This is the second part in a series about the movement that made Dean a leader of the Democratic Party. The idea is that you will hopefully share comments and stories with me as I strive to find the resources we need to finish the post production and distribution of a film that will help Democrats. We think it will be invaluable to break down these sterotypes of one another and create awareness that we are all very much the same in our concerns about America's future.
The latest:
A nice Minnesota women who was instrumental in the Wellstone! movieofferd to help with my marketing efforts. She has kids, the school year is coming on strong, and there just isn't that much time for a woman who is starting her own communications company.
Her first effort was to contact a sister in law who was one of the first to organize for Dean in MN. Unfortunately, this person was so burned out by being on "the Dean roller-coaster" that "she got off it and needed a break." It was just too hard to go back right now "after so much effort that seemed to go nowhere."
I totally understand this person's need for relief.I know that my kids, and my life needed to be restrutured after so much time on the road for Dean.
However, this person will come around again. There are so many of us who will keep beating what can seem like a dead horse for our children's future...but sometimes only when there is an election around the corner. I would appeal to you that raising awareness through documentary is now a proven usefull tool for us.
If anything I have learned that our Democracy is now in the hands of the people vs. the multi-national corporations who are willing to work well beyond their normal hours to take advantage of it and expand.
I'm not against the free market system at all (even though I see what it is doing to other countries). I just want to show you through Grassroots that we are all the same as Democrats in our concerns for the future. This film will show you that, and, the people who are dividing us and why they are shameless about it.
Here's a press release below that will give you info beyond the site that provides you with samples of the video about the help WE WILL NOT GET from the mainstream media. You will see real people like yourselves who are willing to work for it. If I can get your support, list you in the credits (an option at Grassroots) we will be moving together in the same direction.
The Press Release:
CONTACT: heath@thegrassrootsmovie.com
For Immediate Release: Monday, August 15, 2005
New Website Promotes Movie About Howard Dean's
People-Powered Grassroots Movement
thegrassrootsmovie.com Features Unique Video From 2004 Election
Stowe, Vt. People-powered political action was the big winner in the last presidential election. That's the message at a new website that's promoting the production of a movie about the people who propelled DNC Chairman Howard Dean's meteoric rise to the top of the Democratic Party.
The website, thegrassrootsmovie.com, was launched recently by Director Heath Eiden who amassed 200 hours of footage all over the country before, during and after Dean's internet savvy movement took the political world by storm.
The website is part of Eiden's own campaign to raise awareness and money for Grassroots: The Movie--the documentary he thinks will be an important tool for those trying to rebuild the Democratic Party.
"When Democrats unite, they win. The Republicans know this. That's why they spend most of their time trying to divide us," said Eiden. "The completion and distribution of Grassroots will help unite Democrats by showing how diverse yet united we are about our concerns for America's future and the Democratic Party."
Video samples of Grassroots on the website show rare, unfiltered moments of real people engaged in grassroots political action. There's also never before seen clips of various media stars in unscripted moments that make one marvel at the backbone it takes for mavericks like Dean to threaten established power and the mainstream media circus.
The website lists many of the grassroots stars and major media celebrities as part of the show including, Martin Sheen, Al Franken, James Carville, and Chris Matthews, just to name a few. A four-act treatment on the site describes the vision and direction the documentary is going in.
Eiden hopes a completed film will inspire younger generations.
"This story is about hope and change but it started as a video blog," said Eiden. "Younger generations will see how technology is being used for grassroots political action. There's no better teacher of that than the people behind the Dean saga."
The filmmaking team, including award-winning co-producer Deanna Kamiel, is trying to raise about $100K to complete the film for distribution. They hope to maintain the support of the grassroots throughout to continue making grassroots political films.
"This is their movie," said Eiden. "We hope the grassroots will support the completion of this project because it will show the world that there are people working hard to rebuild the Democratic Party and our fragile democracy."
CONTACT: heath@thegrassrootsmovie.com
