Your Vision, Their Future: Help Breathe Life into PUNC

In January, I invited you all to join me in the work of the IPG.

TODAY, I am going to focus on just one of our programs, and invite you to join in supporting it in any way you can: The Producing Unique New Creators (PUNC) program. What is the PUNC program about?

“Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.” - Steve Jobs

You know first hand how much dedication it takes to breathe life into your unique vision. You know the long nights, the unwavering belief, the sheer will required to bring a story to the screen or stage.

Now, imagine empowering someone else to do the same.

 The PUNC program, created by our own Guild, is a beacon seeking to do just that. It finds the sparks of brilliance among underrepresented voices, the raw talent yearning for a chance to ignite. But sparks need fuel to burn bright, and eagles need wings to fly high.

 Recent funding cuts and expected cuts at the federal level cast a long shadow, threatening to dim the light of emerging creators before we are stable. We don’t need much yet, but what we need if vital. We stand at a crossroads: will we allow these visions to burn out, or will we offer them the chance to soar?

 This is Personal:

•  Your Echo Is Their Echo: You know the struggle, the triumph, the sheer magic of creation. By supporting PUNC, you are not giving a handout, you're offering a hand up, encouraging another talented creator to speak their voice and cause their own echo to ring throughout the world.

• Our Legacy Of Excellence: PUNC is our chance to etch our commitment to excellence into the very fabric of our industry; it is our chance to help talented individuals, who might not ever get the skills they need to succeed.

• Your Gift of Time, Funding, or In-kind: PUNC specifically identifies and develops talent among those who don’t have access to industry career opportunities. So your contribution is not a random a donation; it's a seed planted in fertile ground. Imagine the stories that will bloom, the perspectives that will shift, the art that will move us, because of your generous involvement in PUNC.

Will You Answer the Call?

• Your generosity will be wind beneath their wings.

• Your mentorship will be a guiding star on their journey.

• Your voice will help manifest their potential and amplify their effect.

 Join us. Let us ensure that important stories yet untold find their voice.

Current PUNC Participants You Should Know About

PUNC just launched and is building our support base now. Still, with limited resources and Stage And Screen Innovations’ visionary Artistic Director Diamond Monique Washington IPG, we are already preparing the first phase of our program. We have two well qualified participants:

Larissa E. - writer/producer of a new super-hero based series. Larissa is a young, talented writer and producer, with a unique vision, just beginning her career. Located in Oklahoma, she chose to begin producing her vision, without apologies or expectations of hand-outs, or waiting for someone to open a door for her. PUNC will circumvent decades of hard-knocks and give Larissa the skills and attitude she needs to sustain and succeed in this very tough industry. PUNC will help her open doors for this and future projects.

 Steve H. - creator/producer of True Ghost Stories (in it’s third season now). Steve is a veteran and has a long career as a first responder. Out of film school, he was told that his idea for a different kind of unscripted ghost-hunting show couldn’t be done. He did it anyway, and it’s now in its third season and growing in popularity. Steve has internalized an important attitude from his time in the military and in serving the community: an attitude that requires him to do what he can do in any situation, without reliance on others, because he may be the only one there to do it. PUNC will help Steve fill in the blanks of the byzantine film and tv industry. It will help him to be effective and avoid the myriad traps set for the inexperienced. It will help him create visions which inspire others.

 Steve and Larissa, different in age and with much different life experience, both exemplify the type of person that PUNC will empower. They are individuals who have their own voice. They have an attitude of, if not me, who? if not now, when? They don’t seek permission from the world to make their statement. Rather, they say, let’s see you try to stop me. They are the type of creator who will, given the right skills and guidance, make their way and change their world. In so doing, they will change the world for all of us, for the better.

 This is what you support when you support PUNC.

PUNC CALL OUT.

PUNC is looking for the next generation of talented voices. We have openings, in the Los Angeles area, for FOUR PARTICIPANTS: THREE on PUNC’s Producing path, and ONE on PUNC’s Directing path. Aspirants will undergo a rigorous assessment to include panel interview.

 It’s not easy to get into PUNC. We are training the next generation of leaders in the film industry. We are not a film school; we do not filter for those who can pay for courses (in fact, PUNC pays participants when requiring them to work certain on-set productions). PUNC filters for attitude, originality, and talent. Those are people who will change the world. Those are people the Guild needs, the industry needs, and those are people the world needs. Those are people who need & deserve your support.

If you know of a talented, smart, determined individual, over 18 years of age, who might benefit from the PUNC program and who could make a unique contribution to the art of movies or theatre, send them the stagescreen.org to apply.

 Share the Vision. Make It Your Vision, And Their Future: Breathe Life into PUNC

 UPCOMING PUNC PRODUCTION FOR YOUR SPECIFIC SUPPORT

“PUNC-01” - We have developed a short, 2 day production which will begin training for four new PUNC participants. PUNC-01 will be produced in the Los Angeles area. This work will be overseen by IPG members. Though short, it is to be a professional production. It will utilize professional personnel and on-screen talent at reasonable rates. It will be done in adherence to the best practices and procedures set out in the current IPG Members Handbook.

 YOU can support this production in the following ways*:

Financial support (the budget is reasonable for a professional two day shoot, but it is certainly not cheap. Budget will be revealed to committed donors)

In-kind support - this can bring down the financial requirement for the shoot. In-kind donations or lending of equipment or services such as:

• provision of grip or camera package (4K required, preference is for BlackMagic or Red camera package) - will be required for 2 day location shoot plus prep/wrap.

• Catering for cast/crew, and craft services

• Casting/rehearsal location(s)

• Hard drive arrays for data backup

• Audio package (boom, good shotgun mic and recording unit) 2 days plus prep/wrap)

 Already provided: post production facility, editing, sound effects foley, Line producing / production supervision are provided by Diamond Shadow Productions. Conduct of preparatory and follow-up seminars for PUNC participants is provided by PUNC proqram instructors.

 *Tax deductible receipt given for financial donations over $25 USD. In-kind donations may be eligible for tax receipts depending upon specifics of tax code. Paid product placement may be arranged. Acknowledgment and credit on-screen, in newsletter and in marketing materials for supporters is always given.

 Get involved, donate, sponsor or make an in-kind gift, and learn more at http://stagescreen.org/what-is-punc or contact Shadow Dragu-Mihai IPG or Diamond Monique Washington IPG at [email protected]

 Your Vision, Their Future: Breathe Life into PUNC