-
on February 25
Melody Weinstein
Posted project update #6The Activists reward update
Post CommentHello Backers!
The Activists team has been hard at work, putting the finishing touches on the film. Our small, but hardworking team consist of two editors, two researchers, one very talented composer, a University professor, and a superstar intern.
We are a few weeks away from finalizing the film, and we want to extend our deepest gratitude for you, our backers, for helping us get through the final stages. The Kickstarter funds will go towards purchasing archival materials and licensed music for the final cut, and paying all the above mentioned hardworking people.
All of the rewards, with the exception of the DVD, will be sent out at the end of next week. The DVD will be shipped as soon as the film is complete, thank you for your patience.
Below is a still from the film. A standoff between protestors and riot police at the Republican National Convention, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Sept 2008.
-
-
on January 11Funded!
THE ACTIVISTS: War, Peace, and Politics in the Streets by Melody Weinstein
A unique film about the lives of anti-war activists. Experience the triumphs & hardships they experience by speaking truth to power.
-
104% funded $15,738 pledged
- 105 backers
- Funded Jan 11, 2012
-
-
on January 10
Melody Weinstein
Posted project update #5Be the goal-reaching pledge!
Post CommentThe Activists is only $80 away from our goal, with 16 hours left to go! We are offering a special reward to the supporter who pushes us over the $15K mark.The donor who gets us to our goal will receive the first DVD printed once the film is complete, labeled #1, and signed by the director and producer.An existing pledge can be increased by $80, to win this reward.
Thanks to our many backers, without whom this film would not have been finished. We are forever grateful for your support!
-
on January 9
Melody Weinstein
Posted project update #4Final Stretch for The Activists
Post CommentThank you to all of our generous supporters - you've helped us get very, very close to our goal of raising $15,000 to finish The Activists. We're down to the final 36 hours, and a little over $2,000 away from being funded!
The money you've donated will help us purchase all the archival and media materials we need to make the film a success. These include protest footage from the 70's, AP photos and videos from the last 4 decades, the rights to several iconic anti-war songs, and significant network news footage. All of these elements will help us to thoroughly tell the story of activism today, at a time when being an activist means being at the forefront of current events.
Wish us luck in the final hours, as we push towards the finish line, our goal is now your goal – to complete the film and bring it to the public!
Stay tuned…
(photos: Michael Heaney and Melody Weinstein interviewing during the making of the film)
-
-
on December 27
Melody Weinstein
Posted project update #315 days to raise $5,000
Post CommentThe Activists fundraising effort is moving along at a steady pace, thanks to all our generous donors. Thank you!
The holidays are over, and we have 15 days left to raise the final $5,000 to reach our goal of $15,000. With this money, we will be able to complete the film by purchasing all the archival music and video clips needed for the final cut. The Activists chronicles the anti-war movement over the last ten years, as well as outline the modern history of protest movements in the United States and around the world. In order to tell this story, we need to use historical photos and film footage – all of which cost money to license. Until this point, we’ve been able to piece together the funding needed to make the film, but without help, we will have a hard time completing the project in our vision.
Please help us today by spreading the word about The Activists to people in your network. If there is anyone out there that you know who supports the peace movement and the spirit of independent arts, please help us get the word to them about our fundraising effort. We are a few pledges away from making our dream a reality. Only $5,290 left to go!
Production stills from the making of The Activists:
First photo: Interviewing Thom Hartmann of Air America on the street in St. Paul, riot police & paddywagon in the background.
Second photo: An SDS Funk the War protest, Washington DC Summer 2008. Sign reads “Youth is a Weapon and we’re armed to the teeth!”
-
-
on December 15
Melody Weinstein
Posted project update #2The Time is Now!
Post CommentOn December 14th, Time magazine unveiled the person of the year, and it’s….The Protestor. With this news the purpose of our mission with this film has become even more relevant. The Activists is about the lives of protestors, and the time is long overdue to tell their stories. The world is watching as we struggle to end a decade-long war and bring American troops home. More and more people in the US and abroad have taken to the streets to voice their opposition to ongoing struggles, both within and outside their countries.
The time is now to bring this film to the public. Your pledge will help bring awareness to the struggles of protestors the world over. Through the lens of American anti-war activists, this film will help to shed light on activism everywhere. Although the words they chant may be different, the beating hearts of activists are all the same.
Please help us raise our goal of $15,000 by spreading the word about The Activists. This money will help us pay for important archival materials, music, and bringing the film to the public.
Send this link to your friends, family members, neighbors, and anyone else you think would like to support this important cause.
Thank you! Rise up!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/melofilms/the-activists-war-peace-and-politics-in-the-street
-
-
on December 10
Melody Weinstein
Posted project update #1Building Momentum One Pledge at a Time
The Activists is off and running to a great start! Thank you to everyone who has donated so far, and for all the positive support and feedback we’ve received. Your generous pledges are going to help us bring this important film to the public.Post CommentWe are deep into the editing process and each day the film grows more interesting and captivating. There is over 100 hours of footage to sift through and each clip tells a different story.
The photo below is the front line of an IVAW march at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. The man in green is Zach De La Rocha from Rage Against the Machine, helping to hold up a Support GI Resistance banner. This was a hot day in late August, and thousands of activists marched for miles to let Obama know that they didn’t support war. This is only one of many marches, protests, and actions that were filmed during the making of this movie.
Please stay tuned for more updates and behind the scenes footage and photos. And thank you again for your pledge – together we’ll give this movement the recognition it deserves.
-
-
on December 3
Melody Weinstein
backed a project
STYLE WARS ... the Outtakes by Henry Chalfant
What’s in the outtakes? Save never before seen scenes from Style Wars. Trains. Battles. Interviews. More about the artists we love.
-
134% funded $37,721 pledged
- 572 backers
- Funded Dec 07, 2011
-
-
on December 2
Melody Weinstein launched a project
THE ACTIVISTS: War, Peace, and Politics in the Streets by Melody Weinstein
A unique film about the lives of anti-war activists. Experience the triumphs & hardships they experience by speaking truth to power.
- $15,000 funding goal
- 01/11/2012 Funding Ended
-
on October 20, 2010
Melody Weinstein
backed a project
COVER part of HOUSE COAT in St. Louis by Elizaveta Meksin
HOUSE COAT -- a public art, site specific installation that involves a fitted spandex outfit for a two-story row-house in St. Louis, MO.
-
103% funded $7,616 pledged
- 94 backers
- Funded Nov 15, 2010
-
Melody Weinstein
Atlanta, GA
Melody Weinstein is an Atlanta-based journalist, documentary filmmaker, and founder of MeloFilms. A graduate of University of Chicago and NYU's Broadcast Journalism school, Melody is the director and producer of the film Remixed in Japan, an in-depth l... view more
