Venture Grant: Las Vegas: Addictive Gambling
Venture Grant Proposal
I look back on my earlier years at CC, and remember the struggle I had during registration when choosing my courses. Many things interested me, yet there wasn’t one area that particularly struck me. Through my experiences here, I am proud to say that I have found the field of my dreams; and will do everything it takes to pursue and succeed in a career in the film industry. I have taken every opportunity taking classes in the film department, working in other student films, and working at an outside internship for the local TV station as camera crew. I have done particularly well in all of my film courses here at CC, as noted on my transcript.
I am a Psychology major with only 2 requirements left that I will be taking 7th and 8th block. Within the Psychology department, majors are not required to write a thesis and since I have already taken and passed the psychology comprehensive exam, I would like to take 6th block as an opportunity to do a personal thesis project. I will be making a short documentary film (approx. 15 minutes) on Addictive Gambling. I have discussed my idea in detail with Tom Sanny who I have worked with on other recent film projects. He has given me permission to do an independent study as a senior film project for his class EN485, and provided me with more structure and suggestion than if this were not for school credit.
This subject is something particularly interesting to me; and I think can be well expressed in a film. This opportunity will better expose and challenge me in the field I will pursue upon graduation. My plans are as follows: I have family living in Las Vegas and figure that this will be an opportunity for me to shoot my movie in the most appropriate city, where addictive gambling has the most occurrences. This will allow me to stay on a tight budget since lodging costs will be limited, if any.
The beginning of my film will take place interviewing school age children growing up in Las Vegas. I have already made these contacts, and will have no trouble getting consent from the children and their parents. I will question them on their dreams and aspirations; and what it’s like growing up in Las Vegas. This will only be a short intro to my film, but I think it will add an interesting contrast to the harshness and sadness of a gambler’s reality.
I have contacted Gambler’s Anonymous in Las Vegas and will be able to attend any of their 87 weekly meetings. The volunteer representative that I spoke with has agreed to escort me to the meetings and help find volunteers willing to be filmed and give their story on camera. He has told me that people from all ages, and of all social and financial classes attend these meetings which will provide more diversity to my film. This portion of the film will be mostly documentation, rather than footage, as I will not be allowed to shoot during the actual meetings.
The next portion of my film will take place in the heart of Las Vegas; on the strip and inside some major casinos. I have contacted Tropicana Hotel and Casino, and have the understanding that as long as this is a student film, does not interfere with the gaming of other guests and that their name is not used that I will be able to shoot inside the casino. I am in the process on contacting other casinos, but in the event that they do not permit me to film, I am assured at least one site that I can shoot at. In addition I would like to interview and shoot gaming customers within the small gas stations and grocery stores casinos, unique only to Las Vegas. For the sake of this film, being in Las Vegas is essential, and will capture the feel that I cannot find here. The goal is to allow the viewer to step closer into the mind of the addicted, by revealing what they are exposed to on a given day.
I plan to shoot for one week, allowing me 3 days to attend Gamblers Anonymous meetings, make further connections and gather additional information. I will then have 4 remaining days to capture footage unique to Las Vegas, and do the remaining on camera interviews. Due to the amount of editing that will be needed for the final project; I will need two weeks upon my return for completion.
This film will bring entertainment, accurate information and awareness to the CC community. Since this will be a senior film project, a public showing will take place during 7th block. I am passionate about this unique project, and am determined to make this happen. Any financial assistance your committee could provide me with would be greatly appreciated.
Proposed Budget for Venture Grant:
Travel Between 2/17/03- 2/24/03 (7 days)
Roundtrip Airfare from Colorado Springs to Las Vegas: $250
This is the best airfare that I have found so far. It is possible that
the rates may go down closer to the date, but for safety I prefer to book this rate and be assured a ticket.Transportation Cost within Las Vegas: $50
Most of my transportation will be by foot, but for coming to and from the Anonymous meetings, I will need to go by bus or cab.Meals and Daily Expenses: $20× 7 days= $140
Hopefully I will be able to minimize expenses by staying with family, but this budget will be ample for me to get by each day with.Total Venture Grant Funding Proposed: $440