I hope you’re all doing fantastically well!

I wanted to send out an update to let you all know what’s happening with the project. To start, the photography book is now available for purchase if you’d like a copy. Many of you will find your names listed in the first few pages. You can find it here: http://bit.ly/sohbook (If you find this link doesn’t work for any reason, email Justin via banziaphotography@gmail.com)

Justin and Nathaniel are very happy with how it turned out and believe they have grown , not just as photographers, but as human beings through this project. I myself have grown further than I could have ever imagined in the way I look at homelessness and panhandling.

When it comes to the film, I’m still trucking through the transcription and editing process while continuing to film new interviews and scenes from around the city. I was also interviewed on Seattle’s NPR affiliate KUOW on “The Conversation with Ross Reynolds” which I had a great time doing and I believe went very well. You can listen at http://www.kuow.org/program.php?id=25867

Here are some of the faces I’ve interviewed since my last update:

Tim Burgess. (Picture 1) The Seattle city councilman who wrote the controversial 2010 Agressive Panhandling ordinance that was vetoed by Mayor McGinn. I won’t give away the details of the interview but I can say that Tim offered a great perspective about the ordinance but also about panhandling in general.

Mike Longergan. (Picture 2) Former Tacoma city councilman who was one of the signing members of the aggressive panhandling ordinance that did pass in 2007. He was able to shed some light on what it might have been like had Seattle’s ordinance been passed.

Vince Matulionis (Picture 3) of United Way who has been an instrumental part of helping Seattle’s homeless population. He was kind enough to invite me to film this year’s “CRE” or Community Resource Exchange where over 200 volunteers changed the lives of almost 2000 homeless men, women, & children in just one day. (Picture 4)

The big news coming up is that I’ve been scheduled May 14th for a sit down interview with Seattle’s Mayor Mike McGinn (Picture 5) who was the voice of opponents to the aggressive panhandling bill when he vetoed what many were saying was a bill that gave the police too much power to punish panhandlers.

I’ll keep you up to date on the progress of things as I go but I have to say… The more this film grows and the bigger it becomes, the more Thankful I am of you. Everyday, I wonder how it’s possible to feel such appreciation for a group of people and then the next day, it’s even more.

Thank you…

Matt Longmire: Sign of Hope
Ross Reynolds
02/02/2012     at 12:40 p.m. ShareThis

When you pass by a panhandler on the street they are often holding a sign to catch your attention. Some people toss change in their hat, others lower their eyes and quicken their step. Matt Longmire didn’t. He wanted to find out who was behind those signs. Matt joins us now to share what’s he’s learned from spending time on the streets.

See the original page & listen here.

As you know, this last weekend was the culmination of the photography portion of the Sign of Hope Project. It was held at Urban Enoteca, a great wine/restaurant venue down in the SoDo district of Seattle. The bad news is that our Friday launch “event” was somewhat snowed out and the organizations we had partnered with to come accept donations were rerouted to help homeless men & women who were living outside in our worst winter storm of the year. Even Justin & Nathaniel were stuck in Los Angeles because of a cancelled flight. The good news is that people who managed to make it to the show on Friday stated their enjoyment of the images and video clips. Many people told us how they entered the show believing one thing and left the show with a completely different point of view. This was exactly what we set out to do. As I’ve said many times, I never meant to glorify or vilify panhandlers but instead, find the truth and educate the public.

I had some fantastic conversations with attendees and I was thrilled to share what we had learned. On Saturday, the weather had cleared a bit and before we opened the doors, Justin & Nathaniel arrived from the airport. That day we welcomed almost 200 viewers to the show. We spoke with as many as would listen and again, felt happy that we could continue to educate and bring joy to those who visited.

With the photography show over, the coffee table book is in it’s final stages as we waited to see about placing some images of the show inside. It should be ready for order this week and I’ll be placing a link on www.signofhopeproject.com. I’ve also attached a “video tour” I recorded for you before we opened the doors which also includes some audio tracks from our subjects as well as some of the organizations I’ve been interviewing for the film. I hope you enjoy it.

While we never intended to sell the prints, some people have expressed an interest in purchasing them. You can email me directly at matt@soundchange.org if you’re interested and I’ll speak with Justin & Nathaniel about pricing. Maybe we can raise some funds for one of the organizations who couldn’t make it.

So What Happens Next?

With the photography portion of the project complete, I now dive headfirst into the editing room for a while to prepare the film for a summer completion date. I still have a couple of interviews to film but I have everything I need to build a great foundation. It’s shaping up to be some of my best work and although there will be much to do before a public release, I’ll be releasing a “screening” copy to our investors as soon as it’s complete. It just can’t be shared to the public at that time. I will do my best to update you with clips as I go.

I feel like I’ve been given an opportunity to educate the public on a topic that’s almost intentionally ignored by most people.
Thank you for giving me that.

While today is turning out to be more of a “soft-launch,” I still hope to see people come enjoy these images and watch some clips from the film.

Thanks and be careful out there!
Matt

I will update this page as soon as I know so please check back before heading to Urban Enoteca.

Thanks and drive safe!
Matt

I’m in the process of reorganizing the best I can but it looks like we may not be able to start the gallery show tomorrow. It may be Saturday instead. To add to the bad news, I found out that our organizations may not be able to make it to accept donations as they have all of their people out trying to give blankets and resources to the homeless around Seattle.

I’ll send another update tomorrow as soon as I know more but wish us luck! Everything is ready for this show except the weather!

Matt

As you all know, the photography half of this project has been focused on raising money to fight homelessness while the film half was designed to help educate the public on homelessness and share the stories of the panhandlers we met around the city.

I’ve created an Eventbrite listing for the show and I hope all those of you in Seattle will come join us on Friday the 20th. If you’re not in Seattle, I’m working on details to live stream the show and my plan is to personally guide the camera around to see all of the images. (Digital downloads of the images will be made available to all of our backers after the show as well as lots of clips from the interviews.)

To RSVP to the show, simply visit signofhope.eventbrite.com. Nathaniel, Justin, & I are all incredibly excited to meet you all and talk about everything we’ve learned. While we’re not selling anything directly at the show, we will be hosting organizations who will be accepting donations for their charity. Please know that there is no obligation to give any donation or spend any money.

I ask for your help again in spreading the word about the show in the time that we have. Tell your Facebook friends, use hashtag #signofhope on Twitter and help us get people in the door. When sharing links, you can use signofhope.eventbrite.com for the show or simply signofhopeproject.com for everything else.

I know I’m forgetting a million things as I try to catch up to everything going on so please don’t hesitate to ask questions and I’d like to Thank you all again for helping to make this a reality!

I hope you all had a fantastic Holiday season and New Year and I wish you all the best for 2012!

As for the Sign of Hope Project, I’m simultaneously still shooting b-roll and interviews with different homeless organizations (I interview Farestart next) while also prepping the Gallery show on the 20th. Jay, Nathaniel, & I are full steam ahead to get the book finished and prints created this week. I’m sorry I don’t have any media to share at the moment but we’ll have lots to share very soon. Jay & Nathaniel will be flying up to Seattle on the 19th for finishing touches and the show will open Friday evening in late afternoon. I’ll send out formal evites very soon for anyone who’d like to attend. It will also be going on Saturday and Sunday as well. Urban Enoteca has amazingly extended their arms to us for the full three days.

Sorry this is short but I have to get back to work. I promise I’ll have more on the next update!

Happy New Year!

Matt

The video also includes some footage from the film portion of the project which helps explain some of the things I’ve learned about panhandlers.

Here’s what you need to know:

The film is in progress as it has been for months. (Documentaries footage takes a while to organize) But it’s ETA for completion is February after I film the remaining interviews, Seattle Homeless Count, and the Sign of Hope Gallery Show in January.
The Show now has a venue and date! Urban Enoteca on 1st Ave in Seattle will be hosting a three day public show from January 20th, 21st, and 22nd. More details will come as things are finalized in the next week or so.
The book is complete sans text so if you haven’t already, please submit the proper spelling of your name if your contribution level receives credit in the book and film.
Almost everything I could tell you I have learned about panhandlers has been debunked by someone else so at the moment, the best advice I have about panhandlers or the homeless in general is don’t assume their story no matter what they look like. If you’re concerned that person is going to use your money for drugs or alcohol, simply tell them you don’t have anything but try saying hello and you’ll be the light of their day.
Now that we have a show date and venue, Jay & Nathaniel will get the prints made and I’ll be getting the press rolling. As I had a feeling it would, the project has gone a length of time without much news only to come to a head all at once.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and even if you can’t accept my apology for my lack of updates, I can’t thank you enough for your support. I am truly sorry.

It’s been a few weeks since our last update and I thought it was a good time to let you know what we’ve accomplished so far and where things are going with the Sign of Hope Project. Feel free to share this update with friends and family to help spread the word!

Filming & Photography went incredibly well. We filmed over 8 hours of interview footage with 9 different subjects which I am now in the process of organizing into categories for the film. The people we interviewed told some amazing stories. Viewers will have to decide whether or not they believe those stories.

Filming is on schedule and while I’m waiting for appointments with officials in the city and others involved in homeless organizations, I’m out there with my camera getting some amazing b-roll. I believe this will be one of the most beautiful projects I’ve done and I’m proud to be a part of it.

Photography-wise, Justin & Nathaniel shot over 800 images, much of it in film. They’ve been sorting through and trying to narrow down those images to find the very best for the gallery show which we hope to hold mid-October here in Seattle. We’re currently looking for the venue and getting the prints lined up for production as well as organizing even more of the images into the photography book you’ll be able to purchase online if desired.

To sum up what we’ve learned so far from the people we’ve spoken with:

1. There are less scam artists than you’d expect (almost none in the popular areas) because the actual homeless population will run them off.
2. When you see a panhandler, look around them for their “stuff.” Legitimately homeless people keep their possessions nearby as they’re afraid of someone stealing them.
3. People with more elaborate (more wording) signs are more likely to use the money for food and clothes as those likely to use the money for drugs don’t put the time into thoughtful signs.

Please remember there are exceptions to every rule but I’ve found this process to be fascinating, beautiful, honest, and horrible all at the same time.

I can’t tell you how much we still appreciate your support, but I can start to try by simply saying Thank you.

Matt Longmire