Support the production of "Our Knotted Gun"

Gun violence is the number one cause of death for children and teens in our country. OUR KNOTTED GUN, a feature-length documentary film project, takes the violence our community experienced as its entry point for an exploration of a uniquely American epidemic by documenting a diverse set of responses to gun violence by everyday people who have decided that enough is enough. Our character-driven story embraces a multicultural approach that encompasses both local and global elements of a national issue that represents a critical investigative method intended to move beyond traditional conceptions of the gun violence issue in the U.S. 

OUR KNOTTED GUN seeks to contribute to a fresh national debate on gun violence and the many intersecting factors that contribute to it. These include economic inequality and exploitation, structural racism and white supremacy, gender and domestic violence, a lack of access to quality health care and education, social isolation and exclusion, and the history of U.S. imperialism and militarization, among others.

Our film does not just focus on the tragedy of a single event, or dwell in the trauma of the survivors. Rather, our film explores the scope of the gun violence problem, from everyday gun violence to mass shootings to suicide by gun, and seeks to transform the narrative surrounding this epidemic by telling the stories of those who are taking action to make change.

Your Support Will Make a Big Difference

Your support is crucial to helping fund our film. OUR KNOTTED GUN is ambitious in scope and scale. Gun violence is a problem that is as massive as it is complex; therefore, this documentary needs to be an expansive film that can take viewers on a journey to another place from which they can see the increasingly ubiquitous problem of gun violence in the U.S. differently and truly feel like there is a way out of this situation.

Our goal is to provide a nuanced vision of the problem and a variety of solutions, even as some conflict with others. This is precisely because gun violence in the U.S. is such a knotty issue that intersects with so many others in a sharply divided democracy.

We are confident that by working with our production partners our film will reach a national and international audience. We will work with the media companies and distributors that disseminate the film to develop an effective impact campaign, including the development of pedagogical materials that can be used in high schools, colleges and universities, and within advocacy organizations. This will entail multiple years of community engagement, with the potential for high-profile screenings at institutions of distinction.

Every Dollar Counts

The overall production budget for a film of this scope and magnitude is normally well over $250,000. While we are applying for and have been granted significant support already, every dollar still counts in helping us reach that goal. Your individual contribution can really make a difference in helping get this project off the ground.

• Additional Production Personnel - Your contribution will help us in our production phase, supporting the hiring of additional camera people to document the story as it unfolds. Complex stories need talented crew members to help bring them to light. 
• Travel - We have over $25,000 in our total travel budget, which includes multiple trips within Michigan as well as an anticipated 5 national and 2 international trips to follow the story. Every dollar we raise helps us cover these travel costs, follow the story where it takes us, and put more money back into film.

Every donation over $20 will get a ‘Special Thanks’ credit in the film.

Meet the Filmmakers

Scott Boehm is Assistant Professor of Spanish and Global Studies and Affiliated Faculty in the Film Studies Program. Peter Johnston is an Academic Specialist and the Digital Media/Film Production Manager in the Film Studies Program.

Together they have co-produced two short documentary films on immigration issues—WHAT HAPPENS TO A DREAM DEFERRED: A SHORT FILM ABOUT DACA (2018) and WALKING FOR DED: A SHORT FILM ABOUT SANCTUARY (2019) — that Boehm wrote and directed, and Johnston filmed and edited. Both short films were official selections at a variety of film festivals within Michigan and across the country, with the former playing multiple festivals in Spain, and each film won numerous film festival awards.

With the success of these two films, Boehm and Johnston have established a socially engaged filmmaking partnership that has been recognized in various ways within the film industry.

Make a Gift by Mail:

University Advancement
Spartan Way
535 Chestnut Road, Room 300
East Lansing, MI 48824

*Make check payable to Michigan State University and write “Appeal 24OOPCF1CAEF” in the note section.

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