Project pitched to Alan

Dear Alan,

I have a project that I'd love to get you involved with. We are going to do some PSA's for TV on literacy. At present we are just starting, but we would like to have a pilot or two in the next couple of months.

Here is the plan.

First, we pick a major sporting event. Of course what am I to pick, the NCAA Division I Men's Swimming & Diving Championships in Indy in two weeks.

Then we pick two star performers. One is Olympic Coach Don Gambril who is the author of one of my books. The other is World Record Holder from U. of Michigan who has been on the cover of Swimming World Magazine.

The script is simple. We stage it like the Bud Light commercials. Instead of "Taste Great" vs. "Less Filling" -- we use "Read Books" vs. "Read Magazines". The book author introduces himself and says "read books"; the magazine cover athlete does the same then says, "read magazines."

Then I get the assistance of the local TV news department who is already going to be covering the meet. I ask them to shoot the PSA with the sport stars while they are at the event. Then then give me the tape, and they are done.

Here is where you come into the picture. I'd like to send you the tape from the scene, and have you edit it. We nee your talents as producer so we can turn the raw footage into a real PSA. Can you ad your magic to this? A special effect, a name or two and a "provided by..." statement needs to be done to bring the tape to a finished and professional state.

One major benefit, PSA's are short. We are talking about 5, 10 and 15 second spots. It is not like some drama production.

After you get the master finished, then we want to get the thing duplicated. I realize that the duplication is another job, but I'm wondering if you could handle that as well? If not, let me know and we'll try to get some other duplication process started.

We want to get the finished PSA's into a couple of test markets for experimentation purposes. I want to see if the stations would play such a tape. What stations are more supportive than others and why.

I'd also like a few copies of the master on the traditional VHS video tapes so I can show people without using Professional TV Production equipment. This tape would help us in our presentations to investor's sponsors, etc.

If you could get me ten of the duplicated PSA copies and 10 of the video VHS duplicates, then your mission would be accomplished -- for now. This project might be able to branch out into other endeavors, as you might guess as time goes by and support is generated. However, we have to get this first piece out of the idea stage and into a finished package.

Can you do this? Do you have cheap access to the equipment and studio facilities? Can you get some duplication done? Do you know others who might be interested in assisting if you can't do it alone? Are you still in Los Angeles? Are you still in North America?

Give me a call ASAP! Thanks!

Sincerely yours,

Mark Rauterkus