Film Director Erik Proulx is spending a year documenting post-Sandusky State College, PA.
Email published here with permission
My dearest family and friends,
Many of you know that I’ve been spending a lot of time in State College, PA over the past few months, working on a film called “365 Days.” We are documenting how a community responds to a tragedy such that has occurred at Penn State. And rather than do a knee-jerk biased commentary, we are taking a full year to document and consider the subtleties and emotions of victimhood, blame, healing, retribution, and honor.
We began the process on September 1, 2012, and we will continue filming until that date next year. In the meantime, I just finished editing a trailer that, with any luck, will generate interest in the topic beyond the “Shut down the football program!” and “Arrest everybody!” reactions that have defined the majority of commentary so far.
Before you read on, one thing you must know is this: I came into this process reluctantly. Like most people, I had hate in my heart for a culture that would allow a pedophile to roam freely. While there are still no clear answers as to who knew what and when (beyond the monster who committed the crimes), I am learning in a very profound way that just because somebody says something on ESPN or the New York Times, that doesn’t make it true.
I’m hoping to get your support for the trailer, which means only that you “like” and view it on our Facebook page.
Don’t like ads? Become a supporter and enjoy The Good Men Project ad freeI’m proud of this project, and of how the trailer turned out. If you like it, please share it. If not, thank you for watching regardless.
With love,
Erik
Follow Erik on Twitter @eproulx and the film on 365DaysTheFilm.com
Sagacious Rick. I don’t think the vitriol would have been as bad if Penn State only had a basketball program and a squash intermural team. See August 28, 2012 Statement by Group Chairs of the Faculty Senate.
I’m not looking forward to it from the trailer, though I could be wrong. Just showing emotions seems limited. Redemption from evil we harbor. Ricks right. It’s bigger than what’s generally seen. For example, The taboo that create invisible male victims. Our whole culture does that. Why were the dead soldiers from Iraq hidden from the media? Male rape victims refused service at “Violence against Women’s Act” funded agencies? The “Invisible War” with it’s even more invisible **male** victims. How taboo and shame create invisibility in many areas. How invisibility works. I hope you can cause people to reflect at… Read more »
Eric, please email me when you have the chance. I’m a PSU alum that has worked in the sports marketing industry for over a decade. I’d like to get involved and help you with your project. My email is [email protected]
Rick,
Thank you for your response. That is certainly one perspective we’re exploring. And as you can see from the trailer, there are many other complicated layers as well. Everything from the media’s role in creating a story all the way to how a town responds (anger? forgiveness? retaliation?). In any case, that’s why we’re spending a full year. Although, as I’m learning, even that won’t be enough time. -Erik
Erik, I just watched the trailer and I am looking forward to the film’s release. The one comment that struck me and doesn’t seem to strike the outside world…”So much of this has been about Penn State and Penn State Football but no one has mentioned anything about the failure of the child welfare system and what is being done to address it…” As someone who grew up in State College and has family currently living in town, what burns me is that …EVERYONE… the media, the politicians, and the justice system have COMPLETELY and conveniently looked the other way… Read more »
We are documenting how a community responds to a tragedy such that has occurred at Penn State. There has been a Tragedy at Penn State – A Tragedy In Happy Valley? I fear that someone is using language which may well cause a great deal of offence, because there was no Tragedy at Pann State – Penn State Itself was the tragedy and the Vehicle of Tragedy for others. There was no Tragedy In Happy Valley – Happy Valley was The Tragedy – again the vehicle to allow abuse and damaged lives. All those who took part – all those… Read more »