FAQs
About the film
For the first time, the love and life story of Ruby Dee & Ossie Davis will be told in a feature documentary film. A labor of love and legacy, Life's Essentials TM with Ruby Dee, offers a rare glimpse into the essence of one of the most enduring couples of our time. Interviewed by her grandson, we are invited to listen in on candid conversations, as "GramRuby" expounds on LOVE, ART, and ACTIVISM, giving instruction on life's essentials.
Ruby Dee has played many roles and earned numerous titles. Today, we call her a pioneer, a legend, and an American icon. After watching Life's Essentials TM with Ruby Dee, you may be tempted to call her "GramRuby."
Crowd Funding the Film
The film is being "crowdfunded" through a Kickstarter campaign inviting Ruby and Ossie's fans to support the upcoming documentary. Crowdfunding is a form of fundraising which will allow people to financially support the production.
Ossie and Ruby made every artistic move with "the people" in mind. Crowdfunding a film in their honor is fitting tribute to a couple whose work has touched the pulse of society from Purlie Victorious, to their PBS series, With Ossie and Ruby to Raisin in the Sun, to Do the Right Thing, to Ruby's Academy Award nominated performance in American Gangster.
What is Kickstarter?
Kickstarter is a funding platform made especially for creative projects. Your financial support is considered a pledge. Your pledge is not charged to you until the campaign ends, and the total fundraising goal has been met. It is often associated with another term called crowdfunding or crowdsourcing.
What is crowdfunding?
Crowd funding represents the process of raising funds by marshalling the resources of a group or crowd of supporters. Through what Wikipedia calls it "collective cooperation, attention and trust by people who network and pool their money and other resources together, usually via the Internet, to support efforts initiated by other people or organizations."
The film is being "crowd funded" through a Kickstarter campaign inviting Ruby and Ossie's fans to support the upcoming documentary. Crowdfunding is a form of which will allow people to financially support the production.
What happens if the money isn't raised in time?
Every Kickstarter project must be fully funded before the fundraising time expires or no money changes hands. Your credit card or debit card will not be charged.
Where is my donation going?
Please make checks payable to Life Essentials, LLC, P.O. Box 696, New Rochelle, NY 10802
What is my donation being used for?
Your donation will be used to support the production and filming of the documentary.
Why isn't my donation tax deductible?
We are not a non-profit organization. However, donations under $10,000 are considered gifts and are not tax-deductible.
When will the film be complete?
We anticipate screening a preview of the documentary October 2012.
What do you mean by "documentary preview"?
We will present a preview of the feature by Oct 2012. We will honor Ruby Dee with the best footage that we have at that time. We will continue to work and develop the film beyond Oct 2012. It takes time to tell a life and love story, as we are giving it our best.
Will I be able to attend the screening?
We would love for you to attend! Supporters who give at the higher levels will receive a ticket . We hope to arrange several screenings in addition the screening in October 2012. Our goal is to finish the film first.
How can I help and get the word out?
Call, write, email, share the link to our Kickstarter page, watch the video with friends and encourage them to give.
If I don't have a lot of money, can I still donate?
We can receive any gift for a little as a one dollar. For donations under $10.00 please send a check to Life's Essentials, LLC, P.O. Box 696, New Rochelle, NY 10802. For your donations over $10 please contribute to our Kickstarter Campaign which offers special rewards based on the amount of your gift.. Please see our Kickstarter campaign for more information
I am not comfortable making online donations; can I just send a check?
Yes. Please send a check to Life's Essentials, LLC, P.O. Box 696, New Rochelle, NY 10802
What is the difference between Life's Essentials, LLC and Life's Essentials with Ruby Dee?
We are glad you asked. Life's Essential, LLC is the company that is producing the film Life's Essentials with Ruby Dee.
