It is with huge regret that we must inform our supporters that the Drag Dad project has come to a close and will not be completed. We have been trying to resuscitate the film after the subject’s circumstances changed out of our control, but we must now come to terms that we won’t be able to deliver a finished “Drag Dad” documentary. As supporters will have noticed, it has taken a long time to admit this defeat, as we have been attempting various other approaches that were not successful.As the director I want to send my deepest apologies that this project did not come to fruition. It’s difficult to describe how heartbreaking it is to disappoint all of you generous backers who, like me, believed this story needed to see the light of day. I first began filming with James Ross, better known as Tyra Sanchez, in April 2012 for a film school project. I spent a few days with him discussing his life, his awesome son Jeremiah, his family, his aspirations and dreams. At the time James was a single father living in a small apartment in Atlanta with his 6 year old son, who James supported by performing as the drag persona Tyra Sanchez.
It was clear to me we had the foundation for a special and very intimate documentary about how non-traditional parenthood can produce wonderful results. James was immediately excited about getting a chance to tell his story in a raw and truthway way. I partnered with a producer and we launched a Kickstarter campaign to be able to film a feature length documentary of this kind. The response was beyond our expectations, with overwhelming support coming in from all directions. With our hearts full of gratitude and excitement, we set about getting the film into production.
Shortly before filming, James alerted us that due to financial setbacks he was no longer able to support Jeremiah as a single father. He moved to Orlando, where he seeked support from his family and Jeremiah’s mother, and was forced to sleep on friends’ couches until he got back on his feet. This was not an environment he wanted for his son and it was agreed that Jeremiah would live with his mother.
Though we were hopeful at first, these changed circumstances presented serious challenges in the filming of Drag Dad. James was essentially no longer raising Jeremiah, and in addition to this fundamental shift in trajectory, Jeremiah’s mother and James’ family declined to participate in the film. All of these factors made it very difficult to tell a cohesive story. With our Kickstarter funds we were able to film for several weeks with a crew of four, attempting to piece together a documentary in this new situation. With 70 hours of footage and countless months of unsuccessfully trying to piece together a narrative, we held on to the hope that this could become a “long form” documentary, where we would re-visit James and Jeremiah once they are a family again. That hope has dwindled with each passing month. With Jeremiah now living in Boston with his mother, 1200 miles away from James, we must come to terms that we cannot tell the story we set out to tell. This is the volatile nature of observation documentary – the subjects’ circumstances can change out of the filmmakers’ control at a moment’s notice. Sadly this is what’s happened to Drag Dad.Although we are unable to deliver the most essential thing promised, the film itself, all our supporters should have received the other rewards promised, including the 20 page Production Photo e-Book from our filming (all backers), a signed production still and poster ($50+ backers), a “How To” drag video from Tyra ($50+ backers), and personal Tyra memorabilia ($500+ backers).
I can only imagine the backers’ frustration that their hard earned money has not gone towards a successful project. As much as we would like to refund the donations to the project, we are simply unable to do this since all of the funds were used in our efforts to make this film.
As the director I have received no compensation in my attempts at making this film.
While the filmmaker claims that people are receiving their physical rewards the majority of backers only reward was the film itself and their biggest donor also appears to be shit out of luck in getting what they paid for which included an executive producer credit on a film that does not exist.
The official website, twitter and Facebook for Drag Dad were all deleted after the email was issued.
Source: My backer email, Tyra's Facebook and the Drag Dad Kickstarter
I want my $10 back thanks.
