"Determined To Dance!": Company 'd'
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Images
A Company 'd' dancer performs in a "music video" in Memphis
Website
http://www.blip.tv/file/2498724/
Topics
Arts & Culture: Modern Dance , Popular/Participatory Dance, Postmodern Dance
Human Development: Capacity Building, Children, Education
Human Rights: Civil Rights, Disability, Social Exclusion
Information & Media: Communication, Culture, Freedom of Expression
Politics: Activism
Project Geography
Identity Niches
Disability Culture, Youth/Teen
Budget
Raised to date: $13,200.00
Estimate to complete: $47,850.00
Total Estimated Budget: $61,050.00
The budget numbers above are accurate as of 11/30/2009
Status
Post Production
Media Type
Video
Project End Use
TV
Key Personnel
Peter Barton
Producer/Director/Videographer
Founder and President Peter Barton has been making movies for 40 years. He's received three Emmy nominations; three CINE Golden Eagles; the Edward R. Murrow Award for ”Names Can Really Hurt Us”, a CBS- TV special still used in the classroom to combat prejudice.
His digital improv feature, "The Suicide Auditions, " was named best narrative at Georgetown Film Festival.
Dial Press published his non-fiction book of portraits of unrich, unfamous actors, musicians, and dancers, "Staying Power," illustrated with his photographs; poetry published in Saturday Review and the NY Times. “A Hustler’s Story,” done for Covenant House, reached more markets nationwide than any drama in the history of one-shot, independent syndication.
His work has also appeared on HBO and Showtime. "Hatebusters", his WNET public service spots, in which young people rap, rhyme, and speak out against prejudice, were syndicated nationwide. He has taught film production and writing at Bennington, Columbia, and Brooklyn College and NYU. His first round of teaching at NYU was with Marty Scorsese. Oliver Stone was a student.
Outreach/Engagement Plan(s)
We are aiming our movie at public television, where it can reach a national audience. We will be applying to ITVS, for example, and have been in touch with a friend at HBO, who has given us advice and encouragement.Funders
| Name | Amount | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marian Chase Foundation | $1,000.00 | 10/26/2009 | |
| Mary Duke Biddle Foundation | $1,500.00 | 05/10/2008 | |
| Private individual funders(anonymous) | $8,700.00 | 04/11/2008 | |
| Kate Cashel Fund of the Capital Community Trust via Fractured Atlas | $2,000.00 | 04/07/2008 |
Location
440 Riverside Drive #122
New York, NY, 10027
Short Synopsis
Documentary portrait of extraordinary dance ensemble from Memphis composed of young adults with Down syndrome. Profiles individual dancers and their families, includes performances as well.
Description/Treatment
Groundswell and Company 'd' have been collaborating on this documentary profile of the group for over a year.
Groundswell is a 501(c)(3) formed in 1978 "to amplify the voices of the disadvantaged using cutting-edge media."
We seek finishing funds to complete the movie so it can be aired on television. It will also be in great demand in classrooms and among community groups.
Airing it will:
>Raise global awareness of the potential of special needs populations, of, as one dancer put it, not just their difficulties and disabilities but also their possibilities;
>Dissolve prejudices and advocate for greater inclusion, reminding audiences to value the diversity and vitality of the human family, pointing out at the same time that, in the words of another dancer, we're all more alike than different
>Inspire and empower differently-abled viewers, exposing them to dynamic role models whose drive and enthusiasm are infectious
>Promote the work of these determined performers, helping them fundraise and spread their message of hope.
>Expand appreciation among general audiences of the role of the arts in society
Seeing our dancers, labeled "handicapped," perform, under the pressures of public exposure, their complex, graceful dances - creating works of art that most 'typical' viewers couldn't dream of imitating - can raise consciousness, dissolve preconceptions, broaden horizons.
Our movie also explores the offstage lives of the dancers and touches on some tough issues that go beyond the arts(mainstreaming or not, how to find/create jobs), and that will make the movie a good discussion-starter as well as a delightful piece of entertainment.
In the end, this project should encourage all viewers to test their personal limits, to leap higher, reach out farther...
For all of us, this has been a labor of love. We invite you to view our current edit.
Click here to ask for more information about this project: