By Josh Williams
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
LOWER MANHATTAN — A documentary film trailer is playing at the 9/11 Memorial Preview Site that will be used to educate first responders about coping with tragedy, as well as generate funds for the memorial.
The documentary tells the story of nine people, from first responders to construction workers to victims' families, and also tracks the rebuilding effort at Ground Zero with time lapse photography.
“With time lapse photography, we shoot 24-hours a day, one frame every five minutes on 14 cameras,” said Brian Rafferty, who is working with director Jim Whitaker on the project.
The full-length documentary is expected to be released mid-year 2010. It was shown at a recent Community Board 1 meeting to update the group about the project's progress.
The trailer is one of the numerous exhibits at the preview site, along with a booth for people to record their 9/11 stories, architectural designs for the reconstruction and a timeline for its completion.
Since opening the preview site in August, it has had more than 400,000 visitors, and it averages 3,000 visitors daily, according to Michael Frazier, senior communications manager for the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum.
Tom Traegler, a preview site supervisor, said the purpose of the site is not just for tourists, but for members of the downtown community.
“A lot of people are curious about the memorial," he said. "This is a good way to relay information.”
