Going Once Summary

 Auctioneers have been “talking fast” for over 500 years. 

This is a multi-billion dollar industry that few people know about. Even fewer people know that the auction chant is dying. Going Once… is a documentary that will show the vast history of the auction chant and follow the journeys of auctioneers fighting to keep the fast-talking spirit of the industry alive, all while competing to be named the world’s best auctioneer. 

The internet has taken over the auction industry, changing it forever. Auctioneering in its original form happens in person: a loud, fast-talking auctioneer chants for a crowd and sells items of all kinds in front of your eyes. As more and more auctions go online, the emotional, in-person, fast-talking experience is lost to platforms similar to eBay. 

Going Once will show the side of auctioneering that has not lost its love of the chant: the International Auctioneers Championship.

We’ll follow auctioneers from Alaska, Canada, Oklahoma, South Africa, and everywhere in between as they compete to win the 2024 International Auctioneer Championship. They each have different styles of chant, different approaches to preparing for the competition, and varying auction specialties, but they all share a love of bid-calling and a thirst for the top spot. These auctioneers are keeping the auction chant alive while keeping up with the ever-digitalizing industry.

Along the way, we’ll uncover the history of the auction chant and the unique flare of the American-style auction chant that revolutionized the auction business.

Who will win the International Auctioneer Championship? Who is the next generation of great auctioneers? Who will keep the auction chant alive in the face of digitalization? 

What We Need & What You Get

We need $80,000 to fund our filming through the spring of the year.

Crossing the United States from Alaska to Florida and internationally to South America and Canada to document the history of the auction chant and film the characters competing in July’s competition comes with various costs, such as lodging, airfare, insurance, and more. 

Crowdfunding will get us through our first few shoots AND enable us to purchase the gear we need for auctioneers to film their own preparations for the competition at home. Without your help, this film is not possible!!

If you’re interested in investing in the film as an Executive Producer, please email Caroline at cwalker.goingonce@gmail.com for a full financial breakdown.

The Impact

Your support of this project will help put the auction industry on the map. We know powerful things can happen when the auction industry joins forces with major media production. This film will also pave the way for more media projects to come that showcase auctions in all forms across the globe.

In an economy burdened by inflation and aggressive interest rates, the auction industry can save the average consumer from being suffocated by store and market prices. This project will significantly impact the auction industry and the future of the auction chant by exposing more people to the wonderful world of auctions. 

The Team

When a team made up of an award-winning auctioneer, seasoned filmmakers + line producers, and an experienced business manager join forces, incredible things happen. 

DANIEL RAMIREZ & ALEJANDRA PARELES – FILMMAKERS / PRODUCERS

Daniel & Alejandra have produced, directed, and lensed documentary productions for the past 12 years, with credits spanning the most established names in entertainment, from Amazon to ESPN, Animal Planet, Discovery, and HBO. Daniel has contributed to hard-hitting journalism work for the New York Times, the Guardian UK, and Conde Naste publications and has also directed various branded documentary campaigns for Ford, American Express, Travel + Leisure, and AT&T, earning a Cannes Young Lion. Daniel & Alejandra are go-to filmmakers in sports documentary productions for the past five years. Their credits include the Heart of Sergio Ramos for Amazon, the upcoming “Season 20” documentary for Legendary Pictures chronicling Kobe Bryant’s final season in the NBA, and the All or Nothing franchise. In 2021, Daniel served as Executive Producer for season two of the ESPN+ ‘More Than An Athlete’ documentary franchise for LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s Uninterrupted/Springhill Company. They’ve led development efforts for Universal Studios, Amazon, Peacock, and Sky Sports, including collaborations with producer Lawrence Bender, comedian George Lopez, and producer Michael Rotenberg. Daniel and Alejandra live in Fayetteville, Georgia, and hike as much of the Appalachian Trail in their spare time as they work diligently to find great tacos whenever they are not volunteering at their church.

TERRI  WALKER – EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

Terri Walker is a champion auctioneer specializing in conducting charity benefit auctions, real estate, and personal property auctions, in person and online. Terri won the Women’s International Auctioneers Champion and served as President of the National Auction Association. She was appointed by the governor to the Tennessee Auctioneers Commission, serving as the first female Chair. She has been featured on the cover of the Memphis Business Women’s magazine.

Terri has B.S. and M.A. degrees in education and is a graduate of the Certified
Auctioneers Institute from Indiana University. She is a past school teacher and has
served as an instructor at the Missouri Auction School, the world’s largest auction
school. Terri also presents seminars throughout the country on fundraising auctions.
She lives in Memphis Tennessee with her husband Lance, who is also a leading benefit
auctioneer and current president of the National Auction Association. Playing and teaching the harp is her favorite pastime. Terri has worked with charities in the United States, Canada, and the US Virgin Islands. Walker Auctions has conducted fundraising auctions for 42 years raising millions of dollars annually for worthwhile causes.

JIM BIANCO – LINE PRODUCER

Highly creative and driven Production Executive with over 22 years of experience in the industry, specifically experience with MTV, Amazon, Netflix, ABC, and CBS. Jim has been charged with overseeing productions, ensuring financial performance, and providing oversight that helps both buyers and creatives. Exceptionally motivated with the experience of growing a start-up company into a large and prosperous enterprise. Proven ability to increase production efficiency while also improving the overall product. Extensive track record of success in delivering high-quality shows across various platforms while always meeting deadlines and expectations. Jim is based in Westport, Connecticut with his family.

CAROLINE WALKER – PRODUCER | HEAD OF DEVELOPMENT 

Experienced administrator, fund developer, and senior-level leadership across companies and nonprofits. Her experience in people management, budgeting, fundraising, and communication will be key to the production of Going Once. Her ability to lead teams will be crucial as each additional media property is funded and staffed. Caroline is based in New York City and can be found writing and enjoying music when she’s not fundraising and leading teams.

Challenges

Media production moves slowly and often requires significant oversight from distribution companies that overhaul the project. The auction industry is the opposite: fast-moving and independent. The biggest challenge will be securing the funding to move as quickly and independently as possible, ensuring the film is authentic to the auction industry.

Other Ways You Can Help

If you cannot contribute financially, we would still love your support. Here are other ways to help:

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