About this project
"HER AIM IS TRUE" Unlikely rock photographer Jini Dellaccio
$36,353
285
Why Jini Dellaccio's Story Matters...
Unhampered by restrictive notions of age or gender, and with an artist's eye, she just did it. In the fusion of art, music and photography she is an undiscovered American master.
"JINI DELLACCIO'S photos are the template for cool. Any rock band since Jini's photos were released, has wanted to look exactly like that. Jini set the standard for rock photography and more importantly for being a woman in the world of rock. Any woman who enters into this "boy's club" will be influenced and inspired by her work for years to come."
Bon Von Wheelie, drummer Girl Trouble
WHY I AM HERE: How do you tell a missing from history story (herstory) about a pioneer in rock and roll photography without music and pictures?
Production rocked out here during filming (2011) when we needed to raise additional funds so a selection of photos we wanted to showcase from Jini Dellaccio’s stunning yet widely unknown archive, could be digitally restored for the film. Two years on, Her Aim Is True premiered with sold out screenings and was nominated for the documentary competition at Seattle International Film Festival. The film went on to be a festival favorite, with packed audiences. Our film festival run concluded this March. I am back now to raise final funds for licensing the cool soundtrack we have agreements to use in the film, so Her Aim Is True can be released - and reach audiences everywhere. It sounds like a lot of money, but you already know that small contributions add up fast – and because we got such great support from the music community in the Pacific Northwest USA, where most of Dellaccio's iconic photo shoots took place, this is definitely a bargain-basement cost for the coolest soundtrack and legacy in music and photos ever to reach the big screen!
ROCK ON REVIEWS:
Shan Jabara, Director of Acquistions, Tallgrass Film Festival
SUZANNE HEINTZ, Conceptual Photographer
Jini was 92 when I met her. She recently turned 97 : it is beyond time that her trailblazing work in photography and inspiring journey in life and art, received wider recognition. Your contribution today can help make this happen in her lifetime!
June is the end of the road. Unless we can meet this fundraising goal, the film will never be seen again because the production will be unable to pursue opportunities on our doorstep for distributing the film.
WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES :
98% of this funding goal is to pay music licensing fees due for the film’s original soundtrack featuring many of the musicians Jini Dellaccio photographed. The remainder is for licensing costs of additional archival material in the film including teen dance footage & photos.
Meeting this funding goal means the film can confirm North American & then worldwide release on Video On Demand platforms, plan a DVD release as well as go ahead with a European TV Broadcast offer and partner with arts advocacy programs for community screenings.
- Revenues we generate from VOD etc, will be used to pay deferred bills from post production editing, as well as formatting the film for other release options, and meeting broadcast required Errors & Omissions Insurance.
IT'S MORE THAN THIS: Your contribution is an investment in sharing an inspiring arts legacy : Every dollar counts as a touchstone for mentoring indie spirits everywhere, and "passing on" Jini Dellaccio's approach to creativity.
As such, the production is dedicated to making the film available for arts education use, and partnering particularly with programs that empower youth and adults in their creative pursuits as well as fostering an understanding of the value of photography, music and arts education.
MORE ABOUT THE FILM:
By 1964 Jini Dellaccio had already reinvented herself several times (jazz saxophone player in the 1930s (yes, think "Some Like It Hot" !), then commercial artist turned fashion photographer in the 1950s. But Dellaccio did not stop there. With her never say no mentality, she reinvented herself one more time. She spent her middle-age shooting iconic album covers for the Godfathers of punk in the Pacific Northwest's garage rock scene, rejecting the usual boring band line-up and courageously “doing different” than the usual formula rock photo shoots, establishing herself in the mid 60s as one of the most exciting, innovative composers in the field. She wound up creating portraits of Neil Young and capturing early performances by The Who, Mitch Ryder and the Rolling Stones! Curators and rock photographers in the film agree, she was probably the first woman to shoot live perfomances, and an early pioneer in the emerging genre of rock photography, given her archive featured in the film dates back to 1964 rock shoots. She was doing all this almost a decade before legendary female rock photographer, Annie Leibovitz picked up a camera - but you have never heard of Jini !
How did this elegant, unassuming woman wind up spending her middle age documenting garage rockers? It took a lot of courage for Dellaccio to immerse herself in the indie rock scene exploding in the working class towns around Seattle and Tacoma - how did she do it? Crafted around a series of encounters that explore Dellaccio’s unique relationships with the bands she photographed, I was determined in the film to give Jini a chance to tell her story, her way, as well as share her archive which not only documents an incredible music scene - from her unique perspective, but shows her important influence among the musicians, their music, and what happens when these indie spirits in creativity collide .......
TRUTH: Should such an inspiring story in life and art remain under the radar and untold? I am relying on anyone who loves music and photography and wants to champion films about women who are amazing role models, to step up and make sure this does not happen.
DARE : help me prove that women-made films are not niche and that a woman in her 90s telling her amazing story, can succeed!
PROMISE: This film belongs to you now, so does this Kickstarter campaign - for you to share and support. When you donate $25 or more you will be invited to an exclusive digital premiere of the film before its official release - the best promise of all!
SPECIAL REWARDS!
DIRECTOR Q & A!
What happens if you don't meet the goal in 30 days?
Short answer: Nothing - no screenings, no release...This will be the end of the line for the film. But I know you won't allow this film and Jini's story to fade away!
If you raise more money, where does it go?
Excellent question! What I love about Kickstarter is that we have the potential to do much more to share this film! Additional funds would enable the production to expand the scope for arts screenings, such as make the film available to after-school arts programs, offer free screenings to non-profits and basically "give back" to the music and arts community that has suported us throughout production ....
If I want to help out with the campaign or ask more about how to become a community partner for screenings, how do I get in touch?
Love to talk! Please email me directly via the production email: heraimistrue@karenjwhitehead.com
Join us on Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest, too!
Risks and challenges
Of course, having successfully run a small Kickstarter campaign for this film during production, I am familiar with the responsibilities and potential obstacles that can arise related to delivering rewards including additional financial costs, delays, and liaising with donors as well as other suppliers. The rewards are tailored realistically to my campaign budget and are more about access to the film's unique content and themes, and its mentoring potential for the arts.
Along with finding creative and practical solutions to all the usual filmmaker's dilemmas, I have built a small team of devoted and experienced professionals from several arts, business and media backgrounds, who are my film's "brain trust". These "trustees" are helping oversee this campaign, and guiding me through any challenges that arise. I also have on board staff with previous experience of producing and delivering Kickstarter rewards for another film.
The great news is that the film is finished, all our licensing agreements are in place and audiences want to see the film. But the ultimate challenge of this project, is while having all this remarkable content about Jini Dellaccio's achievements, plus a cool soundtrack, potentially we are not going to be able to share it with supporters anywhere!
But, if nothing else over the last 3 years, I have developed perseverance, determination and endless optimism in order to complete this film. I am relying on these hard won lessons in indie filmmaking to see this campaign rock some Kickstarter passion and support.
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Funding period
- (30 days)