Kickstarter Project Puts Kids Behind the Camera

PRLog (Press Release) - Jun. 8, 2012 - CULVER CITY, CA -- Brandon David Cole, inventor of the SnapFocus Follow Focus System currently raising funds on Kickstarter, is using some of his backers money to buy DSLR film equipment for an elementary school program in Tucker, GA. Cole is providing the school with the Skaterail Slider, Hitchhiker Shoulder Rig and SnapFocus Follow Focus System manufactured by his company Midas Mount. Backers of the Kickstarter project can designate their entire pledge to the “SnapFocus Film School Fund” or buy the SnapFocus for a special price of $349 with $50 going towards the school fund. The money will be used to purchase 3rd party products for the filmmaking package like a Canon T2i HDSLR camera, a tripod, sound recorder and light kit. The Kickstarter project is open to backers through June 28th.

Cole, whose crowd-funding project raised it’s $20,000 goal within days, first learned of the school program when he was contacted by one of his backers, Jon-Paul Coutourier who wanted to know if he could have his SnapFocus reward delivered before class started in September. Coutourier pitched Cole on the filmmaking program he was doing for his class of nine and ten year old 4th grade students and Cole was hooked. “Here’s this guy teaching 4th graders in a low-income area in Georgia using his own money to buy film equipment for the kids.” Cole says, “It’s like something out of an inspirational movie.”

Coutourier, 28,  who has been a public school teacher in Georgia for 5 years and a servant leader in the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools, wants to expose the students to technology and equipment they may otherwise never see. The program will also push students beyond traditional pencil and paper assignments and develop their critical thinking, problem solving and communications skills. “People love to communicate their thoughts with the world in way that give their actions,voices, and words a platform to be seen, heard, and reflected upon.” Said Coutourier, “Students need to be able to say ‘I am somebody and my voice matters!’”  

The cost and cinematic capabilities of DSLR equipment has democratized filmmaking for most, but for kids like the 4th graders at Nesbit Elementary where Coutourier teaches, the $900 investment in the camera alone is far out of reach. Cole and Coutourier hope to break down that barrier for these kids with the Kickstarter fund. “I wouldn’t have the career in film and television that I do today,” said Cole, “had I not been exposed to a VHS camera at age 14.”

To help buy a film equipment package for Coutourier's class and back Cole’s SnapFocus project, go to http://www.MidasMount.com/SnapFocus

About Midas Mount
Located in Culver City, California, Midas Mount Camera Support Systems builds and sells equipment by independent filmmakers, for independent filmmakers. All Midas Mount products are handmade in Los Angeles, California by local craftspeople. http://www.MidasMount.com

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