By now, many of us are familiar with the growing number of creative projects searching for grassroots funding through Kickstarter. Projects range from comics to inventions, to theatre productions and a myriad other events, concepts and tools. But, of course, that’s only part of the story behind this post. The real topic of interest is the new project showcasing the students, staff and people that make up the Pasadena Unified School District.
Go Public: A Documentary Film Project seeks to capture a typical school day in the diverse school district of Pasadena. According to one of the filmmakers Dawn O’Keefe, viewers will be taken on a feature-length video journey through the halls of the Pasadena Unified School District. The website states: “Pasadena is a racially and economically diverse community in Southern California with 28 public school campuses. Go Public will tell the story of one full day from sun up to long after sundown.”
Here’s more about the film from the filmmakers:
On May 8, 2012, fifty small camera crews followed a wide-ranging group of individuals who participate, attend, support and work in the School District. Our subjects include: teachers, students, parents, custodians, counselors, school board members, librarians, security personnel, coaches, volunteers, PTA members, administrative staff and many others whose unique involvement makes a public school district function. The film will be the story of public school at the moment things are happening. No voice-over narrative and no expert commentaries. By filming over one complete day we had access to the struggles and resolutions that often occur many times in a day. Through personal stories, Go Public will be a film that articulates the experiences of navigating a typical day in public school.
The Go Public documentary project will only be funded if at least $25,000 is pledged by Thursday Oct 18, 3:39pm EDT. So, check out their website and visit them at Kickstarter to show your support.
About the filmmakers:
James O’Keeffe is a Director/Cinematographer and co-owner of Blue Field Productions with over 30 years of experience in theatrical, documentary, commercial, promotional and educational programs in both film and digital. He recently directed a 12 part narrative series set in 1st century Palestine and was the cinematographer on Brace for Impact: The Sully Sullenberger Story for TLC.
Dawn O’Keeffe started her career as a news producer at the ABC station in Santa Barbara. She spent several years producing a weekly series and specials for Lifetime Television, filming throughout the U.S. As a freelance producer/writer her jobs included a stint in the NBC investigative unit producing stories for KNBC, “The Today Show”, and “Fightback with David Horowitz.” Dawn is co-owner of Blue Field Productions working as a producer/writer.
She is the mother of four children all of whom have attended public school in Pasadena. She is on the board of the Pasadena Educational Foundation and is a founding member of Invest in PUSD Kids.
