Indiegogo

58327

Anonymous Artists of America

Trip with one of the first psychedelic bands to experience the Acid Tests, form a commune and live the essence of American counterculture

  • Team:

    31538 1003406 371332 see more »

  • Location:Seattle, Washington, United States

  • Category:Film

Our Story

This is a documentary film about a group of people known as the Anonymous Artists of America (aka AAA). Richard Alpert (now Ram Dass) helped to launch the Bay Area band, which was at the center of the 60's counterculture explosion. They performed at shows with Big Brother & the Holding Company, Steve Miller and Blue Cheer, and appeared at the Avalon Ballroom, the original Fillmore, and Ken Kesey's notorious Acid Test Graduation. Shortly after the Summer of Love, the communards boarded their psychedelic bus and set off for southern Colorado, where they bought 600 acres and lived the essence of the American back-to-the-land movement.  


This is a story of historical importance, but it is also a personal journey for me, because I grew up in Colorado with the AAA. The film gives viewers a way of connecting with our collective past, and of experiencing the ways in which the American subculture of the drop-out generation has impacted our lives. At the same time, it presents an intimate portrait of a magical time, as I reconnect with figures from my childhood memories. The film combines my rare archival footage (8mm film from the '60s and early '70s) with present-day interviews from a number of the original artists and later commune members. The story is enhanced by historical third-party footage and interview footage from the '90s (recorded by one of the commune members), along with photographs, writings and images of works of art.


You can't go home again... or can you?

The Impact

There is a great hunger in my contemporaries to learn more about the generation that preceded us. We want to understand what motivated the counterculture to attempt their radical experiments in art and in living; we also want to evaluate where they succeeded, where they failed, and what lessons their stories offer for our own lives. A couple of years ago, I began the search for information about some of these artists. As I began to get in touch with figures from my past, I found that other people of my generation also wanted to learn more about what had happened when we were children, and what is happening today with the adults who had so deeply touched our lives.

The story of the AAA community is both specific to an era and universal in importance. Because it provides a group portrait, the film allows us to witness the spectrum of stories and passions that brought a diverse group of people together at a pivotal moment in American history. As the participants reflect on their experiences, we learn what it was really like to be part of the psychedelic and communal revolution. Through shared experiences, many members of the commune formed deep, abiding bonds, even though they are now geographically dispersed. In the process of uncovering the roots of my own complicated story, I've been able to help to reconnect a fascinating group of people, to document some amazing life stories, and to assemble a vital resource for future generations to reflect upon.

What We Need & What You Get

We need money for remaining production costs, including interview travel expenses, 3rd party licenses, and post production costs which include final studio editing for picture and sound - this is where we make the picture look pretty.  We are on a very thrifty budget for travel (driving in VW Jetta) and staying with AAA folk, but we have just begun the interview process.  Our crew is super slim, just me as producer & director; Phil Seneker as co-producer & camera; Samantha & Bianca Jensen (my teen daughters) as sound & still photos.  So most of the money goes to 3rd party folks for their archival goodies and an amazing editor & post sound sweetening to help finish this feature in the manner it deserves.  Of course we have amazing perks, but really isn't all about the film?!  



Other Ways You Can Help

I know times are financially tough for all of us, so if money is not flowing freely from you, please give by passing the word on about our film to others that would be interested.  Follow our updates and comment on our progress! 

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