Hi filmmakers,
The American Question delves into the heart of a divided America, exploring the historical and contemporary factors that have eroded our trust in our neighbors, communities, institutions, and government. The film takes viewers on a journey from historical empires to pivotal moments in modern America, through an independent team’s eight-year mission to discover the forces that shaped our now divided society.
Gravitas Ventures, an Anthem Sports & Entertainment Company will release The American Question on Tuesday, October 29th on all streaming on demand platforms (including Apple TV, Amazon’s Prime Video, YouTube TV and all leading cable on demand providers including Comcast’s Xfinity, Charter’s Spectrum, and AT&T’s DirectTV), home video DVD and Blu-ray, just ahead of the 2024 Presidential Election.
One of the challenges of making this film, of course, was shooting over 8 years. Collaborating with community organizers in cities whose demographics represented broader issues, we identified Americans to follow over this time. Then, we coupled them with experts across the ideological spectrum in politics, economics, sociology and psychology to contextualize their feelings.
We also edited through the entire process, first doing a character edit in Premiere, story edit in Avid, another character edit in Premiere and final polish in Premiere (I don’t recommend switching editing systems, but you do what your editor needs). To make sure that we were constantly having fresh eyes on the project, I used different editors for each phase of the process.
Shooting with a nominal crew, we used the Blackmagic URSA and Mini, Canon DSLR’s, RED Rocket X cameras, and RODE Go2 Wireless Mics, which were rotoscoped out of the film. Then, we combined our original shot footage with b-roll, stock material and animation designed by Filmograph. To clear Errors and Omissions, we logged all of our footage with timecode and timestamps in the film, logged in a massive document for legal, and utilized this to claim Fair Use for Errors and Omissions — essential for distribution.
Growing up in Bellville, GA, a town of 123 people, it was really important to me to strike a tone straight down the political middle, which hopefully can appeal to folks back home, and my neighbors in Los Angeles.
I hope you’ll check out the trailer and watch the film on October 29th.
I’m happy to answer any technical or process question about the making of the film.
Cheers,
[James Kicklighter]
4 people like this
James Kicklighter, I saw the trailer it looks very compelling.
Thanks for your info on clearing Errors and Omissions for distribution.
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Wow, James Kicklighter! Eight years later, it must feel so amazing to be done and sharing it with the world. Thank you for providing these insights into the challenges of making The American Question and how you overcame them! I can't wait to see it.
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Congratulations to you and your team, James Kicklighter! The trailer is incredible! I added The American Question to my watch list. I plan on watching it on Prime Video. Was it hard to keep everything organized during eight-plus years of filming?
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You’re welcome, Paul Rivers
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Definitely, Ashley Renee Smith! We’re excited to get it out
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Thanks, Maurice Vaughan! Look forward to your thoughts. Media Managment was absolutely a challenge, and keeping everything backed up — and in tact over that period — is not something I recommend! We were fortunate our multiple safeguards, including cloud backup, worked.
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You're welcome, James Kicklighter. It sounds like a lot of work! Glad it worked out. I'll let you know what I think of the film.
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Congratulations! Will check it out!
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What a great trailer and imperative topic, James Kicklighter. Thanks for sharing and I cannot wait to watch. Please keep us posted on the reactions and impact. Bravo!
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Thank you, Sam Sokolow! We’re really excited for the rollout
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Look forward to your reaction, Xochi Blymyer
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I can't wait to watch this, James. Congratulations!
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James Kicklighter I’ve put the date on my Google Calendar and will watch it, James. Well done on pulling this all together. I can’t see the trailer, by the way, because of region restrictions. You did well getting it on all those streamers! How did you manage that? It would be great for the community to hear about it.
And again, congratulations on this success.