Overview
Exodus will be a powerful film that needs to be seen by a mass audience to create better understanding of non-religious African-Americans. Making a broadcast quality documentary for a mass audience is a large undertaking. We know this subject is important and deserves an in-depth journalistic treatment.
Our video for this campaign is a little different than many you see on Indiegogo, it’s a sizzle reel that we think speaks for itself. The interviews are powerful, the emotions are real, and the words are thought-provoking. Test audiences agree --viewers of all backgrounds have strong reactions and want to see more.
To bring Exodus to the screen, we are asking you to help fund production and post production costs to bring this important documentary to television. We cannot do it without your support.
What We Need & What You Get
We are asking for $120,000 to fund production and post production expenses. Every dollar from this campaign will “show up on the screen” making this a marketable documentary. Our work in production and post will done by professional companies that produce for broadcast and cable. In today’s market we must deliver broadcast quality HD video and multi-channel audio to get this important documentary on television. To keep costs low, we are working with young companies with a proven track record and the producers are hands on, filling multiple roles.
Every funder, at every level, receives the satisfaction of participating in this important work to bring a journalistic treatment of this important subject to an audience that needs to see it. We are offering perks for funding at various levels: digital downloads, DVDs, invitations to red carpet events, and screen credit. Underwriters can include a logo along with mention in the credits.
The Impact
Exodus is being produced to reach the mass audience of television viewers, many of whom have never had a conversation with an African-American atheist. Wide distribution of Exodus on broadcast and cable television will make that possible. The interviews and cinema verite “slice of life” segments in Exodus present an authentic view of African-American atheists, illuminated by commentary from fellow non-believers and clergy. A mass audience needs to see this documentary in order to understand a little discussed and often misunderstood social trend. In addition, Exodus will give Black atheists an authentic voice that must be heard. Interviews with clergy will provide the counterpoint for journalistic integrity.
Informal testing of the sizzle reel with audiences made up of people with widely divergent backgrounds convinced us that Exodus will appeal to a mass audience. It will provoke reactions that programmers want and will advance discussion of the social phenomena of African-American atheism.
Producer/Director David Person is an accomplished professional journalist and consultant with more than 25 years of experience as a broadcaster, producer, and reporter. He writes columns as a member of USA Today’s board of contributors and hosted "WEUP Talk," a daily call-in talk show for WEUP-AM/FM. David has also hosted and produced two nationally distributed public radio documentaries: Uncommon Courage: The Viola Liuzzo Story and The Afro: Personal Reflections. In addition, he has done feature reporting for National Public Radio. He has traveled to Cuba, Brazil, Colombia and Jamaica, reporting for the African in the Americas project for the Institute of Advanced Journalism Studies. His most recent documentary project is The Biblical Prophets of the Qu’ran, an examination of the commonalities of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Executive Producer Charles R. “Chuck” Miller is a consultant and secular activist. Chuck has played a key role in casting and consulting on the development of Exodus.
Risks & Challenges
Exodus is an ambitious production so our funding is our biggest risk. We will seek alternative funding to complete production and post if the need arises. That could challenge our schedule; however, we are committed to completing this project and are confident that we will.
Working with experienced professionals, we avoid many of the risks inherent in many productions. Everyone involved is committed to the project, and funding will enable us to guarantee compensation for all of our service providers.
More Ways You Can Help
Besides funding, you can help make Exodus a success by letting everyone know about it:
