Help Show That Burning Man Isn't Just A Rave

For the record, I like a lot of electronic music/EDM/whatever-your-preferred-term-is, and I spend a lot of time at sound camps on the playa. But if that's all Burning Man was, I wouldn't go. It certainly isn't what makes That Thing in the Desert unique in any case.

But here's another crowdfunding campaign I wanted to point you at, and it's going to seem kind of odd - it's a short, narrative film. Not a video made by amateurs like myself, but a film produced by a talented group of Los Angeles-based Burners who are also independent filmmakers and story tellers.

"A film though? Fund a film with all the actual on-the-playa projects out there? Wtf, why?"

Well, bluntly, because of the last one they made. I wrote a somewhat lengthy post of reflections triggered by the video a few weeks ago. You can find the video in question below. It's just stunning, and it uses a recording of the actor Jim Carrey giving a really inspirational commencement speech. I've probably watched it two dozen times with tears half of them. It's beautiful. It is, however, ultimately the kind of inspirational set-to-music video that there are many of, just done much better than most.

 They reached out to me with the premise that their next piece, which is basically a playa love story, is designed to show that Burning Man is not just an EDM festival, and I'm all for more of that, as much as I like EDM. It's basically a playa love story based on the John Lennon quote, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans."

They shared the script with me, and it's going to be quite neat.

A concept shot for part of the movie they're going to make called Hear Here Unicorn, taking place on the playa.

Same - another concept shot for Hear Here Unicorn.

And apparently, the Burning Man organization agrees, as they have been given what is fairly rare permission to shoot a narrative video (ie telling a story using the playa as the stage) this year. There's no commercial value to this to them, and ultimately the BMORG has final say over any and all content - they don't have any motivation (or really any way) to do anything but try to produce something authentic that respects this thing we love.

Go watch their Indiegogo video. It may or may not be your style, but I think the project is worth supporting because it's different and is going to be carried out by a skilled and passionate team of repeat Burners.

They need to raise about $5000, and have some cool rewards, many of which are oriented around being used on the playa.  Help them out!

Give To Hear Here Unicorn!

Burn Gloriously - A Black Rock City Contribution from Sights and Sounds Media House on Vimeo.