Monumental Struggle

Monumental Struggle refers to 400 years of racial struggle on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, as well as 5 years of recent efforts to move the Talbot Boys Confederate monument away from the Talbot County Courthouse in Easton, Maryland.  After years of trying to get the attention of the Talbot County Council, in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, peaceful protestors focused their outrage on the copper clad boy with a rebel flag standing atop a granite pedestal. This diverse group of people created the Move the Monument Coalition. They held regular meetings and protests at the Courthouse during Council meetings. When COVID-19 broke out, they kept up their momentum with Zoom meetings and educated their membership about the history of Jim Crow, the Lost Cause, and more. Reacting to defend the location of the monument’s 100 year position on the Court House lawn, Preserve Talbot History was created.

Magic Lantern Productions discovered the Talbot Boys monument and it’s recent contentious history on Maryland’s Eastern Shore in the “land of pleasant living” and believed it was a story worth illuminating. 

We have acquired access to video and photographic documentation of this divisive debate between Move the Monument and Preserve Talbot History. We have shot 12 short preliminary interviews with some of the primary players. We have researched this subject and believe it serves as a compelling case study on the contemporary issue of the appropriate display and symbolism of confederate monuments and battle flags in America. Maryland was a border state during the Civil War and represents every nook and cranny of this brother vs. brother history and it’s many areas of debate.

It is our goal to take a deep and broad dive into this topic with the support and cooperation of the people who have been living through this debate, utilizing new research and in-depth interviews with participants and leading experts in this field . Our pitch video showcases the tip of this iceberg and some of our approach to the subject. 

Why trust Magic Lantern Productions with your donations?   

We have a long and deep interest in the Civil War. Some previous related productions include Producing the Behind the Scenes Making of Ted Turner Pictures “Gods & Generals”, cinematography on “The Smithsonian’s Great Battles of the Civil War”,  producing documentaries of large scale Civil War re-enactments like the “135th Antietam” and “135th Gettysburg.” We also produced an 80 min. documentary on another divisive issue, titled “Fracking Western Maryland?”.

Your contributions are essential to continuing this film that’s focused on critical issues of racial justice, erasing or preserving history, gaining understanding and insight into different perspectives. This funding will also allow us to search for and acquire grants and corporate funding that will help us complete and distribute Monumental Struggle. 

What We Need & What You Get

Here’s the detail:

• Our ask in this campaign is $50,000 which will allow us to shoot the interviews of participants in the Move the Monument debate and experts that we need to tell this story. It will also allow us to conduct additional primary research that will help us tell the historic  back story. We will also use some of this budget to help us secure additional funding from grants, corporations and other sources. Right now, we have an anticipated budget of $300,000. This campaign provides our seed money and is essential to moving this project forward.  
• We are offering perks from our Magic Lantern black tech crew baseball caps to various film credits for different levels of participation. You may donate any amount.
• If this project is grossly underfunded and not possible to continue after 60 days from the launch, we will donate the funds raised to arts and history scholarships or projects in Talbot County MD and cease production.

The Impact

If Monumental Struggle is to become a full length documentary this campaign has to be successful.

• Talbot County MD is a microcosm of America. Located along the border of North & South, it is a perfect case study at the intersection of the history of enslaved people, the Civil War, Reconstruction, Jim Crow, Segregation and Civil Rights along with the modern overlay of “erasing history” and Social Justice. The Courthouse lawn in Easton is a crossroads where it all comes together. Add to that the possibility of reconciliation and you have a complex and compelling story for our times told by people who deserve to be heard. 

• We have a long history of an interest in and producing Civil War related content. We also produced a similar style documentary on a very divisive issue titled “Fracking Western Maryland?” which successfully raised funds via Kickstarter and became sponsored by Engage Mountain Maryland. Many people believe our documentary affected the outcome.

• This project matters to us and has resonated with the people we have contacted to be involved. Telling this story is what we want to dedicate ourselves to for the next year. Help us make it real. Join us with your gift. 

Risks & Challenges

We know how to make this movie. We’ve been producing successful productions for 40 years, mostly as a “hired gun” for corporations, non profits, museums and live events. We have produced and self funded Historic re-enactment videos that are considered classics. This level of funding is beyond what we can  provide to “self-fund.” We’ve funded 2 months worth to get us to here. You will make it possible to continue the work.  

• We overcome hurdles through hard work and tenacity. We want to complete this project and share it with the world. We have consulted with Docs in Progress and have a 4 prong fundraising strategy. This campaign is phase 1. 
• You can help with any size donation. If that’s not possible, but you like the project, please share it with your friends and family.
• Help us get the word out and make some noise about “our” campaign.
• Use the Indiegogo share tools!