I'm a filmmaker by trade, and I've been a lurker/contributor on dKos for a couple of years now. During that time, I've never figured that my film work and appetite for progressive news and opinion would ever meet.
But then it hit me the other day that I had created something a couple of years ago that the dKos community might enjoy. It's a short fictional film about journalism that embodies some of the issues we at dKos have with the media. And so, at the calculated risk of exceeding my website's bandwith, I'm glad to share with you my short film, "All the Reverend's Men."
Yasmin Tuazon as the intrepid Carla Woods
Watch "All the Reverend's Men."
The idea: What would happen if a Watergate-size scandal broke today, but Deep Throat went to a "newspaper" like the Washington Times instead of the Washington Post.
The story: Carla Woods, a young reporter for the Washington Tribune, stumbles upon corruption and scandal in the White House. As she fights to get to the bottom of the story, she discovers that her biggest obstacle is in her own newsroom.
The Washington Tribune newsroom
This film was shot in late 2003, but didn't get a general public airing (at the D.C. Independent Film Festival) until 2005. In some ways, the story of the film is obsolete, in the sense that the Internet changed (for the better) the way stories like this get exposure. So, Carla, at the end of the film, wouldn't make the phone call that she does; perhaps she'd instead log into DailyKos! One can dream.
Anyway, I wanted to share this movie with my friends at dKos, even if it is flawed in a lot of ways. Even though we found great locations, the production values leave something to be desired in places, and some of the acting... well... But while some of my film colleagues were out making romances and souped-up murder mysteries, I tried to do something that actually mattered and had a point. I'll let you guys decide whether or not I had any success. Please, leave comments about what you think (including the production values... though I guarantee I already know about any gaffes you might find :).
While you're at the Leaning Tree Productions site, feel free to wander around and check us out. We're gearing up to shoot a short film in Oklahoma about the intersection between Native American and white cultures (again, trying to make movies that actually matter for something!), and we'd love to get feedback on that as well.
The crusty editor, in his office overlooking the Capitol
Carla and "Deep Throat" (or is it "Han Solo"?)