Producing with Passion. Dorothy Fadiman

more information than just the person’s contact information. You might want to include notes of conversations, mutual connections, affiliations, and perhaps what they’ve published.

      Every time you contact someone — whether by phone, e-mail, or in person — try to add a note to that person’s file.

THE UNIVERSAL MATCHING GRANT SERVICE

      There is a meta-benefit to doing good research. Once you “pay the entry fee” by doing your homework, reaching out to various communities, and organizing what you discover, you enhance the possibilities for connections between events and people. While some of these convergences may seem coincidental, others appear to be beyond chance. Many filmmakers feel they’ve entered a world of synchronicity. A string of uncanny coincidences may unfold as you shoot and edit your film. I experience this on every project. These moments more than outweigh the labor it takes to keep the project moving forward.

KEY POINTS

       To create a vibrant film, you need a genuine understanding of your subject.

       Background research is the process of immersing yourself in the subject of your documentary.

       Research continues throughout production.

       The kinds of resources you will use while doing background research include conversations, the Internet, books, articles, films, public documents, private documents, and more.

       Finding and talking to people is the one of the most fruitful parts of doing research.

       Set up a simple data management system at the beginning of your research.

       When you “pay your entry fee” by doing your homework, a Universal Matching Grant service seems to operate to help you reach your goal.

      CHAPTER 4

      BUILDING COMMUNITY:

       FROM KICKOFF TO LAUNCH

      1. When you commit to making a film, plan a kickoff meeting to help launch it.

      2. A community of supporters can help you get the film right, get the film done, and get the film out.

      3. An “interest group” attracts people who care about the film and/or you.

      4. A “core group” is a small circle of people who are by your side for the whole journey — until the movie is complete.

      5. If you can, create a trailer before the kickoff meeting.

      As soon as I commit to making a film, I plan a “kickoff meeting.” This is a gathering where I lay out my vision, my goals, and my resources for a few people who are interested in the subject and perhaps already know my work. This gathering is an informal salon, where we crack a bottle of symbolic champagne on the bow of the film. My public declaration of intent literally launches the project. Making this commitment out loud lets the universe know I am serious!

      By holding a kickoff meeting, you also tell yourself that this project is real. Making this “vow” to yourself, with witnesses, will help keep you going and give you momentum as your idea moves from fantasy to reality.

      Among the hurdles to cross in making a documentary film are:

       Getting it right (aligning yourself with your own vision);

       Getting it done (working with a team);

       Getting it out (reaching viewers).

      A supportive community will help you do all of these by reflecting your intention back to you.

      They can help you get the film “right” through their ongoing feedback and suggestions.

      They can help get the film “done” by volunteering, contributing time, helping you to raise money, and working with you to pull together other resources that you need to make the film.

      They can help you get the film “out in the world” by being there when you launch it, and by showing it to others. Your community will create the first links in a chain of hands that might reach around the world.

       Holding a Kickoff Meeting

      The first thing to do is to set a date, and decide on a space. Choose someplace comfortable where you can serve light refreshments and talk with people. Most of my kickoff meetings have taken place in my own living room for less than twenty people. However, several times I brought together more than a hundred people for the kickoff.

      Once you confirm a date and reserve a space, things are set into motion. Committing yourself publicly will also act as a spur to keep you going. The people who come will surely ask you every month or two, “So, when will the film be ready?”

      You may wonder how you could hold a kickoff meeting before you have actually begun to make the film! The kickoff meeting is your statement to yourself and to the world that you are making a commitment and will follow through on the film project.

      When you invite people to a kickoff meeting, explain that this is not a fundraising event. If a few guests offer to make a donation, acknowledge their interest, take their names, and tell them that you will talk to them soon, when you are ready to discuss financial details. (See Chapter 7 for a description of fundraising.)

      Ideally, a kickoff meeting plants the seeds for a broad base of support later.

       Getting Ready for the Kickoff Meeting

      1. Prepare a simple one-sheet that gives an overview of the project, including your ideas for outreach and distribution to give to everyone who attends the meeting. People who want to learn more, to donate, or to volunteer, need this description to decide whether or not to get involved. Include an e-mail address and phone number for those who want more information.

      2. If you have the time, inclination, and resources you might build a simple website describing your project. Even just a home page is helpful.

      3. If you have some footage, from your own filming or another source, you might prepare a trailer, a short piece, no more than ten minutes, that gives your guests a sense of the project.

       Making Your Presentation

      Begin the meeting with an informal greeting. If the group is small enough, perhaps ask guests to introduce themselves. Once people are settled, if you have a trailer you could show that to start.

      Trailers are usually between three and ten minutes long. When you create a trailer, be sure to use the strongest, best-shot images you have. Select footage that is compelling, and which communicates your vision.

      The function of a trailer is to draw people in.

      If you don’t have any footage yet, you might want to do some shooting before the kickoff meeting. Before you make a trailer, it helps to write a treatment, to guide you. (See