publications from 1995 to 1997.
The column was a collaboration with my late wife, Diana
Oestreich. The column was first published in October 95.
In mid 96 I began to syndicate it. By July 97, twenty-six
New Age magazines and newspapers were publishing it. I discontined
the column a year ago, but all of the magazines have said
they would publish it again when I resume.
Market
Our Audience
American Medical Association Study:
In September 1996, an AMA survey found that:
89% of women with children
80% of women
75% of all adults with children
66% of all adults
had either walked out of a film, or turned off the TV because
of violence.
It said that "Children imitate violence they
see on TV and in Movies," and recommended that parents monitor
the TV and movies their children watch.
This demonstrates the size of the audience which
is interested in our perspective on films. The issue of positive
media is very much in the news politically and socially these
days, as more people become aware that films play a significant
role in determining our quality of life.
Uplifting Films offers positive
alternatives to violent films without being conservative or
dogmatic.
This guide will be useful to any movie viewer,
especially:
The New Age Audience - Very strongly desires a guide
to renting positive, inspiring, life affirming films in the
video store.
Parents concerned about what their families
are watching and absorbing - what values are being presented?
Women who want to choose movies that are not violent
or sexually exploitative. Some men are also looking for this
type of film.
Doctors, healers, patients, and those seeking alternative
ways to counteract depression and illness.
Schools, Teachers, Churches, Community Groups, Hospitals,
Prisons, Reformatories, Rehabilitation Centers or any
one desiring to inspire and uplift an audience.
Uplifting Films recommendations
attract a devoted following because people are grateful to have
the type of balanced positive information we provide. We did
a regional access TV show on Uplifting Films,
and it became extremely popular. People were continually thanking
us for doing the show, telling us how necessary and useful our
list waswhen they rented films.
Competition
Uplifting Films is unique because:
There are no other New Age movie guides or critics
addressing this audience. Our recommendations are quickly
embraced by anyone interested in this area because we guide
them to the most inspirational and enjoyable films, and help
them avoid the bad ones.
It evaluates the emotional or feeling content and the underlying
essence of a film as well as its cinematic quality.
Other movie guides are generally basic listings of every
movie, good, bad or worse without indication of what emotions
you will be left with after viewing the movie. Our guide lists
only those films that we feel are positive and life affirming.
We will not reveal the plot the way other film guides do.
Each review will have a general description of the film’s
essence, i.e., a woman’s film, father-son relationship, adventure,
a love story,etc. Then it will describe the film in more detail,
without revealing major plot developments. The user of our
guide will be able to see a film as it was intended to be
seen, without knowing the plot in advance.
In addition to major studio productions, we also unearth
many excellent but lesser known domestic and foreign films,
including both theatrical and television movies.
No other movie guide evaluates films from our perspective
of feeling and love as well as artistic merit. The best known,
such as Siskel & Ebert, Leonard Maltin, Blockbuster, etc.,
make no discernment based on positive, non-violent, or sexist
behavior. They often have a cynical point of view and downgrade
a film for being "too" sweet, idealistic, optimistic, etc.
- qualities we look for in a film.
Other niche guides for families, children, mothers, etc.,
do not have the philosophical balance and/or aesthetic discernment
which ours does. They often miss underlying negative themes,
judging films solely on the lack of certain criteria such
as violence or sex. Often, recommended movie lists are tied
to a specific religion or political point of view. A person,
who is concerned about extreme violence and abusive sex, has
nowhere to turn for balanced information on what to rent in
the video store. There is no discernment between content and
context, nor insightful evaluation of the effect of a movie
on the viewer’s psyche.
Other Media & Co-Marketing
Print
Uplifting Films, A Guide to Films That Make You Feel Good
was published as a column in 24 New Age magazines with a combined
circulation of 1 million copies. We will be able to promote the
book in these columns, and can expand the number of magazines
which carry our reviews.
Online
The Uplifting Films Web site (http://www.upliftingfilms.com)
will feature reviews of current films, several Uplifting Videos
of the week, and a feedback area where users can correspond with
us and each other about films. We may have on-line chat sessions
with actors, directors, writers, producers, independent filmmakers,
etc. Our chat sessions to date have included such directors as
Chris Columbus (director Mrs. Doubtfire & Nine Months),
and Beeban Kidron (To Wong Foo With Love). We have access
to both the major studios and independents. These celebrity chat
sessions will bring attention to the book and other forms of Uplifting
Films.
Interactive Computer Media
We are proposing an annual Uplifting Films CD-ROM
and DVD guide.
Radio
A series of 90 second Uplifting Films reviews -
possibly a talkradio show.
Uplifting Films Whole Hearted Endorsement
Utilized and marketed like the 'Good Housekeeping Seal ofApproval.'
Video Stores
On-line video store access to the Uplifting Films
website.
Sales in video stores.
Inclusion of dollar off video rental coupons with the book.
(valid in the store the book was purchased from) .
Blind referral relationship for mail order rental of Uplifting
Films titles.
Classification of the Film Reviews
CATEGORIES
Films are categorized into three main groups, listed alphabetically
within each:
Uplifting
Films filled with joy and reassurance that life is good
and just. They contain no serious violence or other negative
elements unless noted.
Political
Films that enlighten the viewer about political situations,
show truth and reveal social injustice. Because they show
the striving of humankind for goodness and the survival of
the human spirit, they are, ultimately, uplifting. Films which
have apolitical message but contain no violence will be listed
with a full description in the UPLIFTING section and will
also have a linepointer listing in the POLITICAL section.
Tense Drama
Excellent films we find uplifting despite some tension due
to the presence of moderate violence or other negative elements.
Viewers will be advised of the nature of disturbing
content in any of the Political or Tense Drama listings. Strong
sexual content will be noted for those who are concerned about
its presence.
GENRE
Within each category, films will be further classified with
code letters listed on the title line:
(C)
Comedy
(W)
Women's
(CH)
Children's movies (applicable age groups will be listed
in body of review)
(F)
Foreign
(M)
Metaphysical/Spiritual
(YC)
Young children - 7 and under
A Genre codes key will be printed at the bottom
of every right hand page.
FILM LISTINGS
will contain: director, year made, actors, synopsis, rating,
and applicable genre code letters.
Rating - Heart Rate - a graphic
heart-like symbol filled infrom a whole heart to a quarter
heart. Although every film listed in the guide will be recommended,
I am considering using this type of graphic to point out the
very best.
Synopsis will describe the essence of
the film, why it isuplifting, what drawbacks it may have, and
briefly describe the story linewithout revealing its major plot
points.
Indexes - 10 indexes: Title; Category
(3); Subcategory (5);Director. Others could be Actor, Year,
Sexual Content.
