Just a short 15 days ago I launched this Kickstarter.com campaign to help fund my film, JENS PULVER | DRIVEN. Since that day, I’ve been working non-stop, 24/7, to get the word out; an effort that has resulted in your 225 gracious contributions pledging, to date, $13,500 toward the production of this film.

I do not take this lightly, and I am deeply grateful for every dollar pledged.

When I started the campaign, I knew time was going to be short as Jens’s fight, that provides the spine for the film, is coming up in just 6 weeks on March 6th. I also knew I would need to be capturing as much as possible up until then, and begin the process of bringing in crew, making travel arrangements, and planning the shoot in Columbus, Ohio, where the fight is to be held. As well, I had to weigh the manner in which Kickstarter works. If successfully funded, I would not receive the funds until 2 weeks after the drive closed.

Taking all this into consideration, I realized that I would have to do a campaign spanning just 20 days.

The other item I had to weigh when starting the campaign was how much should I attempt to raise. After much deliberation, and running of numbers, I landed on the figure of $25,000. A lofty goal for sure in just 20 days, but it was the number that would ensure I could follow Jens to Columbus, and shoot the entire film, come what may.

Along the way I have been asked why I am attempting to finance the film this way. The short answer is, traditional finance, which was sought out for this film, did not come through. I think Jens puts it best though. In numerous interviews, he has stated how, “everything in my career has been for the fans, and this is simply an opportunity for them to take part in the making of this film, be part of my story. And, if it goes well, then they can say I helped make that happen.”

I share his sentiment, and take it a little further. We live in a society in which many of our entertainment choices are made for us by large corporations who hard-sell us what they think we want see, hear, or consume. It’s a top-down approach, and a closed system, that does not allow for any of us to have a voice in what is being produced.

With this film, it’s the exact opposite. The $13,500 raised thus far, as you all know, is not from anyone wealthy, it’s from regular people like yourselves, all across the country that are making a choice with their hard earned dollars to say “this is what I want to see!” And, your contribution to the film doesn’t end once the dollars have been pledged, you are now part of the process of making this film. We’re in this together, rooting for Jens, and sharing in the creation that is his remarkable story on film.

We’re taking the bottom up approach with this film. There IS strength in numbers, and as witnessed by the amazing outpouring of support so far, either by the financial contributions, the incredible emails saying “thank you for telling this story!”, or the generous people out there taking it upon themselves to tell others, “hey, check this out, and get involved”, we know that we can buck the system, and come together as a community around this common goal to tell the story of an incredibly remarkable man, who has inspired so many throughout his life.

Right now, I have just over 4 days left to raise the remaining $11,500 and meet this goal. If I do not raise it, your pledges are canceled and the funding is not received. As I look at this I think back to something I read in Jens’s book “Little Evil: One Ultimate Fighter’s Rise to the Top.” In junior high, at one of Jens’s wrestling meets he was being pummeled, losing by 13 points. He basically felt like giving up, 2 more points and he was done anyway. His coach wouldn’t have it though, he told Jens that he’d better go in there and win. Which, to his own surprise, he did. He put his own doubts out of his mind, and focused on the task at hand. Winning.

It’s that spirit that I carry forth in this campaign to get this film made, and it’s the drive that Jens personifies, pushing me to make this film in the first place.

So, right now, I am asking you to continue to stand with me, to work with me, to spread the word, and encourage others to do so with you. We absolutely can do this, especially if we go forth with the understanding that this campaign is not just about getting a single film funded, it’s about all of us coming together to tell an inspirational story that exemplifies the fight within us all, that has the potential to speak to many, and with hope, those who need to hear it most.

Thank you for all of the support.
With my Deepest Gratitude,

Gregory