Dear Zero G,
Help us give the gift of dreaming the impossible
Featuring: The inspirational story of Jaleel King
I competed, and lost against Jaleel for the privilege of being a keynote speaker at an international photography trade show two years ago.
Since then, I had only spoken with him twice until just one week ago. I sent him a small facebook message asking if he had any dreams that he had never had the opportunity to fulfill.
“I honestly don’t dream big enough Ben. There are so many things I wish I could do that almost seem impossible to me now under the situation. Like, I would love to skydive or fly in a fighter jet.
I honestly don’t know how to properly answer because my life has been so much “I wish I could do” but so much “would require so much” to do in my mind.
Three days later, I called him to ask if he would be interested in going on a zero gravity flight. He said Yes.
8 year old Jaleel used to dream of being a skydiver or a fighter pilot. Those dreams evaporated along with the use of his legs, after he was shot by his neighbour with a sawed off shotgun. Against all odds he has, at the age of 38, slowly but surely built himself a career in photography, but until a random phone call from VonWong inviting him to float in zero gravity, had remained scared of dreaming big.
We would like to show him and people everywhere, that it never hurts to dream big, by giving him a gift so amazing that he had never even imagined possible: A zero gravity flight that will allow him to stand without a wheelchair.
Though not a typical bucket list item, we believe that Zero-G is a dream that everyone has but has not necessarily believed possible. Such a trip should not only inspire everyone to believe that anything is possible, but also to remind us all to be grateful that we can move at all.
With your help, we want to prove that Zero-G is something achievable, inspirational and tangible.
Background and Qualifications
Von Wong is an internationally published photographer who specializes in creating surreal and social-media friendly stories that go viral by taking ordinary people and putting them into extraordinary situations.
Media/Funding strategy
The goal is to provide maximum visibility for all parties involved. In order to get maximum outreach, the campaign will be designed to target two segments: The Internet and Traditional Media.
Phase 1: Fundraising
Von Wong and Karen X. set the current GoFundMe record for raising 1.8 million dollars on the GoFundMe platform on the Eliza Project. They will to use the same platform in order to generate the maximum interaction.
A cinematographer from award-winning, viral video series “SmugMug films” will be dispatched to capture Jaleel and produce an engaging kickstarter video.
To maximize user engagement and exposure for Zero G, a competition will be run where the 3 greatest donors, and one randomly selected donor will be invited to join in the flight.
The crowdfunding campaign would not only serve to raise funds for the project but also to spread awareness and generate interactions and engagement that can will be leveraged on Phase 2.
Phase 2: Photo/Video Launch/Media Outreach
Media content will be designed to hit two different demographics.
Still images will be shot in a sequential format to illustrate a man being freed from the confines of his chair and dominating it. These images will be designed for Buzzfeed style mediums that focus on linear image storytelling.
A long-form blog, complete with Jaleel’s story and the video will be used to target mainstream media publications through hundreds of media contacts and reporters that have previously written about related stories in the past.
“ For the past 7, or so, years I’ve embraced photography as a way to free myself from the chains that often bind us and keep us bound. For the first few years I believed that if my photography was truly good no one would care about my wheelchair; how wrong I was. I was wrong because it was very much apart of who I am, what has brought me to this point and what has now given strength and inspiration to others for the past 3 years now.” — Jaleel King
Concept Development
Through a series of images, the goal is to highlight Jaleel slowly lifting himself from the confines of his chair — lifting it above him and carrying it on his shoulders as he floats effortlessly around.
We understand that shooting in zero gravity brings forward multiple challenges and the deliverable is to have a single hero image along with multiple story telling pieces — from both Jaleel’s perspective as well as that of Von Wong.
The hero piece would consist of Jaleel, heaving his chair above him, acting out a single fist pump whilst his camera floats lethargically around him. To give the true sense of zero-gravity, floating water globules can be sprinkled accross the scene.
The entire scene would ideally be lit with backlit strobes to provide some powerful rim lights for both Jaleel as well as the water droplets whilst a simple ring light or a top light would be used to provide the main fill. Last but not least, a fisheye or wide angle lens would be used in order to give us the exaggerated perspective.
“While I no longer have the freedom to physically stand, mentally I have stood strong on this belief. Now I want to take the freedom from a state of mind to a reality and fly!” — Jaleel King
Zero-G support
It is our understanding that zero gravity happens in 30 second- 1 minute bursts for a total of 7 or so minutes, and would love to design the shoot with the assistance of Team Zero-G.
Our hope is to have the entire process documented in video by one of our own videographers. We understand that there may be some technical concerns and look forward to discussing more with the Zero-G team on what is and isn’t possible.
We see the team at Zero G as an integral part of making this project a commercial success. As a result, we would like to offer the visibility and positive brand association as well as the marketing boost that such a project would bring
Zero G benefits:
- Zero G will receive opportunities for national and global PR for a story focused on the Zero G experience. We’ll work with you to ensure on-brand messaging, quotes, and interview opportunities.
- Zero G will be positioned as an aspirational “bucket list” item for the everyday person.
- As a core sponsor, Zero G will receive integrated branding on every step of the campaign: e.g. previews of the experience and facilities in the video and press kit
Zero G expectations:
- To be an official Sponsor of the project
- To provide core technical support on rigging and concept development
- Provide the flight “at cost”
“I see Zero G being that next step. While I can’t stand or walk, I can fly; and even if it’s but for a moment, explore a new sense of freedom that I’ve only experienced in my dreams. I want to be able to touch others who, like me, may not have known what was possible or never dared to dream bigger, to do just that; DARE TO DREAM BIGGER!” — Jaleel King
Will you help us change the life of one and inspire millions?
