Dear Friends,

Sorry for the lack of updates but this film is like Coney Island itself, you don't hear much from it during the wintry months but that doesn't mean there aren't plans in the works. Well, as the rides are being greased for the opening day of the season, I've got some big news to report.  Last Summer at Coney Island will soon be available on DVD, courtesy of IndiePix Films. They’ll also offer the film as a download from their site, starting April 12. (The DVD will be ready around May 1.)

At the same time, WNET/Thirteen and WLIW/21–New York’s PBS stations–will be broadcasting the film this summer! Thirteen will show it on May 15th, though I haven't gotten confirmation from WLIW about their schedule, yet. (Hold on, Long Island.) After that it will become available to other PBS stations around the country. It doesn't mean that they'll show it but it'll be available.

I'm currently working on some crazy DVD extras that I can't wait to share with you. All Kickstarter donors who were able to give $25 or more will have their very own complimentary copy arriving in mail boxes around mid-May. And those of you who gave under $25 will still get a little something something, so long as you provided me with an address through this project page.

So, here we are folks. It's been a wild ride and it's not over yet. I couldn't have made it this far without you.

Happy spring,

JLA

You contributed to the completion of an important film about the one and only Coney Island and because of your generosity, we are that much closer to completion. In fact, although I'd hoped to announce this while the campaign was still running, I only received confirmation this morning that we will have a world premiere on August 9 at Brooklyn Academy of Music (aka BAM, the best movie theater and performance institution in the world). I'll be sending out reminders about that over the next couple months. Also, you'll receive another email soon requesting your full contact information so that you can receive your thank you gift, along with further notices of screenings and major "Last Summer" news. For now, I just wanted to send my heartfelt thanks. I am deeply in awe of each one of you. Something about this project spoke to you (or in some cases, the director spoke to you). But whatever it was, you saw the importance of making this happen and you acted. I promise you that this film will be looked at for generations as future people try and figure out what Coney Island was and how it became what it might yet become. Coney Island is always changing, let's not forget that. But this has been a particularly tumultuous time for the area and the ways in which everything played out speak not just about New York City's values and politics but of this moment in America. For the moment, go see for your self, it's only a subway ride away.

http://www.coneyislandfunguide.com/

JLA

So, this is it! The final week of the final attempt on Kickstarter. And we're so close. I mean, we're half way there but we're close. If everyone who has already pledged just doubles they're pledge, the movie gets funded! Alternatively, every supporter can find one more supporter to give the same amount as you. Or find two friends to give half the amounts you pledged. So close!

Thanks to those of you who came out to the benefit screening last night at UnionDocs in Williamsburg. It was great fun and really meaningful to show the film on the same weekend that Coney Island saw the launch of its first new amusement park in nearly 50 years!

There's a great story in the Village Voice this week about all the ups and downs of Coney's redevelopment. It parallels my movie in a lot of ways. The only thing it doesn't capture (and couldn't have) is just how exciting and positive the new Luna Park feels.
http://www.villagevoice.com/2010-05-25/news/coney-island-s-grand-past-and-grim-future/

And lastly, here's an article published in the local Brooklyn newspapers about "Last Summer at Coney Island" and the benefit screening:
http://24sevenbrooklyn.blogspot.com/2010/05/swan-song-for-coney.html

Dear Wonderful Supporters,
Two weeks left on Kickstarter!

A wonderful organization in Williamsburg called UnionDocs will be hosting a benefit screening of Last Summer at Coney Island on Sunday, May 30th at 7:30pm. That's Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, which also happens to be the opening weekend of Coney Island's newest amusement park on former site of Astroland Amusement Park. What heavier time to unofficially premiere this historic film? Check out the new Luna Park on Saturday or Sunday, and then head up to Williamsburg for the screening so you can get some much needed context on how we got to this point and where Coney Island might be headed.

If you've already given to the campaign, just say so at the door. There's no obligation to pay anything. However, since space is limited it would be great if you could commit to bring 1 or 2 people with you who can pay the sliding scale suggested donation of $9 to $20 dollars-- or more!

"Last Summer at Coney Island" sneak preview and benefit screening
UnionDocs screening room
Sunday, May 30 - 7:30pm
322 Union Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Take the L or G train to Meltropolitan/Lorimer. Get out on Union Ave and walk 5 blocks east on Union to 322.

More info here:
http://www.uniondocs.org/last-summer-at-coney-island-benefit-preview-screening-with-jl-aronson/

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