Mormon Gulag Short Film

[_Jersey Girl]

By the way, isn't "why me" Kerry Shirts, author of the Backyard Professor cinematic abortions on YouTube?

No, he isn't. Kerry posted as "Just Me" and he would have never made such a negative remark to you. Never.

[_gramps]

Another question, if I may, Eric.

What does Richard Eyre have to do with all of this? Can you give us a little more detail about that?

I am personally interested because he was my mission president. I had some respect for him, that is before the Paul Dunn debacle. My estimation of him plummeted after reading his response in Sunstone to all that mess. I am just wondering how he is mixed up in this. Is he on the Board, or....?

[_Eric]

By the way, isn't "why me" Kerry Shirts, author of the Backyard Professor cinematic abortions on YouTube?

No, he isn't. Kerry posted as "Just Me" and he would have never made such a negative remark to you. Never.

Ah that's right, he was "Just Me". I thought he was "why me" this whole time.


Inconceivable, thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, I've long since given up on catering to the LDS crowd. As you can see from the comments by "why me," simply using black and white footage qualifies the film (which he hasn't seen completely) as "anti-Mormon propaganda" for these people.

If I don't go out of my way to praise Mormonism and make excuses for why it is involved in West Ridge Academy, they won't listen.

The reason I hesitate to give the complete film away for free is that I've included several confidential documents from West Ridge Academy's employee handbook. They've already threatened to file copyright infringement, so if they want to pursue it they're going to at least have to pony up a buck for the evidence. Plus, even though you can't tell from the trailer, it cost some money to produce.

[_Eric]

By the way, isn't "why me" Kerry Shirts, author of the Backyard Professor cinematic abortions on YouTube?

No, he isn't. Kerry posted as "Just Me" and he would have never made such a negative remark to you. Never.

Ah that's right, he was "Just Me". I thought he was "why me" this whole time.


Inconceivable, thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, I've long since given up on catering to the LDS crowd. As you can see from the comments by "why me," simply using black and white footage qualifies the film (which he hasn't seen completely) as "anti-Mormon propaganda" for these people.

If I don't go out of my way to praise Mormonism and make excuses for why it is involved in West Ridge Academy, they won't listen.

The reason I hesitate to give the complete film away for free is that I've included several confidential documents from West Ridge Academy's employee handbook. They've already threatened to file copyright infringement, so if they want to pursue it they're going to at least have to pony up a buck for the evidence. Plus, even though you can't tell from the trailer, it cost some money to produce.

[_Yoda]

Excellent job, Eric!

I think the music is great! It really adds polish to the piece. I'm intrigued to see the entire film. Are you considering entering it at Sundance? I think you should! It has great makings of an independent film.

A couple of things you may want to look at:

1. When you listed Chris Buttars' name underneath his photo, it went a little too fast for me to read his title. Maybe I'm just not a fast reader, but you may want to hold that underneath his photo a little longer to let that sink in, since your message about him is important there.

2. When you are showing the financial stats, it is hard to read the salaries, etc. Is there any way to make those tax images bigger? Again, since you're taking the time to show the actual documents, it would be nice if they are plainly readable and visible.

Very well done!

How much are you planning on selling the completed DVD's for? I might be able to help you circulate some of these at some arts venues here in the south.

[_Eric]

Excellent job, Eric!

I think the music is great! It really adds polish to the piece. I'm intrigued to see the entire film. Are you considering entering it at Sundance? I think you should! It has great makings of an independent film.

A couple of things you may want to look at:

1. When you listed Chris Buttars' name underneath his photo, it went a little too fast for me to read his title. Maybe I'm just not a fast reader, but you may want to hold that underneath his photo a little longer to let that sink in, since your message about him is important there.

2. When you are showing the financial stats, it is hard to read the salaries, etc. Is there any way to make those tax images bigger? Again, since you're taking the time to show the actual documents, it would be nice if they are plainly readable and visible.

Very well done!

How much are you planning on selling the completed DVD's for? I might be able to help you circulate some of these at some arts venues here in the south.

Hey Liz,

Actually, this is not the documentary I've been working on for Sundance. This is something completely different (and much, much more low budget and focused). Most of the footage was shot when I was in Utah for the Pride Festival about a month ago.

The real documentary (the current working title is "Outer Darkness") is still in production and will have much more funding behind it (so the production values are going to be much, much better). It's also directed by a pro, Jeff Alulis .

The purpose of this short film was really just to shed some light on the recent battle we've had with West Ridge Academy, expose some leaked internal documents, and raise some money for the Utah Boys Ranch Network.


Check your PM's for more information...

[_Gadianton]

I'm going to watch this tonight, looking forward to it.

Beware, I'm thinking the apologists are waiting by their phones right now for further instructions from Salt Lake City on how to proceed.

[_truth dancer]

Excellent job Eric!

I find it sickening that this place exists; it truly is incomprehensible to me how West Ridge can get away with their "treatment," policies, and procedures.

As I have stated several times on the board, I'm not a fan of institutions of any kind but unlike West Ridge, the ones with which I work, representative of the way the system is supposed to work, have numerous safe guards in place to protect children.

Let me give a brief example to demonstrate how West Ridge is run compared to other residential facilities. Every single "incident", unsafe behavior, treatment plan, medical record, restraint, IEP, correspondence, etc. etc. is recorded and shared with guardians, reviewed by numerous professionals and is open to the resident and their family. Family members are encouraged to be part of the team and are considered integral to the healing process. GALs, Court Advocates, Therapeutic mentors, CSB reps, Human Rights advocates and others (all outside of the program), are intricately involved in the life of the child. There is NONE of the secrecy, isolation, and coercion and certainly not the abuse, humiliation, and degradation. Staff is monitored, children have access to caring adults outside of staff, and reports are issued disclosing all information on a regular basis. I'm not saying these residential facilities are great place in which to live; they are not. But, the State does insure that children are safe and free from emotional and physical harm.

In those extremely rare situations when a residential facility is needed, it should NEVER be run like West Ridge. NEVER.

How a place like West Ridge can exist in this Country astounds me. It truly does. It is reprehensible that the State and the LDS church continue to support and allow such a place to exist.

~td~

[_why me]

Walmart, it is supposed to create an emotion inside the viewer. That's the point of art.

And in this case, it creates a propaganda effect. Nothing wrong in that per se. But it needs to be recognized.

[_why me]

However, I will be more impressed if the state of utah begins to investigate the ranch. But so far, this does not seem to be happening.

No you won't. Because they are.

What is your problem then? I would wait for the outcome before I would make such a documentary. If the state finds the ranch innocent, where does that leave you and your claims? In lawsuitville.