Rochester Movie Makers may be a group you’ve never heard of before. Most people think of Hollywood, New York City or Toronto when they think about where films are made and where their history lays. I think of Rochester, NY. Maybe I’m biased as I’ve grown up here, but where would film be without the landmark contributions from George Eastman and Kodak.
Over the past few decades Kodak has become a smaller company and film is starting to be overtaken by digital. I have to admit I’m of those who use digital although for that I would primarily blame my economic status. Even with these circumstances there are still those of us who believe Rochester holds great untapped talent and should be one of those primary hubs of film that people think of. This is where RMM (Rochester Movie Makers) comes in.
I discovered RMM almost a year a go now. One of their goals is to get more people interested in making films within Rochester. More importantly they actually get people with the interest in film involved! When Walk the Dream decided we should make our film not for profit it seemed only natural to approach Stan Main the head of RMM. Our idea was to raise money through RMM’s 501-C3 charitable status to make WTD then donate profits from the film back to RMM. In laymen’s terms this means we could take 100% tax deductible donations to make WTD and then if the film was successful we could donate profits from it back to RMM to help it flourish as well.
The general assembly of Rochester Movie Makers voted and although it was not unanimous the idea passed by a landslide. My dream is that we can do well enough with this project to allow Rochester Movie Makers to fund other non-profit films as well as purchase equipment and space to loan out to local film makers who want a shot at making a movie. Although WTD will have to do very well for this dream to become a reality I have had so much positive feed back from so many people I truly believe this dream is possible.
Of course now we have the daunting task of finding enough donations to support our Walk the Dream project. So far we’ve been fortunate to be blessed with such wonderful friends and family. As well as numerous sponsors who are providing equipment or services for us. It is not in my character to ask for much however I have learned to make this dream possible we have to ask for donations, help securing sponsorships or even suggestions of people to contact or ways of raising money. And although I don’t enjoy asking people I have only been met with the kindest responses. People are more than willing to help or at least give helpful advice or suggestions. I am a generally cynical person and these types of reactions have let me see how thoughtful people can be to complete strangers.
So although this will be the only time I mention it within my journal if you would like to donate you can through our website, facebook or RMM’s website (www.rochestermoviemakers.com) And if you have any suggestions of places to find sponsorships, companies that might want to be involved or friends who support the arts please write me at walkthedreamusa@gmail.com I want to thank everyone who has helped thus far and all those who are thinking of us. Film is a collaborative effort but this project in particular is taking dozens and I have no doubt by the end it will be hundreds or thousands of people to come to life.
