About this project
91%: A Documentary About Guns in America
$62,832
581
STRETCH GOAL
We met the $60K Goal! THANK YOU SO MUCH. It’s really been a long road trying to gather this amount of support. I really believe that this film will be a great tool for pushing forward the gun control conversation in our country.
For those of you who are just discovering our project or those who want to ensure the best possible life for this film, we now have a STRETCH GOAL of $70K.
A stretch goal is an additional amount that would further benefit the 91% documentary. We set $60K as our minimum to ensure that we could get this film completed and get you your rewards. Now that we have met that goal, any additional funds pledged will go to help distribute and promote our film.
Thanks again. We are stunned by your generosity and your belief that we can have a sensible dialogue about public safety.
AND BTW....OUR PREVIOUS FILM, SHELL SHOCKED, WILL BROADCAST NATIONALLY ON PBS WORLD CHANNEL, FEBRUARY 17TH AS PART OF THE SERIES, AMERICA REFRAMED!!!!!
THE STORY
If 91% of the Americans polled post-Newtown favored background checks on all gun sales, then why did the U.S. House of Representatives fail to respond?
Although the U.S. Senate tried to compromise with the gun lobby on legislation mandating background checks, that bill still fell short of the 60 "yea" votes necessary for passage. Why?
Our journey to answer these questions begins in 2013, shortly after the horrific tragedy in Newtown when a galvanized nation overwhelmingly supports common-sense gun policy. Specifically, 91% of Americans favor instant, comprehensive background checks for all gun buyers, according to national polling conducted by Quinnipiac University. The ensuing year brings intense lobbying by interest groups, political gridlock and, to date, little action at the national level.
How can so many people favor a change that fails to materialize in Congress? And what are the consequences of this inaction?
My name is John Richie. I directed the award-winning film Shell Shocked, which told the stories of victims of gun violence in my city, New Orleans. Since its debut, we’ve screened Shell Shocked in over fifty cities. People across the United States gathered to watch that film, and discuss how gun violence affects their own neighborhoods.
Today I’m asking you to join me in producing my next documentary, as we carry the conversation further with 91%, a film about gun background checks and the people whose lives they impact. 91% explores the history of gun regulations, and the political deadlock that stunts efforts for background checks.
Making a documentary takes time, research, a team, passion, and funds. We will travel to different towns and cities to hear from the people who know firsthand the consequences of this inaction. We’ll learn how someone who shouldn’t have immediate access to a weapon can find easy, fast ways to put a gun in their hand. We’ll take 91% to audiences and communities to find answers and new directions. We hope you’ll come with us.
This week we are traveling to Washington DC to conduct interviews at the National Vigil for Victims of Gun Violence, and speak with lobbying members of Congress.
We have already begun filming at the Brady Campaign To Prevent Gun Violence Convention in California, and begun collecting stories from individuals and families whose lives have been touched by gun violence.
Production costs are adding up - our budget includes:
- Travel Camera and Audio Equipment
- Editing Tools
- Hiring a Director of Photography and a Composer
- Post-Production
- Editing, Video Mastering, Narration, and Sound Mixing
- Closed Captioning
- Footage Rights
and much more - to produce, shoot, edit and create a film and packaged DVD. We cannot do it without you!
91% will get people motivated to hold Congress accountable.
91% will explain why Congress cannot pass stronger legislation to regulate guns.
91% will dispels myths surrounding the universal background checks.
91% will look at specific examples that illustrate common ways that these loopholes have failed in keeping us safe.
91% will be a vehicle to start an important conversation.
91% will show the importance of prioritizing public safety first over the needs of special interest groups.
NEW REWARD! Along the way we have met so many amazing people working for change among the 91%. We have been taking snapshot portraits of them and will be designing an original, oversized 20x38 inch print which will be shipped to you as a Thank-You...
Risks and challenges
This is an evolving issue, so the narrative could change before we are done with the project. Post-production can have many setbacks, but this is true of any documentary project. We will do everything in our power to deliver on time. If the law were to change before the film was finished, the documentary's narrative will refocus about the efforts leading up to finishing the job, and passing a comprehensive background check.
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Funding period
- (60 days)