Follow a filmmaker across the US and (re)discover CED's - Movies On Vinyl.
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Follow a filmmaker across the US and (re)discover CED's - Movies On Vinyl.
About this project
The Last American Media will be the first film to showcase RCA's CED system. The end of RCA (1986) was arguably the beginning of the end of US manufacturing. This documentary will explore a forgotten format (and the company behind it) and examine how we're impacted by different forms of media. The filmmakers will embark on a cross-country mission to visit CED enthusiasts, media experts, thrift stores, and museums in an attempt to preserve and showcase movies-on-vinyl experience.
Cut to: side-by-side comparisons illustrating the differences between formats from dozens of well-known films. You'll also see footage from the early days of film & television, when moving pictures were still miraculous. We'll share CED's with people who've never experienced such antiquated video technology, introducing them to a piece of movie-watching history. Think about this - you're watching Star Wars...but it feels like watching it in 1978...
Viewers will be steered through time and space by Sean Sisson, an independent filmmaker from Florence, OR. His desire to preserve culture is the driving force behind this project. Sean will be on the road with Omar Alaniz, a 21 year old musician/blogger. Omar will record location sound and will appear on-screen in "Man on the Street" segments. The almost 10 year age difference between these two characters is a large enough age gap that Sean represents people who came of age before Google, while Omar represents a generation that lives in a world where instant access to the world's information is the norm.
See how students from The University Of Oregon react to CEDs!
Here is our original Kickstarter Video
Omar - tell the people about the rewards!
(we've added more since this video was shot!)
The story will have a linear forward-thrust, given the nature of the road trip. However, tangents will be made frequently to serve the story as a whole and to provide context for the viewer. A combination of road trip banter, stills. animated sequences, historic montages, talking heads, and file footage will keep viewers engaged until the end credits have rolled.
Considering that this project aims to explore the scope of 20th and 21st century visual mediums, it would only be appropriate to shoot the project in multiple formats. The Last American Media will be shot on Super 8, mini DV, iPhones, and (primarily) on a Canon 7d. Sean and Omar are both music lovers and social media enthusiasts. Their love for music and their ability to connect with people will facilitate an excellent soundtrack. Omar's duty is to record quality sound, while Sean will run the Camera A and conduct interviews. Second camera operators will be hired regionally at a day-rate as required by the production.
The final scheduled stop is a CED workshop in Michigan where collectors gather to exchange rare discs and fix old players. After Sean and Omar return home, Sean (a 10-year Final Cut veteran) will commence editing. The production is looking to hire select professionals for motion graphics, titles, and audio mixing. The month of September is the target date for completion, at which point, The Last American Media: Going Back To The Future Of Home Entertainment will pursue distribution.
Risks and challenges
So...things can go wrong on a documentary involving travel.
What happens if footage is stolen?
- Since we're shipping rugged harddrives and archiving at home, we won't risk losing too much footage. So, it's possible we could re-shoot any lost material.
What if the post-production costs are larger than expected?
- Sean will rely on his mediocre motion graphics and titling skills. We'll still have a movie - a good one even - it just won't have a certain production value. The goal is to find artists with mad skills who love this project.
Are you a loving artist? Contact LastAmericanMedia@gmail.com.
What if you run into trouble with Fair Use?
- That's a big question. One for my lawyer. Actually, there is a fantastic piece here: http://www.cmsimpact.org/fair-use/best-practices/documentary/documentary-filmmakers-statement-best-practices-fair-use#statement
What if we don't secure $10,000?
- Sean will personally fund a West Coast trip and will go to the CED workshop in Novi, Michigan. The East Coast will have to wait.
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
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Funding period
- (30 days)