Should I get involved in this documentary?

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MaterDei

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This company first approached me a couple of months ago about the documentary they are making (http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=292883 ). Their initial contact was via PM. Since then we have talked both via email and via the telephone. They were curious about the American gun culture and how I have raised my family in it.

Today I got a call from the Los Angeles based director of the documentary. He wants to come to Texas and film my family both at home in our normal shooting environment as well as at a Cowboy Action shooting event. We are not currently even active in CAS but it was something that I talked to them about and I told him that I was interested in getting involved in it.

So what do you guys think? Should I cut and run or go along with this? This is one of those things that could be very positive OR very negative.

EDIT: Mods, if this belongs in activism please move it.
 
I would not only say no, but hell no.

You should certainly go to their website and see their handling of various other topics:
http://www.firecrackerfilms.com/

It's pretty much all sensationalist tripe.

This one is a three part series they did recently.
"Mania" is a 3 x 60' series that looks inside the mind of a maniac and attempts to understand the overwhelming impulses that can take over the human body.

"Egomania" focuses on the Narcissistic Personality Disorder and follows cases from the overbearing boss we all love to hate to the incredible stories of cult leaders to the case of Brian Blackwell, who was diagnosed as a level 9 after brutally murdering both his parents.
"Erotomania" is the delusional believe that someone is love with you. From the unrequited love of a man still obsessed with a woman he hasn't seen spoken to in 20 years to the sinsiter secreat admirer to the psychopathic erotomaniac who will let nothing stand in his way. Even murder.
"Pyromania" follows those with an unhealthy fascination for fire.
​

Bonus points not rolling your eyes as you read the descriptions for "The Man Whose Arms Exploded", "The Boy Who Will Never Grow", and "The Real Attack of The 50FT Woman".

They also have video samples. You may want to watch a few of them.

But I'm sure their treatment of gun owners will be in a positive, non-sensational, and even-handed light. :rolleyes:
 
How much are they willing to pay you?

No matter what, the thing will be slanted, probably not in our favor, but since so few people take this kind of stuff seriously in the first place, i doubt it will do any harm.
 
no way, they will inevitably portray you as a gun loving redneck crazy who..."GASP" has his kids shooting guns!!!! SAVE THE CHILDREN!!!

I am almost certain they will make you out to be a jackass....
 
If you do it, make the director commit to compete in the CAS event with you.

I agree with Jorg that they apparently specialize in ...tripe. But I have a hard time seeing how they can twist a Cowboy Action Shooting event with a wholesome American family into anything harmful. But maybe I'm not creative enough. Even if it is sensational to some people, it is what it is, we aren't ashamed of it, and I expect that will come through to people.
 
I guess I may just be paranoid, but I see the liberal media putting their spin on things and coming up with a totally different conclusion.
 
Be aware that when a documentary is made, they shoot a LOT of hours of video which they can then pretty much edit to make whatever point they want.
 
I am involved in producing a TV show on Gunsmiths and I have asked several people who are in the industry about these people when the post was first started a few months ago. most had not heard of them but those that had gave feed back that was NOT positive in any way several people were very strong in their opinions of this group. They are not their to show the American gun culture in a positive light.
 
1) Do they have a working title? That may give you an idea of the leaning... Seems like they've done a series on mental disorders. Wonder if they're working on what they perceive is another one.

2) I'd consider taking this on, but only if the director also participates - I think that'd be a nice twist for 'em too... And remember - if you don't do it, they'll get someone else. You've got a clue; the bubba they find may not be very good for our cause.

Do it.
 
I agree with ilbob what does it pay? beacuse they will find someone to do it and it might as well be you. (if it is worth your time)
 
Thanks for the input guys.

The director that I talked to is named Jan Wellman. He told me that he was raised in Finland around guns and that he wanted the documentary to 'speak for itself'. He also directed 'pyromania' and 'hunting emmanuelle', a story about a porn flick filmed in 1974.

My initial reaction is to tell him to take a hike. I'm a college grad with a computer science degree. I was an Army officer for 11 years. I've got 6 kids and they all shoot. We are not your stereotypical hicks. None of us have teeth missing and we are all capable of expressing our feelings clearly and intelligently. The opportunity for a positive story is ripe but I'd hate for my family to be used to portray American gun owning families in a negative light.
 
I was approached by these folks also. I think they read threads relating to kids and shooting. I did not reply. Their stuff looks more like Michael More aganda stuff than National Geographic documentary.
 
I'm all for talking to the media in order to get our message out in most circumstances. If we aren't willing to take a risk now and then, we'll never see good press coverage of gun owners.

That said, I say "NO WAY" to this particular project. Everything I've read about that company screams to stay far away.
 
Guys, if they don't use you, they'll find someone else. I'm assuming that YOU are relatively intelligent, etc., etc...

I'm sure some folks are freaking out over the documentaries - they don't strike me as all that odd, especially considering they do a lot of BBC stuff.

So, after they produce the thing, and you find out it stars Bubba and his three teethies, and he's explainin' to 'em 'bout how it's his right to shoot roadside signage, well... You had your chance to represent us in a good light.
 
Materdei

As a contributor would you get final approval on footage containing you or your family ? If not, I'd say no.

Bogie

I'm sure some folks are freaking out over the documentaries - they don't strike me as all that odd, especially considering they do a lot of BBC stuff.
Click to expand...

The most vindictive, deceitful, and ill informed piece of anti gun propaganda I have ever seen was a BBC Panorama documentary called - "Biting the Bullet".

The BBC has a clear anti RKBA stance.
 
I wouldn't do it, I like my privacy though and I shudder to think of a bunch of liberal film makers making me and my family out to be red necked boobs that are armed and dangerous (which is the slant that they'll more than likely film it from if you aren't careful).

Don't listen to what they tell you, if they're scumbags they will lie to you.

Watch some other films that are like the one that you would be in and see how they treat the people involved during the voice overs and commentary. If they're unbiased and respectful then go ahead and do it. If they're just a bunch of people that want to blow crap out of proportion for their own political reasons then at least you'll know that they were like that before hand. Let that fact be what you base your decision on.

But it's worth it to find out before hand, it's only you and your families image that will be recorded and broadcast before millions of people that people will judge you by for quite awhile. Don't let that little voice inside you just say... "Screw it, it'll be okay". "They can't be that bad right?"...and then expect everything to work out okay if you don't do your homework on these guys.
 
Anything you do will be spun to sell the show, possibly making you and your family to look like nuts. I would be very reluctant to participate.
 
Guys, if they don't use you, they'll find someone else. I'm assuming that YOU are relatively intelligent, etc., etc...
Click to expand...
This is true. And if they can't edit your footage to fit their needs, they will use the footage they shoot with someone else.

So, after they produce the thing, and you find out it stars Bubba and his three teethies, and he's explainin' to 'em 'bout how it's his right to shoot roadside signage, well...
Click to expand...
Chances are that if that's what they are looking for, that's what they are going to get, whether Master Dei is in the footage or someone else. Skilled producers and directors will find and exploit the people they want. If you're not what they are looking for, they'll either not use you or edit your content to meet their needs.

You had your chance to represent us in a good light.
Click to expand...
Bubba probably thought he was doing the same thing. The problem is you have no control over how they represent you. Once you sign on the dotted line, you pretty much give up any control over how you are shown.

See, the problem is not whether Master Dei will represent gun owners well. It's how they producers will choose to show that. Ask anyone who has been involved in a documentary, reality TV show, extenor anything of that nature. The person that they show on TV is rarely the person who was standing in front of the camera.

If you want your 15 minutes of fame, this is one way to get it. Just know that you will be at the whim of the film-maker.

I'm sure all those folks in Borat thought they were representing themselves in a good light too. While I doubt you'll be subject to that kind of ridicule, it's worth thinking about.
 
I'd Say NO. They are a small time British outfit and seem to do mostly commercials & small documentaries for European distribution. I can't imagine a positive slant to this. It will not be aired in the US.

Here are their credits from www.imdb.com




Mark Soldinger

Film

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE MAN WITH NO PAST Executive Producer Firecracker Films
MY NEW FACE Director/Producer/Camera Firecracker Films
MY PENIS AND EVERYONE ELSE'S Executive Producer Firecracker Films
MANIA Director/Executive Producer Firecracker Films
THE MAN WHOSE ARMS EXPLODED Executive Producer Firecracker Films
THE SEVEN YEAR OLD SURGEON Executive Producer Firecracker Films
THE BOY WHO WILL NEVER GROW Executive Producer Firecracker Films
HUNTING EMMANUELLE Executive Producer Firecracker Films
FOUR WEDDINGS & AN EXECUTION Executive Producer Firecracker Films
THE BLACK WIDOW Executive Producer Firecracker Films
ATTACK OF THE 50FT WOMAN Executive Producer Firecracker Films
BTK -THE WORLD’S MOST ELUSIVE SERIAL KILLER Director/Producer/Camera Firecracker Films
THE WORLD’S STRONGEST BOY Director/Producer/Camera Firecracker Films
LOCK UP YOUR SONS Executive Producer Firecracker Films
SPACEDIVE Director/Producer TVF
SUPERHUMAN Director/Producer Zeal TV
SURVIVING EXTREMES – ICE Director/Producer Keo films
MONEY CAN BUY ME LOVE Director/Producer Ideal World
THE ENTITY Director/Producer Optomen TV
AMERICAN VAMPIRES Director/Producer ZKK
AMSTERDAM – THE CULTURAL UNDERGROUND Director/Producer Hart Ryan
THE CHEMICAL GENERATION Director/Producer Optomen TV
QUEST FOR THE CLOUD PEOPLE Director/Producer Pilot Productions
MONEY! MONEY! MONEY! Director/Producer Siguy Films
TONY’S FAIRY TALES Director/Producer Just TV
LONELY PLANET – PAPUA NEW GUINEA Director/Producer Pilot Productions
DIANA – THE MOURNING AFTER Director/Producer Just Tv
CUTTING EDGE – INDEPENDENT ROSIE Director/Producer Pendragon Productions
LOOKING LIKE DIANA Director/Producer Brighter Pictures
LONELY PLANET - SW USA Director/Producer Pilot Productions
LONELY PLANET - PHILIPPINES Director/Producer Pilot Productions
LONELY PLANET - ETHIOPIA DIrector/Producer PIlot Productions
TINSLETOWN – INSIDE THE FAME FACTORY Director/Producer/Camera Laurel TV

Video

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IT’S ABOUT TIME Director/Producer Universal Records

Producer:
My Penis and Everyone Else's (2007) (TV) (executive producer)
The Man with No Past (2007) (TV) (executive producer)
Pyromania (2006) (TV) (executive producer)
I Love You. And You. And You. (2006) (TV) (executive producer)
"The Dark Side of Porn" (executive producer) (1 episode, 2006)
- Hunting Emmanuelle (2006) TV Episode (executive producer)
"Surviving Extremes" (2003) TV Series (producer)

Director:
SuperHuman (2004) (TV)
"Coming Up" (1 episode, 2003)
- Money Can Buy You Love (2003) TV Episode
"Surviving Extremes" (2003) TV Series
The Entity (2002) (TV)
Chemical Generation (2000) (TV)

Jeremy Groman

Visual Effects:
"The Dark Side of Porn" (graphics) (1 episode, 2006)
- Hunting Emmanuelle (2006) TV Episode (graphics)

Art Department:
Four Weddings and an Execution (2005) (TV) (graphic artist)
Click to expand...
)​
 
I agree with ilbob what does it pay? beacuse they will find someone to do it and it might as well be you. (if it is worth your time)
Click to expand...

You don't get paid to be the subject of a documentary. Or a news story, for that matter.

As a contributor would you get final approval on footage containing you or your family ? If not, I'd say no.
Click to expand...

Unless you're Stanley Kubrick freshly risen from the dead, no editor would submit to this, ever. God knows I wouldn't.
 
Guys, I've been screwing with loading stuff all night.

Here's the bottom line. I'll try to use short words:

If you are the subject, you can somewhat control what happens. You _know_ RKBA, at least in theory. This outfit can get you to do this, which you can think of as "damage control" and try not to say anything reasonably too damn stupid, or you can let 'em go out and find Bubba and his three teethies, who'll tell 'em about how he likes to go street sign hunting with his kissin' cousin...

You either have some control, or you pass completely.
 
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