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Greetings!
Our documentary project is moving forward and in this spring newsletter, we will bring you up to date on our production, report on our fundraising campaign and close with news about a different kind of premiere.
Our production first. We have just completed over six hours of interviews with Congressman Lewis and additional interviews with renowned members of the Civil Rights Movement. Over a period of five days in locations around Atlanta we recorded detailed accounts of the Congressman's role in major historic events including the Nashville Sit-Ins, the Freedom Rides, the March on Washington, Mississippi Freedom Summer and Bloody Sunday.
This marks a major milestone in our production because what we shot will become the foundation for the history segments of the film. Many of you are well aware of the Congressman's story, but it has never been recorded for a documentary in this kind of detail - nor have so many participants and witnesses commented on his involvement in these key events.
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Completed Interviews
Congressman Lewis spoke on camera with us over a period of three days. The focus was on his past and the extraordinary path he traveled from his boyhood in Pike County, Alabama to his first days as a U.S. Congressman. His commentary was fresh with vivid details; his stories were often powerful, sometimes funny and deeply moving.
This is Congressman Lewis's biography, a film introducing his story to many who will have never heard it before. Accordingly, his words are at the heart of the film and we will build other interviews, images and archival footage around them. We are especially pleased to have recorded so comprehensive an interview that is both impressive in its scope and enriched by his uniquely personal point of view.
During production we also conducted extensive interviews with leaders of the movement, including Ambassador Andrew Young, Rev. C.T. Vivian, Dr. Bernard Lafayette and Juanita Abernathy, widow of Rev. Dr. Ralph David Abernathy. We also spoke with Freedom Riders Hank Thomas, Bill Habour and Pauline Knight-Ofosu, and activists Rev. Gerald Durley, pastor of Providence Missionary Baptist Church, and Sherry Frank, former executive director of the American Jewish Committee, Atlanta.
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What's Next
With 60% of the documentary now shot, we continue with our final phase of production, conducting further interviews with leaders and participants of the Civil Rights Movement, a former president, members of congress and the cabinet, journalists, historians and activists. Through the spring and summer, we will also cover Congressman Lewis on the road as he makes appearances at events around the nation. |
Fundraising
Since our last newsletter, our team has stepped up their campaign in several new directions. In the coming months, we are planning fundraising events in New York, Washington D.C., Atlanta and Los Angeles; we're inviting leaders in the business, financial, philanthropic and entertainment communities to join our host committees, pledge their support and reach out to their colleagues and friends. These events will feature our honorary chairs, noted celebrities, the film producers and crew members and screenings of never-seen-before videos clips from what we have shot so far. Our team has also targeted a key group of corporate sponsors and individuals whom we will invite to join our circle of early donors. Please contact us if you would like further information about the benefits of joining this campaign. |
 The Book Launch
In closing, please join in celebrating the launch of Congressman Lewis's latest book, Across That Bridge: Life Lessons and a Vision for Change. On May 15th the Congressman will begin a book-signing tour and related promotional media appearances. Described here by publisher Hyperion Books, this looks like a read you won't want to miss. "In ACROSS THAT BRIDGE Congressman Lewis draws from his experience as a leader of the Civil Rights Movement to offer timeless guidance to anyone seeking to live virtuously and transform the world. His wisdom, poignant recollections, and powerful ideas will inspire a new generation to usher in a freer, more peaceful society." |
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As always, thank you for your continuing support; it's a long process and you are an important part of it!
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Kathleen Dowdey
Early Light Productions |
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