Ever had an idea for a great movie or TV show? Maybe it’s a show so different from everything else out there that people would stand up and take notice. What if you focused on topics that everyone cares about?
Scott Ryan would tell you, “Good luck” if his phone service still worked, if his electricity was still on, and if he hadn’t been evicted from his apartment. Those harsh realities aren’t the things you dream about when you’re developing your vision, but such things can easily happen.
The documentary We Want the Airwaves chronicles the story of Ryan, his producer Charmel Green, and his co-producer/cinematographer Cory Clay as they develop and attempt to sell a docuseries called Manifesto, a TV show spotlighting people who want to make a positive change in their communities and the world. One such person is Scott Harrison, founder of Charity: Water, a nonprofit organization bringing clean and safe water to people around the world. Ryan’s dream was to create TV that uses such stories to motivate, not sedate, to present ideas that would get people off their couches, computers, and phones to make something positive happen in the world. A show filled with such important stories should be an easy sell, right?
But if the concept can’t be communicated easily and clearly, that’s a problem. Even if you can get a TV executive to talk to you, you have a limited amount of time, and your pitch had better be stellar, something that separates you from the rest of the pack. If you’re fortunate enough to get an audience with an exec, you’ll wonder how long you’ll have to wait after hearing the words that spell the kiss of death: “We’ll get back to you.” Even hiring a supermodel like Amber Arbucci as your host may not be enough.
Ryan and his team understood how to make a good film, how to capture compelling stories that would move people. They had a great product, they just didn’t know how to sell it.
Through actual footage and recreations, We Want the Airwaves is a cautionary tale for prospective filmmakers, holding back none of the enormous challenges that can face visionary creators. Yet the film also celebrates how persistence and personal sacrifice can lead to good things, even if those good things are not the end goal you started with.
The documentary We Want the Airwaves is an educational resource particularly recommended for anyone interested in media production, film, television, and marketing. Community college and university academic libraries will want to purchase the film for classes which focus on these areas, yet public and high school libraries should also consider purchasing the film.
What academic subjects would this film be suitable for?
We Want the Airwaves would be a valuable documentary resource for community colleges and universities offering classes on media production, film, television, and marketing.
What kind of film collection would this title be suitable for?
We Want the Airwaves would be a good addition to collections focusing on media production, television, films, and marketing. With the appropriate public performance rights, the film could also fit into any unique library programs or events.
What subjects or college majors would benefit from the content covered in this film?
Media studies, entertainment industry, entertainment business, television, film studies, marketing