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Update #34: Merry Christmas!! Feliz Navidades!!
DreamTown wants to thank you for your ongoing support! Your contributions have ensured that the stories of Carlos, Anibal and Ulises are being told while advocating for the transformation and empowerment of their lives, the lives of their families and the Afro-community of El Chota.
We are taking this moment to send our BEST WISHES to you and yours during the holiday season and the start of a New Year. Here are some highlights from 2011:
· Dreamtown’s Website up and running thanks to Armand Emamdjomeh!
· We reached $40,000 on Kickstarter with more than 3,000 people’s support and contributions making possible a production trip back to Ecuador and advancing our story along tremendously. A list of special thanks to everyone that contributed can be found here.
· Carlos mom, Georgina’s eyesight was saved from going blind thanks to Do Gooder contributions from Dahlia Philips and Ruth Ayala-Quezada. She is healing right now.
· We managed to screen DreamTown’s work-in-progress in 12 venues including Museo del Barrio, Upper 90 Soccer store, La Peña’s Cultural Center, Jacob Burns Film Center, NYU’s Afro-Latin Film Series, and many more.
· Our community of fans is growing strong and we partnered up with JUVE, NALIP, ULP, United Latinos en Accion, and Young Ecuadorian American Professionals.
· We were nominated for and awarded a year round mentorship from NALIP’s LAMP program!
2011 was an amazing year thanks to each of you!! We still have a lot of work in 2012 and want to make sure we finish the film next year. If you can, please consider an End of Year Gift to DreamTown. You can make a tax-deductable donation through Woman Make Movies on our behalf and know you are supporting Latino independent film, EL Chota Valley, and cooperative economics!
Click here to donate.
May 2012 bless each of us with abundance in health, love, prosperity, peace & happiness.
SALUD!! CHEERS TO ALL!!
Update #33: KICKSTARTER REWARDS ON THEIR WAY!
We are so excited to announce that since we have gotten back from Ecuador we have begun mass production of the rewards offered to the backers of our Kickstarter campaign! These rewards
have been a fun yet laborious process to produce with a very small staff
so we thank you for your patience and promise you will all get your
very own DreamTown memorabilia in the mail very soon!
With a small yet dedicated team we are super focused and committed to
completing this film and are forever grateful to be sharing this journey
with you and because of you!
We can't say it enough - Thank you for all your help Dreamers!
Limited edition DreamTown T-shirts with DreamTown logo are being produced this week and will be shipped out soon after!
WE'VE GOT BALLS!
Lots of logistics went into transporting and securing these but we were able to return from Ecuador with a half dozen soccer balls autographed by international soccer star, activist and philanthropist, Ulises De La Cruz, which have just been shipped out to our Champion-Level Backers!
STICK 'EM UP!
We just designed and put in a production order of our rad DreamTown stickers, designed by Betty's husband, soccer consultant and artist Martin Brecht. Here is our exclusive preview!
ROCK OUT!
We've just completed the playlist for the Bomba Mix CD’s which for sure will get you moving and jamming! These will be in mass production this week and then on their way to our Bomba Backers!
Every week this month we will be sharing sneak previews and video excerpts of NEW footage from our recent shoot including interviews, bits of scenes and more behind the scenes photos! SO Stay tuned for the first installment!
Update #32: Dream Team Making it happen in Ecuador!!!
Hello Dream Team!!!
Our apologies for not sending an update sooner. We have been rolling non-stop since we completed our workshop in Santa Fe at the LPA - Nalip's Latino Producer's Academy. There DreamTown was given a special award and selected as one of 5 projects that will be given 1 Year+ of continued Mentorship by award winning experts and film professionals that will join our team and help us get all the resources needed to be complete the film and get major distribution either in TV and fingers crossed a theatrical distribution as well.
For now we are SUPER FOCUSED on completing the actual filming and production phase!
Thanks to all of our Supporters and backers here in Kickstarter, right after completing the LPA we prepped and then recently traveled to Ecuador to continue filming!!!
The DreamTown crew has been in the midst of filming for the last week and will be here until the 16th of September!! Thanks to you we are getting so much amazing video coverage of our stories and tons of photos and behind the scenes!!
We have been traveling in towns with limited internet access so have not yet been able to upload photos or video yet but will be able to do so very soon!! SO STAY POSTED!
ALSO this is a unique opportunity for you to SEND US ANY QUESTIONS you may have for our main characters in the film: CARLOS, ANIBAL AND ULISES.
We can then incorporate them into our interviews and behind the scenes then post them here for you! As well as on our facebook page!
We really look forward to sharing more personal experiences from our shoot and introducing you to our crew that is helping us here in Ecuador as well as personal messages from our characters.
Until then we carry each and every one of you with us in our hearts uplifting our spirits as every day we are here has been made possible by you!
With tremendous gratitude and appreciation!
Maia and Betty
DreamTown Documentary Producers
PS - The first of many photos to come... below is a shot of the official DreamTown Filming Press badges used to getting in to film games and a shot of some of the crew with Anibal's family.
More to come!!!
Update #31: DREAMTOWN will be on NPR WORLDVIEW Tomorrow!!!
Hello everyone we have an exciting update!
Director Betty Bastidas is being interviewed about DreamTown for NPR's radio show in Chicago called WorldView!!!
It will be on tomorrow Wed, 8/17 @ 12:15pm - 1:00pm Central Time.
If not in Chicago catch it LIVE ONLINE by clicking the link and hitting the button on top left that says "Listen Live"!
We're so excited for you to tune in as it was a great in depth interview that brings a lot of light and exposure to the true social message in the film!
Please spread the word!
Thank you so much!
Betty and Maia
Update #30: TOGETHER AS ONE WE HAVE OVERCOME!!!
WOW - What a wild ride that was for all of us! We've been recovering from minor heart attacks and having burst into tears when it was all over!
Every word of encouragement and support truly made the difference and got us through it!
This is a SHARED success story that would not have happened without EVERY ONE OF YOU COMING TOGETHER and rallying their communities behind this project!
A HUGE THANK YOU to la Organizacion Juventud Ecuatoriana for all their tremendous support throughout our campaign and at very critical moments! You guys really inspire us!!
And THANK YOU to all our BACKERS and DREAM TEAM, for your efforts in spreading the word and for your contribution towards this Dream!
Every one of you gave us hope and strengthened our faith that this would be possible, every donation big or small was so exciting to see come in, especially at the last moments as the clock ticked away....
and truly we are so very VERY GRATEFUL!
FROM HERE ON....
We will keep you all posted on our journey as it develops, Betty and I are headed to NALIP's Producer's Academy today in Santa Fe, New Mexico where we will be workshopping the film and planning our upcoming film shoots in Ecuador that YOU HAVE HELPED FUND!
If it wasn't for the success of this campaign, it would not be possible, but here we are, prepped to buy plane tickets and commence the planning!
It's an exciting time!
We will keep you all posted on the development of our online store where we will be able to continue to take Pre-Orders of the DVD, the Bomba CD and offer other NEW rewards and contests in the coming months, along with updating our website blog and Kickstarter along the way....
This is a new beginning as this film takes on a new life and certainly we will continue to lean on you for your support and inspiring comments along the way in our journey to complete the film, and make a positive impact on the children in these marginalized communities, bringing Hope, Empowerment and Unity!
ETERNAL THANKS,
Betty and Maia
Bob Marley said it best, "ONE LOVE! LET'S GET TOGETHER & FEEL ALRIGHT!" :-)
415
Backers
$40,851
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on August 11, 2011.
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A big thank you for believing in our project! Please spread the word.
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TRUE SUPPORTER: DreamTown sticker plus a Thank You Shout Out on Twitter and Facebook. Every little bit counts toward getting us a step closer to reaching our goal.YEAHH!
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BOMBA!: For the music lover, a CD mix of Ecuadorian Bomba, the traditional music of El Chota Valley. This CD includes songs from the DreamTown soundtrack and will have you on your feet and dancing in no time.
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STRIKER: (by popular demand) pre-order your DreamTown DVD
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DIEHARD FAN: A DreamTown DVD + DreamTown sticker you can put on your labtop or bumper + a Thank You Shout Out on Facebook and Twitter page
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DIE HARD FAN: (by popular demand) DreamTown DVD + Bomba CD Mix + DreamTown Sticker + Shout out on Facebook and Twitter
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ORIGINAL BALLER: Original DreamTown T-shirt + Digital Download of DreamTown upon its release + a Thank You Shout Out on Facebook and Twitter!
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PLAYMAKER: DreamTown DVD + original DreamTown T-shirt + Dreamtown styling Tote Bag +Shout out on facebook and twitter + a special THANK YOU on our awesome website.
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TOP SCORER: What at treat! A YUMMY Typical Ecuadorian MEAL for two at Barzola, one of the best Ecuadorian restaurants NY has to offer + digital download of DreamTown + a special Thank You on our awesome website! OR Signed ART PRINT by Artist Martin Brecht (www.martinbrecht.com) + original DreamTown T-shirt + styling Tote bag + DreamTown DVD + a special Thank You on our awesome website + shout out on Facebook and Twitter.
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DO-GOODER: In true philanthropist spirit, one-quarter of your donation will directly impact the residents of El Chota Valley. $100 of your pledge will be dontated to FundeCruz, the nonprofit organization committed to rebuilding EL Chota Valley led by DreamTown cast member and international soccer star Ulises de la Cruz.
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CHAMPION: A signed soccer ball by two time World Cup soccer star Ulises De La Cruz +DreamTown DVD + DreamTown T-shirt + your name on the big screen under "Special Thanks" OR Special Screening for your classroom, organization, or in the comfort of your own home. The director . Private Screening + DVD+ T-shirt + your name on the big screen - included in DreamTown under "Special Thanks"
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ARTIST IN SOCCER: An original mix media oil painting by artist Abraham Ushina. dimensions: 30in x 40in. This painting has been published in an article by Noticiero Universo
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PRESS PASS: Join members of the DreamTown crew behind the scenes at the next Ecuador national team friendly in NYC. Experience a soccer match like you never have before and maybe even meet a player or two with this unique reward!
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TEAM ECUADOR: Limited addition *TEAM* signed Ecuadorian national team jersey. "La Seleccion" signatures include World Cup stars from El Chota Valley.
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INTERNATIONAL SUPERSTAR: Join the crew! Come down for a week of filming (airfare included) and we'll show you around the valley ourselves. Play a game of pickup soccer with the children of El Chota, meet members of the cast and crew, and dance the night away to Ecuadorian Bomba!
Project By
Connected as Betty Bastidas (1153 friends)
BETTY BASTIDAS, DIRECTOR/ PRODUCER
Betty is an award-winning Ecuadorian American filmmaker, photographer, and teaching artist using media as a social tool to celebrate the strength of the human spirit and her love for self-expression. She is a graduate of UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism, with a degree in Documentary Film and holds a certificate in documentary photography from Salt Institute of Documentary studies in Maine. She has exhibited internationally and has been the recipient of numerous awards including the 2010 NALIP/HBO Documentary Award for DreamTown, 2008 NALAC Fund for the Arts, the 2006 NYFA Photography Fellowship, among others. Betty and Maia were recently selected to attend the 2011 NALIP Producer’s Academy with the DreamTown documentary.
MAIA MONASTERIOS, WRITER/ PRODUCER
Maia an Award winning Venezuelan American filmmaker who has traveled 3 continents over the past 10 years producing/directing over 50 hours of distributed Emmy winning programming, for broadcasters NBC, TLC, Bravo, MTV, Discovery and more. Including directing MTV’s True Life: Addicted to Crystal Meth (2007 Prism Award) and story producing on NBC’s Genealogy series, "Who Do You Think You Are?” She’s documented challenging subject matter with sensibility for capturing personal stories with universal human themes. Her passion is in working to transform social misconceptions, inspire human dignity and unity through understanding. She’s taught at film Schools and volunteers for NGO’s including Save Darfur and Success for Kids with at risk youth. Maia has been working with Betty on DreamTown going on 4 years, writing grants, writing/ developing story structure, editing rough cuts and strategizing the completion of the film and getting it out to the world!
