UPDATE — April 2, 2013: This project has ended because the first fundraising goal was not met. Turning World cannot now accept new contributions. Any funds in transit will be refunded upon receipt. Thank you!
Syria in Seasons: Spring
$918.75 is first goal for "Spring" issue. Will you fundUS?
I. Project
II. fundUS™
III. Stay Updated!
IV. For Reporters
I. Project
A. VIDEO SCRIPT
Hello. My name is Brad Workman. I am a photojournalist and start-up publisher — the founding manager of Turning World Communications. Thank you for your attention. "Syria in Seasons" is a year-long, patron-funded photojournalism and publishing project. The project's main aim is to help document the change and distress occurring in conjunction with the Syrian conflict. "Spring" is the project's first chapter. Like the future chapters (Summer, Fall, Winter) your financial contributions will be used to produce photojournalism that gets published in at least a corresponding issue of Turning World Magazine. The photographs may be taken inside Syria, outside Syria, or both. Turning World Magazine is a straightforward, non-partisan forum for photojournalism. The "Spring" issue will be published June 30, 2013.
An analysis done for the United Nations Human Rights Office found that 59,648 people were reported killed in the Syrian war between mid-March 2011 and late November 2012. A press release by that U.N. office characterized the analysis as "preliminary" yet "exhaustive." By contrast, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall in Washington, D.C., today contains the names of approximately 58,270 American military personnel either "Killed in Action" or who remain "Missing in Action" during or after about 19 years of U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia: the Vietnam War. By comparing these totals alone — to say nothing of world politics or traumatized Syrians or the hundreds of thousands of refugees and internally displaced people — by comparing these totals alone we can easily see that the situation in Syria has been and will be serious and important.
Producing Turning World Magazine is important to me for the same reasons that I hope independent, socially conscious photojournalism seems important to you. All journalists make subjective decisions. But I certainly have a zeal for speech not produced by or on behalf of any government, political party, or politician. And I believe deeply in the power and importance of the journalistic still image.
My faith in the non-fictional image, though not unconditional or unlimited, has not been diminished by the accelerating pace of global communications; by the new, picture ubiquity; by new business models; or by any other factor that one may say has been reshaping photojournalism. Do you think my faith is misplaced? I have been working (or preparing to work) as an international photojournalist since 2002 and published the first issue of Turning World Magazine in June 2011. Beginning with that first issue 100 percent of Turning World profits from magazine sales have been earmarked to directly fund production of Turning World journalism projects, and although travel and photojournalism have given me many gifts Turning World Magazine has never made profit on any project undertaken.
This is where you enter the picture. Today, I am seeking patrons to provide the on-the-ground "Spring" issue production costs, which I estimate will total $3,675. You should review the full estimated budget on the campaign Web page at turningworld.org/syria. Please note that there are no estimated airplane ticket expenses. That is because I am not asking patrons to buy flight tickets. On the campaign page you can also see the different gifts patrons get for contributing to the "Spring" issue of "Syria in Seasons," which I hope you see as an ambitious, uncommon, and highly worthwhile project.
The fundraising deadline for the "Spring" issue is June 30, 2013. And now I kindly ask you to make a contribution at any pledge level shown on the campaign page. Then, tell a friend. If you are not ready to pledge today then I encourage you to at least think about it, maybe learn more about Turning World Communications, or contact me with any question. Hopefully, you will then come back and contribute at a level that feels comfortable. And thanks again for your attention.
B. BUDGET
TOTAL PROJECTED COSTS (Spring): $3,675
I. Production
Hotel Room A: $35 x 4 nights = $140
Hotel Room B: $20 x 21 nights = $420
Food and Beverages: $10 x 25 nights = $250
Work Aide (fixer/translator): $100 x 20 work days = $2,000
Taxi Ride A: $30 x 2 trips = $60
Taxi Ride B: $15 x 2 trips = $30
Taxi Ride C: $5 x 2 trips = $10
Taxi Ride D: $10 x 4 trips = $40
Taxi Ride E: $100 x 4 trips = $400
Bus Ride: $30 x 2 trips = $60
Travel Visa: $20 x 1 = $20
Emergency Fund (for unexpected expenses) = $99.81
II. Premiums
Print and Ship Postcards: $1.46 x 25 = $36.50
Print and Ship Posters: $7.14 x 5 = $35.70
Print and Ship Magazines: $24.33 x 3 = $72.99
III. Fees
Credit/Debit Card Processing Fees: $3,615 x 2% to 5.5% = $72.30 to $198.82
After research and deliberation Turning World decided to not accept online contributions. All card processors reviewed charge fees and offered unacceptable contract terms that could jeopardize the project.
NOTE: After June 30, 2013, Turning World will post on this website a "Spring" issue income/expense report. If actual costs are less than the total contributions received then the extra money will be first used by Turning World to fund the next "Syria in Seasons" project chapter: the "Summer" issue.
C. REFUNDS/RISKS
IF $918.75 (25 percent of $3,675) has not been contributed and received by March 31, 2013, then the project will terminate and all "Spring" issue money received will be fully refunded. Any premiums previously provided will be the patron's to keep.
IF $918.75 has been received by March 31 then there is, naturally, still some risk that unforeseen events or conditions will prevent or delay publication of the new Turning World Magazine print issue (on June 30, 2013) or prevent or delay delivery of a premium. If you wish to contribute more than $5 total you may thus want to make multiple contributions toward your total as the project makes progress and the June 30 funding deadline for "Spring" approaches.
It seems highly unlikely that anyone would support the project to receive a premium. Nevertheless, alternative premiums help reduce risk at $40, $65, and $120. The $3,500+ premium will simply be refunded if Brad Workman is unable or unwilling to visit for any reason, and any lower-level premiums previously provided will be the patron's to keep.
II. fundUS™
UPDATE — April 2, 2013: This project has ended because the first fundraising goal was not met. Turning World cannot now accept new contributions. Any funds in transit will be refunded upon receipt. Thank you!
The premiums below are expressions of gratitude for patrons who contribute to the "Spring" issue project chapter. Premiums may also help involve patrons in the project and be incentives to some. Any patron wishing to contribute $40 or more without receiving any particular premium(s) should include a note with the contribution. Patrons should presume that their names (or the names of the contributing organizations, as the case may be) and amounts contributed will be made public. Your contribution at any level will be helpful.
A. PREMIUM LEVELS
$5
ACCESS to photojournalist and project director Brad Workman using a unique email address given by Turning World only to "Spring" issue patrons. You can thereby have your questions answered and comments heard throughout the project chapter term. (Emails received at the address will be opened and, if necessary, answered in the order received as time allows.)
$15
DIGITAL COPY of "Downtown: Seeing Human Need in the Heart of Port-au-Prince." It is the 74-page second-quarter, 2012 issue of Turning World Magazine. You also get the $5 premium.
$25
DIGITAL COPY of "The Endless Tremble: A Vagabond's Glimpse of Post-quake Haiti." It is the 108-page fourth-quarter, 2011 issue of Turning World Magazine. You also get the $15 and $5 premiums.
$40
HAND-WRITTEN "Thank You" on a Turning World photo postcard with hand-applied stamp. The image will be from the "Spring" project chapter. (A postcard using an image from a prior Turning World project will be sent instead if a "Spring" image is unavailable for any reason.) Your postcard will be delivered after the "Spring" issue pledge drive ends on June 30, 2013. You also get the $25, $15, and $5 premiums.
$65
LIMITED-EDITION photo poster printed and delivered "on demand" in cooperation with MagCloud™. The poster will go only to "Spring" issue patrons, and the image will be from the "Spring" project chapter. The poster will be 12" x 18" (or 18" x 12") and printed on 80-pound, acid-free cover stock that is FSC-certified and fully recyclable. (An image from a prior Turning World project will be printed instead if a "Spring" image is unavailable for any reason.) Your poster will be delivered after the "Spring" project chapter pledge drive ends on June 30, 2013. You also get the $40, $25, $15, and $5 premiums.
$120
PRINT COPY of the new Turning World Magazine ("Syria in Seasons: Spring" issue) printed and delivered "on demand" in cooperation with MagCloud™. (A copy of a prior issue, your choice, will be sent instead if publication of the new issue does not occur on June 30, 2013.) You also get the $65, $40, $25, $15, and $5 premiums.
$250
LIVE VIDEO conversation (at least one) using Skype™ or Windows Live® Messenger during which photojournalist and project director Brad Workman will express his gratitude. The talk will be at least one hour, if you wish, and will take place after the "Spring" issue pledge drive ends on June 30, 2013. You also get the $120, $65, $40, $25, $15, and $5 premiums.
$3,500+
(only one available)
PERSONAL VISIT by grateful photojournalist and project director Brad Workman in your American town. He will join you or you and others (your choice) for lunch or dinner (your choice) and buy at least his own. If you wish, he will record a brief video of himself thanking you for your contribution and then post it to this Turning World website. The visit will occur after the "Spring" issue pledge drive ends on June 30, 2013. You also get the $250, $120, $65, $40, $25, $15, and $5 premiums.
Note: This premium will simply be refunded if Brad Workman is, unfortunately, unable or unwilling to visit for any
reason. Any lower-level premiums previously provided will be the patron's to keep.
B. DELIVERY
Premiums at the $5, $15, and $25 levels will be available online immediately after you pledge. Risks aside, all other premiums will be delivered or provided after the "Spring" issue pledge drive ends on June 30, 2013.
C. MORE/OTHER WAYS TO HELP
I. You can join our mailing list and follow us on Twitter: Stay Updated!
II. You can share or embed the project video that is displayed above. Begin by clicking on this link: https://www.youtube.com/share_popup?v=HN2mfwBV98g.
III. You can help spread the word about this patron-funded photojournalism and publishing project on Facebook, on Twitter, or on your other your social media accounts. The address to share is: http://www.turningworld.org/syria
III. Stay Updated!
A. VIA EMAIL
Please submit your email address on the form below to receive all "Syria in Seasons" project updates and download a free, digital copy of the "Fourth Quarter, 2012" issue of Turning World Magazine entitled "Seeing Syria: One Photographer's Troubled Attempt to Record the War."
B. VIA "Twitter"
Click to follow the project on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SyriainSeasons.
IV. For Reporters
A. CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS OR INTERVIEW REQUESTS
Turning World welcomes all questions and interview requests from mass-audience and alternative or niche media staff members and freelancers. Please call (1) (561) 309-6887. After hours or when Brad Workman is overseas you should reach an assistant or hear a recorded message. The company's Skype™ name is turningworld. Email will likely be the best way to reach Brad Workman directly when he is overseas but is a strong option anytime. Kindly write to "syria_media" at turningworld.org.
syria_media@turningworld.org
For interview requests, please try to provide (or have on hand) as much of the following helpful information as possible:
- Masthead/Program/Project Title
- Companion Website Address
- Main Topic(s) of Interest
- Interview Date and Time
- Interview Method (telephone, face-to-face, etc.)
- Final Format(s) (audio, print/static visual, video, something revolutionary)
- Interviewer Name and Contact Information
Find more information that may be helpful on the Turning World News page and, perhaps, on other pages of this simple site. Also, please join our mailing list and follow us on Twitter. Thank you.
Turning World Communications, LLC
P.O. Box 1581
Forest City, NC 28043
USA
B. NEWS RELEASES AND PHOTO DOWNLOADS
The materials below are for free, non-exclusive use in journalistic reports about the "Syria in Seasons" patron-funded photojournalism and publishing project. Is there something you need but do not see here? If "yes" then please send a request by email to "syria_media" at turningworld.org.
I. News Release(s)
March 1, 2013: Independent Photojournalist Launches Public Campaign to Fund Coverage of Syrian War Stories
II. Syria Photo
IDP Camp in Syria
JPEG (4.56 MB)
III. Magazine Cover
Fourth Quarter, 2012
JPEG (2.78 MB)
IV. Photo of Brad Workman
A digital, color head-and-shoulders image suitable for publication is available by request to "syria_media" at turningworld.org.