FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Lizette Becerra

(310) 204 – 0448 ext 295

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

IRAQ AND AFGHAN VETERANS HIT THE SILVER SCREEN

Veterans Make Their Own Films in Operation In Their Boots

Los Angeles – While Hollywood is abuzz with the Academy Awards®, five Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans will pursue their own movie-making dreams by becoming the directors and producers of their own films. The documentary series In Their Boots presents OPERATION IN THEIR BOOTS, a filmmaking fellowship in which five Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans have been commissioned to make their own films. For the first time, soldiers who have witnessed, or personally experienced the ravages of war will tell their stories through films fit for the silver screen. OPERATION IN THEIR BOOTS is the only filmmaking fellowship of its kind in the country to give such an opportunity to today’s young Veterans.

Robert Greenwald, Brave New Foundation President and Richard Ray Perez, Operation In Their Boots Creator talk about the Filmmakers Bootcamp. Please click on image.

http://bit.ly/RobertGreenwaldandRichardRayPerez

“Hearing and seeing from the people who've lived, and breathed, and smelled, and participated in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars will give us a perspective and a point of view that none of us have seen before.” – Robert Greenwald.

On February 24, 25 & 26, 10am – 7pm, selected Veterans will take part in an intensive Filmmakers Bootcamp where they will learn the skills needed to transform their stories, ideas and experiences at war into powerful films. Hands-on and interactive exercises will include Film Industry Story Pitching, Camera and Lighting techniques, Documentary Interview technique, Film Editing and a Product Distribution Workshop. The Filmmakers Bootcamp will take place at the Brave New Foundation facilities at 10510 Culver Blvd, Culver City Ca. 90232.

In Their Own Words: Veterans talk about their films and inspirations. Please click images.

http://bit.ly/victormanzanoenglish

http://bit.ly/ClintVanWinkle

http://bit.ly/TristanDyer

• Victor Manzano will chronicle the harrowing life of fellow Marine Veteran Rudy Reyes (dubbed “America’s Hottest Marine”). Reyes, who by 17-years-of-age was raising his younger siblings, became a highly skilled combat Marine and actor who played himself in HBO’s Generation Kill. Manzo is an Iraq/Afghanistan War Veteran, entertainment entrepreneur and father.
• Kyle Hartnet will explore the sometimes controversial issue of what it’s like for a Muslim-American to serve in the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. He will investigate whether or not they face unique challenges due to their culture and faith. Hartnet is an Afghanistan War Veteran.
• Tristan Dyer was inspired to produce a film about substance abuse among Iraq and Afghan Veterans after personally witnessing the life of his close friend, and fellow service member, slowly and painfully taken by drugs – until that friend’s life ended in an overdose. Dyer is an Iraq War Veteran and is a Maine native.
• Chris Mandia will explore the culture shock of taking a 180 degree turn from being an armed soldier in the battle field, to becoming a student on a university campus among students who haven’t a clue what fighting in and surviving war is like. Mandia is an IraqWar Veteran.
• Clint Van Winkle, author of Soft Spots: A Marine’s Memoir of Combat and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, will delve into the emotional intensity of the survivor’s guilt felt by a fellow Marine Veteran who made the pilgrimage of accompanying his friends body to its final resting place. Clint is an Iraq War Veteran and Arizona resident.

IN THEIR BOOTS is a documentary series about the impact the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have on people at home. Each episode is available for free viewing online at www.intheirboots.com. IN THEIR BOOTS is produced by Brave New Foundation, a unique organization that creates media that champions social justice. All films from IN THEIR BOOTS are told from a non-ideological, non-partisan perspective, and strictly avoid editorializing about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. All participants of OPERATION IN THEIR BOOTS will be paid a stipend for their work. All films will be screened publicly upon completion.

###