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Update #5: GO FAR further updates
Update #4: GO FAR is traveling to Michigan!
I apologize that it has been so long since my last update. To say that this season of Burn Notice has kept me busy would be an understatement. But now that I am officially on hiatus until the beginning of season 6, I am back working on Go Far, hoping to get as much done as I can before next year.
I wanted all of my generous donors to be aware of the progress regarding the interviews I plan to shoot. Since raising the money last March I have been in continuous contact with both Jerry Lewis and Tony Orlando. I had actually planned to shoot both of their interviews in April and had everything scheduled. However, just a few days before I was to travel to Las Vegas, Jerry Lewis received word from MDA that he would no longer be doing the Labor Day telethon. As you can imagine, this created a very difficult situation. The interviews were postponed, and for the next several months I went back and forth with Jerry's camp every other week trying to reschedule. Around the time of the telethon he decided he no longer wanted to be involved with anything related to MDA, thus canceling the interview. I am still optimistic that I can secure his interview once some time has passed. But the good news is that Tony Orlando is still on board and I plan to shoot his interview once his schedule permits.
The silver lining to all of this is that I can now use the money I raised to travel to Michigan and shoot the remainder of my interviews there. I have purchased my plane ticket and will be there next week. Once I come back with the footage I will post some of the raw material online so you can see what your much appreciated donations are helping to create.
Thanks again everyone! I'll keep you updated as things progress further.
Zack Arnold
Update #3: GO FAR Interview Update
Update #2: WE DID IT!!!!
I just passed my goal of $10,000!!!! That means your generous donation is now secure! Whether you are a $5 donor or a $1000 donor, I am equally thankful. I am here because of you.
I cannot thank all of you enough for your support. I am very passionate about this film and have been working to get it off the ground for a long time. This is the first time since I came up with the idea that I have confidence the film will be completed. Chris' message and legacy will have the opportunity to live on and reach people the way he did while he was alive.
I now have the funding I need to travel to Las Vegas and shoot my interview with Jerry Lewis. That will happen in September during the MDA Labor Day Telethon, so please be aware it will be several months before I can post video clips so you can see where your donation money went. Until then it will be safe in a high-yield hedge fund invested through Bernie Madoff's company....kidding.
But the journey is far from over. The next step is to raise enough funds to travel to Michigan for a week and shoot the remainder of my interviews with Chris' family, friends, and colleagues. I plan to reach out to the University of Michigan film department and get as much help as a I can to save money, but there will still be travel expenses and five days worth of crew salaries.
With the 10 days I have left, my goal is to raise an additional $15,000.
Bold, yes! But with $25,000 I will have covered my entire production budget and can shoot all of my material. Then the next step will be raising money for post-production, and the final leg of the journey is funding the finishing & mastering process (composing music, sound mixing, color correction, etc).
Please continue to pass along this site to friends, post to your loyal followers on Twitter, and to all of your Facebook friends. Every little bit that comes in now is extra and secure, so every donation now counts no matter what!
THANK YOU. You are helping to spread a positive message.
Update #1: Thank you for your support!
There has been a lot of interest in the project in the last week, including the articles below, with more to follow soon. Please feel free to pass along the fundraising site and share on social networking sites. Twitter posts really seem to be making all the difference in the world right now.

126
Backers
$12,737
pledged of $10,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on March 20, 2011.
Pledge $5 or more Pledge $5 or more
You can walk around feeling good for the day, knowing you've made a difference.
Pledge $20 or more Pledge $20 or more
You will receive credit in the film as a benefactor (in the 'Special Thanks' section). And you'll have some extra good karma.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
You will receive credit in the film as a benefactor (in the 'Special Thanks' section) and receive a copy of the finished film on DVD.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
You will receive credit in the film as a benefactor (in the 'Special Thanks' section), and receive two copies of the finished film on DVD.
Pledge $125 or more Pledge $125 or more
Get a tour of the BURN NOTICE post facilities via Skype! Pledge $125 and select this specific reward, and I'll give you a personal tour of where we edit the show and explain how we do it via Skype. You'll also receive everything included in the $100 reward.
Pledge $150 or more Pledge $150 or more
Get a tour of the BURN NOTICE post facilities! Pledge $150 and select this specific reward, and I'll give you a personal tour of where we edit the show, explain how we do it, and take you out to lunch (on me). You'll also receive everything included in the $100 reward. (no travel or any other expenses included) * Located in Glendale, CA just outside of Los Angeles
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
You will receive credit in the film as a 'Gold Benefactor' in the film's credits, as well as 2 copies of the finished film on DVD. You will also be invited to any screenings of the film and receive VIP treatment.
Pledge $5,000 or more Pledge $5,000 or more
You will receive credit in the film as a 'Platinum Benefactor' in the film's credits, as well as up to 10 copies of the finished film on DVD. You will also be invited to any screenings of the film and receive VIP treatment.
Pledge $10,000 or more Pledge $10,000 or more
For donations over $10,000 you will receive credit in the film as an 'Associate Producer,'and you will get up to 10 copies of the finished film on DVD. You will receive rough cuts of the film and be able to share your input. And you will also be invited to any screenings of the film and receive VIP treatment.
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Connected as Zack Arnold (215 friends)
ABOUT THE WRITER/DIRECTOR:
Zack Arnold is an award-winning film editor currently editing the tv series BURN NOTICE on USA Network. His list of professional editing credits can be viewed on IMDB:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2094093/
Zack originally met Chris in college at the University of Michigan in a film production course. The first day of class, Chris (a quadriplegic) was wheeled into the classroom to stares of disbelief and silence. After all, how could someone paralyzed function in a high level film production course that was 100% hands-on? Despite the whispers and stares, Zack took it upon himself to include Chris in his group, and thus a lasting friendship was born and they were good friends from that point on. The last time Zack saw Chris was the day Chris was a groomsman at Zack's wedding. Chris passed away shortly after.
Awesome to hear man. Very excited for you to get to do this and proud of your passion and tenacity! Have a great birthday today as well.
It's your birthday? And you missed work? Go celebrate life and family! Happy, happy birthday!
I'm still so happy when I think about that tour. You were a terrific tour guide. I know you will bring the same professionalism, pride of work, and passion to this project as you bring to BN - maybe more, since this is a personal dream of yours to honor a friend's memory & life. Good luck to you, Zack! - "Philliesfan"
Hopefully, Mr. Lewis will grant you the interview after some time passes - while I'm sure he's beyond hurt at MDA, I'd bet anything that he'd be more than happy to talk about Chris at some point soon.
- James