THE MAKE BELIEVERS
A documentary about Scottish independence and media propaganda
Scots will soon take the biggest decision in their country’s history—whether to become an independent nation again.
As we head towards the independence referendum in 2014 political propaganda wars are raging, with bitter spats breaking out over whether BBC Scotland is biased towards one side or the other.
MEANWHILE WHAT THE PUBLIC WANTS IS TOTALLY IGNORED!
In “The Make Believers” the people of Scotland finally get their say.
We ask ordinary Scots: is BBC Scotland and the rest of the Scottish media fairly representing the reality of public opinion about independence vs. the union? If not, how does media coverage need to change to ensure a fair vote?
A world-renowned propaganda expert warns of the dangers of allowing politicians to hijack the media for their own ends, muddy the waters, and cheat the public out of their right to hear ALL the facts they need to make an informed decision.
The UK’s top expert in the ethics of spin reveals simple steps the media could take to ensure a fair debate for everyone, provided, that is, they are as “impartial” as they claim.
And a stark warning is made that unless the propaganda stops, the country could be plunged into decades of resentment and bitterness regardless of who wins the vote—all because the public was denied a fair debate.
THE MAKE BELIEVERS will be released before the Scottish independence referendum in the autumn of 2014.
WHAT WE NEED
We need your help to raise £2999.
One hundred per cent of all money raised will go towards the making of the documentary:
Your money will be used for travel costs whilst shooting the film, making a high-quality downloadable and copies of the DVD available to our big-ticket backers, and publicity costs for the premiere screening and its promotion.
The major production costs of shooting, editing and distributing the film to the wider public are being absorbed by Equinox Scotland Ltd.
The target amount is the minimum needed in order to make sure the project goes ahead. If we raise substantially more it could make all the difference to the quality and ambition of the finished film.
The success or failure of this project now lies in the hands of those who believe in a free and democratic Scottish media.
Note: Your username as a backer is the only data that is publicly displayed on the site. Choose a generic username or change your username to something generic in order to donate anonymously.
WHAT WE OFFER
We don't just expect you to hand over your hard-earned cash without as much as a "by your leave"! Every person who donates to our project will receive a reward (see "Rewards" for full details).
However, the main reason for supporting this project is the satisfaction you will feel from knowing you are safeguarding the democratic right of every Scot - regardless of their political beliefs - to an open and honest debate about Scottish independence.
ABOUT THE FILM MAKERS
DAVID MCDOWELL is an independent documentary script writer living in Aberdeenshire. A professional journalist with many years experience in the Scottish newspaper and broadcasting industry, David is a passionate believer in the democratic right of all Scots, regardless of their political beliefs, to a free and fair debate about Scottish independence.
EQUINOX TV is part of Equinox Scotland Limited, a company set up to help regenerate Scotland’s media and production industry.
The film makers are contributing their skills to the making of the documentary for free.
A copy of The Make Believers Quarterly Accounts has been emailed privately to all backers.
The Quarterly Accounts cover the first three months of the project from Monday, September 3, 2012 to Friday, November 30, 2012.
At the end of the quarter all unspent project funds were transferred to filmmaker Martin Keatings of Equinox Scotland Ltd., to allow him to take the project through to completion.
Martin has agreed to use all funds transferred to him exclusively for shooting and editing the film, for the premiere screening and its promotion, and to deliver rewards to backers.
Martin will publish final accounts at the end of the project, including copies of receipts to show how all funds passed to him were spent.
From this point on any future questions about project expenditure should be addressed to Martin: .
David from “The Make Believers” Team
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have already contacted us to remove your name from the film credits and received official confirmation from us, you do not need to opt out again.
For everyone else: if you DO NOT want your real name to appear in the film credits please contact us immediately using the Sponsume website internal messaging system (log into Sponsume using the details you provided when you donated and click on "Send Message").
Every effort has been made to ensure a name does not appear without consent.
1. Our funding page clearly states that backing our project means you will receive "a credit in the film".
2. Three warning emails have been sent offering you the chance to opt out of having your real name in the film credits.
3. People were given two months to reply to the warning emails.
Failure to contact us before Thursday, November 1, 2012 is your consent to include your real name in the film credits.
It is also your legal acceptance that "The Make Believers" team has no legal responsibility for your real name appearing in the credits.
After Thursday, November 1, 2012 any claim or complaint that a person "was not told" their name would appear in film credits will not be recognised or acknowledged by "The Make Believers" team.
Thank you.
David from "The Make Believers" team.
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