The Way we hurt each other has evolved™
©Copyright 2013 SUBMIT THE DOCUMENTARY, LLC
Table of contents Video................................................................................ 3 Overview......................................................................... 4 Synopses......................................................................... 5 Director’s Statement.................................................... 6 Reviews........................................................................... 7-8 Target............................................................................... 9-10 Problem........................................................................... 11 Experts in Submit......................................................... 12-13 Partners........................................................................... 14 Status............................................................................... 15 Credits............................................................................. 16
Submit the Documentary Press Contact: Kristin Matysik - 404.835.2758 ext. 112 - kristin@submitthedocumentary.com
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Videos Official Film Trailer Embedded: https://vimeo.com/59973030
Sneak Peek Trailer: https://vimeo.com/69263817
Director’s Statement: https://vimeo.com/61831044
Submit the Documentary Press Contact: Kristin Matysik - 404.835.2758 ext. 112 - kristin@submitthedocumentary.com
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Overview SUBMIT: THE VIRTUAL REALITY OF CYBERBULLYING
TM
Length of Film: 55 minutes Producers Cut
49 Minutes Classroom Version
Film Festivals: Atlanta Film Festival
Buffalo Niagara Film Festival
White Sands International Film Festival
FirstGlance Film Festival Philadelphia
United Nations Association Film Festival
Year Release: Production began Sept 29, 2011
Film Debuted in March 2013, USA
Type of Sound: Stereo Press Contact: Marketing Director Kristin Matysik
kristin@submitthedocumentary.com
(404) 835-2758 ext.112
www.submitthedocumentary.com
The production team of Submit Producers: Les Ottolenghi & Ashley Reid Director: Les Ottolenghi. Executive Producers: Roxy Mize, Paul Wright & NJ Frank. Editor: Adam Hofmann. Associate Editor: Evan Seitz
Submit the Documentary Press Contact: Kristin Matysik - 404.835.2758 ext. 112 - kristin@submitthedocumentary.com
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Sypnoses
submit is an in-depth look at the reality of cyberbullying
LOGLINE: (19 words) Submit shares the experiences and testimonials of cyberbullying victims, survivors and experts to expose the growing world of cyberbullying.
SHORT SYNOPSIS: (66 words) Submit the Documentary exposes the most epic struggle in the digital, Internet age. By exploring the complicated dynamics behind cyberbullying, Submit describes the impact and outcomes of advanced technology and human nature in a lawless, new social frontier. Told through the stories of victims, bullies, and experts, Submit reaches past the headlines to describe what makes cyberbullying a threat to our national and global social fabric.
LONG SYNOPSIS: (259 words) Submit the Documentary exposes the most epic struggle in the digital, Internet age: cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is bullying by means of electronic technology committed through email, instant messaging, mobile applications, social media, chat rooms, and blogs or through messages and images sent through a cell phone. Because of the anonymity, kids who never thought of being a bully are becoming harassers. By exploring the complicated dynamics behind cyberbullying, Submit the Documentary describes the impact and outcomes of advanced technology and human nature in a lawless, new social frontier. In the worst cases, kids and teens take their own lives as the families in Submit the Documentary know all too well. Their narratives describe their close encounters with cyberbullying in heart wrenching detail compared to the lighthearted innocence of kids blithely describing their experience with sexting. Submit the Documentary demystifies the problem by including numerous experts who enlighten parents and viewers to the subculture of social media that children are participating in every day. The experts explain the extent of the problem, roadblocks to solutions, and offer potential, unconventional solutions. The cyberbully’s arsenal is vast and ever growing. Cyberbullies have more than a fist to attack with. Online, a cyberbully can publish degrading messages about the victim, spread altered photos, impersonate their victim, assume the victim’s identity online and affect their relationship with others. In the end, there is not one single place to go for help, or so it seems. The responsibility lies with all of us in keeping our children safe online, on social media networks, and mobile applications. Submit the Documentary Press Contact: Kristin Matysik - 404.835.2758 ext. 112 - kristin@submitthedocumentary.com
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Director’s Statement: “I’m in the software business as well as the film business, in fact I got into the film business because of software. I saw that the overall architecture of the business was changing for making films. I wanted to develop software that would be able to distribute films in a new way, direct to the public. But in the process it caught my eye that there was this issue of cyberbullying. I came home from work one night and turned on the local news and saw the story of an 11-year-old boy who had been cyberbullied and then committed suicide. I thought about my 1-year-old son and I turned to my wife and said “We have to figure out a way to stop this. This can’t happen again. This can’t happen to anyone else’s child. This can’t happen to our child.” Thinking about software, thinking about filmmmaking and creating our own studio, it was the first major project we decided to take on. I wanted to find a way that we could step into the process, educate people, and make them aware. As a father and a software creator, I understand online technologies and I also understand that young people are using these technologies as part of their lifestyle, their digital lifestyle. I wanted to make sure that these wonderful and powerful technologies that can be used in very good ways were not used in bad ways. I made this film so that all of you that are watching it become aware and are not bystanders. My goal for Submit is awareness. Awareness of this vast topic called cyberbullying. For parents, for civic leaders, church leaders, law enforcement and educators to learn more about how they can help protect our children. My goal for this film is to make sure that everyone who sees it, becomes active and is not a bystander and is able to stand up to this social problem.In making Submit, there are a lot of people to thank. People who spent an enormous amount of their time and emotion crafting the true story behind cyberbullying. The generosity and willingness to help by the educators, experts, and civic leaders was greater than we could have expected. The courage of the families, willing to share their painful stories of heartbreak and loss was inspirational and humbling. Therefore I would like to thank the experts, educators, civic leaders, families, and children who participated in over 100 hours of film that took two years to make. I would also like to thank the film crew producers, editors and everyone who participated in making something that wasn’t easy technically or emotionally but it was the right thing to do. Why Submit is a must-see for everyone: (in 30 seconds) Submit is a film about our age, our time. Things are changing so rapidly in our culture, in our society, that if you look at Submit you can see where social good, social activism and change can happen. its not about the dark side of technology its about what can be done to bring things into the light and that is why Submit is important to see.” -Les Ottolenghi
Quotes “It’s an impressive collection of interviews with key experts in the field; and offers a sobering look at a devastating health issue affecting America’s, and the world’s, youth.” - Alice Cahn (Cartoon Network: Stop Bullying, SpeakUp!) “Descriptions like: “extremely well done.” “Gave me goose bumps”. “Made me cry”. “Emotional roller coaster”. “Deeply concerning”, “I want my son’s school to see this.” “Everyone has to see this film”- were included in the feedback.” - Mary Kay Hoal (YourSphere.com) “We can learn a lot from what happened to Megan, Hope, and Johanna, and shame on us if we don’t do things better the next time.” - Justin Patchin of Cyberbullying Research Center Reviews “Submit the Documentary” Submit the Documentary Press Contact: Kristin Matysik - 404.835.2758 ext. 112 - kristin@submitthedocumentary.com 6
Reviews Click to view all Reviews: http://www.submitthedocumentary.com/category/press/reviews/ Cyberbullying Research Center: Justin W. Patchin Full Review: http://www.submitthedocumentary.com/cyberbullying-research-center-reviews-submit-the-documentary/ “Submit The Documentary” presents the perspectives of many who have experienced the problem of cyberbullying from a variety of viewpoints, including victims and parents, but also educators, researchers, legislators, and policymakers. Together, they present a clear view of the nature of the cyberbullying problem, and offer their insights about why we need to focus more attention on it. “Submit” includes the requisite stories of those who have been affected most deeply by cyberbullying. Tina Meier, Donna Witsell, John Lowe, and others who lost their children as a result of, at least in part, experience with cyberbullying remind viewers that these behaviors cannot simply be ignored. Their experiences, while thankfully not representative, are instructive. We can learn a lot from what happened to Megan, Hope, and Johanna, and shame on us if we don’t do things better the next time. As much as it was important to revisit these tragic stories, and even though it was a nice change to see and hear from some of “the experts” who have devoted their careers to this problem, the indisputable stars of this film were the students. They illuminate a reality of cyberbullying that has largely escaped mainstream media. They talk about why they do what they do, and perhaps even more enlightening, why they don’t do what they don’t do. The teens pointedly acknowledge the challenges of dealing with cyberbullying and related behaviors–most of which stem from a general distrust of adults to do anything meaningful to curb the bullying. Indeed, most young people we speak with say the number one reason they don’t confide in adults when confronted with cyberbullying is because they fear it will only make matters worse. Mike Donlin re-affirms this perspective in his remarks that were featured in the film. Cyberslammed Co-Author Kay Stephens Full Review: http://www.submitthedocumentary.com/kay-stephens-cyberbullying-film-for-adults/ For more than a decade, cyberbullying has been around and has mutated in its various forms and tactics. Yet even after all this time, so few adults really have a grasp on what it is and how to properly deal with it. “We quickly realized we were unprepared or naive,” says the narrator of Submit The Documentary, echoing the sentiments of millions of educators and parents around this issue. Anyone who spends the time watching this movie will instantly get clued in. Geared to adults, Submit The Documentary defines how it works, how bystanders typically respond and how anonymity breeds behavior that would never be acceptable face to face. Using clips from TV news programs, interviews from experts, parents, school groups and victimized teens, it provides a 360-degree perspective that tackles an issue typically under everyone’s radar and exposes its various moving parts to the harsh, glaring light–exactly what needs to happen. Probably the most compelling parts of this movie come from the targets of cyberbullying themselves, including an in-depth interview with Tina Meier, whose daughter, Megan Meier chose to take her life at 13, becoming the first nationally known victim of cyberbullying. Common Sense Media 4 Stars Full Review: http://www.submitthedocumentary.com/common-sense-media-on-submit-clear-effective-docu-offersintense-stories-solutions/ Parents need to know that Submit the Documentary: The Reality of Cyberbullying is a compelling hour-long documentary that offers straightforward, powerful information about the nature, methods, and consequences of bullying and “sexting” via the Internet and social media. Three cases of kids victimized by cyberbullies end in tragedy — the grieving parents of all three are interviewed at length, which is very likely to upset some viewers. The movie uses film clips, conversations with individual kids and groups of kids, and testimony from professionals, parents, and educators to illustrate how widespread this type of bullying is, how devastating the consequences may be, and, on a positive note, steps that can be taken to counter it. Although it’s not as intense as Bully, the material is still too strong for younger kids. But for tweens and Submit the Documentary Press Contact: Kristin Matysik - 404.835.2758 ext. 112 - kristin@submitthedocumentary.com
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Reviews (continued from Pg 7) teens, this is a valuable viewing experience, especially when shared in groups and/or
with parents. Submit the Documentary is earnest, comprehensive, and emotionally shattering. Carefully defining cyberbullying, using personal stories to provide emotional impact, and showing the powerlessness of those who are victimized (both the kids and adults they turn to for help) ultimately leads the filmmakers to find and deliver solutions. Difficult though those solutions may be to implement, the film offers hope, as well as concrete ways for kids to help themselves — and others. Reel Georgia 4.5 Stars Movie Critic Full Review: http://www.submitthedocumentary.com/reel-georgia-give-submit-the-documentary/ From the first ardently pixelated moments, backed a loud, pulsating soundtrack, the film’s atmosphere is thick with an urgency that echoes “The Social Network” and “Catfish.” While all three movies reside in the same universe, “Submit the Documentary” possesses a passion and importance the others do not. The film wastes zero time on white space, making sure each frame is both trim and useful. Never slowing down long enough to catch its breath, such a breakneck speed favors efficiency without seeming reckless. “Submit the Documentary” lays out the issues with an incredibly clear perception. As is the case with all problems related to the internet and social networking, this problem is still young and likely to keep shapeshifting as technology and society continue to change. Progress has been made with movements, laws and voices raised, but cyberbullying is still without a clearly defined solution. I loved the notion of teaching empathy and ‘The Golden Rule’ (Matthew 7:12 in the Bible) as a means to fight bullying and the equal danger of standing idly by. This film and the level of involvement that its team are bringing to the cause speaks volumes to the gravity of this issue. 2013 Buffalo Niagara Film Festival Movie Critic Jared Mobarak Full Review: http://www.submitthedocumentary.com/bnff13-review-submit-the-documentary-the-virtual-reality-of-cyberbullying-2013/ Submit illuminates the pros and cons of litigation, running to the media, and hoping the police will help all the while showing the giddy laughter and smug smiles of kids unafraid to admit their part in the epidemic. Sadly, we can’t hear from those unable to brush off their actions with humor—those victims are now eternally silent. What we can do, however, is learn how to prevent their tragedies from ever occurring again. We can look to mobilize the bystanders who stand by silent, eventually get caught up in the moment, and transform into bullies themselves. We can teach empathy and love and compassion and understanding and hope our children grow strong enough to fight against stereotypical mob mentality. They’re on the front-lines; they’re the ones who can cause change. SPRIGEO: Julie Sorenson Full Review: http://www.submitthedocumentary.com/sprigeo-reviews-submit-the-documentary/ Sprigeo had the opportunity to attend a film screening at UCSB where bullying researchers from all over of the world had gathered for a convention. The community was invited for a free public screening of Submit the Documentary, a powerful chronicle of the rise of cyberbullying. Submit was produced by Les Ottolenghi, a software professional and father who was moved to do something after seeing the story of an eleven year old boy who committed suicide after being cyberbullied. His goal is to engage everyone who sees the film to take action instead of being a bystander. The film was powerful and captivating. There were a variety of honest voices in the film from teens, parents, school administrators, lawyers, law makers, law enforcement, bullying experts to researchers. There was much discussion about the anonymity of cyberbullying and how much easier it is for people to say hurtful, damaging things that would not be said face to face in person. It had a good balance of experts and voices of students and families who are in the trenches. Truly, the most heart wrenching parts were the cyberbullying stories shared by three families who were interviewed.
Submit the Documentary Press Contact: Kristin Matysik - 404.835.2758 ext. 112 - kristin@submitthedocumentary.com
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Awareness/Target Audience
WHAT IS SUBMIT? Submit is a documentary and interactive platform that explains the truth about cyberbullying. Beyond the film, we have launched Submit Your Story; an internet based call to action for victims, bullies, bystanders and groups to share video stories and to provide valuable resources supporting both recovery and awareness from the tragedy of cyberbullying. Submit Your Story can be found on submitthedocumentary.com
TARGET AUDIENCE Submit is targeted to inform, inspire and empower three primary interest groups:
Institutional Market: Leaders of non-profits and corporations who are actively engaged in the business of child safety and Internet security.
dults 30–55: Parents of teenagers—the demographic group directly A impacted by cyberbullying
PERSONS 10-24: The key demographic group from which cyberbullies and cybervictims emerge.
Submit was created to help educate and encourage elected officials, educators, civic leaders, law enforcement and faith-based institutions to unite in arresting cyberbullying in our society. Submit will have a nationwide footprint and is being positioned for distribution via cable television, the internet and major movie networks. Submit the Documentary Press Contact: Kristin Matysik - 404.835.2758 ext. 112 - kristin@submitthedocumentary.com
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The children whose lives are at stake.
The parents who don’t know.
The lives that will never be the same.
The families who never recover.
Submit the Documentary Press Contact: Kristin Matysik - 404.835.2758 ext. 112 - kristin@submitthedocumentary.com 10
The Problem
36%
OF TEENS
WHO HAVE WITNESSED OTHERS BEING CRUEL ON SOCIAL NETWORKS HAVE LOOKED TO SOMEONE FOR ADVICE ABOUT WHAT TO DO
39%
38%
OF SOCIAL NETWORK USERS HAVE BEEN CYBERBULLIED IN SOME WAY
OF ONLINE GIRLS REPORT BEING BULLIED COMPARED TO OF ONLINE BOYS
26%
IN SIX PARENTS
KNOWS HIS OR HER CHILD HAS BEEN BULLIED OVER SOCIAL MEDIA
Submit the Documentary Press Contact: Kristin Matysik - 404.835.2758 ext. 112 - kristin@submitthedocumentary.com
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Experts in Submit
DR. ROBIN KOWALSKI
Mike Donlin
DR. SHERI BAUMAN
SAMEER HINDUJA
MARY KAY HOAL
DONNA RICE HUGHES
Robin Sax
RANDY BLAZAK
Professor at Clemson University
Professor at University of Arizona
Founder and President of Yoursphere
Former Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney
Program Supervisor, School Safety Center, OSPI
Director of The Cyberbullying Research Center
Internet Safety Expert
Professor, Portland State University
Submit the Documentary Press Contact: Kristin Matysik - 404.835.2758 ext. 112 - kristin@submitthedocumentary.com 12
experts
(cont.)
ALICE CAHN
BILL BENNETT
JOHN LEWIS
DEBBIE WASSERMAN SHULTZ
Cartoon Network: Stop Bullying, Speak Up!
U.S. Congressman, Georgia
Former Secretary of Education
U.S. Congresswoman, Florida
DAVID LEVINE
RANDE MATTESON
Teaching Empathy Program
Retired Law Enforcement Officer, The Bully Police
ARTURO BEJAS
TOM DART
Director of Engineering for Facebook
Cook County Sheriff
PATRICIA AGATSTON
Cyberbully Prevention Consultant Submit the Documentary Press Contact: Kristin Matysik - 404.835.2758 ext. 112 - kristin@submitthedocumentary.com 13
Partners
Submit the Documentary Press Contact: Kristin Matysik - 404.835.2758 ext. 112 - kristin@submitthedocumentary.com 14
Status WHAT IS THE STATUS? Submit the Documentary made its world premiere in March at the 2013 Atlanta Film Festival. In April, Submit won second place in the documentary category at the 2013 Buffalo Niagara Film Festival. September 2013 Submit will be featured at the White Sands International Film Festival in New Mexico and the FirstGlance Film Festival in Philadelphia, in October, Submit will screen at the United Nations Association Film Festival. In partnership with Congressman John Lewis’ office, we held a screening and discussion at the Georgia Capitol. While all offices were invited, we had about 40-50 attendees along with representatives from AOL, Facebook, iKeepSafe and SnagFilms. Invitations for in-market screenings came from most who attended. Submit will also be showcased at schools across the country to students, PTA and faculty, starting in the state of Georgia. The film has already received over 200 requests for screenings.
We thank you and hope that you are inspired to be a part of the Submit movement. We at Plat4m Studios and Submit the Documentary participants appreciate your time and consideration. Let’s be at the front of cyberbully awareness to help our society as it evolves. Join us in our mission to give a platform to submit our stories and triumphs as we make this change. Click below to view the Submit PSA
Submit the Documentary Press Contact: Kristin Matysik - 404.835.2758 ext. 112 - kristin@submitthedocumentary.com 15
CREDITS Executive Producer(s):
Roxy Mize, Paul Wright, N.J. Frank
Editor:
Adam Hofmann
Assistant Editor:
Evan Seitz
Production Coordinator: Brent Brooks Camera Operators:
Kenneth Bradley, Steve “Snowman” Snow
Sound:
Brian Beyt, Little House Productions
Lead Researcher:
Aubrey Galeza
Animations & Design:
Adam Hofmann
Audio Mix Engineer:
Dantly “Prowlaman” Wyatt
Transcription: Aubrey Galeza, Jewel Wicker, Lisa Palloozi, Ebonie Ledbetter Interns:
Mike Wiggins, Krystal Gordon
Production Assistant:
Kenneth Bradley
Social Media Consultants: Shanni Sammons, Glenn “Daddy-O” Bolton,
Kristin Matysik
Original Score:
Donald Wynton Montgomery, Dylan Banks
Submit Actresses:
Emily Roy, Kate Wasele
Voice Over:
Les Ottolenghi
INTERVIEWEES Dr. Fern Aefsky Dr. Patricia Agatston Anita Alvirez Bill Albert Dr. Sheri Bauman Arturo Bejar Masika Bermudez Bill Bennett Randy Blazak Alexis Brody Denise Brody Blaine Buckles Alice Cahn Tom Campbell Mark Cheviron
Sheriff Thomas Dart Mandeep S. Dhillon Vanessa Dixon Mike Donlin Shawn Edgington Nicole Edgington Mary Fischer Patrick Gallo Commissioner Steve Glassman Dr. Melissa Harrison Terry Hillard Sameer Hinduja Mary Kay Hoal Stanley Holditch Kelli Hopkins
Michaele Hughes Michelle R. Hughes Debbie Johnston Amanda Klinger Dr. Amy Klinger Dr. Robin Kowalski David Levine Congressman John Lewis Dr. Susan Limber John Lowe Philip Masker Rande Matteson Brittany Meier Tina Meier Dr. Hasna Muhammad
Wendy Reynolds Monique Rivarde Dr. Samuel Rodriguez Maria Sachs Robin Sax Chaundrissa Smith Victoria Smith David Tirella John Vandenburgh Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz Ally Willard Nancy Willard Donna Witsell Vickey Wright-Smith
Submit the Documentary Press Contact: Kristin Matysik - 404.835.2758 ext. 112 - kristin@submitthedocumentary.com 16