"The Dale" Documentary Trailer!
Short Summary
I'm a filmmaker from New Hampshire who has spent the last three and a half years working on probably the greatest story never told: The story of the greatest con in Los Angeles County, and the woman who became powerful enough to pull it off.
Liz Carmichael got everyone to believe in her amazing three-wheeled 70MPG Dale automobile except the Feds. That included the engineers who worked ninety hour work weeks, handed back paychecks, and were determined to see this three-wheeled vehicle hit the market and solve the gas crisis forever. She was the next great figure in the Women's Liberation movement...
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...There was just one problem: She wasn't real and neither was the car. Liz Carmichael was born Jerry Dean Michael: a criminal wanted for grand theft, fraud, and involvement in the Colombian drug ring. When they found out about her real identity, investigative reporters stepped in to stop her. Hit men were hired. She moved to Dallas to sell more cars. The cops followed suit and shut her down. When all is said and done, we're left with the question: Was any of this real, and to what extent?
Her employees insist that Liz Carmichael worked non-stop, deeply devoted to a radical idea of transportation. The other side insists Jerry Dean Michael was always a con man trying to swindle people out of their hard-earned money.
Which side was right? And why were the gender lines so divided?
The Transgender Woman
From the outside, it seems pretty straight forward -- she conned everyone with a fake car and identity. But the idea of changing your sexual identity to swindle people out of money? That's either true dedication of a con artist, or the grave misunderstanding of the times.
When the world found out she was a man, the car was immediately labeled a scam. Carmichael's identity as transgender (or non-cisgender) become directly tied to the failure of the car, and the issue became about gender identity. Did her failure to create a viable automobile shape the revelation of her identity? Was she really an ex-con trying to convince people she was a woman? Or was she actually this new woman trying to create a revolutionary car? As one of the first public figures ever to have been "outed" as transgender, it makes this story that much more important.
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The Effect
Before Liz Carmichael, there had never been an hour long investigative news show. But as KABC-7's initial coverage of the Dale automobile began to grow, the affiliates took notice -- even going out of their way to air these reports over their original programming. Over thirty segments aired nationally to critical acclaim, and were instrumental in ending Carmichael's attempt at selling the vehicle. These segments, known as "Eyewitness News Wants to Know with Dick Carlson," won the Peabody Award, the highest accolade in journalism. Without their hard-hitting investigation into Carmichael's elaborate and complex story, 20/20, Dateline, and 60 minutes would not exist as you know them today.
What We Need
$6,825 is the BARE BONES what we need to complete this documentary!
With the money raised, we will:
#1. Embark on a rigorous twelve-day cross-country road trip to get the last nine interviews to finish this film. Expenses include:
-Food, most of which will be packed ahead of time in coolers to cut down costs.
-Film and lighting equipment, pre-owned, which will be shipped to New Hampshire, saving us hundreds in rental fees.
-Transportation and gasoline.
-Labor costs to hire both camera and lighting for the entire length of the trip.
#2. Hire a private eye to track down and locate three other interviewees we have been unable to locate on our own, which includes:
-Making initial contact
-Agreeing to an interview
-Potential compensation in exchange for them willing to speak openly about the subject.
#3. Pay for post-production and festival expenses, which include:
-Sound editing
-Color correction
-Motion graphics
-Restoration of photographs and video
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And What You Get!
$50 PLEDGES AND UP - ORIGINAL PROPS
These were the first items potential buyers saw of the Dale -- its promise of the car, and the woman behind it. For each donation $25 or more, you'll be entered to win an authentic piece of Dale memorabilia -- framed photos of Liz Carmichael, original contracts, brochures, a screen print of Carmichael signed by celebrity photographer Mike Salisbury, and a limited edition leather-bound 20th Century Motors book given only to dealerships.
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FIRST 48 HOURS ONLY! The first five backers at the $50 level will automatically be entered to win a exclusive tour of the Peterson Museum's private collection in Los Angeles, where you'll see the real Dale automobile! (travel expenses not included.)
$150 PLEDGES AND UP - SHOWROOM POSTERS
When the cars hit the showroom, so did the advertisements. Three cars, all promising exceptional mileage at low value, with the Dale as its focal point. For each donation $150 or more, you will receive one of Liz Carmichael's original full-size Twentieth Century Motors' advertisements, fully restored by Lights Girl XX, and signed by the crew of the Dale Documentary (optional.)
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$250 PLEDGES AND UP - SIGNED PHOTOS
When they invited Mike Salisbury to the Canoga Park development labs, he thought he was photographing the next big icon on wheels. He had no idea what was going to happen next. Along with the other perks, you'll receive a screen print of Elizabeth Carmichael signed by celebrity photographer, Mike Salisbury -- a man who has photographed everyone from Alfred Hitchcock to Andy Warhol, but still considers Liz Carmichael his crowning achievement.
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$500 PLEDGES AND UP - SEE THE VAULT
When the dust settled, so did the Dale -- bouncing around from buyer to buyer, finally finding a home inside the Peterson Auto Museum's private vault. Normally closed off to the general public? Well, we got in. You'll receive an exclusive, private tour of the Peterson Automotive Musem's vault with curator Leslie Kendall, where you'll get to see one of only three gold DeLoreans ever made, the Tucker, the Corvair, and some of the most incredible concept cars that've never seen the light of day, including one of only three Dale automobiles in existence.
The Impact
With your help, we will have a complete and accurate record of this story and its impact on the broadcast, automobile, and LGBT worlds. With your contribution, you can take a piece of this project home with you, and know that after forty years, you've helped this incredible story get told.
The Team
Nick Cammilleri - Writer/Director
I am an award-winning screenwriter who has produced national TV commercials, co-written theme songs, and collaborated with Emmy and Grammy winning talents, with clients like Comedy Central, MTV, and Howard Stern. I also have family and friends from the LGBT circle, so this subject is incredibly close to me. My last documentary, Mom, was produced in association with Nickelodeon.
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Neno Stevens - Sound Designer
He's recorded sound for over 100 films and has been involved in every aspect of every production I've directed. He knows my workflow, style, and process. He'll be joining us on the road trip. By having people I know that are familiar with my process, it allows us to be more efficient, and cut costs in the production process, freeing that money up for post-production.
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Matt LaCorte - Grip/Gaffer
Lighting is his speciality. He's been on sets since he was twelve years old (labor laws, am I right?) and knows all the angles. Again, Matt is another guy who's worked with me numerous times. By hiring these guys and taking them with me on the road, we're significantly decreasing the costs and expenditures of hiring out local independent contractors who would demand a higher quote and would not be able to replicate the aesthetic we have in place, especially when time is an issue.
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Mala Syal - Graphic Designer
A photoshop wizard by admission, her attitude is only out-flaunted by skillz behind the keyboard, refurbishing the old and refining the new. She's been instrumental in this Crowdfunding campaign and is often spotted behind the scenes doing the thankless tasks nobody had to ask her to do. We're indebted to her.
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Risks & Challenges
It's been forty years since these events. People are dying. Records are being lost. The Los Angeles Police Department has lost all of its court records. KABC-7 has lost all of its Dale footage. Yet, somehow, in the past three and a half years, I have managed to find every missing piece of material. I have fought, scrapped, and bullied my way into getting these materials, and I'm incredibly close to finishing the job. I've gone as far as I can go without help, and now is the time to ask for it. This may be our last chance to get the complete story before it's lost to time. It is more important now than ever that we accomplish this task, which will be made all the easier because of your help.
I have meetings scheduled with sales agents. Hulu is interested in distributing the film through their channels. Our product is good, our process is even better, and the people behind it leave little doubt about the extent of our abilities. We are talented, hard-working, and there's nobody that knows this subject better than me. Your money's in good hands.
Other Ways You Can Help
Share with your family, friends, out of town relatives, even your enemies. With your help, we can tell this amazing story together.
