Better Government Association
Better government is up to us! An open letter from the BGA family to inspire all of us to step up, get informed and get engaged in bringing better government to Illinois. Find out more at http://www.bettergov.org http://www.facebook.com/bettergov http://www.twitter.com/bettergov donate: http://bga.convio.net/site/Donation2?1580.donation=form1&df_id=1580
THE TIME I HAVE
#BETTERGOVERNMENTISUPTOUS
INT. MCDONALDS CORPORATION; DAY
Andy McKenna is seated at a desk. He is writing a letter. As we see him write, we begin to see him speak. The letter is written to our audience. The goal: Inspire action and civic engagement through working with the Better Government Association. We see our BGA family, employees, interns, sponsors, watchdogs and community reading the letter in their own voices. Rooted in a historical backdrop, The Time I Have, will aim to educate on the lack of civic engagement in Illinois while making a plea for why the responsibility is on us to create better government.
(Note:This film requires a password to view. We are currently working on licensing for the historical elements of the film. Please call us to get more information.)
PROCESS
The BGA approached us after viewing Revolution in my Backyard, a fundraising film that our team created for The Shriver Center. They were moved by our ability to give the mission heart and soul. When we initially met we had less than two months to create a film of the same caliber. Our team needed a concept that could be produced quickly without compromising the production value. Our non-profit film director Melissa Fox drew up a script for The Time I Have based on a short poem she wrote after completing Revolution in my Backyard. The poem was then adapted into a letter that becomes the basic construct for the film. When pitched the idea to Andy Shaw and Mary Frances O'Connor, the LOVED it, so away we went. A script was written, approved and pushed into production.
PRODUCTION
Production moved quickly. We shot and edited a two month project in two weeks. We collaborated with the BGA and ABC Studios to collect historical footage for our film. Filming took place over the course of two weeks. Our team worked with each community member to get emotional reads of the letter. Lots of coffee, late nights and sunrise shoots later we found ourselves at their annual fundraising luncheon at the Fairmont Hotel awaiting our screening.
RESULTS
Andy Shaw beautifully introduced the film and the theme for the luncheon. You could hear a pin drop in the audience as it played. Afterwards their guest speaker David Muir referenced our film on stage during his interview. We would call that a success. Once the numbers for the event and it's impact come in, we will post them here.
“CONGRATS ON A TERRIFIC VIDEO! IT WAS A MOVING, COMPELLING CALL TO ACTION FOR THOSE WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE WISH TO SIT BACK AND LET OTHERS TAKE CARE OF THINGS. THE VIDEO’S SUCCESS STEMMED IN LARGE PART BECAUSE ITS CREATORS, FIG MEDIA, “GET IT.” THE FIG TEAM BEAUTIFULLY INFUSED THE BGA’S MESSAGE CONCERNING ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY. EVERYONE “GOT IT.” A GOOD 45 MINUTES AFTER IT WAS SHOWN, THE EVENT’S FEATURED SPEAKER, DAVID MUIR, EVEN REFERRED BACK TO THE VIDEO IN RELEVANT AND COMPLEMENTARY WORDS TO EMPHASIZE ITS MESSAGE. THAT’S HIGH PRAISE COMING FROM ABC’S LEAD ANCHOR FOR THEIR EVENING NETWORK NEWS!””
— THOMAS S. TERRY - THE TERRY GROUP
Executive Producers | Andy Shaw, Mary Frances O'Connor | Fig Producers | Megan Taylor, James Gustin, Michele Gustin | Director, D.P, Editor | Melissa Fox | Cast | Andy McKenna, Non-executive Chairman, McDonalds Corporation and Schwartz Supply Source |John Canning |Chairman, Madison Dearborn Partners | Kadeja Tyler, BGA Intern | Alden Loury, BGA Senior Policy Analyst | Serethea & Ron Reid, BGA Watchdogs | Lindsey and Theo Schroedter, BGA Family | Kayla McCormick |Archive Material | ABC STUDIOS, MIKVA CHALLENGE, FREE SPIRIT MEDIA | Music Licence | Audio Jungle
