The Hill

Synopsis

The Hill is an hour long documentary which follows a groundbreaking civil rights case.

In the documentary The Hill, a poor, predominantly African-American neighborhood of New Haven, Connecticut is chosen by the city as the site for an unusually large new public school.  Residents are surprised to learn that the blueprints call for the demolition of most of their homes.

The film investigates the way eminent domain has been used in cities across the country to practice what used to be called "slum clearance."  It traces the history of the school project, which, many community leaders point out, conveniently coincides with Yale University's plans to "clean up" the area immediately around their medical complex.  Meanwhile, an affluent neighborhood across town has a very different experience when they object to a similar school project in their neighborhood.

As the film progresses, we witness the dramatic organizing effort to save The Hill, with religious, community, and small business leaders all helping to take the city to federal court.  As residents react to the below market rate values that they must accept for their homes and make contingency plans to move, they also, one by one, get their day in court. 

 

 

Budget:

$ 24,000.00

Project's Financial Needs

Remaining Budget:

Follow-up filming:  $5,800

Editing:  $12,000 (includes sound mix)

Music and graphics:  $5,000

Archival:  $1,200.

Total:  $24,000.

 

Other financial Support

In-kind donations:

Cinematographer #1:  $4,800.

Cinematagrapher #2:  $450.

Cinematagrapher #3:  $2,000.

Production Assistant:   $1500.

Equipment and supplies:  $5500.

Editor:  $9500.

Total donations:  $23,750.

 

Current stage of production

Post-Production

Estimated Completion Date

06/01/2010

Target Audience

This is a documentary for public television