After years of fighting to build their homes in the Lower East Side, the squatters had to go to war for their neighborhood.
If I were more extroverted, I would have made a personal plea in the video. That's the prevailing wisdom, anyway. It's said that you're investing in me, not the project. But, in this case, I think that prevailing idea is incorrect.
In this case, you're investing in a story. I discovered this story while on a job (I'm a gaffer). I was talking to the generator-operator about how much the city had changed as we sat outside the Cheyenne Diner on 33rd and Ninth in December 2008. I told him about my old place on 37th St - a partially converted garment factory and then he started to tell me his story.
His story was a lot more interesting. With his story and video footage, I began to carve out this piece of history. It's an unbelievable tale of a New York that is long gone and quickly fading from memory entirely.
Now, with the opportunity to adapt a seminal graphic novel on the subject into the narrative, I am seeking funding and the chance to make this piece richer and more open.
Without a doubt I spent too much time and energy trying to make myself look more professional than I am by grinding out the trailer, but if you feel that you're investing in me by funding this project - then rest assured, I'm the type of guy who will spend the time to get it as close to good as I can. Even if it takes time and thousands of tiny mistakes.
I invested in this story because it's a gem about a city that doesn't really exist any longer. And it never will again. No one can bring back the old New York. But we can tell stories about it and we can reveal and enlighten many about why we loved this filthy, abandoned, American place. Time and place are things we can't hold onto. But, telling the stories about time and place is a revelatory means of connecting us.
It's a story from the past that's going to open eyes to the present.
The money raised from this fundraising effort will go first to purchasing the rights to a graphic novel by a noted Lower East Side author. Any funds in excess of the drive's goals will be used for shooting days and post-production investment.
Risks and challenges Learn about accountability on Kickstarter
I've been grinding this out through interviews and research for five-and-a-half years. Through the first years of my daughters life; through a strike that stalled my wife's career and through The Great Recession, I was always grinding. I read books, watched movies, saw people come and go, die, get flooded out of their homes and otherwise just disappear. All to get this done. I've stopped counting the mistakes I've made long ago and I'm still grinding this out.
You can make it a lot easier just by joining me. It's not really about the money but the money will make it much richer. So, my challenge is a challenge: Do you want to tell this story? Because I'm going to tell this story. And I'd really like you to grind it out with me.
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Pledge $9 or more
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The Backer's Button. The best way to show your solidarity. I have one from 'Flex is Kings' - a project I backed and I really like having it around. And, it's reminiscent of the band buttons of the era. So, that's a bonus.
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Pledge $13 or more
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the download and the button. wear your button, watch the video with a friend. or alone. *The physical items will be delivered in November, the download and DVD will be shipped upon its completion. Approx July 2015
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Pledge $29 or more
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The DVD package, the download and the button. You see where this is going. The next one is the one with the t shirt. *The physical items will be delivered in November, the download and DVD will be shipped upon its completion. Approx July 2015
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Pledge $49 or more
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All of the above plus the tshirt. It's pretty cool. It's a 'squatted' tourist tshirt with diy logo on it. Worth every penny. *The physical items will be delivered in November, the download and DVD will be shipped upon its completion. Approx July 2015
Estimated delivery:Only ships to: United States -
Pledge $99 or more
0 backers Limited (10 left of 10)
Double-bonus level! Limited Quanities: Jean jacket with a back swatch, the pin and the DVD. Complete DIY jacket reminiscent of the 90s LES. I find a jacket, put the swatch on it, stick the pin in it. It's glorious. Plus the download and DVD. *The physical items will be delivered in November, the download and DVD will be shipped upon its completion. Approx July 2015
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Pledge $249 or more
0 backers Limited (10 left of 10)
The Limited Edition Squatters DVD package. A small box, hand crafted from wood, metal and paint acquired from squatted sources. Suitable for hanging. Includes swatch and button and other items as made and found from the locations relevant to the story.
Estimated delivery:Only ships to: United States -
Pledge $399 or more
0 backers Limited (1 left of 1)
While researching this project, I met with Clayton Patterson, the singularly prolific archivist of the Lower East Side. I have two of his hats - made on his original machine. You'll never see anything like them. Excellent, collectible condition. Extraordinarily rare. Plus, button, T-shirt and standard DVD Package. *The physical items will be delivered in November, the download and DVD will be shipped upon its completion. Approx July 2015
Estimated delivery:Only ships to: United States -
Pledge $900 or more
0 backers Limited (1 left of 1)
I will give you my last Clayton Patterson hat plus a jacket with a swatch, button and an original squatted-material DVD Collection. You'd be right at home in the Lower East Side of 1995. *The physical items will be delivered in November, the download and DVD will be shipped upon its completion. Approx July 2015
Estimated delivery:Only ships to: United States
Funding period
- (29 days)
