Low to the Ground Productions

Nearing the home stretch on principle photography for THE STORYBOOK PROJECT

admin — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:06:12 +0000

Last month we interviewed Elizabeth Gaynes, Executive Director, of The Osborne Association. They provide leadership to the New York Initiative for Children of Incarcerated Parents (NYICIP), a collaborative system of reform and advocacy effort that brings together public and private agencies and individuals concerned about how the arrest and incarceration of parents affect children. As we witnessed, they are changing lives, for the better, everyday.

January 2012 will begin the editing process. We will sculpt the structure of the documentary by weaving the stories of the incarcerated parents, their families on the outside, the Storybook program volunteers, the Sheriff of Ontario County, the Chief Corrections Officer, educators, and our various experts. I am quite excited to enter this next phase of production and look forward to writing to you from the ‘other’ side.

Linda Moroney

Lesley Mandel Morrow

admin — Wed, 25 May 2011 20:53:59 +0000

I am eager to let you all know about an upcoming shoot we have for THE STORYBOOK PROJECT. We will interview Lesley Mandel Morrow, the highly respected literacy expert and educator, to contextualize the role of Bedtime Stories and family reading in developing literacy in young children. If you are not familiar with her work, you can view her long and incredibly impressive list of publications, awards, and accolades here. We are very honored that Lesley has agreed to participate in our documentary and know that her insights will greatly benefit the project. Many thanks to Dr. Laura Jones, our Education Consultant, who helped make this connection.

What would you ask Lesley Mandel Morrow if you had the opportunity?

A Sneak Peek of Still Images

admin — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 19:57:55 +0000

Happy New Year!

We are diligently working away on the THE STORYBOOK PROJECT in these parts. While you are waiting to see it, we can offer some fantastic still images taken by our talented photographer, Julie Gelfand, during some of our shoots at Ontario County Jail. There is a great deal more to unfold for the documentary during 2011, so think of this as just the start!

See the photos here: http://www.gelfandpiperphoto.com/galleries/storybook-project/

Happy reading.

James Patterson is HUGE in jail

admin — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 20:59:15 +0000

So, one of the questions I am asking the incarcerated parents during the interview is:

“What book or author have you enjoyed reading most since you’ve been incarcerated?”

The overwhelming answer is James Patterson. If I didn’t know better I would think he was paying these people off to give his name. Mind you, I have never read any of his books. Although, I am eager to now, seeing this loyalty to his work.

If you were locked away, what author would you seek out?

Linda Moroney
Producer/Director

Shiny New Library Card

linda — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:12:59 +0000

The other day, while at the local library with my two sons, we discovered we had unknowingly let a rite of passage slip by. At age 5 you are entitled to your very own library card in Monroe County, NY! After hearing these words spoken by the children’s librarian, my older son’s eyes widened, and I knew he was about to head down the next path in his journey – literary independence. What a fantastic gift to get so early in life. I encourage you to check your local library to see how early your own kids can get a card.

Judicial Process Commission

linda — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:37:14 +0000

Yesterday, I had a wonderful screening of the trailer for members of the Judicial Process Commission (www.rocjpc.org). Here is a non-profit organization that truly envisions an equal society for all and they are working diligently to make that reality. They support 1,000 ex-offenders each year, through a variety of programs. Ultimately they are changing lives, one individual at a time. Many thanks to Sue Porter and Fred Schaeffer tor sharing their time and knowledge with me. I look forward to cultivating this relationship.

-Linda Moroney
Producer/Director

And we’re off….

linda — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:36:42 +0000

Production is underway on THE STORYBOOK PROJECT. I can’t thank the good folks at Crystal Pix enough for taking a chance on this project and working with me. They are smart, creative, incredibly nice, and extremely professional. And did I mention funny? An absolute must for any documentary filmmaker!

Now for the update – We’ve created a 10 min. trailer that I hope to post here soon. It walks you through the Storybook Program at Ontario County Jail and focuses on how it affects one particular family. Many thanks to ALL of the volunteers and families that are participating. Your stories will help others.

Next up…more shooting later this week.

What are you reading these days to your children? Drop me a line and let me know. I’d like to create a running list as we go.

Linda Moroney
Producer/Director

The new lowtotheground.com

linda — Tue, 18 May 2010 18:57:03 +0000

Welcome to the new home for Low to the Ground Productions!

Low to the Ground Productions is a Rochester based, independent film production company, dedicated to making compelling and innovative films since 2001. Watch this space for updates on our films, including our current documentary, The Storyboard Project.