grant letter 2

September 22, 2009

Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities
66 Bridge Street
Northampton, MA 01060

Dear Ms. Hayley Wood,
Driving while intoxicated and under the influence is a big issue. The crime is not just drinking and getting behind the wheel, it is the result of hurting the people around you once you put the key into the ignition.
I propose to produce a documentary film on drunk drivers, the crime they commit, and the people they hurt. I will write the script myself, but the video will most likely consist of interviews, statistics, pictures, captions and music. A digital video camcorder and camera will be needed to produce images for the film, and a laptop with a program to make my own music and sound effects for the soundtrack, will also be needed. The location I choose to shoot the film will be scattered areas around Long Island. A suburban area will be more effective than an urban area, where people rely on taxis as their designated driver.
I take this issue very serious. I have lost a friend because of a drunk driver. A man was driving while intoxicated and crossed the double lines onto oncoming traffic crashing into my friend’s car, killing my friend and injuring 3 of my other friends in the car. This twice convicted drunk driver suffered minor injuries and will only serve 6 – 21 years in jail.
I want to create a documentary to show the harm DWI causes. I want to stop people under the influence from getting behind the wheel. Taking this step to becoming a leader in spreading awareness can cause a decrease in DWI accidents. Once the film is completed it can be shown in schools, community events, and universities. Creating this documentary into an educational film can teach students the negative effects of DWI and most importantly start to save lives.
Thank you for your consideration and I am sure with the funding this project will run very well.

Sincerely,


Stephanie Chiu

Grant Abstract

I am writing grants to find the funds for the documentary film I plan to create.

I want to create an educational film based on true life examples of the affects of drunk driving. I chose this subject because I lost a friend because of a drunk driver. My friend was driving his car with 3 other friends coming back from dinner driving on a two lane street. An intoxicated man in a SUV crossed the double lines and crashed into the oncoming traffic killing my friend and injuring my 3 friends. This man was already a convicted drunk driver, driving with a suspended license. I want to stop people from DWI.

I plan to use a digital video camera to interview policemen, friends and family who have been affected by drunk driving. The location of this film will be based on Long Island; mostly because there is a larger amount of DWI incidents in the suburban area over the urban area, and for my reason I feel the city relies more on taxis to get them home. I will fill the film with images and statistics as well. I will also need to use final cut to edit the film and make it creative. I also want to make my own soundtrack with sounds and music using a special program that will allow me to. I plan to make this video big and distribute them to schools. I hope to make a difference in society by becoming a leader changing people's mind about getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.

we have to stop drunk drivers!

It has almost been a year since my friends were hit by a drunk driver, where one of my them was killed on site. My friends were all guys home for Thanksgiving break. They went out one night to applebees before they all had to go back to school. On their way home they were struck by a SUV coming at them from the oncoming traffic. The man driving the SUV lost control and was driving while intoxicated, and it was not his first time charged with DWI! All my friends in the car were injured, and the drunk man in the SUV had minor injuries. This was one of the worst news I ever received. Going to his funeral was heartbreaking. There were so many people there. It felt as if the entire high school, town, from neighbors to students to teachers attended. Jay was a great person, and did not deserve this.
That weekend it was my 21st birthday and I didn't even want to pick up a drink or go near a bar. I was so angry for this man taking my friend's life away.
The hearings are still going, and another friend was asking for us to write letters on how much Jay meant to us, and that the man who was driving the SUV should get more than 21 years in jail. I am writing this letter and hope it will get through.
I watch the news and hear of all these horrible DWIs, it is sad. We need to do something to stop it. My advice to everyone is to stop a person under the influence from getting into the driver's seat! thank you!