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News Authored By John McDonald

When My Film Journey Began

Six Years Ago Today The Journey Began

Six years ago today I recorded my first video footage with John Sears, aka Mule, and his three animal companions, Lady, Little Girl, and Pepper.  It was Christmas Eve, 2012.  My whole family was together for the holidays and I was reluctant to go off on a wild goose (or mule) chase.  But as a documentary filmmaker, I sensed a good story.  I headed for the Pasadena Arroyo in search of the guy with the mules.

No luck at first, but then I finally discovered him, already packing up to start on the next leg of his trip to who knows where.  He accepted a cup of coffee that I have brought with me. He talked a bit, very softly.  With some reluctance he allowed me to retrieve the video camera from my car.  Surprisingly, with the camera running, he talked more.  His words resonated with me, and I realized then and there that I was about to embark on a filmmaking adventure unlike any I had ever experienced.  Now, six years later, my journey is far from over. In 200 days of filming over a 27-month period, I shot 300 hours of footage.  It has and will continue to be a huge, long-term editing job to complete a full-length documentary and preserve the legacy of this special man and what he represents.

MULE: Living on the Outside is a personal independent documentary, not a commercially financed venture commissioned by a media company with deep pockets.  If you believe in the project and would like to be a part of getting the film completed, tax-deductible donations can be made on my website  3MulesMovie.com.  Your support is greatly appreciated, and I know you will enjoy the final film when I share it with you.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

John

P.S.  Please “Follow” on Facebook or subscribe to my Newsletter and watch my short video clips–one from each day I spent filming The Mules.

 

Pepper gets new shoes

 

Grant Awarded

I’m very pleased to announce that MULE: Living on the Outside has finally received its first grant. from the Pacific Pioneer Fund, after many, many submissions to dozens of foundations and non-profit funders. It’s not a large amount, but it does give some validation as I continue to submit grant proposals to the short list of organizations who fund documentaries. There is still a long way to go before MULE can be completed, and this is where you come in. If you believe in the project and like what you see so far, I encourage you to help by making a tax-deductible donation and sharing the message of this important story.

Here is a NEW 5-minute sample of clips that were recently edited for one of my grant proposal submissions:

https://vimeo.com/288832100

Let Freedom Ring!

Freedom of Movement

“The right to move freely in this country should be held sacrosanct. That’s what people have died for. They’ve given their limbs and their lives for this very cherished right. But it’s not being practiced. The essence of freedom is to get up in the morning and decide where you want to go, how you want to go, and when you want to go. And to protect that right, you have to use it.”
—John Sears, aka ‘Mule’

Ramblin’ Jack Elliott featured at fundraiser for the documentary

Some photos from the musical variety show at Five Springs Farm on Earth Day to raise money for completing the feature-length MULE: Living on the Outside documentary. Thanks to all the performers, attendees, sponsors and volunteers — and special thanks to Avery Hellman (Ismay Music) and Sonoma Mountain Music Festival for putting on the event.

All the ticket sales ($1,240.00) were donated towards completing the feature-length film.

There is a still a long way to go to raise the $50,000.00 necessary to hire a full-time editor as the next step in the post production process.  Would you please take a moment to make a tax-deductible donation?

Donate at the International Documentary Association.

Thank you!

Fundraiser at a Beautiful Northern California Farm

Celebrating Earth Day on April 22, Sonoma Mountain Music is presenting a screening and fundraiser to complete the feature-length version of the documentary, as well as a Variety Show!

It will be held in a restored redwood barn up in the hills above Petaluma, California.

As part of the show, the legendary Ramblin’ Jack Elliott will be performing — he is considered one of the nation’s legendary foundations of folk music.  Come and support the artists, and enjoy an afternoon at a Northern California farm!

BUY TICKETS HERE.