Help Give Back to a Film about Giving

Ryan Hendrickson is organizing this fundraiser.

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I’m Ryan Hendrickson, a writer and filmmaker, and 5 days ago I set forth on the start of a year-and-a-half adventure to film The Vine’s upcoming docuseries, A Journey of Giving.

The 108-degree heat in Austin, Texas did little to stifle our collective enthusiasm. From line-dancing at a local honky-tonk, to submerging in the healing waters of Barton Springs, every step of the journey was filled with meaningful conversations on how to help repair society, fueled by a tight-knit global community of some of the most kind, loving, and generous people I had ever met. By the end, lasting friendships were formed, charitable initiatives supported, and future plans paved.

Landing back in my hometown of Boston I chatted in sheer excitement with The Vine's founder, Adria Dunn, seeing that The Vine’s message of giving was now one step closer to reaching a global audience. Then, in one fell swoop, excitement turned to disaster - in trying to assist someone in need, my bags were stolen, all of my film equipment, laptop, and personal belongings suddenly gone.

With Adria’s comfort and encouragement, I saw that there was still hope. She assured me that we were in fact closer than ever to our goal, and that this was not a crisis but instead an opportunity. It was a chance to let The Vine community actively support a shared vision, one where stories of giving and hope - the many stories that have defined each one of us - would see the light of day.

I’ve set up this GoFundMe as a way for the community to do what it does best: lift up the causes they find impactful. It would replace the missing equipment with the camera, lenses, and other production items we truly needed, cover some of the initial out-of-pocket travel expenses, and let members of The Vine have a chance to actively participate in the making of the film and the interviews within it.

Every day, I’m humbled by the genuine care and commitment of this community to helping others. It’s an honor to help tell its story, a story that the world needs to hear.

Deepest Regards,

Ryan

ABOUT THE FILM:

“The Vine” is an uplifting documentary that takes the audience on a year-long journey of exploration, self-discovery, and the significance of giving back. Adria Dunn, a former banker with a passion for philanthropy, embarks on a life-altering quest to understand the essence of giving and its global impact.

One month before the pandemic started, Adria created The Vine community from a single Whatsapp chat, asking her friends to give back to philanthropic causes and share charity events. Little did she know that this small act would trigger an extraordinary chain of events

that would redefine her life.

As the chat grew, the impact multiplied. Adria quit her job to build an app for the community, creating a plan to visit 18+ countries to meet all the friends who were introduced in The Vine, many of whom contributed to her bestselling book, The Vine: Messages of Hope from Around the World. These included the Dalai Lama, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Sylvia Earle, Jane Goodall, Prince Ermias, Dr. Edith Eger, and many more.

“The Vine” poignantly explores the reasons why humans give, the intrinsic rewards it brings, and how it becomes a catalyst for positive change. Welcome to the heart-warming world of “a Chat for Good”.

How The Funds Will Be Allocated:

Canon EOS C300 Mark III cinema camera ($8,999)
Sigma 18 to 35mm DC HSM Art Lens for Canon EF ($669.00)
Sigma 50 to 100mm DC HSM Art Lens for Canon EF ($1,029.00)
Dracast L500 Plus Series Daylight LED 3-Light Kit ($1,049.00)
RODE Wireless GO II 2 Person Wireless Lavalier Kit ($457.00)
Tilta Lightweight Shoulder Rig ($339.00)
Macbook Pro 13” M2 ($1,299.00)
Initial Travel Expenses - including Flights/Transportation, Hotels, Food, Travel Visas (~$12,000)

What You Will Receive for Giving:

For every $100 donated, you will receive a Special Thanks in the film’s end credits.
For every $500 donated, you will receive 1 ticket to the Red Carpet Premiere at the famous El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, CA, plus the above.
For every $1000 donated, you can share your story in the film in the form of an on-camera interview, plus the above.

More about The Vine:

The Vine Global Impact Website

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