Dear DRIVEN Community,

This is my 60th, and likely final, update to you about our project JENS PULVER | DRIVEN. It's been nearly a year since I began sending out DVDs to all of you, and I still can't adequately express my appreciation for your very kind and generous efforts in getting behind this project from day one. It simply would not have become the success it has without your early support of the project, and willingness to build community around it.

The making of the film and this endeavor here on Kickstarter has taught me a great deal over the course of the past two years, and worked to crystalize the focus of my career... to explore our contemporary American culture through the stories of remarkable people.

It is in that spirit that I now embark on my next journey, and my next story of a truly remarkable person, Kirk Noble Bloodsworth.

In 1985, Kirk Noble Bloodsworth was sentenced to die in a Maryland penitentiary for the brutal rape and murder of 9 year old Dawn Hamilton. A crime he did not commit. 

My new film, BLOODSWORTH, recounts the remarkable true story of how this honorably discharged ex-US Marine with no criminal record was charged, convicted and sentenced to death for this crime, and, how through this ordeal, Kirk Bloodsworth became the first individual in the US to be exonerated by DNA evidence, sparking an important shift in the criminal justice system.

Beginning production on an independent documentary film, even with some level of success behind you, is always a difficult task, especially when it comes to funding. A reality that once again brings me to the Kickstarter platform as I start work on this new film.

As DRIVEN has made it's way out into the world, I've spent the past several months working to gain momentum and support for BLOODSWORTH, but am at the point now where I need to push forward with production. To do so, I've launched this campaign: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gregorybayne/bloodsworth-an-innocent-man

I know many of you came out in support of DRIVEN out of your respect and admiration of Jens, and his story. I appreciate and thank you for that, and understand if your interest in independent documentaries does know some bounds. :)

That said, if you appreciated my work on DRIVEN, I would sincerely appreciate you taking a moment to review BLOODSWORTH, and if it moves you, please considering joining me in this next endeavor.

Finally, I'm happy to report that DRIVEN continues to do well in it's North American Video on Demand release (http://thislovelymachine.com/jenspulverdriven/driven-on-demand/), garnering numerous 5-Star reviews across the web, and ranking in the top 100 documentaries on iTunes since its release in July.

Thank you again for you belief, your interaction, and your generous support. 

I sincerely apologize if this message is redundant for any of you.

With Warm Regards,

Gregory

Hey Friends,

Getting ready to head out to our 2nd screening of JENS PULVER | DRIVEN in Los Angeles. Tonight's screening at TIGER TKD/MMA Academy (12221 Industrial Ave in South Gate, CA) at 7PM, is open to the public, and will benefit Coach Koon and his non-profit BlackMat MMA which works with at-risk youth.

Last night we were up in Oxnard at West Coast Jui Jitsu where the film, and Jens, received an incredibly warm response. Here are couple photos from the event.

Tonight we'll be shooting a number of photos, and the Q&A. Look for some video coming your way tomorrow!

Thanks again for the support. We're 60 backers strong with 6 days to go and over $5,200 raised in our campaign to distribute the film!

Warm Regards and Many Thanks,

Gregory

Hey Friends,

Jens has arrived in LA and we're about to head out to WEST COAST JIU JITSU for our first LA screening.

Throughout the weekend we'll be posting updates from our screening events and the Beverly Hills Film Festival premiere, so stay tuned!

We have 7 days left to reach our goal in our GET DRIVEN Film Tour Campaign, and are moving along nicely now with 53 backers pledging nearly $5,000! In this final week we need all the help we can get! Here's the link to check out and share: http://kck.st/hmgxUN

Thank you very much for being part of this film from day one. It's incredible to see this film take on a life of its own and go out into the world in this way. Very excited.

With Gratitude,

Gregory

Hello DRIVEN Community!

Well, it's finally here. Tomorrow I'm off to Los Angeles to premiere the film at the Beverly Hills Film Festival. Jens will be joining me for the festival screening, and will be helping kick off our GET DRIVEN Film Tour with 2 screenings at local area gyms.

If you haven't had a chance to check out our GET DRIVEN Tour, and the campaign here on Kickstarter.com to launch it, please take a moment and visit this link: http://kck.st/hmgxUN

With the GET DRIVEN tour we're creating opportunities for fans and organizations to host their own screenings, and keep the proceeds. We do this because in the end it's not just about getting the film out, it's about spreading goodwill.

It all starts next weekend in LA when we take a break from the festival to partner with area gyms (including Coach Koon's BlackMat MMA) that work with at-risk youth. The film will be free for the youth, and a large portion of the proceeds from those screenings will go directly to the gyms, and their programs. That's what this tour is about. Positive impact on communities.

You can read my most recent article for Filmmaker Magazine for more background on how this all came about.

We're closing in on our April 15th deadline for this campaign, and can use all the support we can muster. I encourage you to take a look at what we have on offer, (like Jens' new "Evilution" T-Shirt), and explore how you can now be part of the distribution of the film you helped make.

With gratitude,

Gregory

Hello DRIVEN Community!

We have officially launched our GET DRIVEN Kickstarter Campaign to take the film on tour and provide opportunities for fans and organizations to host their own screenings of the film and keep the proceeds.

As part of this effort we are issuing a little challenge. At the end of this successful* campaign, the community (town or city) which raises the most pledges will be guaranteed a screening of the film with Jens Pulver and myself in attendance.

Would you be interested in having Jens and the film come to your neck of the woods? All you have to do is rally the troops and help drive those pledges. The minimum pledge is just $1, and there are a bunch of great personalized rewards for pledges ranging from $5 - $150, and for pledges of $300 or more you can host your own screening of the film and keep the proceeds.

So go now and check out our GET DRIVEN campaign, and take part in this unique and positive endeavor to take Jens' inspirational message to the world.

Here is the link to explore and share! http://kck.st/hmgxUN

Warm Regards and Many Thanks,

Gregory

*in order to guarantee the screening with Jens Pulver we need to reach our pledge goal by April 14th at 11:59pm MST

Dear DRIVEN Community,

I hope this finds you well. I have a couple tremendous updates to share with you. 

First off, as of today we have secured North American VOD (Video on Demand) distribution that will bring JENS PULVER | DRIVEN to the majority of American homes via Cable VOD, and internet platforms such as iTunes, Amazon, Netflix, Xbox Live, and this list goes on...starting in July of this year. It's a great milestone for the film, and we're very excited about the exposure it will bring to Jens and his story.

That brings me to my second update....Today marked the launch of a second Kickstarter campaign for the film dubbed: GET DRIVEN: An Open Source Film Tour of JENS PULVER | DRIVEN. 

Long story short, while we both need to raise funds for delivering and exhibiting the film, we also want to pay it forward and put the power of distribution in your hands, including taking part in the proceeds.

Throughout the process of making JENS PULVER | DRIVEN we have received several requests from all over the world to screen the film at gyms, for events and fundraisers, schools and other organizations. So with the launch of this campaign we have created a way in which anyone will be able to bring this film, and Jens' message to their community, host a screening, and keep the proceeds. We're hoping that folks with join with us in the effort to bring awareness to child abuse and domestic violence issues, as well as to promote youth athletics.

Get all the details on how it will work here, and by all means, share the link: http://kck.st/hmgxUN

Again, you all have my deepest gratitude for being the first in to make this film happen. I'll never forget that.

Warm Regards,

Gregory

Hello DRIVEN Community,

Hope your year is off to a wonderful start! There is much swirling around the film currently, and we're hoping to have some distribution announcements in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, we have released the 'Official Trailer' for the film. You can find it here: http://youtu.be/I5ij8hGtMT0

Please help us push it out into the world, by sharing it with those you love.

Thank you again for being part of this film.

Warm Regards,

Gregory

Ps. Did you know that we're heading out on tour this summer with Jens and the film? You can request that we come to your city here: http://thislovelymachine.com/jenspulverdriven/getdriven/ The more requests we have, the more likely we can make it out to your neck of the woods.

Dear Friends,

We just had our first ever screening this past Friday night in Boise, Idaho. Jens joined us for the evening which can only be categorized as a huge success.

When you make a film, you never know what you have on your hands until you experience it in a theater, and with an audience. The resounding applause after the screening, and often times tear inducing Q&A after, said it all. Jens Pulver | DRIVEN connects with folks at the core. Like Jens, the film is raw, honest, and seems to truly resonate across the board, whether you're a fan or not. You can read more about the evening in my latest blog post (http://bit.ly/fPbRWZ).

We're working on bringing this experience across the country in 2011, and we need your help to do it.

To that end, and knowing that there are many worthwhile causes to support in this season of giving, I would ask you to consider contributing to Jens Pulver | DRIVEN and our efforts to take the film out into the world in 2011. If you haven't already, you can help by simply purchasing the film at our store (http://thislovelymachine.com/jenspulverdriven/store/), or by making a donation (http://bit.ly/h0G5DC). For any donation made from December 23rd through December 31st we will send you a special thank you gift in January 2011.

Thank you for being a part of this film, and our work.

Happy Holidays to you and yours,

Gregory Bayne
Producer/Director
Jens Pulver | DRIVEN
info@thislovelymachine.com

Hello DRIVEN Community!

If you are in the Boise, Idaho area come out tonight for a screening of Jens Pulver | DRIVEN and meet Jens in person.

Here are the details:

Jens Pulver | DRIVEN
Screens at 7:30pm
Egyptian Theater
Boise, Idaho
Q&A after with me, my team and Jens Pulver

You can buy tickets, learn more about the film, and watch clips here: http://jenspulverdriven.com

Look forward to seeing you there!

Warm Regards,

Gregory

Dear DRIVEN Community,

I'm happy to report that as of today we have shipped the Limited Edition JENS PULVER | DRIVEN signed DVDs, effectively bringing this campaign to a close.

I am very appreciative of all the support, and want to thank you for your contributions, your belief, and in many cases your friendship, as we have worked to make this film a reality. You, and your efforts on behalf of this film mean a great deal to me, and won't be soon forgotten. I thank you, very much.

I will continue to keep you updated on the progress of the film, as this marks only the beginning of our efforts to take JENS PULVER | DRIVEN to the world.

With gratitude,

Gregory Bayne
Producer and Director of Jens Pulver | DRIVEN

PS. After packaging all the DVDs we found we had a slight overrun leaving 15 copies of the signed DVD left available. If you didn't contribute for one in the original campaign, or if you'd like another go to: http://thislovelymachine.com/jenspulverdriven/2010/11/19/success/ and click on the 'contribute' button. If you are in the US, contribute $35, or outside the US $40, and we will ship one out to you.

Hello DRIVEN Community!

A quick note to let you know that the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack for Jens Pulver | DRIVEN written, performed and produced by Patrick Benolkin is on sale now.

Get the digital download for just $10, and support this incredible artist. We’re very grateful to have had such an amazing talent create the score for the film.

Here is the link to purchase: http://driven.bandcamp.com/

Best,

Gregory

Hello DRIVEN Community!

So the Limited Editions are in production. If you didn't reserve yours during the Kickstarter campaign, there are still a few left to claim (emphasis on 'a few'). You can reserve at http://jenspulverdriven.com, and they will be shipped on November 10th.

Also, a reminder that next Monday, November 1st, we will be emailing all of you who contributed $10 or more a pass to screen the film online during the month of November.

Thanks again for all the support.

Here is a look at some of the DVD art.

- Gregory