Bullying Awareness: A Campaign and Film for NJ Students
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MonaVision Films and Executive Producers Suzanne Cortney and Jeffrey Honigman are launching a campaign to raise awareness about bullying, while giving students an opportunity to be part of the creative and fun process of filmmaking.
The centerpiece of the campaign is a 7-10 minute PSA promo that will both educate and entertain. THE WESTERN FLYER (PSA Promo) will introduce the story of a BMX stunt-performing, masked superhero riding a 1950s Western Flyer bicycle, while battling the harsh bullies of a 1960s middle school. His weapons? Bike stunts, newspapers, and elastic bands.
The promo film will be shot PSA-style, beginning with a spokesman speaking directly to the camera about the dangers of bullying, then shifting to a 1960s school environment, where we see visual representations of bullying. In the closing moments, we see a hint of our caped bike rider’s skills as he swoops in, restoring hope to the students. The promo ends with a teaser for the full-length feature film THE WESTERN FLYER, written and directed by Steve Monarque.
The promo will be shot in Monarque’s hometown of Pompton Lakes, NJ, where the filmmaker will involve local students and school groups to bring awareness and participation to the project. The process of filmmaking is exciting and imaginative—from casting, to the shoot, to seeing the story come to life in the final cut. Our intention is to involve the town and the students in the entire process, giving kids a creative outlet to explore, raising community awareness, and maybe even opening a door for a child to come forward and open up about bullying—whether they have been on the receiving end, or been a bully themselves.
After the promo film is edited and completed, we will bring the finished product to other districts and work with educators, mental health groups, and other local community organizations to educate students, teachers, and parents on the effect of bullying in a child’s life, offering solutions through creative imagination.
THE WESTERN FLYER is a story about hope, a family film shining light on a serious issue, in a mix of both realism and superhero fantasy. Using the backdrop of the 1960s period will allow kids to view the current crisis through the lens of another time, seeing the origins of bullying, while immersing themselves in another world. This inspiring tale aims to bring children an inner confidence and a creative outlet, with the assurance that someone is always looking out for them. Because every child deserves a hero.
Your donation supports:
- Actors, including local students who will work alongside professionals.
- Professional production crew for the 3-day shoot.
- Production expenses including sound, lighting, and video equipment, as well as costumes, travel and hospitality, and insurance.
- Post-production expenses including editing, color correction, sound effects, and music licensing.
- Marketing and outreach expenses to local and national school districts, to bring awareness to families and communities about the crisis of bullying.
- Administrative expenses including software, printing, and postage, and DVD creation.
With thanks to our lead supporters:
Executive Producer
Suzanne Cortney
Jeffrey Honigman
Producers
Steve and Laura Monarque
Greg and Margie Smith
Don and Helen Stecker
Please contact us if you are interested in supporting the project as a member of the producing team.
For more about the filmmakers visit monavisionfilms.com. Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions about the project or the process.
Thank you for joining us to raise awareness through the joyful experience of creative expression through filmmaking!
Organizer
MonaVision Films
Organizer
Pompton Lakes, NJ