Zero to 16: Media Page

Real Firefighters: You betcha! (just click here)

Zero to 16 -- the original cut of the controversial story from Ground Zero-- released for the first time on DVD

The story behind the documentary

"Within minutes of the World Trade Center Disaster, emergency personnel from around the nation responded to New York�s call for help, in what would become the greatest rescue mission ever. When everything could have totally fallen apart, these remarkable people pulled together. In Zero to 16
they reveal to the rest of the world the
true meaning of the American Spirit."

That�s the intended hook for this unique documentary, originally developed during the months immediately following the tragedy of 9/11, but never released because of contractual negotiations and fierce competition from other producers and photogs.

But Zero to 16 is not another predictable network timeline video or montage of unrelated images. It is a compelling story, told by a husband wife team, both filmmakers and former firefighters, who responded to lower Manhattan to document America�s worst disaster ever.

Why did they do it? In the program Amy recalls, �I was doing what my husband and I have always done, and that�s to document disasters and document fires.� She adds, �I knew it was important to document in order to train other fire-fighters.�

Then there�s the story behind the story�the marketing of Ground Zero. And that�s what makes Zero to 16 even more unique � and controversial. Courted by dozens of distributors, producers and two major networks, Amy and Lou became victims of an entertainment business whose only interest was to acquire their film to illustrate the stories of others.

The result � Amy and Lou lost their home, their business, and finally, their marriage. Now, three years later, Lou Angeli has decided to release the work as it first appeared at the New Jersey State Film Festival in the fall of 2001.

Amy and Lou were the very first to report what was happening on the rescue scene. Beginning on September 12th, the couple appeared on every major television network, scores of international news programs, even local cablecasts, to report on the real story of life at Ground Zero. Why were they so heavily booked? The public wanted to learn about the rescue and recovery first hand � not from reporters standing atop live trucks a dozen blocks away.

During a morning appearance with CNN's Paula Zahn

In the closing segment of Zero to 16, entitled Lessons Learned, Amy admits "We (firefighters) weren't prepared, we're still not prepared, and if another attack like this takes place, the emergency services will respond in exactly the same way.� She adds, �It's the best we have, but there has to be a way of being able to determine the hazard before we send another 340 guys to their death.�

It�s tough talk like this that first endeared firefighters to the couple -- and they were often referred to as the nation's unofficial firefighter advocates. But following the events of 9/11/01 the fire service changed significantly, and admini-
strators have mounted a major defensive.

Zero to 16 is honest in its delivery and that's irritated many
in the emergency services, especially America's volunteers. There are some who�ve attempted to discredit the former team for speaking out. But most agree that it�s the politics of disaster, not their abilities or intent, that have called the couple�s reputation into question.

Prior to September 11, 2001

Following the 9/11 Attack

- Real-TV -- various episodes -- SpikeTV
- Action-TV -- The Family Channel
- Rescue/911 -- CBS Television
- You Are There -- syndicated
- Rescue-77 -- WB Network
- Inside Edition -- syndicated
- Hard Copy - syndicated
- CNN -- Disaster Feature
- Fox News -- Domestic Defenders 9/9/01
(with Congressman Curt Weldon)

- CNN Television -- daily reports
- CBS Evening News
- The Early Show -- CBS Television
- 48 Hours -- CBS Television
- BBC TV News -- various reports
- CBC TV News -- various reports
- RAIUno -- Italian Television
- Entertainment Tonight -- syndicated
- Inside Edition - syndicated
- EXTRA -- syndicated
- The Sally Show -- syndicated
and
- Numerous LIVE shots from the firehouse
in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

�Christ, they were on TV every morning, appeared on a half dozen live shots from their own fire station, and wrote about the disaster for months.� Says Chief Michael Perkins of New Jersey. �Things didn�t go south until other folks couldn�t figure out how to make a million bucks off of Amy and Lou.�

Lou Angeli is accepting media enquiries and bookings. A sample 3 minute DVD or VHS is available for interested press, and a 6 minute Betacam air reel is available as B-roll. Please note: This footage is not available for license in any form whatsoever.

Click here to view other 9/11 documentaries
that have been broadcast or sold as home video.

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