Help kick start Durango Connect Film Project

Proposed collaboration to produce documentary film of human chain

Durango, CO – A team of twelve local filmmakers and photographers, ranging from a high school student to seasoned professionals, have announced an ambitious project to produce a documentary film about the Durango Connect project. They have until November 26, 2012 to raise an estimated $7,500 for production costs.

“Our goal is to make this film the same way that Durango Connect was pulled off,” says Jack Turner, Co-Event Manager and Director of the film team. “The idea is to for folks to join together like they did for the human chain and create a unique project that could only be pulled off in Durango.”

Turner says that anyone can be a contributing producer through the online crowd funding source, www.Kickstarter.com (search using the key word “Durango.”). There is also a direct link on the homepage of www.DurangoConnect.com.

Pledges start at only $10 and contributors are rewarded with premiums ranging from closing film credits, to T-Shirts, and invitations to a premier party. If the project isn’t fully funded by the deadline, it’s cancelled and no funds are collected or distributed. There’s no worry about funding a project that never meets budget.

All members of the production team volunteered their time to shoot during Durango Connect as well as subsequent footage. Funding from the Kickstarter Project is needed for studio and editing costs, music licensing, and additional stock footage. If there are any funds left after production they will be donated to Trails 2000, the non-profit organization dedicated to the local trail system.

Durango Connect was the September 27th celebration of the linking of the Animas River Trail through town and the formation of 7-mile human chain from Rivera Bridge to 32nd Street with a few intermittent breaks. Organizers estimated that more than 9,000 participants, including 6,000 students and teachers, linked up.

Filmmaker Rich Fletcher (SoloArts) says that the concept is to juxtapose the day of Durango Connect against a time when so much of the world is in conflict. “There are armed conflicts and human tragedy across the globe. In our own country we’re caught up in political squabbling 24/7 whether it’s about the national office or the county commissioners.”

“But on a Thursday morning our community stepped away from the conflict to celebrate a greater good, even if only for a few hours,” says Fletcher. “When you look at the helicopter shots of the human chain, it’s inspiring to see thousands of folks caught up in the moment.”

Turner added that there isn’t any political slant to Durango Connect or the film project. “I was with Sweetie Marbury [Durango City Council] and J.Paul Brown [Republican State Representative] at the human chain. Most folks would agree that those two are on opposite sides of the political spectrum, but there they were having a great time with thousands of other people from all walks of life.”.

“The Durango Connect film is the perfect way for anyone to get into the film business without buying thousands of dollars of camera gear and editing software,” jokes filmmaker Dan Osby (Syncore Media). “Donate ten bucks and you’re an industry mogul!”

Producers say the goal is to have the film completed in time for the Durango Independent Film Festival in February 2013 and posted online for general release afterward. Project members include:

Brandon Carver – Ft. Lewis College student
Christina Knickerbocker – Paint The Dog Productions
Dan Osby – Syncore Media
John Trousdale – Animas Media
Rich Fletcher – SoloArts
Tony Corona – Corona Productions
Victor Locke – City Span 10
Zach Marqua – Animas High School student
Scott DW Smith – Imagesmith Photo
Karen Skelly – Karen Skelly Photography
John LeSage – LS3 Photo
Jack Turner – Sirdar, LLC
Project details are posted at www.DurangoConnect.com. For additional information and
inquiries, contact: [email protected]