The MoneyProject Mission Statement
The MoneyProject began out of a desire to engage people in a discourse about our lives as lived in the current economic social structure which we know as the system of Capitalism. Capitalism is a relatively new set of social relations, and yet in recent history has become a dominant set of values faced by people all over the world. As individuals we are affected emotionally, psychologically, physically, and in other diverse ways as we live in relation to this structure, which presents us with daily ethical problems to negotiate. Out of these experiences can come a profound and intricate knowledge about the nature of both Capitalism itself, and who we become under its conditioning.
The MoneyProject takes the form of collaborative production of short video works authored by individuals and presented together. In it's process it seeks out egalitarian relationships of shared power, voice, and decision-making. Its' intention is to engage people willing to participate in discussion, production, the organizing of public screenings, and outreach to groups with interest around the world. We hope that our organizing principle reaches outside of the determinations of capitalist relationships and social structures to operate with a contemplative and open-ended set of priorities.
Issues of common concern
1) that the MoneyProject group (if we agree to the Moviola screening) maintain control of all content. Moviola’s involvement be ONLY for the purposes of exhibition during the festival. And that this agreement be contractual. We were never asked if the work could be shown to Moviola to begin with, we would have to regain control.
2) A larger audience may be a longterm objective are we ready now?
3) Will this opportunity come so readily again (does it matter?)
4) Multiple audiences and multiple forms of dissemination are desirable.
5) Will the MoneyProject be changed or hurt in some way by association with Moviola and the Junction Arts Fest
My thoughts:
-we do not make profit off the MoneyProject nor should Moviola.
-Thinking about the Mission Statement, the social relationships that occur in the course of the project are as important as the content. Can we form an interesting social relationship with Moviola and the Junction Arts Fest—or can we establish interesting relationships despite them? Part of the Mission Statement talks about an open-ended investigation of relationships in and around capitalism. If we do this consciously can we learn something from it no matter what happens?
- I think at the outset a Moviola/Arts Fest screening is a less interesting set of dynamics than a park screening, at the same time we can’t really know right now exactly how it would be…if we meet with them (as Rebecca suggests) we may have a better idea.
-When people go to a screening at a Festival how is their experience of the spectacle of culture qualitatively different than what a small park screening provide? More people will see it but contextualized by “cultural extravaganza” as opposed to a divergence in the everyday.
-For me this is really about whether the content and whatever statements we might make that evening are strong enough to contest the environment. It might be a test of sorts, one which I think we have a good chance at succeeding at as it will probably stand out as something unique for that scene. Our people will still come, those we invite.
-what do we sacrifice? a more profound experience for fewer people. The possibility of a meaningful discussion..
-what do we gain? I don’t think we know until we get some feedback from an audience, it could be amazing, it could be empty.
-what is the worst that can happen, Moviola hijacks our content, our evening—we would have to meet with them and make a firm agreement about this. Maybe we don’t want to talk to vj’s, maybe we want to talk to the audience.
-what is the worst that happens if we show it in the park—very few people show up for it.
-I personally will not thank Moviola in the body of the work itself—They can hang their signs I guess, on site, but I really don’t want to get stuck promoting a corp, especially because it is sooo boring and unproductive use of audience time and focus.
Proposal: To suggest to Michael Menegon that we meet to discuss the possibility with Moviola. I wont be able to until I get back from Montreal, that is tight. I would also want some people to come with me. We can go ahead and source equipment for a park screening in event that Moviola totally sucks and hold it in standby. In the meantime, we can brood some more as to whether this will hurt the group or project…I think we need to meet with them to make sure as best we can. I love the idea of a park screening. The only thing I like about the Moviola/Arts Fest screening is the tech stuff is taken care of and the audience will more likely be bigger, the rest is a big question mark at this point.
Some of your responses:
Kelli
possibility of a larger audience having access to great ideas and content, but I do understand the issues at hand... I kind of think that as long as the integrity of the vision is kept in tact, as well as full control over dissemination, etc
more eyeballs, etc... but only if the project is ready, because it doesn't hurt to do the smaller, more grassroots screening as a test, etc. i'm sure the opportunity would extend into the future if you wanted to avail at a later date, if it didn't feel quite right now. but, in the meantime, as long as this was a gentle assistance, instead of a takeover/ownership, it could probably work. just negotiate terms that are satisfactory and that ensure this outcome....
Egan
I think it might be good to use Moviola to show a grass roots project from neighbourhood
Nancy
when i am doing work on my own or in other groups i do on occasion make concessions... and mostly to get the work out. so to put the work into multiple venues, both solicited and unsolicited is always a good idea. the question becomes: who is the audience for these works? will it begin a conversation if shown on september 10? would a showing on sept 10 preclude a vine street showing?
Spider
1. I think we have to go back and review our mission statement to help guide us on many many issues.
We apply a question or issue like Who's our audience against it and then see who it guides or doesn't guide us.
Pros: Larger audience, greater awareness, uninvited affiliations / alliances will undoubtedly arise to help achieve our goals (assuming we know what they are)
Cons: We lose control, we don't know who we are, we don't know what we're doing, we don't know how to we do things together, uninvited affiliations / alliances will undoubtedly arise (we can be used for other people's agenda).
5. They need us us more than we need them if our goal is not necessarily having a large immediate exposure.
a. Moviola needs content, especially cheap (as in free) and good content.
b. I don't recall the Junction Festival having activist film nights engaging the community. I seem to remember food and stuff being sold, some modern dance and music, plus a bunch of art galleries. Are people talking about real issues of the community during the festival?
6. Since we don't have time, maybe we can decide with the usual:
a. What's the best thing that can happen if we go this way and or that way?
b. What's the worst thing that can happen if we go this way and or that way?
Lynne
Kim let's not sell our soul so fast
Who gave Michael permission to show this to Moviola??
Kim in your heart where do you envision this happening??
Boz
-Never met a tv station that didn’t want to take control. Maintain independence.
Wren
Intuitively thinks it’s a good idea to show at the Junction Arts Festival.
