RED HOOK — A filmmaker seeking to clear up some of the misconceptions about transfer schools through a documentary project has launched an online fundraising campaign to support her work.
Stephanie Gaweda, 19, is hoping to raise $8,700 through a Kickstarter campaign that will benefit camera and lighting expendables, film distribution, transportation and compensation for the crew.
“We are all broke college students and we want to tell this story as best we can,” she said.
The funds raised would also go towards post-production costs and fees for submitting the film to festivals across the country, she said.
Gaweda was forced to leave her Downtown Brooklyn high school after excessive truancy, moving to South Brooklyn Community High School when she was 16. She graduated from the school in 2012 and is now studying cinematography at Columbia College Chicago.
To express her gratitude for her alma mater, Gaweda is filming a documentary called “Dream Factories” that will follow the graduating class of SBCHS, which she credited with motivating her to get back on track.
The Red Hook transfer school serves student ages 16 to 20 who have dropped out of their previous high schools or had to leave because of excessive trancy.
The team will begin shooting on June 27 with its own equipment — whether or not the money is raised.
“We’re still going to do it with our own resources,” Gaweda said.
She is aiming for a December release of the film.
