Documentaries are powerful vehicles for reaching new audiences and decision-makers and advancing a progressive policy agenda. The Hatcher Group works with award-winning filmmakers to produce and disseminate issue-based documentaries that are colorful and compelling. The Hatcher Group also implements creative strategies for generating media and policymaker interest in these films.

CASE STUDIES

TELLING A STORY, RAISING AWARENESS THROUGH DOCUMENTARIES AND DISCUSSIONS
Pursuit of the Dream: Cars and Jobs in America
Pursuit of the Dream illustrates the struggles and triumphs of three low-income working families in purchasing their own cars. The documentary highlights common pitfalls faced by low-wage workers, including overpriced and unreliable cars, sub-prime loans, high down payments, hidden purchase costs and limits caused by poor credit histories. In addition to explaining the importance of affordable, reliable transportation in the economic success of low-income families, the documentary provides tips for avoiding problems. The Hatcher Group managed the production of this 22-minute documentary as an educational tool for the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Family Economic Success approach. The Hatcher Group also is overseeing national distribution to policymakers, advocacy organizations, service providers and financial educators. The Hatcher Group also created a printed discussion guide.

Waging a Living: Opportunities for Action
Waging a Living is a condensed, policy-length version of a full-length acclaimed documentary by Roger Weisberg. The documentary aired on PBS in August 2006. The film aims to educate policymakers and community leaders about improving policies for low-income families. With NAK Productions, The Hatcher Group wrote and produced the film, wrote an accompanying policy guide, created a distribution list of national and state policy organizations, collaborated with organizations airing the documentary and conducted extensive media outreach. The project was supported by the Annie E. Casey and Ford foundations.

Aging Out: What Happens When You’ve Grown Up in Foster Care and Suddenly You’re on Your Own?
Created by award-winning producers and directors Roger Weisberg and Vanessa Roth, Aging Out follows several young people as they turn 18 and age out of the foster care system. The film documents their transitions as some become parents, while others battle drug addiction, face homelessness, and even end up in jail. The Hatcher Group worked with the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative during the film’s production, managed media outreach on the video and developed a shorter, policy version of the film. Aging Out aired on PBS in May 2005.

Avoiding the Money Trap
Avoiding the Money Trap highlights financial problems that often ensnare rural working families. The documentary is part of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s approach to helping rural working families connect to the mainstream economy. The financial education tool raises awareness among policymakers, service providers and advocates. The Hatcher Group managed the design and wrote the accompanying discussion guide and supplementary materials. We also managed outreach and the national distribution of the documentary, including creating a distribution database and organizing policy briefings and screenings on Capitol Hill and elsewhere.