Hello! It’s been a while!
Maybe we know each other from Morgenstern’s, the miraculous bookstore and community hub in Bloomington, IN where I worked as marketing director, writing newsletters, hosting talks, and meeting so many great people.
Or maybe from Peru, when I was making my first doc film Soy Andina back in the early 2000s, and began sending newsletters from internet cabinas in Andean villages (hoping clouds wouldn’t block the signal).
A lot’s happened since. Like, how did I end up in Indiana? Well, that’s another story!
I’m writing now to let you know that I’m rebooting this newsletter, and making a new documentary.
It’s about a small town in Indiana with a very surprising story! Here’s a 3-minute teaser, edited by my creative partner Charles Pearce:
Surprising, right?
Some of you may remember reading the origin story of this project a couple of years ago in one of the last newsletters I wrote.
There’s lots more to share about the making of this doc! We’re still recording and have a pretty ambitious aim of finishing by the end of the year. We shall see.
But for the next couple of months, most of my time and brain power is focused on a crowdfunding campaign launching on March 29. More about that next week.
We just got approved for a matching grant from an Indiana state agency, but I think I’m not supposed to reveal more until the campaign launches.
Two more things before I let you go:
I plan to write weekly, and not just about this film. I want to share more about other people, projects, journeys, life in Indiana. I’m not exactly sure where this is going, but I hope you’ll stick with me, we’ll find out together.
I moved this newsletter to the Substack platform, inspired in part by two legendary musicians, Carrie Newcomer and Patty Smith. Thanks to both!
This is really cool, Mitch! Spencer Pride is such a bright spot, for so many folks. Best of luck with your storytelling!
Best of luck with the documentary. I’ll look forward to seeing it.