CONTACT The Documentary

THE CONTEXT:

In a small town in central NY, there is a place that defies labels and is constantly in transition, literally and figuratively. HCS has been a skatepark, library,art gallery, museum, stage for a plethora of punk shows, and a place that is whatever you want it to be. The conductor of this orchestra of controlled ( sometimes ) chaos is Derk Nelson, Pro BMX rider , fabricator, activist, and one of the most interesting and mysterious people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. Derek and his space of creation is where this story unfolds…

WHY THIS STORY?

The world feels more upside down than usual, people are angry, and every day is something new to worry about. It’s hard to live in the moment and feel free, free to breathe, and free to express yourself. This film channels that and gives you a slice of that freedom and reminds you that you control each and every one of your days, what you choose to do with them is up to you. We explore how and why to push boundaries along with the exchange of ideas through art. We celebrate the unexpected every step of the way. This film serves as a testament that the versions of ourselves we are sold are not who we have to be; this is DIY at its core.

This immersive sonic installation will turn the entire skatepark into a musical instrument that encourages experimentation and play, and will reshape how we think about spaces and activities sonically. Derek is collabortating with the Binghamton University arts department to install over 40 1/4" microphone jacks in various parts of the park as well as custom made microphones inside, on top and all around the park allowing participants to "listen" to the park in new ways. Derek will also be fabricating all sorts of instruments made from bikes, skateboards and anything he can get his hands on. All of this boils down to a snapshot of youth, craft, and creativity colliding with the current political and social climate and coming together as a community to make and support art.

THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN!

Walley Cinema Works will be documenting the event to turn this into a documentary film that we can use to help bolster the arts locally and share this unique story with everyone.

True to the DIY nature of this project we will be raising funds on our own to make the film we want to make the way we want to make it.

Your donation will go towards all of these things, it seems like a lot but your donation pays artists to work and this can't happen without your support.

Your donation helps with:

+ Travel, food for crew, hard drives

+ Hiring a location sound mixer with kit

+ Paying our wonderful sound engineer who will help us gather all the sounds from the installation

+ Hiring essential camera crew

+ Gear Rentals! ( Camera, lenses, batteries, media, camera support etc..)

+ Getting the film edited ( kind of a big deal)

+ Sound design of the film

+ Scoring the film

+ Getting the film professionally colored

+ Getting the film mixed

+ Production insurance!

This will be a 3-5 day shoot so your donation is HUGE to help us make this film.

Derek is also seeking donations of phyiscal instruments, music gear and a few other things, please reach out to him here if you would like to help.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR/PRODUCER:

I grew up in the Binghamton area and pride myself on sharing the stories of the people there. I have always been drawn to stories about legacy, process, and people who make things of all kinds. My approach begins by asking questions that reveal the true creative potential of the work. My thoughtful and visual storytelling techniques, combined with my inquisitive nature, have served me well throughout my career in independent film and commercial production. My goal is to inspire creativity and provoke conversation using my voice as a filmmaker. I am growing that voice with each film I put into the world, igniting curiosity wherever I go. - JON WALLEY

Thank you for visiting and for your donation of any amount, we appreciate you all.