HELLO! SAIN BAINA UU?

Who Am I and Why Do You Care?
I’m Lauren Knapp, and I’m directing my first documentary film: LIVE FROM UB, a movie about Mongolian rock.

I first visited Mongolia in 2007 as a tourist and was blown away by it’s limitless landscape, rich traditions and beautiful folk music. I had never seen a place quite like it.

I returned to the U.S., moved to Washington, DC and got a job at the PBS NewsHour (where I got my journalism chops). But Mongolia was in the back of my mind quietly saying, “You should probably come back and hang out with me for a while”.

So, in late 2011, I had the amazing opportunity to return to Mongolia. With the support of a Fulbright-mtvU Fellowship, I got to combine some of my favorite things: music, documentary film, and Mongolia!

I wanted to see how the first generation of Mongolians to grow up in a democratic society was expressing itself through music. I discovered a movement - young musicians are now using music as a way to negotiate the tricky balance between globalization and cultural preservation and they are doing it with incredible agility. The music coming out of Ulaanbaatar (UB) is utterly unique. It is the self-expression of a group of young Mongolians eager to be heard beyond their borders.

I have the footage and I have the story. But in order to get it out into the world, I need to edit and distribute and that costs money.

Your generous support will fund this final stage and make LIVE FROM UB a reality.

What I Need & What You Get

Here’s What the Money Pays For:
Translator, Editor & Assistant Editor, Colorist (to make the colors match), Sound Mixer, Graphics Designer, DVDs and Printing, Press Kit, Festival Entrance Fees, Administrative Costs, Website, Film Insurance

Here’s What You Get:
In addition to being a part of LIVE FROM UB, your TAX DEDUCTIBLE donation will also get you some pretty cool stuff:

- A DVD of the finished film!

- A voice message from Lauren in MONGOLIAN! Sain baina uu?

- A completely exclusive Mongolian Music Mix

- A one-of-a-kind silk screened poster

- Comfy slippers handmade in Mongolia

- Choose 5 5x7 Printed Photographs

Why This Matters

Everyday I read a handful of new articles about Mongolia. They are almost always about two things: the booming (yet tumultuous) mining sector or life as a nomad. But there’s so much more to be told. LIVE FROM UB offers a chance to show the world a different side of Mongolia - a side that will hopefully allow a viewer from another part of the world to understand urban Mongolians in a way that wasn’t possible before. PLUS, it’s just great music.

While this is my first documentary film, I’m no rookie. I’ve been making short documentary-style films and pieces for years. I started at the PBS NewsHour, profiling musicians and artists. In Mongolia, I created 40 short videos (which you can see here) while working on LIVE FROM UB. Plus, I have amassed a team of committed and talented people who will be helping me along the way.

Other Ways You Can Help

Every penny counts and no donation is too small.

But this is about more than just raising funds. I’m also raising awareness. Please help get the word out. Tell your friends to tell their friends to tell their friends that Mongolian rock music is for real and they can watch a whole movie about it.  

Anything helps: e-mail, Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, telephones, heck, even good old fashioned word of mouth!

THANK YOU! BAYARLALAA!

Thank you for your support and for being a part of this film!

Special Thanks To:

Fulbright-mtvU -- for funding and supporting the research and production

Pittsburgh Filmmakers -- for being a fiscal sponsor

American Center for Mongolian Studies -- for in country support

Mongolian Arts Council -- for hooking me up with so many amazing artists

So Many Individuals -- for helping me through each phase of this project both in Mongolia and the U.S.

Indiegogo -- for being a super user-friendly crowdfunding platform