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Major Project Grant

Application Form, 2010-11

Deadline: February 12, 2010, 5 p.m.

Requested $10,000
Received $2,000 

Projects must take place between July 1, 2010 and Sept. 1, 2011

Applicant:Elizabeth Stephens

Department: Art Rank: Professor

E-mail:estephe@ucsc.edu

Descriptive title of project: Goodbye Gauley Mountain

Category: (X) Individual ($2000-$10,000) or( ) Collaborative ($2000-$20,000)

Amount requested from ARI (not to exceed limitsabove):

Date:2/10/10

Project description: Maximum of 350 words – use12-point type.

Proposalswhose descriptions exceed 350 words will not be sent to the committee.

Individualprojects will be evaluated on potential national/international impact,originality, contribution to the field, feasibility, and likelihood ofcompletion (which includes evidence of the applicant’s record of productivity).

Iam requesting funding to edit my film, “Goodbye Gauley Mountain.” Last year I received an ARI mini granttowards purchasing a video camera. I have begun shooting and am planning toreturn to West Virginia in July and August to finish this portion of theproject.

Specifically,I am requesting funding for travel, to purchase editing equipment, software,and to hire an editing assistant. I plan to complete the editing process overthe next year.

“Goodbye Gauley Mountain” explores theenvironmental and cultural devastation caused by the coal mining techniqueknown as mountain top removal (MTR). The film’s narrative weaves autobiographical information withenvironmental consequence through the ongoing story of the destruction ofGauley Mountain near Gauley Bridge, West Virginia.

Igrew up in the shadow of Gauley. My family, and most everyone else’s, worked in the coal industry. These facts have made this issuepersonal, but more importantly MTR has global environmental implications. My commitment to creating art thatexplores environmentalism, community and alternative visions for the futureonly increases as my awareness of the disastrous future we are creating throughreckless use and abuse of the earth increases.

The climate in the West Virginia coalfields between mining, environmentalists,and local coal dependent communities is deteriorating. Strong feelings abound on both sides ofthe MTR debate. This last year sawa fierce battle to save the last untouched mountain in Coal River Valley. The residents and environmentalistslost and mining permits were issued. Blasting began this summer. The activists try to slow things down but itis going to take the EPA to put an end to this practice.

Creating a film is the most powerful way I am able to engagea larger audience. As a nativeWest Virginian I have access to a world that is often closed to and/orstereotyped by outsiders. Through exploring how the commons, the watersheds,and the communities of the Appalachian Mountains are being destroyed, I intendto express the tragedy of this mining practice, situate it in a global context,while informing and inspiring others to become aware through art.

 

Budget and Justification

Applyonly for funds needed; awards willnormally be less than the allowable maximum. In the space beneath eachcategory, provide details for each expense.

ExpenseCategory DollarAmount

Salaries andwages (honoraria, research assistance, etc.) $1800

Editing Assistant100 hours @ 18 dollars per hour

Supplies (specifybelow)

Equipment (specify equipment type with prices)

MacPro computer-customized for video production ($6148) $ 8242

Apple Cinema HD Display (30″ Flat Panel)($1599)

Guardian Maximus Raid Hardrive. 2TB/2TB ($495.00)

Domestic travel (specify destinations and means of travel) $2558

(I will be living in WV for 2 months whilefilming and require my car to transport equipment and to get to filmsites. I am requesting miliagereimbursment for a round trip from San Francisco to Charleston WV.

2558 miles x2=5116 miles @.50 per mile =$2558

Other (provide details for each expense) $1258.95

Software: Final Cut Pro (Academic) ($899)

AdobeCreative Suite 4 (Academic) (359.95)

EXPENSES $13,858.95

Tax $ 1108.7

TOTALEXPENSES (for film) $14,967.66