LiftMeProject

About The Lift Me Community Music Video and Documentary Project

This project exists to offer 250 Summit County, OH volunteers a unique, interactive art experience, offering a rare “in-the-scenes” and/or “behind-the-scenes” opportunity to be part of the music video making process. Participants must be at least 18 years old. No experience is needed!

We are aiming to make a large-scale, high production “Hollywood-level” video. The kind you see by big names on YouTube or Vimeo, but with local folks as all the actors and dancers (and off-camera helpers).

WHAT KINDS OF THINGS WILL I BE ASKED TO DO?

If you’re willing to be on camera, we need volunteers for big groups shots, but also for small group and individual shots.

For big groups shots, we’d like to film activities such as you/your partner or group:
Arriving to the site (filming cars arriving, parking)
Walking to the party (coolers and picnic supplies in hand)
Enjoying yourself at a party (laughing with friends, lounging around, playing yard games)
Singing along with the song
Dancing to the song (line dance, contra dance, couples dance, bachata, free-style, etc)

Our job is to make the party real, so you don’t have to do a lot of acting to look like you’re having fun. LOL

For small group and individual shots we’d like to film activities such as you/your partner or group:
Extending an invite or receiving an invite to the Lift Me Party
Grabbing someone’s hand to lead them to the Lift Me Party
Holding hands with your partner
Sharing a sweet (PG) kiss with your partner
Dancing solo or in a couple dance
Singing along with the song
Sitting in a row with a couple other folks, projecting love to the world with your smile and eyes

 In addition to the video, the project will release a public documentary of the video making process so that county creatives and residents alike can gain an appreciation for and learn about the effort that goes into this kind of art.

 The song for the video is “Lift Me,” a love song composed by award-winning Akron musician Jen Maurer. The song speaks of redemption and the power of one person to save another through love: “I’m heavy with the blues today but I know it won’t be always that way / Just like the sun continues to rise, you’ll lift me by the love in your eyes.” You can hear the song by clicking on the media player at the bottom of each page. And if you head on over to the Explore the Song page, you can read the song lyrics, check out the song's “mood board,” read the song's description, story, history, and larger purpose for gathering to make a video. At the close of the video participants will send out a positive call to action to “lift the world with the love in your eyes.”

 Note: Jen wrote this song for her husband, and the filming of the video coincides with their wedding anniversary, adding to the festive nature of this event.

BE A PART OF SOMETHING AMAZING!

FAQ:

Who can participate? This project is limited to Summit County, OH residents over the age of 18.

Are there any paid acting and/or production roles? We’re not able to offer any compensation. The scope of this project is to provide a fun, free art experience to participants. All grant money is allocated to the comfort and security of participants, and to the camera folks and editors.

Will there be food and water available to participants? Yes, we working out the specific details but there will minimally be light snacks and ample water available on site. Participants are welcome to bring their own picnic in.

Will there be shelter? Yes, we will have both a lovely barn and a tent with chairs for shelter.

Are pets allowed? Sorry, but no. Only service animals will be allowed on site.

Will there be security on site? Yes, there will be security personnel to make sure everyone is protected.

What about parking? Parking attendants will guide you to designated parking areas, and then you will need to walk to the filming area. Please let us know in advance if you need handicap parking.

Will any medical personal be on-site during filming? Yes, there will be a medical tent.

What happens if it rains? Great question, but it’s not gonna rain. LOL. We have stretched the filming over 3 days to accommodate rain. Once you sign up to participate, we will keep you posted with any schedule changes due to weather.

Are weapons allowed on site? Sorry, but no. This is private property and by registering you agree to leave any weapons at home. But to reiterate, we will have hired security on site to protect participants. Thank you for your understanding!