Financing / Crowdfunding : Funding a documentary about the true story of jazz musicians and their involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. by Nick Douglas

Funding a documentary about the true story of jazz musicians and their involvement in the Civil Rights Movement.

Looking for funding to complete a documentary based on the true story of the book. Finding Octave: The Untold Story of Two Creole Families and Slavery in Louisiana. The documentary is called Reconnect. In the documentary which features, professors, historians and jazz experts I reconnect the Pavageau family that left New Orleans for Mexico before the Civil War with the Pavageau family that stayed in the states. Through the history of my family, the documentary highlights the musical tradition and civil rights advocacy of numerous musicians who were at the forefront of jazz. Along with documentarian Doug Harris we have created a 10 minute trailer that is available for viewing. We also have a prospectus for the film completed. I was reaching out to this group to see how to get funding outside of our PBS affiliate KVIE and Louisiana Public Television to get wider distribution of the documentary. Any ideas?

Sam Sokolow

Hi Nick - this sounds like a really terrific and powerful film. And your family connection makes It even more so. I recommend taking a look at this Stage 32 webinar hosted by award winning filmmaker Deborah Riley Draper called "How You Can Partner With Brands To Make Your Documentary".

Deborah is so knowledgeable and accomplished. Here's a link so you can check it out: https://www.stage32.com/webinars/How-You-Can-Partner-With-Brands-To-Make...

Niki H

Nick , this sounds like a really interesting story! How cool.

Nick Douglas

The documentary is just one of the stories in the book. I have been pitching another story as a feature film but the book would make a great series for TV or streaming.

Linwood Bell

My kind of movie. I'm excited to see it, Nick. Wish you the very best!

Fran Harris

Nick Douglas you should definitely check out WeFunder.com - I know several folks who’ve raised serious film and startup dough there. It IS a process but it is also a terrific platform.

Maurice Vaughan

That's the second WeFunder recommendation I've heard this week, Fran Harris. The first one was here: www.stage32.com/lounge/fundraising/Ask-Me-Anything-AMA-7-11-to-7-12-How-...

WeFunder definitely sounds like it's worth checking out, Nick Douglas.

Geoff Hall

Nick Douglas firstly Nick. Congratulations on the development so far. Secondly, what a great project. What inspired this baby into being?

Ray Ghasemi

Thanks Fran!

Nick Douglas

Geoff Hall. The documentary is based on my book Finding Octave": The Untold Story of Two Creole Families and Slavery in Louisiana. My relatives were some of the earliest innovators and teachers of jazz. They just happened to be born in Mexico and came back just before jazz was beginning in Louisiana.

Andrew Russ

This sounds amazing! I'd love to watch it, and I think it's not only me.

Are there any updates about financing?

The Civil Rights Movement is a very important part of history, and it's very interesting to me, too. It's good that in one of my courses, we started discussing it, and I will find more info about it. I also came across this page https://papersowl.com/examples/civil-rights-movement/ when I was looking for the info, and these Civil Rights Movement essay examples provided there are informative and will for sure help me to finish my paper by the end of this week.

Sam Sokolow

What a fabulous idea. Will think on it. I also recommend this Stage 32 webinar on accessing brands to finance docs: https://www.stage32.com/education?p=8944906436915

Kerry Kennard

Are you doing a GoFundMe / similar campaign, Nick ? Love jazz genre - !! I know JEN has funding for jazz musicians- might want to look there shortly - ;-) There’s always some Washington historical grants - etc. Louisiana slavery and jazz music would be a good search.

SouthArts does funding for tours - as a side note - 1 -2 weeks -‘as a side note - for musicians. Good luck - !! Hope these ideas help.

Geoff Hall

Nick Douglas wow, Nick. What an amazing family history you have. I’m looking forward to seeing it. Have you checked out Seed and Spark for film funding?

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