JAN CANNON FILMS

FUNDRAISING APPEAL LETTER

 

Bernd coming down from his observation platform

 

 

September 28, 2009 (see original February 2, 2009 letter below)

Dear supporters (past, present and future),

I am happy to report that in June I had raised enough money to begin filming  and I have just recently reached my first stage fundraising goal of $25,000.  I so much appreciate everyone's support!

I've been filming in Maine and Vermont and have gotten some really good footage and completed several sequences.  One of the sequences is on my website where Bernd talks about writing and reveals his characteristic curiosity and sense of humor.  Other sequences  include Bernd talking about his childhood and the lessons and values he learned during his time at the Hinckley Goodwill School where he spent several years while his parents were away on expeditions.  In another piece Bernd reflects on the human "nest" and relates the history of the early settlers where his cabin is now located in Maine and how important "story" is to the human experience.

The film has a long way to go and funds are needed to make it through the next year.  I am not asking those who have given to give more (unless they really want to!) but I would love for people to spread the word and widen the circle of supporters for the film.  This will be useful not only now, in terms of raising much needed funds, but it will also be helpful in the future when the film is finished and needs marketing support.  Anything anyone can do to help will be most appreciated.

Please check back at the website from time to time and see how the film is progressing and if you are ever in the area and are interested in checking the progress of the film out in person I'd welcome  your visit.

Best wishes,

Jan 

 

 

 

February 2, 2009

 

Hi,

 

I am raising money for a film on the internationally renowned biologist and naturalist, Bernd Heinrich.  The film will provide an intimate portrait of Heinrich as he shares his many ideas about the natural world and his approach to studying it.  He is an amazingly prolific author with over 16 highly acclaimed books, including The Snoring Bird, the bestselling Winter World, the award-winning Mind of the Raven, The Geese of Beaver Bog, Why We Run, The Trees in My Forest, A Year in the Maine Woods, Ravens in Winter, One Man’s Owl, Bumblebee Economics, which was nominated for the National Book Award and coming out this spring, Summer World.  (For the full film proposal see: http://www.jancannonfilms.com/currentprojects.htm). 

 

I need $25,000 to begin filming.  In these difficult economic times it is virtually impossible to raise large sums of money from a few sources, as might have been done just a year ago.  However, I have realized that if a lot of people each donated a little bit of money I would be able to raise enough money to begin filming (for budget information see page 4 at: http://www.jancannonfilms.com/proposal.pdf).   

 

I got the idea for this approach to raising money for the film from a social networking site for filmmakers.  I liked how the site helped create a community around a project and how the participants were real players in making the films happen.  What I didn’t like about that site was that you had to go through a lot of hoops to participate and that they also took a big cut of the donations.  So I have decided to try set up a similar environment on my website.  I will regularly post reports about the different stages of the production.  I will share how the fundraising is going, and once I start filming I will report on what we are filming and supplement that with pictures and videos. 

 

I am not looking for actual money right now but a pledge of support.  By the time I reach my goal I hope to have found a non-profit partner through whom the funds can pass so that you can receive a tax benefit for your contribution.  I will keep a running tally of pledges on my website (http://www.jancannonfilms.com/donors.htm).  Your pledge will be noted there; you can be named or remain anonymous -- whichever you prefer.  Anything you can do to help will be greatly appreciated – no contribution is too small.  And if you can contribute $100 (or more!) that would be great too.  For a $100 contribution you will be listed in the film credits as a supporter; for a $1,000 contribution you will be listed in the credits as an Associate Producer.    

 

Please share this appeal with anyone you can think of who might be interested in helping out.  I definitely can’t make this film alone; let’s make it happen together!

 

Thanks so much,

 

Jan