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Longshots

Update #35 · Nov 28, 2011 · 1 comment

Hey everyone! Steve here.

Most of you know me pretty well from joining this campaign, seeing the movie, or following the "Dying to do Letterman" project for the past 6 years. But one thing you might not know about me is that I try to go to the Kentucky Derby every year. I have some fantastic friends in Louisville, and if I can make it, I go. 

When I'm at the race I always bet a longshot. Why? Because there's nothing more fun than rooting for the guy everyone thinks doesn't have a chance. What's more American than a longshot? Heck, my dream to perform on Letterman was a longshot. I've got a weak spot for anyone who has been counted out.

That being said, one of our longshots for "Dying to do Letterman" didn't come in. 

The Oscars®

While we did qualify for Academy Award® consideration this year, the shortlist for the Best Documentary category for the upcoming Oscars® came out last week and we didn't make the cut. There were some great docs that we got to see at festivals that made it. But there were many more that we thought would end up on that list that didn't end up there either. 

The truth is that our making that list (and then the final 5 that get nominated) was always a longshot. By definition a longshot is something that should never be counted on or taken too seriously. The type of film we have, the subject matter, the tone, and basically everything about it made us a longshot in the Best Documentary category and we knew that. 

But when we started showing our film to audiences 9 months ago, so many amazing things started happening. We started getting standing ovations. People stayed through 45 minute Q&A's and then e-mailed us when they got home. And we started winning awards! 

We won audience awards AND the jury awards. At one point we had won more awards than festivals we had attended (having won multiple awards at some feasts.) Joke, Biagio, Denise & I realized we had created something pretty special. Something that was taking on a life of its own.

All that was confirmed further when we were invited to take part in the prestigious DocuWeeks -- a program we thought we had no chance of being invited to because we weren't the "typical documentary." 

DocuWeeks

DocuWeeks -- run by the International Documentary Association -- invites a small number of films to qualify for Academy Award® consideration each year.  Past DocuWeeks films had included Taxi to the Dark Side, Jesus Camp, Born into Brothels, Spellbound, and Wasteland -- and now, on that same list, Dying to do Letterman. We were speechless.

To cover the cost of participating in DocuWeeks (they cover many of the expenses but not all) we started our Kickstarter campaign, and it became one of the most successful ever, thanks to our fans…thanks to YOU. 

Taking part in Docuweeks qualified us for Oscar® consideration, and because of all the incredible reactions and feedback we all started to think this longshot just might come in.

It didn't happen. While we are of course disappointed, I have to say, thanks to all of YOU we were in that race. 

YOU put us in the game.

And I would bet on this longshot again if I had the chance. In fact, this leg of the race may be over, but this film's journey is just beginning. 

I promise you we will be worth betting on...because we have amazing fans and friends like you who keep us in any race we enter. 

So congrats to those who made the list and very best of luck from all of us here at team Dying to do Letterman. The D2DL team is charging ahead, chasing our huge dream to share our film with a billion people. Thanks for spreading the word and see you at the finish line. 

Steve

PS We are currently finishing up all the DVD extras and prepping all the Kickstarter Rewards.  We should be able to announce soon when you'll be getting your swag! Thanks for being part of our family.

Comments

    1. Missing_small

      Creator Dan Estrada on November 28, 2011

      Man you guys EARNED it! How many can say they made an Oscar run? Merry Christmas everybody.

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