PRESS RELEASE                                         Today’s Date: September 7, 2011    
Contact: Beth Harrington                                Phone: 503-260-7020

Carole Dean of From the Heart Productions is pleased to announce that independent filmmaker Beth Harrington is this year’s recipient of the Roy W. Dean NYC Grant.  Harrington’s film is The Winding Stream  - The Carters, the Cashes and the Course of Country Music. This feature-length music documentary will benefit from over $30,000 in in-kind services from a variety of donors in the film industry. 

About the Film

The Winding Stream is the story of the dynastic family at the heart of American roots music. Starting with the seminal Original Carter Family (AP, Sara, Maybelle), the film traces the ebb and flow of their influence, the transformation of that act into the Carter Sisters, the marital alliance with legend Johnny Cash and the efforts of present-day family to keep this musical legacy alive. The film features interviews and performances by a wide-range of artists including Johnny Cash and June Carter, Rosanne Cash, George Jones, Kris Kristofferson, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Carolina Chocolate Drops and many others.

To learn more about the film, visit: www.thewindingstream.com

About the Filmmaker

Beth Harrington has been producing, directing and writing documentary work for over 30 years. Her focus is on American culture, music and history. Her most recent independent production, Welcome to the Club – The Women of Rockabilly, a film about the pioneering women of rock & roll has been seen on public television and at film festivals in the US and abroad and was honored with a 2003 Grammy nomination in the Best Long Form Video category. An Emmy nominee several times over, she has worked both independently and on contract for PBS through WGBH in Boston and Oregon Public Broadcasting. To learn more about Beth Harrington’s film work, visit: www.bethharrington.com

About the Roy W. Dean Grant

In 1992 Carole created the Roy W. Dean Grant Foundation in honor of her late father. To date Carole's grant and mentorship programs have provided filmmakers with millions of dollars in goods and services and have played an instrumental role in establishing the careers of some of the industry's most promising filmmakers. From the Heart has given close to $2,000,000 in over 35 grants. Films sponsored by the Roy W. Dean grants include "A Chance to Grow" and "Salvaged Lives" (Discovery Channel) "Save A Man to Fight" (History Channel), "The Flute Player", “In My Corner”, "Homeland", "Shakespeare Behind Bars" and “Halstead Street” (PBS), "Stolen" (Court TV), and "All Power to the People" (Starz) to mention a few. For more information on this grant visit: www.fromtheheartproductions.com

CONTACT: Pilar Walsh FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Marketing & Promotions DATE: July 25, 2011
(310)559-5017

INDIE GO-GO and FROM THE HEART PRODUCTIONS JOIN FORCES

Helping Put Independent Filmmakers on the Map

Carole Dean, owner and operator of From the Heart Productions, a non-profit helping hundreds of filmmakers over the years, has joined with Indie Go-Go in a partnership that will provide numerous benefits to all films that are covered by our fiscal sponsorships. www.indiegogo.com www.fromtheheartproductions.com

Indie Go-Go(IGG) provides fundraising, promotion and discovery tools to the film and media industry. From the Heart Productions(FTHP) is a non-profit and a fiscal sponsor to qualifying filmmakers. With the two combining forces, filmmakers will not be charged the 5% penalty if they don't hit your goal. They will receive all the money they raise less their fees through FTHP bi-weekly and all donors receive a tax write-off.

FTHP is the 4^th company to be given a partnership with IGG and this will prove to be beneficial to emerging film companies like SouLucet Films, who will be launching a campaign on Indie Go-Go for their documentary "The Eternal Rhythm", and established ones like Jilann Spitzmiller, who's films, Shakespeare Behind Bars and Homeland have had great success with help from FTH, for example being picked up by PBS.

Crowd-funding through IGG is now in 140 countries and payment through PayPal allows the filmmaker to receive their money from people all over the world. This in turn, acts as a grassroots effort to not only build fans for the films but also create income for production.

Carole Dean is also an author and mentor, whose two books are considered essential for any filmmaker, The Art of Manifesting: Creating Your Life and The Art of Film Funding, of which a third edition is on the brink of publication with many new contributions from relevant and up to date experts in all areas of filmmaking. She is also responsible for assisting many filmmakers, providing a film grant she awards every year in the name of her father, the Roy W. Dean Film Grant.

As demand for niche content continues to grow, social media becomes increasingly ubiquitous and distribution channels continue to proliferate, the opportunity and importance for filmmakers to connect with audiences for assistance with fundraising and promotion will only expand. This is vital for the creative filmmakers who want to bring their art out into the marketplace, keep control of their project, learn to (Do-It-With-Others) DIWO and share the passion.

December 2010:
Upcoming documentary "Burned" wins 2010 Roy W. Dean Los Angeles Film Grant

(San Francisco, CA) - "Burned," a new documentary feature directed by the producer of "Who Killed the Electric Car?", is the recipient of this year's Roy W. Dean Los Angeles Film Grant. The grant, offered to one outstanding film a year, will provide over $30,000 in services.

"Burned," by director/producer Jessie Deeter and producer/editor Sara Maamouri, addresses the possible wrongful execution of a Texas man, Cameron Todd Willingham. Despite reliable evidence indicating his innocence, he was executed for the arson deaths of his three young children, and is now at the center of the national debate about the death penalty. "Burned" tells his story, from the flawed investigation and community vilification that led to his arrest, through the lightning fast trial and the many years of hopeless appeals and lets the audience be the jury in this controversial case.   

"The instant Jessie told me about this story, I knew we had to make this film," says Maamouri.  "We've been pushing ahead on this film since January 2010, with minimal financial support, thanks to the belief and dedication of the entire Burned team.  It's such an honour to have our hard work recognized and for opportunity to work with this group of talented donors while finishing the film."

From the Heart Productions is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1992 by Carole Dean and dedicated to funding films that are unique and make a contribution to society. The Roy W. Dean Grant, named for Carole Dean's father, has been given to important documentary films for 16 years.  Services and consultations donated by a select group of companies, including Edgewise Media, Analogue Digital, Silver Sound, Writer's Boot Camp and BIG VISION, Hi Def studios, will be instrumental in the completion of Deeter's film.

Contact: Producer Sara Maamouri burned@saramaamouri.com or 510.418.7171

October 2010

CATHRYNE CZUBEK's documentary, "A GIRL AND A GUN," wins
2010 ROY W. DEAN NEW YORK VIDEO GRANT

(New York, NY) - "A Girl and A Gun," a new documentary feature directed by Cathryne Czubek, is the recipient of this year's Roy W. Dean New York City grant.

"A Girl and A Gun," (director/producer Cathryne Czubek; producer Jessica Wolfson; editor Kristin Rodriguez) explores the complex relationship between women and their guns. Filmed throughout America, this documentary delves deep into the psyche of the American gun world, capturing its transformation from subculture to mainstream as women arm themselves in rapidly high numbers. This hotly debated topic is particularly pertinent when viewed in the context of the recent court ruling that upholds the right to own guns for self-defense.

Penetrating far beyond Hollywood's hyper-sexualized gun-toting goddesses, "A Girl and A Gun," candidly portrays the modern American woman through intimate portraits that revolve around fundamental issues of preservation, power, feminism and violence. The narrative highlights four women whose lives have been irrevocably touched by firearms. A Bronx social worker substitutes pistols for her loss of physical power; a gun-control activist from New Jersey reversed her stance on owning weapons after a stray bullet paralyzed her daughter; despite losing her brother in a hunting accident, a Tennessee nurse sees her own hunting as the ultimate way to provide for her family; a graphic designer from New Hampshire survived a violent rape in her thirties, and when she was viciously attacked again - she was prepared. "The second time, I had a gun."

"I set out to make a movie that clearly and objectively depicts the fascinating and conflicting relationship women have with their guns. It's a subject that's kept me riveted in recent years and I'm honored and grateful to have my work validated," says Czubek.

For the last 17 years Carole Dean and From the Heart Productions have awarded this coveted and prestigious grant annually to one film that "exposes and brings important information to light". Services and consultations donated by a select group of companies, including Edgewise Media, Analogue Digital, Silver Sound and Writer's Boot Camp will accelerate the completion of Czubek's film.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9, 2008

Press Release: From the Heart Productions has awarded Slavenska Dance Preservation the 2009 Roy W. Dean Los Angeles Video Grant for its documentary feature Mia, A Dancer's Odyssey, on the life of the celebrated 20th century émigré ballerina, Mia Slavenska. The grant will provide over $35,000 in post-production services. From the Heart Productions is a non-profit organization dedicated to funding films that are "unique and make a contribution to society."

PAULA ELY, “THE MONEY STONE,” NAMED WINNER OF 2008 ROY DEAN LOS ANGELES VIDEO GRANT

(Los Angeles, CA) - “The Money Stone,” a new documentary feature, has received the 2008 Roy W. Dean Los Angeles Video Grant. The grant is awarded annually by Carole Dean and From the Heart Productions. The filmmakers will receive goods and services valued at more than $30,000 from a variety of donors, including Universal Studios Sound, Lightning Dubs, and Edgewise, among many others.

“The Money Stone,” produced by Paula Ely and directed by Stuart Harmon, brings to light one of the world’s most hazardous professions -- the galamsey gold miners of Ghana. Across the globe, an estimated 13 million men, women and children dig hundreds of feet underground as small-scale miners, risking life and limb to scrape together a meager living in the most dangerous of working conditions. Ghana’s illegal gold mining industry has become one of the largest to date, employing nearly one million people nationwide. Despite the seemingly obvious dangers, these laborers have little knowledge of the implications of their work to their health and the communities around them. The hazardous and destructive methods used by the miners have created an environmental threat of epic proportions, contributing to an industry that has become globally the largest single emitter of mercury to the environment. Today, nearly one-quarter of the world’s gold output is estimated to originate from small-scale mining, yet few in the West know the story behind how this precious metal is obtained and at what personal and environmental cost.

Galamsey, taken roughly from the English “gather and sell,” is an age-old gold mining tradition in Ghana that dates back well before European colonizers. Most of the "galamsey" miners enter the dangerous profession of illegal gold mining for the same reason -- poverty and the perpetual search for work in a nation stricken by poverty. “The Money Stone” tells the story of the galamsey through the eyes of three characters. Justice, a 20 year-old galamsey digger, climbs down a four-foot square hole to pull gold-laden quartz rock out of the earth, eager to earn quick cash and go to trade school. Abdul, a 23 year-old miller, enjoys owning a galamsey mill because of the prosperity it has brought to his life but is unaware of the dangers that the dust and the mercury used to purify the gold pose to his health. Emmanuel, 19, joins a galamsey refinery in hopes of one day abandoning the job and going to the university.

From the Heart Productions is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1992 by Carole Dean and dedicated to funding films that are unique and make a contribution to society. The Roy W. Dean Grant, named for Carole Dean’s father, has been given to important documentary films for 16 years.

“We are thrilled to be this year’s recipient of the Roy W. Dean Grant,” says Ms. Ely. “We’re grateful to Carole and her team for their support and faith in “The Money Stone” and the contributions we’ll receive will help us to bring the film to the next level. It has been a pleasure to collaborate with Stuart Harmon on this important but little-known story, and we’re excited to complete the film and share it with an audience. We hope that by telling the galamsey story, we might begin a conversation about improving the conditions in small-scale mining communities worldwide. ”

 
Winner of the LA Film Grant for 2009

SHAKESPEARE HIGH Producers Brad Kopenick, Lori Miller, and Alex Rotaru, and Director Alex Rotaru

"Shakespeare High", is a feature-length documentary about a group of teens in Southern California whose lives are profoundly changed by learning, and then performing Shakespeare in the 90th Annual DTASC Shakespeare Competition. The film follows several students - mainly underserved, and from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, and explores how their dedication to drama provides them the purpose and passion to overcome great challenges.

Amongst the teens chronicled include Tosh from East Los Angeles, a former gangbanger whose discovery of drama rescued him and diverted him to follow his passion, stay in high school, and get good grades. In the high desert town of Hesperia, African American football stars twins Galvin and Melvin found Shakespeare after their father murdered their mother during an acrimonious divorce. They are drawn to the violent nature of Othello because it helps them release repressed traumatic feelings in ways they didn't think possible. Nicole - earnest and wise-beyond-her-years - is consumed by her drama studies. Her mother suffers from a terminal disease, and her family is broke. She can't afford to go to a four-year liberal arts college to pursue her dream career, and despairs that she'll never get out of her small town.

These are but a few of the thousands of stories of Southern California high school students who compete in the DTASC Shakespeare Festival. After we meet and hear these inspirational and emotional tales, we follow our protagonists to the competition and watch as months of arduous preparation culminate in a single, frantic day - when performances are judged by an expert jury/verdicts rendered/dreams ended/prizes won - and careers begun...
Contact: Lori Miller, Producer lorikmiller@earthlink.net


EMERGING APPALACHIAN FILMMAKER AND DIRECTOR OF THE COAL WAR WINS THE ROY W. DEAN NEW YORK FILM GRANT

Chad A. Stevens, aspiring Appalachian filmmaker, is the recipient of the 2009 Roy W. Dean New York Film Grant, "one of the largest film grant competitions in the world."

The film, The Coal War, directed and produced by Chad A. Stevens, is the story of a symbol: one mountain destined to be destroyed by the coal industry and one woman's struggle to save Coal River Mountain by creating the first sustainable energy project in the Appalachian coalfields, the Coal River Wind Farm. The film follows the story of Lorelei Scarbro and the Coal River Wind Campaign through to the final showdown - protests on the mountain, in a court of law, in the state legislature, in the governor's office, and in the national offices of the EPA. As Scarbro says, "This is a David versus Goliath story. I know what we are doing is right, but just because you are right doesn't mean you'll win."

The grant, which funds "films that expose and bring important information to light," awards recipients an array of products, services and consultations from these New York area sponsors:

$500.00 free budgeting consultation with Norman C. Berns
30% discount on original music by John Keltonic
$5,000 in studio and editing for a 5 minute promo tape from Metro Access.
$3,000 in Equipment rental from: Abel Cine Tech Inc.
$2,700 in rentals including a light package from: Unilux Inc.
$1,600 value / sound mix session from: Silver Sound.
$1,500 in services from Analogue Digital Intl, Inc., NY. Editing when available or duplication, you provide tapes.
$1,400 audio equipment rental from: AAA Communications.
$1,000 in voice over services from Claire Papin
$750 value of fundraising consultation from: C'est Fou!
$500 in tape stock from Edgewise Media.
$500 new web site by Silke Mayer
50% off ($400 value) for a story structure consultation with Fernanda Rossi, The Documentary Doctor.
25% reduction in legal fees from Hal "Corky" Kessler, producer/attorney
$279 in free storyboarding software from PowerProduction.
$149 ProductionPro Budget program the only tool designed for the non-studio filmmaker and packed with power demanded by pros. Includes the industry's only drop and drag rate book!
7 Day free rental of Panasonic AGDVX 100 Camera From DCTVNY

CONTACT: Pilar Walsh		FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Marketing & Promotions		DATE: August 24, 2011
310-559-5017

GOOGLE SUPPORTS FILMS & FILMMAKERS WITH MARKETING GRANT

From the Heart Productions, Inc. has been awarded a Google grant. Google gave free advertising for one year. This allows FTH to advertising their fiscal sponsorship opportunities and their three grants, east coast closing 4/30 and the two west coast grants closing 6/30 and 8/30. www.fromtheheartproductions.com www.google.com

This is an opportunity to reach filmmakers who need fiscal sponsorships. From the Heart gives personal consultations to any film they sponsor. With almost 20 years of giving grants, they teach you how to create an award-winning proposal, develop a film-funding pitch and learn how to make a successful “ask” for money.

The non-profit was created to support films that are unique and make a contribution to society. Over 30 grants have been awarded to emerging filmmakers who have successfully created films with strong characters and important content.

From the Heart’s mission is to empower filmmakers through their grants and fiscal sponsorships with free consultations, and now they have an incredible partnership with Indiegogo. This partnership allows FTH to sponsor films for crowd-funding without any penalty if they don’t reach their goals. All filmmakers get paid bi-monthly. Knowing how to mount a successful campaign is on the FTH web site, and specific information is given to filmmakers who become fiscally sponsored by them.

FTH has created a comprehensive outline of how to successfully crowd fund. Through the donation from Google, they have been able to reach more students and emerging filmmakers.

“Because of Google’s generous gift, FTH will be able to increase donations to the film grants and move films into production faster. “ ---- Carole Dean, President-- August 2011