The following is a message from my friend John Wellington Ennis, Director of PAY 2 PLAY. Please support his film if you can. -Shepard
We are so proud to have nearly wrapped PAY 2 PLAY: Democracy’s High Stakes, after years of following Ohio elections, investigating corruption, and chronicling activism. Audiences have already laughed and cheered with this film, reform groups are using this movie as an organizing tool, and now we need your help to bring it to the mainstream audiences that will be vital to meaningful change.
We have launched a Kickstarter campaign to finance the self-distribution of our documentary. If you have supported us in the past, you’ll already be able to see your name in the closing credits, because every little bit of encouragement helped us get this far. Since we know people are inundated by requests, we’re doing something special: a TELETHON, in the tradition of the 70’s where stars performed their heart out for a good cause!
We are releasing a new video short every day of our campaign, highlighting the inspiring individuals in our film, the amazing artists, and our great partner organizations! (Check out the new street art shorts below) We also have amazing items available exclusive to our backers — like the new Shepard Fairey OBEY movie poster for PAY 2 PLAY, a true honor for us, this 40″ x 27″ lithograph on 80 lb. card stock has already won its printer an industry award for Best Art Poster. A limited number of prints are available only through this Kickstarter campaign, which ends May 30.
We’re also excited to unveil our new companion book for the film, a director’s journal of the street artists followed over the course of making PAY 2 PLAY. With interviews conducted for the documentary and exclusive pics of the artists in action at night, Where Else But the Streets tells the story of the LA street art scene explosion—and its fallout. Featuring Alec Monopoly, Free Humanity, LydiaEmily, Teacher, Mr. Brainwash, OBEY, and Banksy, only available through our Kickstarter Campaign!
Please share this on your social media networks, as we continue to discover more people who feel passionately about getting money out of politics, particularly in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision in McCutcheon vs. FEC on April 2nd. The Court ruled in favor of plaintiff Shaun McCutcheon, a coal executive fighting clean air laws, who wanted to give candidates more than campaign laws allowed, which was $123,000 per election cycle. This is what we are up against.
Thank you for all you do,
John Wellington Ennis
Director, PAY 2 PLAY