Follow the Leader

Website & Trailer Coming Soon

Thank you for visiting FOLLOW THE LEADER's website-to-be! We'll be launching the site and first film trailer in mid-May, but for now hope you will "like" us on Facebook (please click icon in top right corner)—where we're already making announcements about our progress.

FOLLOW THE LEADER is a Changeworx production made with the support of broadcasters Channel 4 (UK), DR (Denmark), NRK (Norway), SVT (Sweden); the brilliance of an amazing crew; and generosity of several post-production facilities in New York and London. If you have any questions as we work to build the site, please contact Director Jonathan Goodman Levitt at jgl@changeworx.com.

About the Film

FOLLOW THE LEADER is a real-life coming-of-age story of three traditional American boys with Presidential dreams.

At sixteen-years-old, high school Class Presidents Ben, D.J. & Nick are all conservatives who plan to continue leading their peers as President someday. Over three life-changing years, they split into Republican, Democratic and Independent camps as each reconsiders his lofty ambitions.

Growing up at a critical moment for America as well, their lives also force us all to rethink our assumptions about tomorrow's leaders, and the impact of 9/11 and Obama's Election. As shocking as "Jesus Camp", as revealing as "American Teen", and as funny as "Spellbound" - FOLLOW THE LEADER is the true story of what "change" means for three "young leaders" who feel destined to lead the world.

About the Filmmakers

Jonathan Goodman Levitt (Producer, Director, Editor, Camera) is a filmmaker who also works as a journalist, teacher and producer. His company Changeworx is also currently in production on two documentary features with international partners: Two Children of the Red Mosque, about the ideological divide among Pakistani Muslims (supported by TriBeCa Film Institute; Center for Asian American Media; and IFP's Film Week), directed by Hemal Trivedi; and Rebel with a Cause, about the Chilean eco-conservation work of Doug Tompkins, founder of Esprit & North Face (Co-Producer with Germany's DreamTeam Media). Jonathan's last feature Sunny Intervals and Showers (2006) played Sheffield, Chicago, & One World; aired on BBC Storyville; and was nominated for a Grierson (British Documentary Awards).

Key FOLLOW THE LEADER team members include: Carla Ruff, Co-Editor (Steve Earle: Just an American Boy; Daughters of Wisdom); Zack Martin, Music (The Way We Get By); David Schweitzer, Music (Charlie and Lola; Solitary Life of Cranes); Nancy Kennedy, Consulting Editor (Why We Fight; For the Bible Tells Me So); Adam Zucker, Consulting Editor (Carol Channing: Larger than Life; Ken Burns' The West); Barbara Parks, Sound Editing (Dark Days; Two Towns of Jasper); Rob Daly, Sound Mixer (Bowling for Columbine; My Country, My Country); Emily Branham, Graphics Producer (Legend: A Film About Greg Garing); Cassidy Gearhart, Graphics (In a Dream); and Dave Tecson, Graphics (Life 2.0; The Kid Stays in the Picture).

Events

FOLLOW THE LEADER: REALITY CHECK
First Interactive Working Group!

Monday, May 7th - 2pm to 6pm
Washington, D.C. - by invitation

If you are interetsted in joining us, please contact Producer Jonathan Goodman Levitt at (212) 380-8213 or jgl@changeworx.com. The event is private, but we are reserving several spots for students & Millennial leaders, and welcome your ideas of others to invite!

What is REALITY CHECK?
REALITY CHECK is a new transmedia project combining the character-based documentary FOLLOW THE LEADER (Summer 2012 release) and interactive voting technologies. Building on issues raised within the film - a coming-of-age story about three teenage boys with Presidential dreams - Live REALITY CHECK Events will spark meaningful dialogue surrounding the 2012 Elections and beyond.

What happens at the Interactive Working Group?
The Working Group is a space for experimentation and discussion that will bring together 30-40 supporters and outreach partners for the first time. We'll watch the film in sections that alternate with interactive experiences. Keypad technology will be provided that allows us to engage with the film's characters and each other. Together we'll work through several ideas we have for interactivity, and discuss what techniques and conversations make good use of the film and move us toward achieving our goals. How can we encourage productive cross-ideological discourse? What methods and questions best provoke deeper thinking about our current political realities? And how can we help build better leaders for the future?

Who organized it?
The REALITY CHECK Working Group is made possible by Changeworx, Facilitator & Interactive Voting Expert Chris Bui, Dr. Cynthia Farrar and Professor Christopher Arterton.