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| Now that the exclusive representation agreement between Amy Steelman/Lou Angeli and Paradigm Three Productions of Oakland, California has lapsed, I am free to disclose the nature and terms of that agreement, which essentially prohibited me (or Amy) from engaging in any form of television or video production until now, March 2004. |
| Then, using material and stories supplied by Amy, Steve Spak and myself, Paradigm Three entered into an agreement with the world famous William Morris Agency to produce any 9-11 programming dealing with our stories -- or footage. Note: Videographer Joe Scurto was smart enough to bale out of a similar deal. |
| Over the past 6 months, we have had countless meetings with both network and cable executives in metro New York City. Amy and I have personally made these presentations on our own, expended our resources � both physically and financially � and have nailed each and every meeting. |
| So what happens when it comes time to close? Greed! |
| When Paradigm Three enters into negotiation, every single deal (and there have been many) has gone down the tubes! Why? Each and every deal is predicated on their participation as production company of note. It�s no longer our show or our story � it�s theirs! |
| When �P-3� reached an agreement with William Morris Agency, we received a phone call -- after a three week wait � in which Amy and I were specifically told by Linda Pulver, |
| �We don�t have to get jobs! William Morris is now representing us!� |
| There have been no results from this association, nor have we had any personal contact with our �agent�, a Mr. John Ferriter. |
| In the meantime, Linda has continually encouraged us to continue writing in our respective journals, because (as she says) a book deal is in the works. Hasn�t happened as of yet! |
| Last month, we were told by Linda that we had a solid deal with Fox for a one hour or two hour show about our story (which includes that of Steve Spak). At the last minute, just weeks before the anniversary of 9/11, it seems that those negotiations have failed as well. |
| Along with our associate Steve Spak, we have been on hold for over 6 months. Stalled, manipulated and led to believe that things were happening and �rolling like a stone downhill.� Obviously, they have not. |
| Threatened with breech of contract by Brian Beveridge we have not earned a red cent from our association with their company, or their promises. |
| It is beyond my comprehension as to how Ms. Pulver, who gave us both her verbal blessing and full backing to proceed with a footage agreement with FNC, has done such an about face. She now claims she never gave us the go ahead, but she knows full well that she agreed so we could generate some income. |
| In the meantime, Mr. Spak has gone on the offensive, claiming that we were never firefighters nor television producers. Those claims have no basis whatsoever, and our training records � along with the dozens of programs that we�ve produced � are the benchmark by which we are and will be judged. |
| We cannot be held to a contract that keeps us from generating income for our family. The contract prohibits us from seeking any outside employment whatsoever, so that we will devote our every waking hour to developing, finishing and satisfying the demands they�ve placed on us. |
| Amy and I are the ones who live the hellish aftermath of the WTC disaster � we are the ones who risked our lives for 16 days serving as volunteers. So, we own the stories and the footage. |
| The inability of Paradigm Three to close any of the dozens of deals that have been presented, have cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars, and have ruined a great many of our relationships with colleagues and friends. |
| Somewhere along the way, Paradigm Three stopped working for us, and placed the focus on their own production company�s participation, as the make or break on each and every deal. |
| Journal entry August 11, 2002 Louiis P Angeli |
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| Zero to 16 - Copyright 2004 - All Rights Reserved |
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| August 11, 2002 -- Our 2 year binding contract with Paradigm Three prohibits us from developing any programming dealing with 9/11 (any programming whatsoever) without their direct involvement as production company of note. To date, we have self-produced a single version of Bound By Courage, which was developed to be shown at various trade shows and film festivals. This version is not for distribution or sale but someday may be released (at no charge) to agencies and their members who worked at Ground Zero. |