Former Homeless Man And Two Filmmakers Bring Documentary Project To Kickstarter

TUCSON, Ariz. - Sept. 9, 2013 - PRLog -- The film was inspired by Tucsonan Bobby Burns, the author of “Shelter,” a book about his time at a Primavera homeless facility in South Tucson, published by University of Arizona Press in 1998. The documentary will be filled with the sights and sounds of homelessness, a visual narrative about the day-to-day lives of homeless people.

Producer Tina Huerta, who was herself without a place to live for three months in 1999, said,   “The homeless population is continually confronted by discrimination based on stereotypes about their circumstances. We hope to dispel those stereotypes and provide a closer look into the reality of homelessness.”

First, however, the team (including local director Steev Hise) needs to raise funds for the project. They’ve turned to Kickstarter, an online fundraising platform, for their campaign.

The “Shelter” team launched their Kickstarter campaign this past weekend and they have 31 days to raise twenty-three thousand dollars. “If we don’t get to that target, we get zero, and  maybe that would mean Tucson isn’t ready to look at its homeless situation quite yet,” says Burns. “But,” he added, “I really think that it is.”

“In a way, we’re rattling our cup, holding up our sign,” explains Hise, “And the sign reads something like ‘Broke - Will film for food.’ The hope is that the Tucson community will come together and put in some change, which collectively will make a huge impact.”

If the campaign is successful, the filmmakers hope to show the completed documentary at film festivals and to secure distribution. “One reason we’re doing this is to get the reality of homeless out there in front of as many eyes as possible, so we’re aiming high,” says Huerta.

The Kickstarter campaign webpage includes a short video and more information about the proposed film. www.shelterdocu.com.

Bobby Burns will be reading from his book, and the filmmakers will speak about the project, at Revolutionary Grounds Books and Coffee, 606 N 4th Ave, on Saturday, September 21 at 5:30 pm.