Pura Vida Press Release
FROM: ORGANIC PROCESS PRODUCTIONS
April 11, 2008
Footprints Journal: Finding Pura Vida World Premiere; Locally produced Cause Documentary film and photo-journal book focuses on cause travel in the surf community
Footprints Journal: Finding Pura Vida, a cause related media project with roots in the Charleston surf community will have a world premiere as part of the Charleston International Film Festival on May 3rd, 2008. The project is the latest release from Organic Process Productions (OPP) the award winning producers of the Falling Together in New Orleans solo-journalism documentary series. The project was co-produced by Fuzzco a Charleston based creative studio and features an original score from local Charleston musicians Bill Carson and Ron Wiltrout.
The cause documentary short film follows surfers who pooled their resources and started a one day surf clinic for a group of orphaned children from San Jose, Costa Rica. Seven years later volunteer and professional surfers now travel annually from around the United States and Costa Rica for the one day event called the Pura Vida No Pro (PVNP). Since the inception of the event the organizers have purchased a building and established a transitional home for orphaned teenage boys.
The documentary project includes a DVD and a book. The book is presented as a photo-journal, mixing the photos of professional photographers with the photos of the children, who were given disposable waterproof cameras and asked to take photos of their favorite moments. Proceeds from the sales of both the DVD and book are donated to provide additional financial support to the Hospico de Huerfanos orphanage in San Jose, Costa Rica. CreateSpace (an Amazon.com company) donated the first printing of the books to help the cause.
The filmmakers and sponsors aimed to create a media project that would highlight the ability of cause-related travel to inspire and change lives. "My first trip to the Pura Vida No Pro was a life changing experience," says PVNP Media Director Tim McManus. McManus, a long-time traveling surfer, has been involved with the event for five years. He decided to take on the challenge of creating a media project in the hope of inspiring other surfers to reach out to local communities when they travel. McManus says nearly two dozen local Charleston surfers now make the trip to Costa Rica each year to volunteer and that they have developed a special relationship with the local Costa Rican community and the children with whom they work year after year. "It has really been amazing to see how the involvement of the Charleston surf community has organically grown over the years", he says "what we get as volunteers is just way beyond anything we could get from a standard surf trip."
The Entrepreneurial Project:
One of the things born from the event is a joint entrepreneurial project with the Quiksilver Foundation. Each year Quiksilver creates original T-shirts featuring the artwork of the children from the orphanage. "It really gives the kids a sense that they can create something of value and that people are there to help them," adds McManus. Quiksilver Foundation Executive Director Kathie Armstrong will be traveling to South Carolina for the event and agrees that projects like this are a responsibility of the surf community. "It has truly been rewarding to watch this event develop these past few years and know that we have played a small role in positively influencing the lives of neglected children," says Armstrong. "Each year we anticipate seeing the artwork from the kids that we will transfer onto Quiksilver T-shirts to be sold as a fundraising tool, while empowering the children. We are honored to be associated with this book and documentary project. It is our hope that by helping to tell this story, we can spark another group of board riders to reach out and make a difference." In addition to Quiksilver, Nalgene Outdoor Products is also a sponsor of the media project. "Nalgene is an industry leader in the support of responsible adventure travel and we are very happy to have them supporting our project," adds McManus.
Pura Vida Premiere After Parties and Media Release:
Following the film premiere there will be a Media Release after-party in downtown Charleston from 7-10 PM that will include food from Woody's Pizza and Normandy Farms Bakery, beer from Coast Brewery, music from local acoustic duo Ian Grimshaw and Sully Johnston, a raffle for a free Dewey Weber surfboard (donated by our friends at McKevlins Surf Shop!) and tons of gear and giveaways from Nalgene and a host of local surf and outdoor shops. Tickets to the after party will be $10 at the door and are also available at www.OrganicProcess.com. The ticket price will be credited toward purchase of media packages and t-shirts that will be for sale at the event. Proceeds benefit the Casa De Suenos orphanage in San Jose, Costa Rica. Festivities continue at the Pura Vida "after-after" party beginning at 10 PM at the Trusted Pallete featuring Cary Ann Hearst. The "after-after" party is free for those attending the Media Release event.
Event Details:
Saturday, May 3, 2008
FILM PREMIERE: 4-6 PM, Charleston International Film Festival
Terrace Theatre James Island, SC [for ticket info visit www.charlestoniff.com]
AFTER PARTY & MEDIA RELEASE: 7-10 PM @ Villa Sauntario // Tully Alley - Downtown Charleston
5 Tully Alley. Off St. Phillip St. between Cannon and Morris.
AFTER, AFTER PARTY @ Trusted Palate: Featuring Cary Ann Hearst // 10 PM - until
563 King Street, Downtown Charleston
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Contact:
Organic Process Productions
Josh Fisher
(843)-607-2951
fisher@organicprocess.com