All Over Albany

The Throwaways

 Who:
Ira Mckinley

Project:
The Throwaways, a film that documents the experience of living on the streets
Bio:
Ira Mckinleyis a Air Force veteran, trained as a Medical Material Handler, he started his activism early on when he participated in Act Up in Ithaca NY in the 1080's, During the winter and Summer of 2007 / 2008 he started a Homeless Arts Showcase inspired by his fifteen years of being homeless himself. It was in Northampton's MA.. Pulaski Park... Mr Mckinley has won Northampton's Arts Council grant in 2008 for the Homeless production and a Grant in 2009 for a Summer Music Concerts Series as well as being Producer of the Year in 2009. Mr Mckinley continues his activism and film making work as cameraman and editor for The Sanctuary for Independent Media in Troy NY. He also is a Independent Producer, currently working with Grand St Community Arts in Albany NY.

 Link to The Northampton's Homeless Arts Showcase-2008

 Link to the Summer Concert Series- 2009

Link to my camera and editing work from The Sanctuary for Independent Media

THE THROWAWAYS tells the story of  filmmaker and activist, Ira McKinley, who channels his experience of living on the streets through the lens of a video camera using his unique perspective to shed light on people living on the fringes of society.   In a time when many Americans feel threatened by economic uncertainty,  those who face homelessness and poverty are even more acutely affected.  They have become throwaways, invisible to most, discarded by a system that has failed them.
 
Why am I doing this project?

Because since I have been back to Albany I have been made to feel like a Throwaway even though I have skills and motivation to do more than work at Burger King

Why do I want to do this project?

Because I want America to see what the effects of the budget cuts, and economic crisis is going to do for those who have less... Already!!!

Why should it get funding?

Because I think it is important to show The cause, effect and the solutions to this Crisis through the eyes of those who actually living it.

Description of Project
THE THROWAWAYS tells the story of  filmmaker and activist, Ira McKinley, who channels his experience of living on the streets through the lens of a video camera using his unique perspective to shed light on people living on the fringes of society.   In a time when many Americans feel threatened by economic uncertainty,  those who face homelessness and poverty are even more acutely affected.  They have become throwaways, invisible to most, discarded by a system that has failed them.

This funding will help me grow my ideal by giving me much needed capital to help with the cost of making this production,,, Even though we have been in production for 4 months the actual Documentary may appear for the P.O.V PBS series and we are also pitching the ideal to A&E for a weekly series in 2012... We have already submitted a proposal to PBS for a grant for the PBS series but we are also producing footage to bring to The film festivals.. Sundance, Tribecca etc for mass distribution in theaters..

It is on vimeo and you have to put in that password to see the video because we do not have music rights as yet.. That is why it is private.

We feel this grant could help us defer the cost to the already valuable time and energy spent in getting this production off the ground.