Kickstarter

Hi all!

I just wanted to send out a quick update before the end of the year to show the massive progress on the space that we've made so far. 

Over the winter and into the spring, we went through a pretty extensive design and planning process. This kickstarter provided a good part of the required budget, but after digging into the details, doing our best value engineering, and weighing the priorities, it became clear that our ambitions would require some additional fundraising as well as taking on some debt. It is the kind of thing you want to do just once and do right, so we were comfortable with that. We were happy that our landlord also agreed to taking responsibility for some of the planned work as well.

Then, immediately after our last show in July, we began the renovation. It was an intense process, involving some awesome professionals, months of our own blood, sweat and, yes, tears, and a fair amount of help from volunteers. Only 8 weeks later, we reopened for our first event of this year with a transformed space. Throughout the fall, we took care of a lot of the cosmetic details and we are still chipping way at a task list of small to-dos in our time outside of general operations. Work on the signage is planned for spring. The chairs and rake project are on hold until we get a bit more comfortable with the new layout.

Through this, UnionDocs has evolved from a scrappy DIY venue to a beautiful, professional space. There were major improvements operationally and technically, not to mention aesthetically. I won't say it was an easy experience, but it is an incredibly exciting step for our organization and community. We've got some pictures of the process that we hope to share as well, but we thought you would appreciate seeing the final result incase you can't make it out to see it in person at our Holiday Party with Tony Conrad tomorrow evening. 

Thanks again so much for believing in UnionDocs! 

Best wishes for the holidays and 2013.

- Christopher

Dear Supporters,

So, yes, yes, yes! On behalf of everyone at UnionDocs, we are happy to say that your generous contribution has helped us reach and even surpass our goal. This was our first true fundraiser, and we witnessed our community really come together for the cause. The kindness and support we received over the last few months is very inspiring. We look forward to sharing news on upcoming renovations, as the hopes and plans become realities. UnionDocs is a space built on collaboration, and your collective generosity will be enjoyed by thousands of artists and audience members over the next decade and beyond.

The excitement of the Kickstarter Campaign concluded with an incredible Finish Line Party, featuring some amazing bands and the opening of Looking at Los Sures: Organizing Space, a video installation and 10 day workshop next door at 306 Union. We hope all who made it out enjoyed, and those unable to attend were definitely there in spirit! The installation and subsequent community screening of Los Sures started conversations among over 300 people from all corners of the neighborhood. We also were happy to showcase the collaborative project alongside Diego Echeverria's film with a screening at Harvard University, sponsored by the metaLab and the Film Studies Center, which was nicely written up in The Crimson. See some pics below and more on our photostream. With luck, the collaborative project, our upcoming screenings, workshops and other events will all continue with as much momentum and energy as the last week has brought.

Soon you will be receiving a survey requesting the information we need in order to successfully deliver your reward. Please fill that out ASAP, so we can send you the token of our gratitude that you chose.

Again, please accept our deepest thanks and we hope to see you soon!

Your friends at UnionDocs.

[Pics 1+2 of Looking at Los Sures: Organizing Space, 3+4: Los Sures Screening]

Thanks to our generous backers, we have reached our $12,000 goal with 3 days left. It's a very good thing too, because we actually planned a “Finish Line” celebration for you this Saturday, just a little in advance of our ultimate deadline. It would have been pretty stressful to not make it by then. Anyhow, we really hope you can come!  Backers at $25 and over will receive free entrance and drink tickets. Beer has been lovingly provided by Brooklyn Brewery.

For those who planned to donate, or just discovered the project and want to contribute now, there is no reason to hesitate. Anyone who has done renovation knows that costs quickly add up. We will need additional funds if we want HVAC and other fundamentals that will make UnionDocs work for the next 10 years. Great rewards remain! 

Four awesome acts will play this benefit party at UnionDocs. More info: http://www.uniondocs.org/october-15-2011-benefit-party/

• FLORENT GHYS // 10PM
  
• STRANGE RIVALS // 10:45pm
  
• PUNKS ON MARS  // 11:30PM
  
• TWITCHERS // MIDNIGHT
  

$10-20 sliding scale donation for admission.

-

Simultaneously, we will launch a 9 day project next door at 306 Union called Looking at Los Sures: Organizing Space. It's a video installation on the glass of a large storefront and an ongoing workshop. Above is a picture of the space being set up as we set up. More info: http://www.uniondocs.org/10-15-2011-looking-at-los-sures/

Thanks so much, 

Your friends at UnionDocs.

In under two minutes in the super fun video linked above, licensed auctioneer Kevin Holmgren (who also happens to be the father of UnionDocs' intrepid programmer, Steve Holmgren) covers most of the great rewards for our campaign. In the process, you might catch a glimpse of where Steve gets his sense of humor and fast deals.

We are now over 50%, but have less than 9 days to go. Let's get the word out! Now is the time to show your support.

Press on UnionDocs events and projects:

Saturday's "Moment of Impact" is AltScreen's Editor Pick.

Sunday's "Three Artist Films with Al Maysles" is Flavorpill's Editor Pick.

Indiewire mentions UnionDocs "Documenting Mythologies" among the great films at the Camden Internation Film Festival this year.

L-Mag agrees UnionDocs is charming, but could definitely use the upgrade.

Wall Street Journal article on the merits of this Kickstarter campaign.

Past UnionDocs Collaborative Fellow, Robbie Wilkins accepted to new Sundance Lab.

Hello there,

Check out this short video introducing the new fellows in our Collaborative Program, 13 young artists selected through a competitive application process, representing 6 countries and many different approaches to documentary art. 

We think you'll agree that this a seriously exciting group UnionDocs has brought together. They've already completed an installation at the Camden International Film Festival, but more on that in the next update.

With the help of over 100 wonderful backers, our campaign to improve the UnionDocs space has been going strong and steady, but now we need to pick-up the pace in order to reach our goal.

You will be hearing a fair amount from us over the next 11 days, but we promise it will be  interesting and fun stuff. Remember if we don't clear at least $12,000 by Oct 16th, then we won't get anything. Please help spread the word!

Oh, and if you didn't notice.... we added a few new levels and some more images to describe what was already there. The design of the t-shirt, for instance, will be inspired by these images below. 

Thanks from your friends at UnionDocs!