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Here's The Pitch: The Ties That Bind
Vancouver International
Film Festival Television Trade Forum
29th September 2002
The third pitch, The Ties That Bind presented by
producer John Ritchie, was a heart-rending story of 28-year-old Chris
Jordan, who suffers multiple disabilities including cerebral palsy.
Jordan has been cared for by his parents all his life but wants to live
a "normal" life on his own. The parents, both carers now in their sixties,
have recently undergone surgery for life-threatening illnesses.
The mother, fearing for her son’s future, has established a formal support
network (CLAM) locally to help people like her son. The story, shot over
a year and a half already, was about Jordan’s move away from home.
It came in for some withering criticism, which Ritchie, although taken
aback, took with impressive good humour.
"Worthy but dull," pronounced McCarthy. He suggested that it might work
as a shorter film or with an additional unique angle.
Nick Jones added that Channel 4 and the BBC have a regulatory remit to
deal with disability issues so there are often outlets for these kind
of real life programmes.
Richard Klein liked the title, but agreed with McCarthy that it needed
more. He wanted to know where the story was. Klein said this reflected
a common flaw which he saw again and again - an unclear story. "Where
the hell is the film. Where are we heading with this? What’s the jeopardy
point?"
He suggested that - after viewing a taster tape - "if it worked, we’d
use it, but I don’t know if we would preinvest". Klein suggested if it
just needed a further 15,000 dollars for completion then they might consider
that. "If the money’s there already and it’s 99% ready. Then, of course,
I’m interested."
In response to the onslaught, Ritchie stressed that his subject was an
engaging, amusing person and that the doc had been accepted in Canada
for broadcast and was near completion. What was the end point? Rictchie
said it was his subject moving out of home. Klein jumped in, "That’s where
the documentary really starts for me." Ouch!
"Anger is good"
in project 4
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