99 Percent: The Occupy Wall Street Collaborative Film

6th October 2011

99 Percent: The Occupy Wall Street Collaborative Film is a documentary film project founded by independent filmmakers working in conjunction across the US. Award-winning directors, producers, editors and cinematographers have come together and pledged their time, skills and gear to document the events taking place in NYC and across America. And they’re inviting you to do it with them.

As protests have spread across the country, many have complained that the media is failing in their coverage. Audrey Ewell, a New York filmmaker and one of the founders of the project, says: “It felt like a media blackout. I was glued to the Globalrevolution Livestream on the day the NYC police arrested hundreds of protesters on the Brooklyn Bridge, as others yelled ‘We’re not the criminals.’ And then the feed went out because whoever was filming ran out of batteries. And it wasn’t being shown on the news. We felt a need to gather footage like this from all over the country and craft a document of the big picture.”

Brooklyn-based filmmaker Michael Galinsky says: “As a filmmaker and photographer I understand both the power of media and documentation. I knew right away that something significant was taking place and I wanted to be a part of it. I wanted to use the power of documentary to give the voiceless a voice.”

The filmmakers are calling for others to join them in this project, and say that anyone with footage, a camera or even just a desire to help should get in touch. Anyone who contributes footage will be paid a set fee based on the amount of time used in the documentary. The fee will be based on the budget they’re able to raise to fund the project. Organizers stress that it will not be a lot of money, but they hope that won’t prevent people from joining in. All footage will also go up on a community youtube page.

Ewell continues: “That footage we’re getting is real, and it’s powerful. It feels like history in the making. When that guy on the bridge ran out of batteries I grabbed my camera, and my partner Aaron Aites and I headed over to Zuccotti Park to film, almost as if we were part of a relay. And I had the thought that while I’m busy working on other films, what if a bunch of us got together and filmed one hour a day, or whatever we could do, and made a collaborative film? And then I realized that it should be open to anyone with a desire to be involved. So that’s what it is. We want people all over the country to contribute.” All formats will be accepted. All points of view are welcome. All filmmakers and contributors will be credited.

The filmmakers have just started a Kickstarter page, which in its first day has almost reached its $1000 goal (which will only cover the most basic set-up costs), but they say that the real goal is closer to $30,000.

Contributors thus far include Ava Duvernay, Michael Galinsky, Audrey Ewell, Aaron Aites, Tyler Brodie, Maria Breaux, and many more. The website is at but right now most of the info, a list of what is needed, and the constantly growing list of participants (with bios) is available at the Kickstarter page.

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