Salty Earth Pictures' Movie Experience

Steven F. Zambo, President of Salty Earth Pictures

Steve has served in business, non-profit, government and higher education. He has a passion to teach digital media and entertainment to students of all ages. Telling stories visually is a powerful way to entertain, educate and motivate audiences. Helping young people to explore sharing stories through visual communication is a powerful way to author change, innovation and create hope.

As president of the not for profit Salty Earth Pictures, Steve works to encourage, produce and distribute entertainment and media that challenges minds, lightens hearts, and strengthens souls.

Steve has produced six family friendly feature films, episodic series and documentaries. He has also taught digital cinema at the College level for eleven years.  His work in visual media has received twenty-two Telly awards and countless other honors. His work can be seen on television, cable and worldwide Media on Demand platforms.

Through providing students from the age of 10 - 17 with the opportunity to tell the stories visually that are in their heads, they learn how to communicate, teach and motivate audiences. All aspects of the movie making process are explored. They work individually and in groups during the story development process, scripting, casting, pre-production, production, post-production and distribution aspects of movie making.

They learn team work, communication skills and the art of story telling. We want to open doors of communication in a digital world and we strive to help students to share their hopes, dreams, aspirations, fears with audiences. Visual story telling is a powerful tool for change.  It crosses cultural, language, ethnic and social barriers. Today a world wide audience is at the door step. Salty Earth Pictures is dedicated to empowering one to step across the threshold into an exciting new world.

Today many students are consumers of media. But, we live in a world that provides fairly professional tools and distribution streams to those who know how to use them. When one understands the basic of storytelling and how to use the visual tools available to create those stories it provides insight into how to share dreams, ideas, values, positions, in a powerful way.  They become better students and potentially better citizens. By having a knowledge of media creation they can record their life stories, help their schools, institutions and communities and eventually find vocations in business, non-profits, faith-based organization and political entities. A picture is worth a thousand words! We are looking to secure quality, but reasonably priced equipment in order to enhance the students experiences. The first two session are provided by visual communication with their classrooms. Lesson one teaches the art of story telling and screenwriting. Lesson to will introduce them to power of the camera, lighting and audio. The third session conduct at our 30,000 square ft studio allows them to produce and post-produce a 10 minute short movie.

The Movie Making Experience is either conducted in two school based lesson and one day at the studio or a weekend a the studio. Students will be introduces to the history of visual communication and the impact it has had on the world. They will then develop several potential stories. Together they will decide which story to move to production. At this point they divide into teams. The production crew, the set and props crew and the on camera talent. They build set, find props, break down the script, rehearse, create a shot plan, shoot the ten minute movie on at least two different sets and post-produce the movie. A premiere is held to celebrate their work and it is then made available on Vimeo for distribution to family and friends.

The students are encouraged to produce a movie that not only entertains but delivers a positive message that can be share with their audience. Basic screenplay structure is taught so that they understand the elements needed in order to create set-up, conflict and resolution in every scene, act and the entire movie.   Character development teaches why someone is acting the way they are or reacting the way they do.

Our project serves students from all cultural and ethnic backgrounds in Southeastern and Southwestern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. We have had students from as far north as Green Bay from the inner city of Milwaukee, Madison and Chicago and from rural areas near La Crosse, Wisconsin and Rockford, Illinois.

The project opens up a new world from elementary school to high school. Students come away with a respect for teamwork, the power of visual communication and how their voices can be heard through visual stories. They gain a knowledge of the practical skills necessary to develop stories.  Framing shots, moving the camera, audio and lighting as well as editing for impact are shared.

Please forgive the length of the attached video, but we wanted to adequately illustrate the resources available to students.  They are involved in a full production experience including stages, make-up, wardrobe, and the use of professional production tools.

Visual communication becomes a larger part of life with each passing day. Equipping the next generation to create a brighter future is at the center of our program.  Media production is no longer for the few but a magnificent way for everyone to share, care and dare to dream.

The digital age has opened many doors. As mentioned earlier this has created consumers out of a wide number of young people but not developers and producers. By taking part in the Salty Earth Pictures Movie Experience students, no matter their background, are giving direction on how they can use visuals impact culture and society. They are taught that there are some basic rules to developing, writing, produce and editing stories. Once these are understood the skies the limit on how they can brake free from these principles to develop their own style and message.

Several years ago a teacher asked if they could bring their class of 5th graders to tour our studio. In preparation for this we set up a green screening, Foley art and special effects demonstration. The students loved the two hour experience.  This later grew into provide a total day and multi-day experience where they would not only observe, but could participate in all elements of production.  For the last two years we have average 35 groups of between 10 - 15 students. Plans are to expand the program to 50 a year on sight and to offer a virtual program by combining pre-recorded videos and a Zoom Webinar.

The project is a great partnership between the schools academic staff, Salty Earth Pictures staff and many trained volunteers.  Several school have been successful in applying for State grants in order to fund their involvement. However, we work to  provide the experience at a reasonable cost to students. Thanks to grants and donations we have been able to keep that to $25 per student.

When asked what are the three most important elements in filmmaking, the famous director Alfred Hitchcock stated, story, story and story.  Having the opportunity to share the concept of basic story telling and how it can transcend all form of media gives the students of today and the leaders of tomorrow a leg up on their ability to develop a narrative.

Watching the light bulbs go on in their heads when they get it is such a joy. watching them watch their finished film after experiencing the sometimes less than glamorous process to get there is so rewarding. We have been told by educators that after the Movie Making Experience many students have become better writers, students, and artists. A day with us will remain with them the rest of their lives.  We are thankful for the opportunity to impact these levels and take it very seriously.

Our 30,000 square studio provides the proper setting. We were once told that entering Salty Earth Pictures is like walking through the wardrobe and entering Narina.  It puts the students in the proper setting and right frame of mind. Being located in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin on the I-94 corridor halfway between Milwaukee and Madison gives us access to a large urban and rural population.

I have written, directed and produced 6 feature films, two documentaries, two episodic series and countless commercials and promotional videos. I have also taught screenwriting, production, and other media classes at the college level for over ten years.

Our organization has a large number of volunteers dedicated to sharing their knowledge and expertise with young people.   Our access to professional actors and production crew gives us the opportunity to allow students to learn from expertise in the field of film.

We can bring a touch of Hollywood and the production expertise to parts of the country that might never experience them.

We have also developed a relationship with area educators and have been a return destination for most.

Our studio allows us to dedicate space to the educational program and the grow in virtual education has allowed us to expand the program beyond serving those that can only meet with us face to face.

All our films have been distributed to worldwide audience. Yet, the budget of these movies has always been under $200,000. We are an example of surviving and thriving under adversity. We teach that if you can dream it you can do it.  There is no way that we should be making movies and successfully distributing from a studio in the middle of Wisconsin, yet just since February 1 of this year our movie "The Open Door" reached over 1/2 million households.

If we can do it, it is possible for anyone to do it and we want to share our story and the possibilities with the next generation. The tools are there, but the challenge for them will be being heard above the noise. There is so much media being developed today. Those who understand and exercise the art of story telling will reach and keep an audience.

We would like to have several camera and several editing computers available just for student use. We are in the process of identifying support for this upgrade.

I have successfully written, produced, directed and distributed 6 feature films. All with under a $200,000 budget. We used a good number of volunteers as well as professionals both in front and behind the camera.

These experiences have taught leadership, patience, goal setting, fundraising and other skills necessary in independent film production. I also started a digital cinema and media program at a small Midwest college that has provided an opportunity for many talented young people to enter careers in digital storytelling and media production.

I launch the Salty Earth Film Festival now in its second year. In the first year we had 75 submissions to date, this year, we are over a hundred. We use this as an opportunity to encourage independent producers to explore the field of film and to share their stories.

Story telling through visual media is a powerful ways to influence and move others to action. By working with young people to explore pre-production, production, post-production and distribution we will work to equip the next generation to tell stories that impact, change and better society and culture. The use of online platforms for news, entertainment and education are only at their beginning. Variety Magazine estimates that in 2o24 over $84 billion dollars in revenue will be created annual on digital platforms alone. This will be the new town square for the exchange of ideas with your neighbors across the street and around the world.  By assisting students in person and virtually by conducting studio experience initiatives we will be working to create developers of media and not just users.

By training the young people through unperson meeting and virtual studio experiences (Through Zoom) we will be removing the mystery from creating visual stories. Understanding the stages of screenwriting, creating visuals, lighting, audio, post-production and distribution will empower young people to use media to make a difference. Today a large percent of the public has access to tools that can create media i.e. The Smart Phone and tools that can distribute media i.e. The Internet. Many platforms, like Youtube are free and allow a content creator  to have their only television network. Our presentations will also focus the creator on the importance of being hear and seen above the noise and static. Finding, maintaining and building and audience is explored.

The numbers of those served from 2012 to 2020 are 4,430. All of these were serve in in person studio in a day and tour experience as well as workshops and seminars held off site. Those numbers will sharply increase in 2021 as we hope to introduce an online component to the program.  It is our goal to serve approximately 2,500 students a year.  Or approximately 12,500 in the next five years.  This numbers are based on the number of anticipated live and virtual experiences as well as the average number of participants in each session.

2021   Serve up to 2,500 participants through 42 Movie in a Day Experience. In 2021 we believe approximately 2/3 of these will be virtual. and 1/3 live events.

The goal in 2022 would be to conduct a minimum of 42 studio experience with half of them live and half of them virtual. 

In 2023-2025 the number will increase to approximately 3,000 served a year in 50% live and 50% virtual experience.

We need to upgrade equip in order to supply the students with a hands on media experience. The addition of a multi-cam caster and two camera with tripod, glide cam, audio and lighting packages will allow for traveling/virtual experience and in studio experiences to be taking place at the same time. Also an upgrade in postproduction software will allow for online virtual sessions and in studio editing to take place at the same time. We have a large pool of volunteers ready to jump in to assisting with the program. Two two day training events will be held annually to equip these volunteers with the necessary training.

We are seeking a total investment of $85,000 to further the program at the level necessary. $50,000 has been secured from donations. We would be most grateful if $35,000 could be received from this grant to complete the project. In addition participating schools and organizations will be charge a small tuition that twill allow us to maintain and expand the equipment needs beyond the 5 years listed above.

Elementary schools and high schools for participants, area chamber of commerce for promotion, several media providers for equipment, Boys and Girls Clubs, after school program, churches, community centers and other community based organizations for participants and promotion. Also we partner with several tour organizations for annual return trips. Once we build a relationship with a school or recreation program they are quick to return with a new group with in a two year period.

Salty Earth Pictures is a 501c3 organization established in 2003. We receive income from the movies, documentaries and series we produce and distribute. The stakes up approximately 25% of our annual budget. The funds received from media distribution is used as the seed money for future projects. We received approximtely 25% of our budget by providing cost effective and professional video production services to other non-profit organization. We receive approximately 25% from our studio yours, movie in a day experiences, workshops, seminars and annual film festival. The remaining 25% of our income is received as donations from individuals and grants from foundations.

As the frequency of our movies, documentaries and series in distribution increase it will become a larger part of our budget. It is our goal that by 2025 35% of our budget is from media distribution, 30% from production services 25% from tours, movie in a day, workshops and seminars and 10% from donations and grants.

We have received $50,000 in gifts or commitments to the Movie in a Day Enhancement project. It would be our desire to receive an additional $35,000 from this grant requests. Income will be received from participants through tuition and from sponsorships to help us maintain and advance the program into the future.

MK Cellular 2019.  $5,000

Annual Event 2019 $20,000

Private Foundation request Pending $10,000

Gifts from individual donors $20,000

Outside the money secured and this grant requests funds will be raised from annual sponsorships. Area organization, business and groups will be solicited for support. It is our goal to raise approximately $10,000 in sponsorship. This will be divided 50/50 between program development and scholarships.

Approximately. $50,000

Purchases of a multi-camera video set up for studio enhancement. This will allow us to be more timely so the students receive a better experience.

$15,000

Support equipment including lights, audio

$3,000

Tricaster Studio System for broadcast and web production.

$10,000

Two MacPros with Adbobe suites and ample storage for post-production editing

$8,000

Green Screen, Special effects upgrade

$2,000

Studio HVac and lighting upgrade

$5,000

Webinar and Virtual Educational Upgrades and Training

$8,000

A minimum grant of $300,000 to Salty Earth Pictures for this effort would not only allow us to enhance the tools need to carry out the program, but would allow us to to provide the necessary promotion, oversight for five years. The grant of $150,000 a year for two years would be used as follows. $60,000 a year would be use over the five year project for resources, promotion, training and education.

$35,0000 Year One Equipment

$25,000   Marketing, Promotion and Educational Tools

This patter would be repeated for the 5 year duration with the plan that the program would be self-sustaining at the end of the period. 

Note: If five years is to long, Salty Earth Pictures could divided the funds over a three year period with the desire to move to self-sufficiency sooner in the timeline.

Getting the word out about this unique program to both donors and to the the public is an area that would be a tremendous help to the growth and sustainability of the program.

Tech College in order to expand the program to that level of participants.

Area family, child and community support groups in order to provide a safe and encouraging experience.

Local communities and non--profits.