| Zero to 16 -- the original cut of the controversial story from Ground Zero-- released for the first time on DVD |
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| from the Director |
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| This version of Zero to 16 is the original -- edited and assembled just weeks after the attack on America and first screened at the 2001 New Jersey State Film Festival. This is the program that both Amy and I had promised to deliver to the emergency agencies during appearances on a dozen network television broadcasts. |
| Unfortunately, a contractual agreement with our former agent prohibited us from developing any documentary whatsoever, unless it was produced by the agency itself. And that agency had no intentions of delivering any of these images and stories on a complimentary basis. Like so many others who attempted to partner with us, they were in it for the money. |
| On March 14, 2004, the contract with Paradigm Three ended, and so I am finally able to offer Zero to 16 as promised, albeit 2 years late. And as promised, it is available to any emergency or support agency, whose personnel responded to the WTC disaster, at no charge whatsoever. |
| On the days following the attack, there were dozens of camera crew roaming the piles and digs in and around ground zero. Many of the photogs were trained emergency service personnel, like Amy and myself, who were volunteering their time and skills. In every case the purpose was clear � to document this nation�s worst disaster ever. |
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| This program was acquired in DVCam and MiniDV and edited on the PC-based editing platform Pinnacle. There were no partners nor were there any investors involved with Bound By Courage, as it is presented here. . Copies of our Ground Zero archives are being used by FEMA, USFA, NIST and the FBI. |
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| The Story Behind The Story (The Hook) |
| In January of 2002, as broadcasters and film distributors began considering just how to commemorate the first anniversary of the attack on America, interest in the images that we recorded soared. By February, we had no less than twenty producers, distributors, production companies and broadcasters interested in partnering with us. Their plan � to develop a timeline version of Bound By Courage, which would coordinate with the timeline and events of September 11, 2001. |
| What happened next is covered in my own timeline, which can be read on this website. However, in short, by August 2002, when partners and colleagues realized that they weren�t going to make the millions of dollars that the agency had envisioned, they bolted for the stage door and left us holding the bag. It�s the story behind the story and the hook for 2004.. |
| This program is not about the FDNY, rotary wing aircraft, nor the rock group Chicago. It is, however, a tribute in images, text and music to the tens of thousands of volunteers, who responded to New York�s call for help on September 11, 2001. |
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| The Ground Zero political thread runs deep, and for the past year I have refused to play that game. However, it�s time now to release this program to its intended audience. |
| My heartfelt apologies to Amy, who didn�t deserve the response that we received from our competitors peers,and (believe it or not) family. And an open apology to Joe Scurto, who stuck with us until the very end, and who will be made whole no matter what it takes. |
| Amy Steelman and I are no longer partners � no longer a couple. But I�m sure that she would agree that it�s time to make good our promise to the nation�s emergency responders. Today, I offer Zero to 16 -- dedicated to Battalion Chief Ray Downey -- to the world�s bravest and the finest. |
| Louis P. Angeli April 22, 2004 Wilmington, Delaware |
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| Zero to 16 - Copyright 2004 - All Rights Reserved |
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