“We just made our first movie…”
…to say those words feels absolutely crazy.
To be honest, we still feel like we don’t know what we’re doing half the time… but somehow it’s all managed to come together. And after a very long night of last-minute tweaks, we’re ready to show our trailer to the world.
This project has massively changed our lives as both filmmakers and everyday people. While we do feel excited, proud, and exhausted after finishing this film… we know that this is just the beginning of another journey. Making a film is one thing, but getting it out there and showing it to the world is another.
We’re scared, to say the least. But stepping outside of the ol’ comfort zone is pretty much a job requirement so… here we go.
We now present to you, our friends and fellow filmmakers, the official trailer for #standwithme — a stand against one of the world’s darkest evils.
Our hope with this trailer is not that you’ll come out to see this film because it looks like a good movie. Our hope is that 30 million human beings is something you can’t turn away from, and that this trailer will leave you wanting to know more about the issue and how we can all do our part to truly put an end to this suffering.
This has been a huge undertaking for a small production studio like ours — from funding this project almost entirely by ourselves, to putting in long hours and sacrificing much of our personal lives — it hasn’t been easy.
For this reason, you might be wondering…
What made us want to do this?
Well, in the beginning we didn’t even know what we were getting into. We heard a story about a 9-year-old girl named Vivienne Harr in California, who set up her lemonade stand with the goal of raising $100,000 and freeing 500 children. She asked customers to “pay whats in their heart,” and after 173 days straight of selling lemonade she met her goal, but decided to keep going. The spark that lit Vivienne’s fire was a gorgeous photo by Lisa Kristine, who takes a stand herself by traveling around the world photographing modern day slaves.
Just a little over a year ago, Vivienne didn’t even know that slavery still exists. Now she’s raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in the name of freeing these children, and her lemonade stand has become a Social Purpose Company (SPC) called Make-A-Stand Lemonade, a new kind of corporation designed to maximize good.
There was a time when Lisa Kristine also didn’t know that slavery still exists. When she found out, she took a stand by going into the mines and farms where slavery is happening and capturing moments throughout the daily life of a slave. Vivienne saw one of those photos, and look how far her mission has come since then. View Lisa’s work.
We also didn’t know. We were just looking for a great story to share as a 3 minute piece, for our annual non-profit filmmaking project. We thought Vivienne’s story sounded great, but we first had to investigate. After one conversation with her father, we knew we had to find out more about Vivienne and more about the issue she’s fighting. As we dug deeper, we found ourselves in long conversations about the horrors of slavery today, how many voices are going unheard — and we had to take a stand too, the best way we know how: film.
Diving deep into the complexities of slavery introduced us to even more new characters that you’ll see in the film. Paul Rice, founder and CEO of Fair Trade USA explains how a fair price for products is what we all must demand in order to keep the slave trade out of communities. Maurice Middleberg, director of Free The Slaves talks in-depth about how people are lured into slavery, and what their lives are like after being freed.
At one time or another, all of these people didn’t know. They didn’t know that slavery exists, but when they found out they took a stand to do something about it. Someone else noticed that stand, and they went above and beyond expectations to do their part.
To tell this story right, we had to hear from people who have lived this nightmare. In this film we travel to Ghana, Nepal, and the Dominican Republic to speak directly with children and adults about their experiences being enslaved. Finding these people and making sure that everything came together in time to tell their stories was such a challenge… but their voices are so completely necessary in order to really tell this story.
It’s hard to put into just a few words why we are telling this story, but, the bottom line is: slavery can only end if more people find out that it’s happening, and of those people more brave and inspired souls come forward to take a stand against something they know is wrong.
This film is our way of telling people and giving them the tools to do something about it.
So… what’s next? TOURS!
Now for the super exciting part: we’re hitting the road in February 2014 to premiere the film AND conduct one-day filmmaking workshops in 30 cities across the US and Canada.
The truth is, making this film has lit a whole new fire under our asses to get out there and talk to other filmmakers about what it means to tell a story that you really love. We put a lot on the line to make #standwithme, but there was never really any question as to why we kept going. We believed in the story, plain and simple.
We’ll be conducting TWO tours, side-by-side:
The #standwithme Premiere Tour, where we’ll be hitting the road and taking the film to 30 cities in the US & Canada. This film is our baby and we couldn’t be more pumped about getting it out there and showing it to the world. But we’ll be the first to admit — it’s a bit nerve-wracking. As a filmmaker, sometimes there’s nothing harder than taking your work and showing it to someone.
What if they don’t like it?!
What if no one comes?
What if we no one cares about slavery?!
These are all thoughts going through our mind… but the subject matter of this film is so important that you can expect to see us pushing this premiere like our lives depend upon it — because honestly, they do! We really believe in this project and how much of a difference this story can make in the fight to end child slavery.
But there’s another tour we think you guys will be more excited about…
The Storytelling With Heart Filmmaking Workshop!
The Storytelling With Heart Tour is a one-day filmmaking workshop all about how to use your talent and passion as a filmmaker to tell the stories you REALLY want to tell, and tell them powerfully.
The workshop will take place on the day following the #standwithme premiere in each city.
We’re conducting this tour because throughout the last 8 months of craziness… we had to stop sometimes and ask ourselves…
How did we go from doing wedding films to our own original, independent feature?
What did we change about the way we were running our business and our shoots in order to transition into a company that tells the stories WE want to tell?
How did we even go about funding something this massive?
And most importantly… how’d we solve all the problems we encountered along the way?
Tickets to these tours are sold separately — meaning you can attend one without attending the other. However, attending the premiere is strongly recommended for anyone attending the workshop, as we will be using the documentary as an example in many of our discussions.
We’re coming to a city near you:
This is all VERY EXCITING and we’re kind of freaking out around the studio, getting ready for all the madness that is about to happen come February.
We want to see you there. Both the #standwithme Premiere and the Storytelling With Heart Tour are going to be buzzing with filmmakers and passionate storytellers, and our team is currently dying to hit the road and talk about all the details that went into this project.
For more information about the #standwithme Premiere, visit the shiny new website.
For more information the Storytelling With Heart Tour, visit the (also shiny) new website.
There are all kinds of ticket packages available for attending the workshop. There are group packages for crews, varying single attendee options, and with the holidays around the corner we’ve got a special deal that you can wrap up and put under the tree.
What do you want to hear from us?
You all know we love sharing our process and discussing all of the ups and downs we encounter during our filmmaking. We do it because we believe that powerful stories can change the world, and we want to be active members in a community of filmmakers who share our feelings.
Our workshop tour is just one way of doing that. But in the coming months we’ll be posting on the blog, holding webcasts, and releasing all kinds of BTS info about how we made this movie!
After watching the trailer — what are you curious about? What questions do you have and what advice to you have to give?
We want to hear about all of this stuff and discuss it right here, with our whole community. We couldn’t have done any of this without all of your support, questions, advice, and inspiring feedback.
Leave us a comment and let us know what’s on your mind after watching the #standwithme trailer 🙂
Hello from France!
What a beautiful girl,
What a beautiful project,
What a beautiful film.
Thanks for what you are and for what you’re doing.
So very happy for you guys and looks like a great film! Wish you guys were coming to Salt Lake City for a premiere. I was given goosebumps watching the trailer and it drew me in. At first I thought it was about the photographer but was surprised to hear about the girl being behind it.
Kudos and best of luck on the premiere!
Mike
Patrick, friends, you can be really proud of yourself, though I know you´re to humble to be. Those 2.47 minutes made me already rethink, hearing those flashing words like chocolate or coffee. I think every thing counts and one shouldn´t ever fall in to the trap of saying, “this act has such a minimal impact, so I leave just leave it aside”
If those 2.47 have that impact on me, I´m sure the film itself has the power to change so much.
Best of luck friends, for you and for the whole world.
Thank you for watching and thank you for sharing. We hope the trailer made an impact, and the film is certainly a powerful emotional journey.
P.
All news I read about this work has already changed my mind… I asked for a budget to send some CD folio to Brazil and it was quite cheap. Then I was told it would come from China. Immediately I wondered if it was made by enslaved child.
Great work, guys! If you come to Brazil (Rio) for an international premiere, just let me know. I’ll be glad to help.
You have every right to be proud of this great effort. These are the golden days of documentaries and Sundance is receiving so many films that even wonderful ones like yours are not able to be included. But this film touches the essence of what it is to be human, the element of compassion that transcends borders, cultures and partisanship. It will be received and cherished by people around the country and all of your supporters will say, “Hey, do you remember when Stillmotion’s first feature doc premiered? Man, they haven’t looked back since then, have they?” Our collective consciousness benefits from great storytellers and you are giving us all a wonderful boost. Thanks.
Thank you so much Brian. The love and support we receive in comments like this are what will keeping us going today, despite not sleeping all night!
Waking up to this makes me wonder about my day to day routine. o.O
Thanks for making me “think” time and time again.
You guys do amazing work.. I’ll definitely show my support in Hollywood.
Thanks Danny. It’s so great every time we hear that the trailer cause a reaction in somebody – a change in thought, an interest to ask more, or a desire to see the film.
Excited to meet you in Hollywood and share the full feature
P.
Hey guys! An amazing job on a story that absolutely needs to be told! I’m the creative director for a large church here in Calgary Alberta Canada and Stillmotion has been a big part of helping us tell our stories to 4,000 people every week. We have been trying to raise awareness about human trafficking, slavery and other social justice issues so this is absolutely something we want to get involved with. Please get in touch and let us know what we can do to make the Calgary event a success!
Ya’ll have been a huge inspiration for me on my journey and it’s primarily because you share your journey. I know its an often used statement but you guys exemplify “The Journey Is The Destination”. I love this project and from the moment where ya’ll said join us as we embark on this journey I’ve been sucked into the process. Seeing the trailer gave me the chills, recognizing the change that has happened in the hearts of each character in the film as well as each character behind the film. Because of that, the potential for real change in the characters watching the film will happen. I look forward to seeing the feature and sharing this story a million times over!
Blessings,
mitch
Hei
This is realy a great work. I “discover” you website and love it. I am student of University of Aveiro, Portugal and I recomend to all my friends the stillmotion. Thks you very much and please I you want to visit my country, let me know 😉
Hi Patrick and team! Let me congratulate to your film and your efforts to tell this story and left the World know about this terrible things! We must not forget about the weak, particularly because it could be us tomorrow… THANK YOU! Patrick, I know your tour is going to be huge effort to realise, but have you been thinking on expanding the tour to outside of US and Canada?? In Europe, Australia, and many other places people should know about this things and your film would be the perfect way to tell them.. Have you been thinking about this possibility? I wish you all good health and all the best! Adrian
Thank you Adrian.
We have been thinking about that. We are developing ways to properly empower people to bring the film to other areas. We will have all of that soon and then we can have an open invitation for people to bring this film well beyond our reach.
P.
This is the most beautiful DSLR footage I’ve seen recently. The colours are dead on. The reference to the numbers 22 and 13 is everywhere. I wonder if their is a reason behind that.
Thanks for the comments, though the majority of the footage is C100, as opposed to a DSLR.
We hadn’t noticed the references to 22 and 13 to be honest
P.
I’m not in the US, but so want to support you guys for all you’ve done for the filmmaking community.
And because the film really looks like it’s going to be something very, very special.
The moment it’s available as VOD I’ll be first in line to purchase a download, and encourage others to do so!
Good luck!
Thanks Wayne. You can lend huge support by sharing the trailer and making a #standwithme in the near future 🙂
Appreciate your kind words
P.
This is incredible. Seriously guys! I’ve always been a huge fan.. these cameras are like extensions of your beings. You turn them on… and they become you. This story deserved a real crew like you to tell the story. Thank you for your willingness. And… you made the C100 look amazing. This will be my only nerd moment.. L lenses or PL?
Ha.. you are allowed one nerd moment.
These were the Canon Cinema primes, the 24-70mm V2, and then some L-series primes
P.
From the trailer and from what I’ve read from Patrick’s personal notes, I can say screw Sundance! This film/story is far more deep than anything I’ve seen in a while. I’m sure it will have a huge impact to a lot of people. I would love to personally support you and your cause in any way possible. How about we premiere it here in Europe? I live in Vienna, Austria. Just let me know if you consider this an option?
regards,
John E.
John,
Thanks so much for the support.
If we can make it international, we will certainly reach out. Email me if you can so I can keep track of you offer.
In the meantime, please share the trailer. Let’s get the word out that this is happening and show that stories can really make a difference
P.
I am so happy for you guys, let me know if I can help in any way in Greece.
Lodging, food and any help you may need is available.
You are so kind – I just wrote back to John in Vienna. If we can make it international, we will certainly reach out – could you email me if you can so I can keep track of you offer. patrick AT stillmotion.ca
P.
I have been following this project as you are traveling the world to places many people don’t know exist and wil never be able to see. This is an incredibly large scale project and if anyone has the heart to pull it off it is stillmotion. I made it sound like you are superheros and to some freed slaves I don’t know what else you might call Vivian.
Nic, you’re the best! You’ve been so supportive to us here on the blog and we appreciate your kinds words every time. Will we see you at the workshop and/or premiere?
Thanks Nic. Looking forward to working with you to help get this out there
P.
This is SO exciting! And I’m so so SO happy you’re coming to BOSTON! Woohoo!
Joni – will you be there? The workshop or Premiere? I’m excited to meet all of you in person
P.
Ya Joni. We’ll be there with our friends from LensProToGo 🙂 That is their home town
P.
Hi guys – was just checking in to see what you’ve been up to lately. You’ve been busy! This film looks amazing and I wish you all the best in getting her story out. The trailer is incredibly effective. I am inspired to do something real . I hope that many others will be too.
Woohoo it’s the famous Amy? How are things?!?!
Can you really be famous for simply getting hitched?! Haha yes then I’m the one. Seems a few “minor” changes since I last saw you all. Same heart, but bigger projects 🙂 We’re doing very well thanks, living in London now, eating loads of fish and chips and enjoying the weather. This is all so exciting, very proud of you guys, and wish you all the best!
Very cool. We have to get together for fish and chips next time we are in London!
P.
The trailer looks amazing! I’ll be at the Hollywood premiere.
Tech question: what was your workflow with the C100? Did you record to an external recorder?
Hey Matt,
We use the Ninja2 for our interviews and several other shoots, but it is probably only a 1/3 of the final footage in the film, if that. Definitely like what it adds, but we always chose speed first, so we didn’t use it for many shoots that were on the run.
So we either imported the ProResLT Ninja2 files or imported from an SD card, transcoded to ProResLT and then brought it in to FCP7.
P.
If you guys are planning to do something international, remember you have friends in Peru 🙂
We’ll do as much sharing as we can over here.
Your everyday work is truly inspiring!
Hugs <3
Any way I can get you guys in Oklahoma City for this film?
Who do I have to beg?
The Oklahoma City Museum of Arts shows films throughout the year and this would fit right in!
If not, I’ll just patiently wait till it’s available to purchase.
If you want really want to explore this (no need to beg), send me an email and we will see if there is room to add it as a Premiere.
patrick AT stillmotion.ca
Thanks for your excitement and passion to help us get this out there
P.
Amazing. Props to everyone involved for spreading the word about such an important issue and doing it in a compelling way. This trailer looks great. See you in Detroit.
Thanks Brian. We’ll see you there 🙂
P.
It’s incredibly inspiring to read about the stories you’ve all shared here in just a few days and the dreamer in me can’t help but wonder how amazing it would be, how many lives would be touched and how people would be moved to action when all of these films are made.
I really connected with what David Hinse is doing with the students in his cinematography class, in guiding them to tell their own stories that matter to them. Very cool. So David, we’d love to send you a KNOW field guide as a thank you for sharing your story with us. We’d love to see some of these films you guys make one day 🙂
So, as a wanna be filmmaker and a participant of your first Know Tour and the first 10week class, I am impressed. As a psychologist who knows these stories and the workings of the heart….
I am proud to be associated with your hearts in the ether sphere of transpersonal spirit.
Meaning this work will go on and live in the hearts of many and change people.
Peace.
Instantly the trailer made me cry happy but sad tears but touching to say the least . Love it if u came to slc utah !