Help Us Tell the Story of Volleyball's Heart and Soul
Donation protected
Introduction
Hi everyone, I'm Miguel, filmmaker and lifelong volleyball enthusiast. I'm reaching out for your support to complete the first episode of UP!, a documentary series exploring the evolution of volleyball around the world. This project is a culmination of my passions as a filmmaker, educator, and coach. It honors the dedication of countless individuals, celebrates volleyball's rich history, and inspires future generations.
Did you know that volleyball is the 5th most popular sport in the world?
Volleyball is a beloved sport that brings people of all ages, genders, and abilities together. It is more than just a game; it has become an integral part of communities around the world.
I've invested a year of my own resources, but to take this project to the next level, I need your support.
How You Can Help
Every donation makes a difference. Your support will help us pay for crew salaries, equipment rentals, copyright clearances, editing, animation, music licenses, and screenings to get your feedback and make this project as inclusive as possible.
Your donations, big and small, will help us:
$5: coffee for the team, local transport, food.
$10: A day's breakfast/lunch, batteries, equipment supplies.
$20: Flight insurance, local research, groceries.
$50: Commute, local crew support, editing software, meals.
$100: Feed crew for a day, groceries, flight contributions.
$500: Round trip to Puerto Rico, post production, archival footage.
$1,000: Music licensing permits, downpayment on live screening of episode, 1-2 designs from graphic animators.
$5,000: Entertainment/copyright lawyer, official logo creation, flight and multiple day accommodation to film international players and tournaments.
$10,000: 20-30 minutes of episode professionally edited, flight and accommodations for 2 crew members to 3 filming locations, creation of original score with local musicians and studio sessions.
Every Donor Recognized
Funds will be used on a rolling basis as needed for the listed items.
AS A THANK YOU, YOUR NAME WILL BE LISTED IN THE FILM CREDITS!
Why Puerto Rico First?
Our journey begins in Puerto Rico, a land with an epic volleyball legacy spanning over a century. As a proud Puerto Rican, this project is deeply personal. My great uncle, Ramon "Elias" Ortiz, was a volleyball legend who inspired countless players. He even has a recreational center named after him!
His story, along with those of the Puerto Rican national teams, community players, and passionate fans, fuels our desire to showcase the vibrant culture and unwavering passion for volleyball on this beautiful island.
The first episode of UP! will provide an in-depth look at Puerto Rico’s volleyball culture--on beaches, parks, schools, gyms, and stadiums. The episode will document the story of the national team and players from all levels. We want to find out why so many people have dedicated their lives to the sport and what values it brings to their communities. Through archival footage and interviews, we learn how volleyball has shaped Puerto Rican culture and history, bringing diverse groups of people together before, during, and after the matches are over.
Where We Are Now
We've already filmed the national teams in action, interviewed legends, and partnered with IQ Volleyball TV, a group dedicated to promoting volleyball talent in Puerto Rico. The pilot episode is underway! Yet, there is still more to film and in order to get this project in front of the most people, we need to hire post production crew to make it worthy of your favorite streaming service.
The Bigger Dream: A Global Story
With your help, we can complete the Puerto Rico episode and use it as a springboard to document the sport's spirit in countries like USA, Brazil, Italy, Japan and beyond. Our ultimate goal? To capture the stories of athletes competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics!
Thank you for believing in this project!
Organizer
Miguel Gallardo
Organizer
Astoria, NY