It started with a text-message conversation between my husband Brian and I (while we were both in the same house). I had just finished reading this Grounded Parents post, and sent the link to Brian along with the brief statement: “We need to make a documentary about these women.” His response: “Let’s do it.” And so, “Science Moms” was born.
To me, this is more than a film project. It’s a quest to find moms (and dads) who haven’t fallen under the spell of the anti-vax, anti-GMO, anti-science movements. We want to amplify the voices of scientists and activists, but we also want to hear from other parents who are making rational, science-based decisions in their everyday lives. After seeing Gwyneth Paltrow go to Washington, “not as a scientist, but as a mother,” I feel compelled to make a similar statement. Brian and I are not scientists (he works in TV/film, and I’m a Montessori school administrator). We’re parents to two awesome kids. We're also advocates for reason and science, and, just as importantly, advocates against the fear that plagues so many parents today.
The anti-vax and anti-GMO movements, in particular, seem to me to be rooted in fear. If, through this project, we could alleviate just one person’s fears about food, medicine, and health, we’ve succeeded. Brian and I will share personal anecdotes about science-minded living as we move through this project. We would love to hear from you about your experiences as science-minded parents and science-lovers, through posts to our FaceBook page, or through messages to us on FB. Tell us why you vaccinate your children. Tell us why you support biotechnology. Tell us about some rad science experiments that you did with your kids. We want to hear it!
In addition to your enthusiasm and feedback, we would love to receive your financial backing for this project. This Kickstarter campaign, when successful, will repay us for the cost of our fabulous directors of photography from our Madison, WI-based shoot with Kavin Senapathy, our Atlanta shoot with Alison Bernstein, and our local shoot with Anastasia Bodnar, and will cover the cost of future DPs, travel expenses, and animation.
*Natalie Newell
Risks and challenges
We don't foresee any major risks or challenges for this project. We're aiming for a late 2016 online release, but, due to the nature of filmmaking, may end up releasing the film slightly later.
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Funding period
- (45 days)