HomeMy WebLinkAboutBHS Documentary Project 2000Brazos Heritage Society
Documentary Project
.Resourc Te am
Colleen Batchlor
Stella Bosquez
Jim Bradford
Representative Fred Brown
Tim Bryan
Red Cashion
David Chapman
Brett Estes
Suzanne Gallagher
Carl Hasan
Pat Hiler
Clara Mounce
Senator Steve Ogden
Bill Page
Charles Patranella
Mel Pruitt
Pattie Sears
Barbara Smith
Paul VanRiper
David Woodcock
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Citizens for Historic Preservation
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July 12, 2000
11 %; j mf
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� Ms. Deborah Jasek
Chairman
II ! College Station Historic
1 Preservation Committee
1 3 1300 George Bush Drive
1 ; 1 ! College Station, Texas 77840
1
Dear Ms. Jasek,
1
; , i c The Brazos Heritage Society is developing a new and exciting
( project which entails producing a documentary film along with a
' 1 1 ' companion book about the history of Brazos County. We came up with
j 1 j this idea because of the frustration our organization has endured trying to
; j ' educate the community about our own local heritage. We have found that
, j a large majority of our residents has no knowledge of the history of the
I 1 lace in which they live.
L..., ! place This project can be developed and used in many different ways and
1 1 i benefit many different groups. Enclosed is a complete proposal listing the
; ' groups and benefits.
1 The Brazos Heritage Society also feels that Frame By Frame
I production company has the potential to create a dynamic and informative
11 film. We have reviewed their work and have deemed it outstanding. They
Y
I 1 are truly committed to this endeavor and have the ability to produce a
j E compelling and inspirational product.
I believe that our missions are the same. Both of our organizations
want to encourage all citizens of this community to value the heritage that
1'
we all share. The Brazos Heritage Society sees this project as the best way
i
to get this message to all people who live in Brazos County and beyond.
Our fervent hope is that you will agree to support this exciting and
innovative idea. Please help us tell the world our story!
'''
Sincerely,
ur, ,
I
k Julie M. Schultz
ti U Past President
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( ?)
Post Office Box 1776 • Bryan, Texas 77806
(6 � ) brazo llerita8c 6 ociet y
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Citizens for Historic Preservation
1'
•�� ► il�l t/ire "The Heart of the Brazos Valley"
The History of the Bryan, College Station Community
A Working Title
I Developed by Greg Phelps and Frame by Frame,
for the Brazos Heritage Society
Developed November 1999
I Mission
i To create the definitive record of the community's history and
make it available in book and video form to students,
visitors, tourists and the community at large.
j Benefits to the Community
• To create stewardship of the community's legacy for current and future
! generations.
• To promote community unity.
• To increase visibility and awareness of local points of interest, thus
increasing referrals, attendance, and utilization of these locations.
• To increase economic growth through tourism and providing quality
production elements to the Chamber of Commerce and Economic
Development Council.
Audience
A. Community
1 B. Students in the classroom
C. Visitors & tourists
D. Chamber, CVB, and EDC clientele
E. Business & Community development
Formats
Film Projects:
A. Documentary film on the history of the community. Produced in the
style of Ken Burns and A &E's Biography running two hours in length.
B. Educational version for the classroom created as TAAS oriented
i educational modules.
C. In -room promotional programs - for hotel/motel rooms
- Local history (5 -8 minutes) and
- Local things- to -do, dining and entertainment (5 -8 minutes in length)
S ... �. •� D. Chamber of Commerce promotional video (5 -8 minutes in length)
E. CVB promotional video (5 -8 minutes in length) for trade shows and
tour groups
F. EDC promotional video (5 -8 minutes in length)
Post Office Box 1776 • Bryan, Texas 77806
(.'' 1 �., i� a b llcrit5e Societ
Citizens for Historic Preservation
_ t + ► �.. f Book Projects:
�t�< <,lf�f��j A. This will be an engaging and entertaining book (hardback with 176
pages), rich with information and stories about the people, cultures,
and key events that helped shape our community. The author will be
Henry Dethloff, a retired history professor from Texas A &M University
and author of several history books on Texas A &M and other regional
historical topics.
B. Special edition book to include advertisers for hotel/motel use in
approximately 2,200 local rooms.
! 1
1 3
Content of "The Heart of the Brazos Valley" program & book
A. People: Pioneers, Visionaries & Community Heroes, Cultures
{ B. Business & Industry
C. Education
D. Religion
j E. Government
F. Transportation & Communications
G. Health Services
H. Art & Entertainment
Distribution
A. The extended program will be aired through the Cox cable system via
a rotating schedule on BISD, CSISD, Bryan and College Station
channels.
B. Educational programs distributed on VHS tape or DVD
C. Hotel/motel programs distributed via Cox cable with dedicated
channel or in -house channel.
D. Chamber, CVB, and EDC programs distributed on VHS tape or DVD
E. Books to be sold at retail outlets
F. Internet web site (www.heartofthebrazosvalley.com) hosted by Cox
Communications and maintained by Frame by Frame. This will link to
all partners and supporting organizations.
Partners and Financial Supporters
The City of Bryan The City of College Station
Brazos County Texas A &M University
Cox Communications Insite Publishing
George Bush Presidential Library & MuseumNina Herd Astin Foundation
Hotel/Motel Assoc. BISD, CSISD & private schools
r w Private Sector & Corporate Underwriters
S Chamber of Commerce
Convention & Visitors Bureau
Economic Development Foundation
Post Office Box 1776 • Bryan, Texas 77806
r �� brazoe H &cicty
Citizens for Historic Preservation
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� + // I Estimated Costs
tNi`��/L { ��ll�I f The process for film production and book production is very similar, and
because of that we have divided this cost estimate into four categories:
production (items 1 -3) and duplication categories (item 4).
1. Pre - Production - Research and scripting
2. Field Production - Location shooting
3. Editing/Post Production
4. Duplication
Film Production Estimates
For a project of this magnitude, a budget of $500,000 for just the documentary
would not be unusual. But, due to Frame by Frame's interest and belief in the
project, cost adjustments have been made. Frame by Frame will shoot this
! project on 16mm film, not video, to provide the best images possible for this
project. Broadcast masters are included in the price of each program listed.
A. Documentary program (2 hours in length) $120,000
B. TAAS Educational modules 10,000
C. In -room programs - Local history (5 -8 minutes) 5,000
Local things -to -do (5 -8 minutes in length) 5,000
D. Chamber video (5 -8 minutes in length) 5,000
E. CVB video (5 -8 minutes in length) 5,000
F. EDC video (5 -8 minutes in length) 5,000
Total Film Production Estimate $155,000
Video Duplications Estimate• (1st edition)
A. Documentary program
(2,000 VHS copies, 1,000 DVD copies) 14,000
B. TAAS Educational
(50 VHS copies, 50 DVD copies) 550
C. In -room programs (Initial DVD copies) 550
* Additional editing cost for new advertisers will be billed to those advertisers.
D. Chamber video (50 VHS copies) 300
E. CVB video (50 VHS copies) 300
F. EDC video (50 VHS copies) 300
Total Video Duplication Estimate $16,000
Royalties on Future Video sales: Frame by Frames reserves a 15% royalty of each copy sold
of the documentary program. This royalty is based upon gross sales and does not apply to
the first 2,000 VHS and 1,000 DVD copies.
Post Office Box 1776 • Bryan, Texas 77806
--. . w.*& brazoe I 6ociet y
�. .` Citizens for Historic Preservation
+ l■ 4 1►=.. ok ' Bo Pro ductio n F timat
'� A. Hardback book - 176 pages, photos & text -
n Research, writing, editing, publishing cost $40,000
f
I
a B. In -room hardback book -184 pages, photos & text -
* Setup and design cost for advertisers will be billed to advertisers.
Total Book Production Estimate $40,000
Book Printing estimate: (1st edition)
A. Hardback book - 176 pages, photos & text -
I (5,000 copies) $20,000
s
B. In -room hardback book (2,200 copies) $10,000
j Total Book Printing Estimate $30,000
1 Royalties on Future Book Sales: Henry Dethloff reserves a 15% royalty of each copy
sold of the documentary book. This royalty is based upon gross sales and does not
apply to the first 7,200 copies.
Total Package Estimate $241,000
I Estimated Schedule of Completion
Completion of book printing and video duplication is targeted for late fall
ii of 2000. Current plans are to begin pre - production in June, editing in July and
C . the final version completed in November.
Marketing
By utilizing the networks of our partner organizations such as Cox
Communications, Insite Publishing and the Chamber of Commerce, well have
the ability to reach the entire community. In addition, The Bush Library, Texas
A &M University, a hotel/motel in -room channel and an internet web site offer
this project exposure way beyond the borders of our community.
J
LL
- 1, )
Post Office Box 1776 • Bryan, Texas 77806
L .*
� brazoe llcritac ociet
Citizens for Historic Preservation
' " • ' Funding Request
Brazos County $50,000
The City of Bryan $50,000
The City of College Station $50,000
George Bush Presidential Library $5,000
The Brazos Heritage Society $10,000
(Funded by "The Nina Herd Astin Foundation ")
Private Sector and Corporate Underwriters $76,000
Total commitment $241,000
�., Estimated Schedule of Payments
1. Pre - production - $50,000 due on approval
j 1 i 2. Field Production - $50,000 due on approval date
plus 45 days
li
3. Editing/Post Production $50,000 due on approval date
plus 6 months
4. Duplication $91,000 due 1 month prior to
completion
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Post Office Box 1776 • Bryan, Texas 77806
1 * J l brazoe llcrita5c &ciet
Citizens for Historic Preservation
; Film Project
�iitriee
Questions from the College Station Historic
Preservation Committee
1. Brazos Heritage Society membership list is needed.
(see attached list)
2. More details are needed on the project.
I j (see attached timeline)
3. Will College Station be represented fairly?
The city of College Station's contribution of $50,000 will constitute
1/5 of the total project. We can safely guarantee that College
Station will have 1/5 (or more) of the total air time.
4. What happens if the project starts running out of money?
We will not start the project until adequate funding is in place.
College Station can "pledge" the money but does not have to
pay it out until all pledges have been made and production
begins.
5. What has the City of Bryan and the County agreed to?
We are still working closely with the City of Bryan and
feel they will make their pledge very soon. We have
made our presentation to the County but have not
heard from the Commissioners concerning our
proposal.
6. Will this be duplicating what the Chamber already has?
The Chamber video was last updated when the
Bush Library was completed and does not address
many of our cultural sites. They are in need of a new
video but do not have the funds to make one.
7. Will this project be duplicating the HPC's book project?
Our book will be in more of a "scrapbook" form and
have many photos and little text. We hope to put it in
order of events as they happened so that the reader
can, in a short amount of time, get a good picture of
4 the entire history of Brazos county.
Post Office Box 1776 • Bryan, Texas 77806
5razo8 llcrita8c &ocict
r
►`' "-���� Citizens for Historic Preservation
}Z� '' ��. 8. What entity will have ownership of the video and book?
�1111111rr111�1 The Brazos Heritage Society
9. How would the City of CS be able to use the video and book after
its completion, could the City of CS use both the long and short
versions for promotional purposes, and would the City of CS have
control over
in -house uses?
The City of College Station can use the video and the book for
promotional purposes but can use "pieces" of either; each must
be used in its entirety.
10. Will the project be copyrighted?
Yes
11. Would the City of CS have any control over the storyline used in
the film?
No, but one of your staff members is a member of our Board and
will be able to view all of the work as it progresses and any opinion
� he expresses on behalf of the City of CS will be considered.
12. Would the City of CS be able to determine distribution?
No, but would get a certain number of copies for its own use.
The City of CS would need to advise us how many copies
they would like to receive.
Post Office Box 1776 • Bryan, Texas 77806
C braz 8 tIe4 &ciety xecution al
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Timeline
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Book & Video Project
Months 1 - 2
• Establish editorial staff : 5 to 7 qualified persons to guide and review the
1 project for both film & book
• Establish methods and protocol for materials acquisition and research
efforts. (Including phone number to call for information and physical
address to drop off materials)
• Establish a physical location for housing /processing /archiving materials
• Appoint project archivist
1 • Begin reviewing existing information: From the book Brazos County
History Rich Past - Bright Future begin detailing significant events and
dates in history of the community, the editorial board will prioritize and
pursue the acquisition and development of materials supporting that event
or time period. Support materials can include:
0 photos of those involved and /or event
`-- 0 newspaper articles
0 transcriptions /letters detailing the event
0 film /video testimonials of those involved or descendants recalling
stories from the past
1 0 film /video of the actual location
0 film /video of re- enactments of the event
■ 0 film /video of other restored historical elements, ex: period: steam
engine /train, old court house with similar construction, living history
1 - farms /ranches
I
Months3 -8
i • Research recommendations from editorial board
• Begin film acquisition of selected interviewees and community events
• Continue acquisition and story development
Months 9 - 10
• Begin editing process - conforming footage and program elements into the
final program
• Begin editing process (book)
Post Office Box 1776 • Bryan, Texas 77806
,, �, Braz ion r n e� a e &ciet
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I , , ; BHS D ocumen 11 ` �c� Po� ect
,,..\'' .1/7' 4 i' iIiitrl(l Month 11
n , • Final narration and edit of program
I I • Presentation of final edit of film & book to BHS
• Presentation of archival materials to both cities and university
• Preparation of masters of film & book for duplication and printing
• Finalize marketing efforts for program debut
Month 12
1
1 • Begin airing show
• Begin retail sales
1 Timeline
Chamber Marketing /In -Room Promotional Program
j (Short Program Package)
Month 1
• Develop and finalize scripts and shooting schedule
• Initiate in -room promotional channel
Month 2
1 • Shoot footage and acquire materials (narrator /music /etc.) for program
I Month 3 • Edit and finish short program package
f ' • Complete duplication and distribution
• Begin in -room programs
1
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Post Office Box 1776 • Bryan, Texas 77806