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'Just Do It: Get Off Your Arse and Change the World': A Film

Just Do It | 28.06.2010 16:09 | Climate Chaos | Education

Documentary following environmental activists in 2009 from the G20 to COP15 and beyond launches innovative crowd-funding appeal

Bishopsgate after the G20 protests in April 2009
Bishopsgate after the G20 protests in April 2009


Left Field Films this week launches a pioneering crowd-funding appeal to pay for the last leg of the long-awaited documentary JUST DO IT following the mischievous and risky world of UK climate activists. Award-winning director Emily James (www.emily-james.com), who has had numerous broadcast commissions in the past, took a conscious decision to go down a different route for this film. In an intrepid challenge to the increasing commodification and commercialization of creative culture, she chose a model that will allow her to give the film away for free.

“It’s precisely the kind of film that wouldn’t get made within the existing profit and ratings-driven funding structures,” explains Just Do It director, Emily James, “Crowd-funding through donation enables us, as creative artists, to be supported by our audience in a more direct way, without the involvement of cultural gatekeepers. This is another nail in the coffin for traditional media."

Just Do It follows the triumphs, traumas and clandestine activities of civil disobedient environment activists as they take on the combined forces of global capitalism, run away climate change and the pesky Metropolitan Police. For the past year, Emily has been filming with groups such as Climate Camp, Climate Rush, and Plane Stupid; following them through an active year in the run up to the Copenhagen climate talks. Having gathered over 250 hours of material, she and her team are now embarking on the challenging task of turning this footage into a feature length film, which will inspire people to take action on climate change. The new trailer is now showing at  http://just-do-it.org.uk/.

“The crowd-funding scheme is a model which matches our motivation,” says Emily. “The ultimate success of this film will not be measured in how much it takes at the box offices but by the genuine cultural change it triggers. You don’t slave over a film like this for over two years in order to make a quick buck, but to make a difference!”

Just Do It tells a story which is frequently obscured by the corporate agenda of the mainstream media. If you too think that it's a story which deserves to be told, then please donate here:  http://just-do-it.org.uk/fund-this-film. Whether it's a tenner or a grand, all donations are gratefully received.

Find out more here:
 http://just-do-it.org.uk/
www.twitter.com/justdoitfilm
www.facebook.com/jdi.thefilm
www.youtube.com/justdoitfilm

Just Do It
- e-mail: just.do.it.film@googlemail.com
- Homepage: http://just-do-it.org.uk/