Give A Damn

Give a Damn? Kicking A** and Taking Names

Give A Damn — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:49:09 -0700

Rob here,

So it's been awhile since I've posted so I figured I'd write an update. So much has happened in the last two months and we are all excited with the film's progress. We are proud to announce that we won "Best Documentary Feature" at the Stella Artois Cinema STL Filmmakers Showcase, due largely to the enthusiasm of the fans that attended our sold out festival WIP(Work in Progress) debut.

The production of Give a Damn? over the last four years has been a roller coaster of accomplishment and disappointment which has tested our resolve on multiple occasions to complete the film that we set out to make. There was a period of 3-4 months that I completely withdrew from the project due to frustration and the financial opportunity cost that were a byproduct of chasing our dream. After watching the film with 440 people and receiving a standing ovation, I was overcome by a feeling of much needed closure and excitement. For the first time in many years I felt that sacrifice and struggle were finally overshadowed by success of the film. Dan and I were in attendance for this showing, however David was unable to attend because he was in Malawi working on his non-profit "When The Saints".

Although Dan and I very much enjoyed the screening, it did not feel complete with David not in attendance. Soon after the Tivoli screening, David returned to the country and now it is amazing to have had the full team present for the most recent screenings of the film. Although we are all very different, we are starting to merge very well as a presentation team and the Q and A section of the film has been very strong because of that.

After years of begging the public to take notice, people are starting to pay attention and interest in the film seems to be exploding. Although the film has not had it's official red carpet premiere, we are currently touring the WIP cut around the STL area at college and high school campus's. The first two screenings at Washington University and Florissant Valley Community College were very well received and we are excited for the handful of dates that we have lined up in the next month or so.

The other big news that I have is that we were excepted into Heartland International Film Festival as well as the St. Louis International Film Festival, taking place in October and November respectively. Both are major film festivals (St. Louis is an Oscar qualifier) and needless to say we are extremely excited to be a part of these festivals.

Recently we reached an agreement with an agent that will help us book showings around the country, that will most likely be happening in the Spring of next year. If you would like to start the process of bringing Give a Damn? to your campus, please send an e-mail to giveadamndoc@gmail.com.

In my next blog I will be presenting some of the most common questions that we received during the Question and Answer section of the movie as well as my general responses. If you would like to ask a question, please leave it in the comments for this blog and I will respond in the next one.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.
-Rob

Give A Damn? Update 8_9_11 (Lots of GOOD news)

Give A Damn — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 19:56:12 -0700

I will jump right into whats going on! Since the last update, we have put most of our focus into making our Advanced Screening on Aug 14th, 2:30pm at the Tivoli (considered by many the best independent theater in Saint Louis) a success!

Thus far we have over 200 people committed on facebook and have been all over the local news. Today I was live on Ch.2, yesterday Rob and I were on Ch.5, and yesterday we also had a fabulous article in the local paper. This Thursday we will be on Ktrs 550AM with McGraw Milhaven at 9am and then on Friday we will be on the local NPR news station around 11am. Follow our twitter if you want to know the exact details when we find out more!! Thinking we might come close to selling out the 400 seats:)

Also, we have decided on our new name, but want to wait til we have all our graphics figured out so we can unveil it in a stylistic fashion. Next update, we will fill you in!!

We are still working on our tour and our different events. Currently working on the details for Atlanta, Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Phoenix, Vegas, LA, Columbia, MO and a number of other places. Let us know if you want us to do something in your city! Locally, we will definitely be screening the film at Meramec on Sept. 28th and at Washington University on Sept 17th.

A couple goodies for you guys. I have attached a sample of our composer Ian's music in a previous blog. It adds so much to the film and we are so thankful to have him on the project.

Last of all, I have included a blog that shares more of my heart over this past year as we have kept dodging waves of obstacles in this project, and have come up stronger each time. Thanks so much for you support over the last few years!!!

Thanks,
Dan Parris
Director of Give A Damn?
http://www.giveadamndoc.com

Sample of Our Composer Ian Perry's Music

Give A Damn — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 19:40:13 -0700

A Blind Man Learning to Dodge Waves

Give A Damn — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 21:19:43 -0700

There is a story in the Bible about a blind man that Jesus comes across and his
disciples ask why was the guy like that? Was it because of his own sin or the sin of his parents?

Sometimes people ask me similar questions. So do you think the film didn't go as planned because you didn't make it explicitly about God? Some people may think its my fault or other people on the teams fault that we didn't raise the money we originally planned to raise, got in the crash, or have not gotten into any major festivals. We always wonder when someone doesn't succeed whose to blame, just like the disciples did. Jesus response to the disciples question about the blind man always blows me away:

"This happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." - Jesus

Jesus cut through all the blame and focused on the moment and said, "He is like this because of this one moment in history and how his healing, him coming out of this struggle, will lead to my glory."

I'm convinced that Give A Damn?'s destiny was to not be a story of pure success, where everything seemed to go our way. The way we were to glorify God was through overcoming the struggle...

So here how the things have gone: We had a sharp business plan, cool website and fun videos hoping that an investor would jump on board and fund our trip. No go. Then we decided to grassroots fundraise, and after 36 fundraisers and nearly a year, we just barely had enough money to do the trip. By that time I am burnt out on everything and the first month of the journey is a chance to decompress from the last few years and have a tangible practical goal to accomplish.

By the night of July 31st, 2009, I was finally in Africa and had the biggest adventure of my life right in front of me. I couldn't have been more excited. The next day, August 1st, Rob and I survive a deadly plane crash that derails our trip and leads me to be sick for the next 9 months and missing the entire Africa trip. On March 25th, 2010, I have 10 inches of my intestines removed and start to get back to normal, gaining weight to make up for the 45 pounds I had lost. In May 2010, I start editing the film and by September, we just barely get the film done in time for the Sundance film festival. Sundance ends up being the first in a series of rejections from film festivals and grants. Overall, we were rejected from seven festivals and three grants with not a single one giving any reason for our rejection because they have too many applicants to be able to give each one feedback.

So here we are now, with what we think is a powerful, life changing film and no one in the 'biz' interested in distributing the film. I, Dan the director, am working at an old job where my life consists of stacking and wiping off fertilizer bags and selling bug and weed killers to people at Home Depot. Don't get me wrong, I'm just thankful to have a job, but I can't help spending every day thinking..."God, what I'm doing here? None of this was supposed to happen this way!"

However, the more I think about all that has happened as I stock shelves and lift heavy bags of fertilizer, I can't help thinking that maybe this is all how it was supposed to happen. Maybe our film was supposed to teach the world about perseverance. Maybe our story was the one of struggle and one of not giving up.

An analogy of body surfing comes to mind. When you first get in the ocean, each wave seems to almost topple you over. Eventually though, after getting knocked around a few times, you learn how to dive under them. When you dive under the coming waves, you see the waves crash over you and you feel them some, but after they pass you come up out of the water hopeful that the next wave will be the one you ride. Basically, I feel like our struggles have made me a much better body surfer:) No longer do the coming waves of disappointment send me in a tailspin struggling to grasp for air and too disoriented to miss the coming wave. I've learned that each dissapointment is just a step along the path, just like every wave you dodge puts you one step closer to the one you ride.

In my opinion, Give A Damn? has been a complete success because we manage to make the film and finish it despite all the obstacles. Everything else is bonus. Currently we are planning a nationwide tour with the film, and I can't wait to see all the 'bonuses' we have set out in front of us.

In the end of the story about that Blind Man and Jesus, he is brought before the leaders of his people and he tells the story of coming out of his blindness, his struggle. He, a nobody in his culture, has the chance to speak to them and say "One thing I do know, I was blind but now I see." (John 9)

I'm coming out the water and trying to clearly see that next wave!

-Dan

GAD? Update 2_20_11

Give A Damn — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 18:42:40 -0800

Sorry it has been so long since you have heard from us, we have been focused on doing test screenings of Give A Damn? and our composer Ian Perry is hard at work creating an original score for the film. Its sounding awesome!

There has been a lot of waiting to hear back from festivals. We did not get into South by Southwest, and are waiting to hear back from Tribeca, Hot Docs, & Sheffield. We plan to submit to Silverdocs and the Los Angeles Film festivals. From there, we will start expanding to enter into a wider array of festivals. If you are the praying type, we could definitely use some help in this one!

We have done more than a dozen test screenings with some awesome results. I have attached a picture from one of our screenings. If you would like to be apart of our next screening or organize one yourself, just shoot us an email. The picture we attached were some friends who contacted us and took the initiative to get some folks together. On Feb 27th, we will have one of our largest test screenings at a coffee house out in Pacific, MO at 6pm. Let us know if you are interested!

A good friend of ours, Katherine Miller, drew up a few different designs for posters for our film. I attached the one we are leaning towards (above), curious to hear some thoughts on it.

I was honored to recently be featured on Plywood People's blog (bit.ly/hxa0Lf). Every Friday they feature an activist on their site, and its humbling to be amongst some of the incredible people they have interviewed. Check out the cool stuff their organization is doing.

We are currently looking for individuals who could use their influence or financial power to get this film to a larger audience. If you have any connections that you think could help get this film out to a larger audience, please let us know.

Overall, we are in high spirits concerning the potential of Give A Damn? Here is some of the feedback we have received:

"I'm leaving here inspired. I feel like I could drop everything and just go." - Leela

"I think its a phenomenal message. I felt this joyful sense of 'what more can we do'." - Sam

"You guys wouldn't stop at anything to get this message across." - Sara

"As a Christian, I think God is really going to use this video." - Lindsey

"As an Athiest, I think Christians need to see this film." - Richard

"Makes me see that I can do something even as a college student" - Nick

We are chugging along, and hope you are in your dreams as well,

dan parris

director of Give A Damn?
http://www.giveadamndoc.com
http://www.twitter.com/giveadamndoc

Pepsi Refresh Results & GAD? Update

Give A Damn — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 12:02:29 -0700

So after three months in the competition, thousands of votes from you and all our friends, we are officially out of the Pepsi Refresh Competition:( At the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank all you who stuck by us these past few months and put up with our repetitive messages. Our supporters are incredible, everywhere I went people were letting me know that they were voting for us daily. It was so encouraging to see everyone's support. Honestly, thank you!!!!

The focus right now is to finish this film. It is close to done and we have been doing a number of test screenings in St. Louis and getting excellent feedback and encouragement, but have also seen that we still have a little ways to go.

As far as Sundance, we submitted the film by Sept 25th deadline and we don't hear back if we are accepted into the competition or not until early December . Many of the festivals require that you premiere your film at their festival, so it will be a while before we do a public premiere with red carpets and all, but we do hope to do one of those someday. First, we are going to be entering the film into a number of the major festivals. It will be long process but sure to be a rewarding one and hopefully a way to secure some form of distribution.

“My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far today, I have finished 2 bags of M&M's and a chocolate cake. I feel better already.” - Dave Barry

-Dan
director of Give A Damn?

http://www.conversantlife.com/giveadamn

--
Give A Damn? is a feature length documentary about two idealist activists who convince their friend, who is uncertain about his responsibility to care for the poor, to immerse himself in poverty by traveling through the U.S., Europe and Africa living on a $1.25 a day. The goal is to make a humorous, adventurous and compelling film that will "connect those who need something to live for with those who just need something to live." This film is being made by Speak Up Productions LLC (http://www.giveadamndoc.com for more info)

Give A Damn? Update 8_16_10

Give A Damn — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 21:18:42 -0700

We're about halfway through the month. We are stuck around 34th for last few days, so we need a little boost! I made this video to remind you of your power to make a difference in this world. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyEXp7WxboA

We are getting some more media attention. We were in the Post on Saturday.(http://bit.ly/bAJEjr

) Looks like we are going to be in West Magazine this Wed and in the St. Louis beacon hopefully later this week.(http://www.stlbeacon.org/)

Two awesome Give A Damn? supporters slipped a note to Will.I.AM of Black Eyed Peas at a concert this last weekend trying to get him to promote Give A Damn? in some way. He has been interested in Extreme Poverty issues in the past (http://www.youtube.com/inmyname) We'll see what happens with that!

PLEASE keep on pushing the Pepsi Refresh everyday in your status and voting twice, once by phone texting 101607 to 73774 (PEPSI) and once online(http://www.refresheverything.com/giveadamndoc). We are 34th and still have a chance at this thing if we stick with it, especially with all this coverage coming up!!!

thanks guys for all your hard work,
dan

p.s. I attached a picture that we are using as our profile pic to spread awareness about Give A Damn?

KMOX Interview w/Total Information

Give A Damn — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 16:30:43 -0700

KTRS Interview with McGraw Milhaven (8/5/2010)

Give A Damn — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:40:15 -0700

NEW trailer & VOTE for us to win $50,000

Give A Damn — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 13:54:59 -0700

Its been a long time coming, but we finally have an updated trailer for our film. The thing is, if you want to see it, please vote for us to win $50,000 through the Pepsi Refresh Project here: http://pep.si/bPy7mt . You'll see the trailer on our page.

WE NEED YOU TO VOTE ONCE EVERY DAY! WE NEED TO GET IN THE TOP TEN SOON B/C THOSE WHO START IN THE LEAD IN THIS COMPETITION USUALLY STAY IN THE LEAD. We have already went from 320th to 84th in the competition in just a matter of hours, please help us continue!

This money will go to finishing the film and having the funds we need to get it seen! I have been working full-time for the last 3 months ever since recovering from surgery (which was the result of the plane crash exactly one year ago today.) With David's help this past month, we have gotten our 150 hours down to a 5 hour rough cut. The movie should be incredible and have a huge impact on the world. SO PLEASE VOTE!!!!!!

Also, please continue to pray for the families of Frank Toews and Ryan Williams, the two men who lost their lives in the tragic plane crash. Our film is being dedicated to them.

Thanks everyone for sticking by us these past few years!!!

"NOBODY need WAIT a single moment before starting to improve the world." - Anne Frank

-Dan Parris

director/producer of Give A Damn?
http://www.giveadamndoc.com