,000. So if we can raise enough money to cover these processing fees and walk away with our goal money we will be going into production strong!
THANKS AGAIN to everyone on this list! http://www.hollowthefilm.com/donate/kickstarter-backers/
Elaine and the "Hollow" team
P.S. We hope you will join us in dancing to this fitting tune!
Find us at:
http://www.hollowthefilm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/hollowtheproject
https://twitter.com/#!/hollowthefilm -
on May 8
Elaine McMillion
commented on a projectHey Rebecca! Thanks for your post. It's nice to hear from someone with roots in McDowell..we really appreciate your positive feedback about the project! Production starts next week!!
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on May 8
Elaine McMillion
Posted project update #12SO CLOSE!
Post CommentWe are so close to our goal with 4 days left! Thanks to each of you who have helped spread the word and who have pledged with your hearts and your wallets. I can't thank you enough.It was always my hope that we could exceed the goal of 25,000 and we're on target to hit $30k. This additional funding will allow us to purchase more community cameras to enhance and increase resident storytelling!
We still have some cool rewards left (the "Hollow" soundtrack, two tickets to Culture Fest, an interactive screening in a town of your choice) and today a fellow West Virginian announced that she is using her talents and her Etsy store to support "Hollow." Jenny Moore is donating 100% of the proceeds generated by selling three unique and WV-inspired embroidered art pieces to our Kickstarter. All three designs are valued at $50 each. Check them out here and pass them along to people interested in adding a touch of the Mountain State to their home!
More recent happenings: Chicago Tribune ran the Register Herald story about "Hollow." One of our backers, Andromeda Yelton, blogged about the project and what it means to be a West Virginian.
If you know anyone who might be interested in our project's mission, please send them our way and please take a moment to share our Kickstarter with your friends and family for one last push over the finish line!
Now enjoy some family fiddle music below!
Best,
Elaine & the "Hollow" Team
Elaine McMillion
Boston, MA
Elaine McMillion is an award-winning documentary filmmaker whose short and feature works focus on unique individuals with striking and inspiring stories. She uses techniques gained through journalism, in addition to experience in research, au... view more
