Documentary: Free Speech Fear Free

Is Freedom of Speech one of those nice things to have, but not really necessary for a happy life, a thriving society and a succesful economy? Or is it central to who we are as human beings? Is it hard wired into us? 

Can we be fully human without Freedom of Speech.

This film is for my generation with its updates, "likes", tweets and its often cavalier approach to our essential and hard-won freedoms. It will describe the central role this freedom should have in our lives and how we must fight and struggle to nurture and retain it.

The Project!

Through the use of interviews with high profile cases, experts and life stories I am creating a documentary exploring the truths behind freedom of speech, getting to the core of what it really is, what its like to have the freedom taken away and all the issues spiralling off the right, everyone takes for granted. The film will study the nature of censorship, hate speech and an important topic currently being heavily debated at the moment; privacy. This film will answer questions such as to what extent should their be limitations on freedom of speech? Where should we draw the line between privacy and freedom of speech – a question constantly being debated by politicians worldwide.

Our ability to communicate is important because from it derives everything we think about civilised in a civilisation, every law, every regulation, every constitution and in fact every other right derives from the practice of communicating with each other” - Julian Assange - Quoted from our interview with him!

Why? Why? Why?

JANUARY 2012: I sat down with a video camera and interviewed a whole load of my privately educated school friends all aged 16. I asked them a very simple question. What is Freedom of speech? The response: Not a single person could come up with a reasonable definition. Many replied saying "I dont know". I immediately knew from that point, I have to make this film to prove, to inspire and to educate young people and even many adults about freedom of speech, resounding at the severe problems it faces. Through extreme life experiences, I will give the younger generation along with adults a chilling insight into what life is really like when the right we all believe is sitting on our shoulder 24/7  is taken away from you. 

Some of the names below may seem to a person of my age, rather impossible to get hold of but somehow I have conducted interviews with these figures and have aquried extremely interesting footage that I wish to share with all of you

• Julian Assange – Wikileaks Founder
• Jude Law – Actor – Victim of \british phone hacking scandal.
• Natalia Kaliada – Creative Director at Belarus Free Theatre
• Liubou Kavaliova – Mother of a boy executed in Belarus
• Julia Farrington – Head of Arts at Index on Censorship
• Belarus Free Theatre Cast
• 20 sixteen year olds at Bedales School

Keep returning as I have exciting new interviewees coming very soon!

A little about myself...

My name is Tarquin Ramsay, I am seventeen years old and an enthusiastic film-maker who is creating films that are exciting and stretch me. On which basis I have bitten of more than I can chew, probably, but with the optimism of youth...

The finished product...

What happens when post production has finally finished?

1. The film will head to an array of exciting and upcoming film festivals!
2. The project will see it self all over Youtube and Vimeo!
3. Schools and educational institutions will receive copies of the film in order to educate my generation on their freedom rights, allowing 12-18 year olds to gain an expansive insight into the reasons why freedom of speech is so fundamental, so central to our society. 
4. With the help of some very supportive (and important) contacts, I hope to place the film on television, allowing for a wider audience. 

Remember all of the above cannot be achieved without your help!!!

Why this project needs your money?

I will be working with a group of young documentary film-makers. Niels, a young aspiring freelance film maker, is our cameraman, this project could not have asked for a better team member. 

 So you get some idea of the costs in place, this is what your donations will be spent on:

• Interviews and Shooting Schedule (travel, wages and equipment) - $8000

• Full scale post production (editor, sound mixer, and colour grading) - $7000

• Equipment and Extras (equipment hire and miscellaneous) - $1600

      ++++ We have to pay a fee to Indiegogo 

Every dollar we collect goes a long way towards getting the message of this film into the public dialogue.

Without your help this film will not carry on! Everything done so far will be worth nothing! This project is too precious to let it go to waste!!!

I will involve as many of you as possible by throwing out rewards to donators as a thank you for making this project happen. 

Up for grabs: 

• Digital downloads of the film!

• Exclusive Freedom of Speech T-shirts

• Signed DVD copies from a few special people!

• Special Thanks

• Unlimated supply of producer credits available!

• Pieces of memorabilia from the film such as , question cards, receipts, signed books and much more...

• An interview in the actual film allowing you to share your opinion on Freedom of speech!

• Signed copies of books and dvd's from the experts!!! 

• Thank you letters

• There may even be some spare premiere tickets lying around!!!

• Exclusive Screenings right to your very door step (United Kingdom Only)

Come on people, this is your time to shine! Choose a perk and help make this project happen!

If you really cant find a few penny's lying about, then there are other ways you can help:

• Spread the word – let everybody know about this film. Brothers, Sister, Aunts, Uncles, Neighbours, Bosses – let em all know about this exciting new project.

• Use indie gogo's share buttons below the video. Post this page on Twitter, Facebook and if you can email it to a few mates.

In order to find out more information, contact the director via email or phone:

tarquinster@gmail.com / 07801532742 

Thank you all for taking the time to read this page.