a Hard Row to Hoe - a documentary on Brother Dege

Purchase the finished documentary here for 19,99 €!

https://stuff.io/video/a-hard-row-to-hoe/

You will also get blockchain based ownership of one of the 2000 digital copies. If you have donated, send an email to us and we'll get you a free to watch link!

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Hello everyone,

My name is Lucas, and I'm a filmmaker based in Berlin. In 2016, I began shooting a documentary about my friend Dege Legg, also known as Brother Dege. He sadly passed away in March 2024.

Our friendship started when he allowed me to use one of his songs in my last skateboard film in 2015. In return, I filmed his show in Hamburg. This initial collaboration led to a deep friendship, and as a huge fan of his music, I joined him on tours across Europe and the US, capturing not just the performances but the vibrant life surrounding them.

Initially, the project was intended to be a straightforward music film. However, as I got to know Dege better, I discovered the profound and multifaceted aspects of his approach to life, which compelled me to delve deeper.

During his visits to Berlin, we shot music videos, and I spent weeks with him in New Orleans. Eventually, we began editing the documentary—a lengthy process. My friend Jonathan Peters handled the main editing, with my assistance wherever needed.

Realizing the need for more comprehensive footage, we employed a crew in Berlin to shoot a show using four cameras and an enhanced lighting setup. The pandemic extended our timeline, and financial and time constraints made it difficult to proceed.

By 2022, we had completed the documentary, which Dege approved. I had invested approximately €15,000 in rented gear, cameras, post-production, and festival submissions through my production company and personal funds. We planned to premiere the documentary at Dege's Berlin show in April 2024.

Tragically, Dege passed away on March 8th, 2024, and that premiere will not happen. My original plan to recoup the costs through video-on-demand sales and Blu-ray/photobook combos at his shows has shifted.

Given these circumstances, I now intend to make the documentary publicly available on a dedicated YouTube or Vimeo channel. I'm seeking your support to cover the €15,000 spent on previous expenses and if we get an additional €5,000 to organize a fitting premiere in both New Orleans and Lafayette, Dege’s hometown, around his birthday on June 8th, 2024, that be a dream.

Anybody that donate's more than 2000,- € will be mentioned as executive producer in the credits of the documentary!

Also everyone who has a donated will get free entrance to the premiere in New Orleans or Lafayette.

Any funds raised beyond our goal will help promote the documentary and possibly compensate the crew members who generously worked without pay. Also some of Dege's closest friends sent me some additional memory clips which I'd like to use to work with an editor on a 15-20min additional bonus & memories outro for the premieres.

I am not seeking reimbursement for my personal expenses or time, as I cherish every moment spent with Dege.

"Aim for the light," as Dege used to say.

Thank you for your support,

Lucas