What is GO PUBLIC?

For a description of the project and the film, see our Mission Statement.

Why one day?

The structure of one day will allow you to see all the nuance of what goes on during a typical day in a public school setting. It will be the story of public school at the moment things are happening. One day gives us the freedom to follow many subjects including: teachers, students, parents, custodians, counselors, school board members, librarians, security personnel, coaches, volunteers, PTA members and administrative staff. We want to show you what one day looks like so you can see for yourself what it takes to make school happen for everyone everyday.

Why are you making the film?

We are parents of children who attend public school in Pasadena. Public school was a deliberate choice because we believe that the experience of making friends, studying and learning with children and teachers from diverse ethnic and economic background prepares students for the future. A future that is global and multi-faceted. This project is important now because too much focus has been placed on what is broken in public school education. There is room for improvement and we feel it is important to reveal all sides of what goes on in the education system – what works and what doesn’t. We believe that GO PUBLIC will raise awareness and understanding of the strengths, weaknesses and needs of public education as a whole.

How did you choose your subjects?

We spoke with many PUSD families, staff and volunteers to meet our subjects. We looked for people who represent the diverse population of PUSD in every way.

See a list of our subjects, and the short web videos for each, here.

How did you choose the 50 crews?

The GO PUBLIC team each has over 25 years of experience in television and film production and many of their professional colleagues expressed an interest and enthusiasm for being involved with this project. Public education is a subject matter that has universal appeal; the production brought together an impressive group of professionals passionate about helping us capture “A Day in the Life of PUSD.” In addition, we used 10 student crews from PUSD that we helped train and mentor through the filmmaking process.

View a list of the directors here.
See the student crews and mentors here.

Where and when can I see this video?

GO PUBLIC  was shot on May 8, 2012. Completion date for the full-length documentary is still to be determined. Future screening dates and locations will be posted to this website.

The 50 web videos were launched on August 15, 2012 and can be viewed here.

How will the short films be used in the documentary?

The feature-length documentary is entirely different from the short films.  Rather than individuals, the main subject will be PUSD. We will watch as a “day in the life” of a school district unfolds and discover what makes it tick.

Is this project a video or a website?

The GO PUBLIC project encompasses both a two hour video culled from the 50 subjects documented on one day and an interactive website that will host 50 two to four minute videos profiles of each subject. Please join our mailing list to get the most recent updates. Sign up here.

Did you film in all the PUSD schools?

Yes. We had a Film Access Agreement with the Superintendent of the Pasadena Unified School District which allowed us full access to film on all 28 campuses (map) and the district offices.

How are you funding a “GO PUBLIC: A Day in the Life of PUSD”?

We are funding this project with the help of people like you! Individuals who share our belief that this is a story worth telling. Public school affects everyone in this nation and individuals are joining us in raising the funds necessary to give voice to what it really takes, all the working pieces behind the scenes, to make public school happen each and every day. We want to capture the complexity of educating an extremely diverse population – the triumphs and the trials.

We are also applying for grants, throwing support raising house parties and sharing our passion with anyone and everyone who will listen. If you would like to join our support team please click here.

How can I help?

If you’d like to contribute and support this project, please click here.