Q. What does grant entail?
A. Two Parrot provides frequent flyer miles to fly a video crew to the location of the taping, regardless of how remote. The airline tickets are covered by us as are as the salaries of the staff. Equipment rental is covered. If we have to hire local technical crews, we absorb that expense.
Q. How do we apply?
A. Take a look at our provisions at www.twoparrot.com/grants.html and www.twoparrot.com/non-profit.html. Every detail is explained. If this fits with what your need, email us the grant application. The contract has evolved after review and approval from eight different non-profit legal departments, so there are usually no changes needed from your end.
Q. What is required from the non-profit?
A. You provide actor releases, the storyboard, interview questions, photos, and a specific input on the general story you want to tell. You also must advise us on how you plan on using the final documentary film (fund raising, Internet). You also must provide food, lodging and transportation for our crew while in the country of the taping. Figure that will be one or two hotel rooms for between two to five nights. The non-profit must also commit to absorbing the costs of the post-production (editing, music, rights and clearances), an estimate of which is below.
Q. What’s the final product?
A. It is a documentary, usually around ten minutes long. You receive a master DVD, as well as Internet versions. You also receive a trailer—a shorter version of the documentary - to use as a loop on your website or send to local media.
Q. Can we use the footage you shoot in the future?
A. Although Two Parrot retains the rights to the footage, you can use it for future projects. On future editing projects that draw from the footage we captured, we request that you give us the first opportunity to bid on the project.
Q. What is required as far as the non-profit costs for post-production, and what does this include?
A. The non-profit is responsible for the costs related to the editing of the footage. This includes choosing music & photographs, but mostly the time and effort by Two Parrot staff, working hand-in-hand with the representative of the non-profit as the hours of tapes are edited down to the final presentation. The costs related to post-production typically range from $5,000 to $15,000 based on location and project scope. The majority of this cost is not incurred until the final DVD is produced and delivered.
Q. What person on our end will work with you?
A. In the past we have worked closely with the communications director or executive director.
Q. How long does it take to produce the film?
A. Generally we like to plan at least two months ahead to secure frequent flyer tickets for our staff. That period is used to create the script and line up the chief actors at the destination country. Once we complete filming (which generally takes 3-4 days on location) we aim to have the final Master Tape completed within six weeks. The involvement of the non-profit in the post-production process is paramount to approve the three editing stages. This is all done over the Internet.
Q. When does the non-profit have to contribute financially?
A. As far as the post-production costs, a down-payment of 40% is expected after we have made the airline reservations and signed the contracts. The final payment is not due until after the film is completed and delivered.
Q. What about the perils of filming in third-world countries?
A. We are used to it. Bill Kizorek, CEO of Two Parrot, authored ten books on the subjects of videotaping and risk management. We are aware of the pitfalls and instruct not only the Two Parrot staff but also the staff of the non-profit on how to avoid problems.
Q. What if we are not ready for the grant but don't want to lose out on being considered for the future?
A. The best bet is to subscribe to the RSS feed of Two Parrot, which gives a brief update, once a month, on issues relating to taping for non-profits as well as showing where our crews will be operating in the world throughout the year. If we are filming in Uganda and you have something that needs to be done in Tanzania, we might be able to help you out. To sign up for those updates go to
http://twoparrot.blogspot.com/
Q. Who are the principals of Two Parrot?
A. Bill and Jessica Kizorek. Between them there are over 5,000 Google entries, many relating to the work they have done for charity. Jessica was featured on CNN and CNN iReport for her charity work in Ghana and elsewhere.
The Application to apply for a grant is on-line |