SSI & PUNC PASS MILESTONE!

1. SSI & PUNC Pass Milestone!

Congratulations to the participants of the Producing Unique New Creators (PUNC) program, on completing principal photography on the production Uncharted Freedom!

Uncharted Freedom: Trapped between a hostile past and an uncertain future, Elena and Morgan forge an unbreakable bond on a 46-foot sailboat, finding solace, adventure, and true devotion as they sail towards Montenegro - their last safe haven.

Uncharted Freedom is a documentary series - over 100 days in prep and production. On October 30, the project will officially move into post production. We have reached the first milestone of this project - and of SSI’s PUNC program.

Uncharted Freedom is created - except for the two Showrunners (myself and Diamond Monique Washington) - solely by PUNC participants. These are not film school students, but working professionals who come to SSI so that they can be mentored and get thorough and broad experience on productions which will have an impact. They range in all have professional experience and attitude which shows that with the skills and contacts they develop through PUNC, they will be able to make their own mark on the industry.

Uncharted Freedom is a different documentary/unscripted show. Not only is the subject matter unusual, but the entire production is a remote and decentralized affair. Production office is in Los Angeles, editors in Kansas and Toronto, communications in Austin, and camera and talent on board a 46 foot sailboat as it crossed from the Caribbean to Montenegro through 2 hurricanes, 3 tropical storms, lighting strikes, on-board fires, near collisions, boarding by officials, and more. Footage uploaded to production along the way.

We will have interviews with each of them in future newsletters, but here we congratulate these crew: Assistant Story Producer Ishaan Teja, Communications & Press Coordinator Christina Cooper, Production Coordinators Steve Hays and Dara Ghorban, Producing Intern Kareem Ghaleb. and Associate Producer Matthew Frazier. Special thanks to Mary Knight Baker and to the project’s sponsor Predict Wind.

 Links: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37387500/ and https://stagescreen.org/punc-uncharted-freedom

Uncharted Freedom is a compelling story worth telling. The people involved are committed to it, and they all have stories of their own they intend to get to the world.

NOTE that Uncharted Freedom, and the entire SSI program, has moved forward despite this being one of the worst years for non-profit donations ever, and despite almost all grants being suspended. It is proof of the commitment of the people behind SSI and of the type of people our programs develop. If you have been considering supporting SSI, you can see your support won’t be wasted. See our note on tax season below.

USE PUNC PARTICIPANTS ON YOUR PRODUCTION! PUNC particpants are not student filmmakers. They have skills already. Most completed film school, and most have already completed films of their own. Our most senior participant, Steve Hayes, conceived and produced 3 seasons of True Ghost Stories, which is in distribution now. PUNC participants have what it takes to succeed, and they are invested in doing excellent work. They do have to be paid - but at very low rates that reduce your production budget. They do it for the broad experience they get, for the networking they get, and for the ongoing feedback and in-process mentorship that comes along with the program.

Contact Shadow Dragu-Mihai to learn how to have PUNC participants on your show.

This is YOUR industry. Take control. Empower others.

2. The Revolution (FilmPods Update)

FilmPod continues to move forward. We anticipate beginning to distribute DBO advance tickets in November. We are however, still in the continual funding mode which normally takes several years.

We are offering introduction fees to anyone who introduces us to appropriate investors and funders at any level.

3. Remember: Use & Recommend IPG Members For Production Services.

When you need a hands-on Supervising or Line Producer, development and packaging services - budgets and schedules, or even script analysis - prefer and recommend IPG.

You can schedule a free consult with IPG services at https://independentproducersguild.org/services-production to find out if you even need services.

As well - IPG members who are industry professionals and available to offer their services to production - let us know. You should be listed on the IPG site!

4. Time To Plan End Of Year Taxes - Get Your Tax Receipt NOW before the holiday season makes it impossible.

Stage And Screen Innovations has made huge strides this year, even considering grants organizations have virtually all frozen funding, and donors have been lower than ever. We need the support now and ongoing to continue and expand our programs. SSI has shown it will not waste time - the organizers put their money (so to speak) where their mouths are. Support us now with a donation - get your tax receipt, and help the next generation of influential creators get the skills they need to make a difference. Go to https://stagescreen.org to make a donation your way!