Dec 19 2008
Coming to a theater near you: vegetarian and animal-friendly movies
This press release came through my news wire this week and I thought it deserved being transmitted verbatim….
Earlier this week the first fan-managed, motion picture studio, Green Light Flix announced that it is now recruiting 50,000 vegetarians and vegans to join their “Producers Club.” Blending activism and entertainment, Green Light Flix members help develop and produce media, such as feature films, videos, podcasts, webisodes, and more.
“Vegetarians, animal rights activists and environmentalists have a very rare and often negative representation in cinema and television. Our mission is to change that. We want to show activists in a positive light while entertaining and educating audiences,” said Dawn Black, co-founder of Green Light Flix.
Green Light Flix fills a critical gap in the entertainment industry. For the first time, a community of environmentalists, animal rights activists, and vegetarians will be able to help choose, promote and have an impact on media that appeal to them. Fans get the opportunity to discover new storytellers while getting insider access and VIP perks for their contributions.
“There are millions of vegetarians and vegans around the world, and many of us are insulted by being portrayed in films and TV shows as pale, 85 pound hippies that look sickly and need a murdered farm animal’s carcass and dairy products to feel better,” said Scott Cardinal, GreenLight Flix co-founder and Director of Development. “Environmentalists and animal rights activists are usually portrayed as kooks, too. Imagine heroic films like ‘Rocky,’ dramatic films like ‘The Breakfast Club,’ romantic comedies like ‘Serendipity,’ and more - except the main characters are obviously animal rights activists and vegetarians or vegans. That is what we plan to do. The positive examples would do more to promote our positive lifestyle than all the horrific slaughterhouse videos on You Tube.”
Green Light Flix’ 2009 slate includes “V-Day,” a forward-thinking documentary about what the world would be like in the future if everyone was vegan; “GreEntreprenuer,” which is interviews with owners of earth-friendly businesses; “Guy Going Green,” about a 355 lb. man changing his life for the better; a series of cooking DVDs; and a few dramas and comedies with characters that are admirable animal rights activists, vegetarians, vegans, and environmentalists.
“Producing and distributing feature films and videos can be a great form of activism. Finally, animal rights, vegetarian, vegan and eco activists have an opportunity to join in on this while supporting the causes they believe in,” claims Board Advisor Steve Silberberg.
The projects are financed by Membership dues which turn Fans into Producers and investors. Once the productions are done, Limited Edition DVDs are distributed to those same Member whose annual dues financed them. Memberships start at $25 a year. Members will help make major business decisions including logo design, web design, film development, marketing and distribution, etc. Members will also receive VIP perks, such as a free member T-shirt, DVDs, 25% off all products, and more. Green Light Flix will donate 10% of net profits to animal rescue, rights, welfare organizations selected by its members.
“Many animal rights groups produce footage of slaughterhouses and animal cruelty, which most people do not want to watch. While this information needs to be made public so people can learn the truth, we also need positive videos showing what the world could be like without dependence on animal products. Green Light Flix will do that, and we are excited to support them.” said Jodi Chemes, VP Youth Outreach, Florida Voices for Animals.
