The Forgiveness Documentary

By Tana Tu

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Film,

NZ $255 pledged


9 people pledged


Closed


NZ $5,450 minimum target


4 4% Complete

This campaign failed to reach its target by 20/06/2012 at 11:00 PM (NZST) and is now closed.

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About

The Forgiveness Documentary

Project 2012-05-09 03:49:46 +1200

Kia-ora. Hi.

We are in the process of making a documentary about forgiveness and looking for help and support to make it. We believe the documentary we have in mind has great merit and potential to help people who need it the most.

The documentary is called The Forgiveness Documentary and can be found at our website www.theforgivenessdocumentary.co.nz

Society often talks about the need for forgiveness and all the great religions espouse it, yet it is easy to forgive, when there is little to forgive. But what of those who have suffered grave trauma? Grave injustices? Been imprisoned? Tortured? Abused? Raped? Who are so filled with hate, it is like a virulent cancer ingrained in the very essence of their hearts and souls? How can they apply the principals of forgiveness in a meaningful and practical way so they can utterly transform their lives, in order to realise their true potential and become all they are capable of becoming.

So the documentary is aimed at the following in particular: 

Firstly, people who have committed crimes but reformed their lives. Ex-inmates, Ex-at-risk youth, Ex-drug addicts, Ex-prostitutes etc. Most of these people have had a deep sense of self-hate, which they either internalise and take out on themselves (prostitution, suicide etc.), or, on society (violence, gangs etc.). 

Secondly, the victims of crime. We want to tell the other side of the story on forgiveness, that is the victims, those who have been raped, burgled, domestic violence, whose loved ones have been murdered and so on. How do they forgive? Can they forgive? Are some crimes unforgivable?

The idea is to have a balance of six people: Either those who have truly reformed their lives, ex-inmates, prostitutes etc., or those who have been victims of crime. Three of each. So they can explain how they have applied (or are trying too) the principals of forgiveness. We will also have interviews with people who have experience in forgiveness, counsellors, spiritual and religious leaders etc. Most importantly of all, we want to include practical ways in which people can actually apply the principal of forgiveness in order to liberate their lives from hate and despair.

Once the doco is made we plan to have it available for free in prisons, men’s groups, prostitutes collectives, at-risk youth centres, anger management courses, counsellors, victim's support etc., so that as many people as possible can benefit from it.

This is a documentary that we feel can truly change lives, so please support us as we seek to raise $5,000 in order for research and equipment costs. Even $5 will be deeply appreciated. Kia-ora. Thank you.


MEET OUR TEAM :)

 

(L-R: TanaTu, Donnalena, Chris and Amanda)

DIRECTOR - TANATU

 
TanaTu is the Director of The Forgiveness Documentary. He is a film maker who likes to be completely absorbed in his work.  Since starting his career as a film maker in 2008 he has successfully written, produced, directed and edited a number of  short films and videos.  He has always had to raise the funds himself, often asking hundreds of individuals and businesses for support – and never giving up when he has been declined until he has found supporters who shared his creative vision.  His incomparable commitment and stamina have their seeds in the passion he feels for the film projects he is an integral part of.  Many of his films and documentary projects have either dealt with social issues, or are based on experiences from his own life or the lives of people close to him.  His approach to ensuring the successful completion of his films and videos is: PLANNING + FOCUS + PERSISTENCE = SUCCESS.
 

PRODUCER -  DONNALENA MCCARTHY

 
Donnalena graduated from Southseas Film & Television School with a Diploma in Film & Television, Majoring in Production Management in 2007.  The successful completion of the course was a major stepping stone in her desire to be a successful Producer for quality film, documentary and TV programs.  She has been the Producer for a number of short film projects and has done some freelance production work, so feels now is the right time to make the transition to producing her first major professional documentary feature.  Besides her passion for producing in film and TV, Donnalena also has a real passion for helping others, particularly youth, and making a difference in the community.  In her spare time she is a volunteer phone counsellor for Youthline..  Working on this documentary links both of her passions together.
 

MUSIC COMPOSER – CHRIS ELLIOT

 
Chris Elliott grew up in Dunedin, and has had a varied career in the audio-visual industry in New Zealand and Australia since graduating from SAE Institute Melbourne in 2007. He has both a professional and personal interest in working on this documentary.

DIRECTOR’S ASSISTANT - AMANDA WILLIAMS

 
Amanda is an artist and arts administrator and is passionate about the collaboration of creativity to bring communities together.  She has come on board as Directors Assistant for the Forgiveness Documentary, assisting TanaTu.  She says, 'I am so excited to be part of this great team ...making a documentary about a most fundamental part of being human will be a rough ride but one that will be so very worth it'.

 

 (L-R: Melanie, Sue, Lucy and Katherine)
 

CREATIVE MARKETING MANAGER – MELANIE FLETCHER

 
Mel Fletcher graduated from the University of Auckland in 2006, and has been working at the university since 2007. This is Mel’s first venture into the Documentary making arena and she is excited to be a part of such a great project and team. The Forgiveness Documentary poses a great challenge both in its subject matter and in its actual production to Mel for both personal and professional reasons.

WRITER – SUE GEE

Sue Gee has a background in photography. She photographed families and weddings for ten years in South Auckland then worked from a studio in Grey Lynn.  A strong interest in social justice issues led Sue to volunteer in the library at Paremoremo.  She met TanaTu at the Te Arapiki writers group and worked with him, editing his footage of the NZ Society of Authors 2009 Courage Day event.-The journey of spiritual and consciousness awareness has been a preoccupation for Sue. How we manage our emotions; the ability to detach from automatic, button-pushing reactions and evoke instead a skilled, thoughtful response - these are matters that concern us all, whether we know it or not.-Mastery of emotions leads to peaceful communities. Giving up judgements, comparisons, expectations and sensitivities allows one to remain unperturbed, joyous and grateful in the context of life.-Sue believes understanding and practising forgiveness is paramount. With consciousness, nothing moves until forgiveness happens. When we learn to forgive ourselves and forgive others, the way is open to supreme personal growth. Sue is a recipient of a 2012 Auckland Museum research grant and is currently working on a personal project - Sixty Poems for the Year of The Water Dragon. She is looking forward to the next exciting venture, co-writing with TanaTu  for The Forgiveness Documentary.

RESEARCHER – LUCY TREGIDGA

 
Lucy Tregidga works in Music Administration and is also studying Health as a prerequisite to studying Midwifery. She is passionate about performing arts, and communication through creative self-expression.  Lucy is working on this documentary to gain experience as a Researcher, and as she feels compelled by the subject matter and the opportunity to contribute to the project.

CREATIVE CONSULTANT – KATHERINE THOMAS

 
Katherine studied at Otago University and discovered her passion for community theatre.  She completed her Masters at Victoria University and Toi Whakaari in directing.  Katherine has been working with young people since graduating, and she is passionate about making a difference in the lives of others.



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Updates

Hey! Thanks for checking out this project.

We haven't made any updates yet, follow us if you want to be notified when we do.

Pledgers 9

Anonymous pledger
24/05/2012 at 7:47pm
Mesepa Edwards
24/05/2012 at 12:51am
TanaTu
23/05/2012 at 3:47am
Amanda Williams
22/05/2012 at 6:16pm
Bilal Bruce Morpeth
22/05/2012 at 5:57pm
Lucy
22/05/2012 at 3:36pm
Tana Tu
22/05/2012 at 2:47pm
Anonymous pledger
22/05/2012 at 12:19pm
Tana Tu
22/05/2012 at 9:11am

Followers

Followers of The Forgiveness Documentary

The Forgiveness Documentary

Project 2012-05-09 03:49:46 +1200

Kia-ora. Hi.

We are in the process of making a documentary about forgiveness and looking for help and support to make it. We believe the documentary we have in mind has great merit and potential to help people who need it the most.

The documentary is called The Forgiveness Documentary and can be found at our website www.theforgivenessdocumentary.co.nz

Society often talks about the need for forgiveness and all the great religions espouse it, yet it is easy to forgive, when there is little to forgive. But what of those who have suffered grave trauma? Grave injustices? Been imprisoned? Tortured? Abused? Raped? Who are so filled with hate, it is like a virulent cancer ingrained in the very essence of their hearts and souls? How can they apply the principals of forgiveness in a meaningful and practical way so they can utterly transform their lives, in order to realise their true potential and become all they are capable of becoming.

So the documentary is aimed at the following in particular: 

Firstly, people who have committed crimes but reformed their lives. Ex-inmates, Ex-at-risk youth, Ex-drug addicts, Ex-prostitutes etc. Most of these people have had a deep sense of self-hate, which they either internalise and take out on themselves (prostitution, suicide etc.), or, on society (violence, gangs etc.). 

Secondly, the victims of crime. We want to tell the other side of the story on forgiveness, that is the victims, those who have been raped, burgled, domestic violence, whose loved ones have been murdered and so on. How do they forgive? Can they forgive? Are some crimes unforgivable?

The idea is to have a balance of six people: Either those who have truly reformed their lives, ex-inmates, prostitutes etc., or those who have been victims of crime. Three of each. So they can explain how they have applied (or are trying too) the principals of forgiveness. We will also have interviews with people who have experience in forgiveness, counsellors, spiritual and religious leaders etc. Most importantly of all, we want to include practical ways in which people can actually apply the principal of forgiveness in order to liberate their lives from hate and despair.

Once the doco is made we plan to have it available for free in prisons, men’s groups, prostitutes collectives, at-risk youth centres, anger management courses, counsellors, victim's support etc., so that as many people as possible can benefit from it.

This is a documentary that we feel can truly change lives, so please support us as we seek to raise $5,000 in order for research and equipment costs. Even $5 will be deeply appreciated. Kia-ora. Thank you.


MEET OUR TEAM :)

 

(L-R: TanaTu, Donnalena, Chris and Amanda)

DIRECTOR - TANATU

 
TanaTu is the Director of The Forgiveness Documentary. He is a film maker who likes to be completely absorbed in his work.  Since starting his career as a film maker in 2008 he has successfully written, produced, directed and edited a number of  short films and videos.  He has always had to raise the funds himself, often asking hundreds of individuals and businesses for support – and never giving up when he has been declined until he has found supporters who shared his creative vision.  His incomparable commitment and stamina have their seeds in the passion he feels for the film projects he is an integral part of.  Many of his films and documentary projects have either dealt with social issues, or are based on experiences from his own life or the lives of people close to him.  His approach to ensuring the successful completion of his films and videos is: PLANNING + FOCUS + PERSISTENCE = SUCCESS.
 

PRODUCER -  DONNALENA MCCARTHY

 
Donnalena graduated from Southseas Film & Television School with a Diploma in Film & Television, Majoring in Production Management in 2007.  The successful completion of the course was a major stepping stone in her desire to be a successful Producer for quality film, documentary and TV programs.  She has been the Producer for a number of short film projects and has done some freelance production work, so feels now is the right time to make the transition to producing her first major professional documentary feature.  Besides her passion for producing in film and TV, Donnalena also has a real passion for helping others, particularly youth, and making a difference in the community.  In her spare time she is a volunteer phone counsellor for Youthline..  Working on this documentary links both of her passions together.
 

MUSIC COMPOSER – CHRIS ELLIOT

 
Chris Elliott grew up in Dunedin, and has had a varied career in the audio-visual industry in New Zealand and Australia since graduating from SAE Institute Melbourne in 2007. He has both a professional and personal interest in working on this documentary.

DIRECTOR’S ASSISTANT - AMANDA WILLIAMS

 
Amanda is an artist and arts administrator and is passionate about the collaboration of creativity to bring communities together.  She has come on board as Directors Assistant for the Forgiveness Documentary, assisting TanaTu.  She says, 'I am so excited to be part of this great team ...making a documentary about a most fundamental part of being human will be a rough ride but one that will be so very worth it'.

 

 (L-R: Melanie, Sue, Lucy and Katherine)
 

CREATIVE MARKETING MANAGER – MELANIE FLETCHER

 
Mel Fletcher graduated from the University of Auckland in 2006, and has been working at the university since 2007. This is Mel’s first venture into the Documentary making arena and she is excited to be a part of such a great project and team. The Forgiveness Documentary poses a great challenge both in its subject matter and in its actual production to Mel for both personal and professional reasons.

WRITER – SUE GEE

Sue Gee has a background in photography. She photographed families and weddings for ten years in South Auckland then worked from a studio in Grey Lynn.  A strong interest in social justice issues led Sue to volunteer in the library at Paremoremo.  She met TanaTu at the Te Arapiki writers group and worked with him, editing his footage of the NZ Society of Authors 2009 Courage Day event.-The journey of spiritual and consciousness awareness has been a preoccupation for Sue. How we manage our emotions; the ability to detach from automatic, button-pushing reactions and evoke instead a skilled, thoughtful response - these are matters that concern us all, whether we know it or not.-Mastery of emotions leads to peaceful communities. Giving up judgements, comparisons, expectations and sensitivities allows one to remain unperturbed, joyous and grateful in the context of life.-Sue believes understanding and practising forgiveness is paramount. With consciousness, nothing moves until forgiveness happens. When we learn to forgive ourselves and forgive others, the way is open to supreme personal growth. Sue is a recipient of a 2012 Auckland Museum research grant and is currently working on a personal project - Sixty Poems for the Year of The Water Dragon. She is looking forward to the next exciting venture, co-writing with TanaTu  for The Forgiveness Documentary.

RESEARCHER – LUCY TREGIDGA

 
Lucy Tregidga works in Music Administration and is also studying Health as a prerequisite to studying Midwifery. She is passionate about performing arts, and communication through creative self-expression.  Lucy is working on this documentary to gain experience as a Researcher, and as she feels compelled by the subject matter and the opportunity to contribute to the project.

CREATIVE CONSULTANT – KATHERINE THOMAS

 
Katherine studied at Otago University and discovered her passion for community theatre.  She completed her Masters at Victoria University and Toi Whakaari in directing.  Katherine has been working with young people since graduating, and she is passionate about making a difference in the lives of others.



Comments

Hey! Thanks for checking out this project.

We haven't made any updates yet, follow us if you want to be notified when we do.

Anonymous pledger
24/05/2012 at 7:47pm
Mesepa Edwards
24/05/2012 at 12:51am
TanaTu
23/05/2012 at 3:47am
Amanda Williams
22/05/2012 at 6:16pm
Bilal Bruce Morpeth
22/05/2012 at 5:57pm
Lucy
22/05/2012 at 3:36pm
Tana Tu
22/05/2012 at 2:47pm
Anonymous pledger
22/05/2012 at 12:19pm
Tana Tu
22/05/2012 at 9:11am

Followers of The Forgiveness Documentary

This campaign was unsuccessful and finished on 24/05/2012 at 7:47 PM.