Introduction: what the project is not

“Race: Across America” is, first and foremost, not a documentary about Barack Obama, or about his presidential campaign. Instead, the filmmakers will use the Obama candidacy as the backdrop for a broader discussion on race, and how ordinary Americans view our collective progress – or lack thereof – on this perennial thorn in our nation’s history.

About the film

“Race: Across America” will document a two week road trip, as filmmakers Jason Reid and Joy-Ann (Joy) Reid travel from Broward County, Florida to Denver, Colorado, during the week of the Democratic National Convention August 25 - 28, when the Illinois Senator will become the first African-American to accept the presidential nomination of a major American political party. The purpose of the film is not to document the nomination, but rather the reaction of ordinary Americans to it, and to the subject of race in American life and politics.

The filmmakers will travel more than 2,000 miles from Pembroke Pines, Florida, through 10 U.S. cities:

Fort Lauderdale, FL - Gainesville, FL - Atlanta, GA - Nashville, TN - Louisville, KY

Chicago, IL - St. Louis, MO - Kansas City, MO - Wichita, KS - Denver, CO

Along the way, they will document the opinions of experts, politicians, and ordinary people, asking pointed questions not only about the election, but about race relations, America’s image in the world, and other issues of social importance.

Sample questions:

Some of the interviews in the film will be “man on the street.” Passers-by will be shown a picture of Obama and asked who it is. After that, respondents will be asked one or more questions, such as:

• Is America ready for a black president? Why or why not?
• Do you know anyone who thinks the country is not ready for a black president?
• When you were growing up, did you ever think about America having a black president?
• Do you know anyone who has racist views?
• Do you think black people are sometimes racist?
• What do you think having a black president would say about America?
• Does the race of the candidates make a difference?
• Would Obama becoming president change the way you look at black people?
• Has Obama’s candidacy changed the way you see yourself? (African-Americans)
• Do you intend to vote for Obama? Why or why not?
• Is race a factor in your decision on who to vote for?
• In the last 20 years, do you think race relations in America have gotten better, or worse?

For other interviews, the filmmakers will seek out researchers, college professors, political leaders and campaign operatives, volunteers and activists, to get their take on how race impacts America’s politics. Once in Denver, the filmmakers will document the city’s reaction to hosting the historic convention, which will culminate in Obama’s acceptance of the nomination on the 45th anniversary of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream speech” on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963. The filmmakers will interview civic and political leaders, party elders, Republican leaders, media personalities, members of state delegations and ordinary citizens.

The result will be a one-and-a-half hour documentary about the personal, regional and national impact of race and politics as exemplified by the Obama candidacy, which – win or lose – will have changed the course of U.S. history.

Production

“Race: Across America” will be shot in high definition video (HD) using a Canon XL H1 HD camcorder, known for its superior Canon optics and exceptional image quality and lenses. Principal photography will last six (6) days.

Post-production

The film will be edited in-house by IMAGELAB using our Mac-based editing systems running Final Cut Pro.

Product placement

Product placement opportunities are available in the following areas:

• Car rental
• Automobile
• Oil and gas (gas cards)
• Food and beverage
• Hotel
• Airline (return flight from Denver)

Jason and Joy-Ann Reid have more than 20 years experience in film production and journalism, having worked for major media companies such as The Discovery Channel, NBC News, the Miami Herald and Radio One. Together, they are currently in production on the historical documentary series, “The American Cities Project” for public television, and are the producers of “the African-American Heritage Trail.” They have also produced award-winning television programs for New York regional station WNYE and Bermuda’s TV9. They are currently producing “The American Cities Project,” an historical documentary series about the history of African-Americans in major cities including Miami, Florida.

Jason Reid (director/editor) has been a senior editor at the Discovery Channel for more than ten years, performing post-production for cable television programs for the U.S. and Latin American markets. Prior to that, he was an editor for major post-production houses in New York and Miami, including Click3X New York and Post Edge, serving clients from Miramax Films to Federated Department Stores. He holds a B.A. in video production from New York’s School of Visual Arts in 1993.

Joy-Ann Reid (writer/producer) is a longtime journalist who served as senior web producer for NBC News and Internet Broadcasting Service from 2000 to 2004. She is a former freelance columnist for the Miami Herald, produced and hosted local talk radio programs for Radio One, and writes for a number of publications, including the South Florida Times. She graduated from Harvard University’s Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts with a B.A. in documentary film and visual arts in 1991.

Contact IMAGELAB

For more information about the film, budget or product placement, contact Joy Reid at joy@imagelabonline.net, or 954-558-9762.