[Migrantjusticedocumentary] Clarification on goals of JV project and goals of documentary

[Aaron Lakoff]

Hi everyone,
I'm writing just because it occurred to me that I might not have been very
clear about the relationship between the first year of this project (the JV
portion), and the long-term goals of the documentary film project that will
happen after the JV grant is done. I wanted to write up this reflection to
clarify things, and to make sure everyone is on the same page and no one is
caught off guard. We can also discuss this at our next meeting.

In essence, I've conceptualized the JV phase of the project, and the
feature-length documentary phase, as two separate yet linked entities. Ok,
that probably sounds un-necessarily confusing. But what I mean is that the
JV project is a project unto itself. The goal is obviously to make 4-5
short videos to use as pop-ed tools for the solidarity city campaign. It is
also a learning process for all of us, and I think all of our investment is
important in the project (to the extent that each of us wants to be
involved and invested). I'm hoping we can operate under the first year in a
horizontal, non-hierarchical fashion. Obviously I realize that I hold a bit
more power in the group as the person who initiated the project, the one
signing the cheques, the "official JV group leader", etc. But it is still
my preference to work in a horizontal way, and that process should probably
be flushed out a bit more. That being said, I'm always open to people
checking me, or to all of us holding each other accountable, or to people
calling me on my shit, etc.

With the second phase of the film, however (so after the JV year), I do
intend to direct a feature-length documentary on migrant justice struggles.
This is a 2.5 year goal of mine roughly. I think I had expressed this to
many of you, but one of the important reasons I wanted to apply for the JV
grant was also to cut a demo reel from the footage we collect, and to use
that demo reel to sell the film to broadcasters to get money to make a
documentary. Also, having the JV grant can help unlock grant possibilities
from the Canadian Media Fund, which is an important funding body for
independent documentary films.

Since I would like to eventually make a demo reel with the footage we
gather this year, there is also the need to have some more
professional-looking stuff. Therefore, I would like to propose that we keep
the option open to using some of our budget to possibly hire a camera
person for a few shoots, as well as possibly a professional editor to cut
the demo reel.

While I would love to keep working with all of you after the JV project is
done, I'm just not sure if there is a possibility open for that. We'd have
to play it by ear and see though. Evidently, everyone will be credited for
all the work they do, especially if we use that work in the second phase of
the film.

Anyways, I hope this is all clear to people. It occurred to me as well that
we kind of rushed into getting the project accepted without discussing some
of the fine print.

Y'all rock so much and I'm really looking forward to working on this
project with you all. If you have questions about any of this, don't
hesitate to contact me, or we can discuss it more at the next meeting.

Have a great weekend,
Aaron
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