Spend a broiling hot summer on the streets of South Central L.A., a time grimly known to locals as "the killing season," to document some former gang bangers who now try to make peace? That's the idea behind LTO: License to Operate, a documentary from Culver City-based ad and marketing agency Omelet and production partner Foundation Content. The project, now in Kickstarter mode to raise money for post-production and music, started when Omelet, Foundation and director James Lipetzky shot a promotional video for non-profit group A Better LA. Deciding there was a larger story to tell about former gang leaders working to stop violence and rebuild communities, Omelet and private investors ponied up money to get a full-length film off the ground. Omelet, an indie agency whose clients include blue-chippers like AT&T, Microsoft and Sony, wanted to shed light on inner-city gang crime and the dent that can be made when former gang members turn into peace ambassadors. They plan to finish the movie by October, with distribution still to be determined and the $50,000 Kickstarter goal still to be reached.
CREDITS
Omelet Credits
Producers and Omelet Creative Leads:
Steven Amato, President and Chief Content Officer
Mike Wallen, EVP Content and Development
Executive Producer:
Don Kurz, Chairman and CEO
Foundation Content Credits
Executive Producer from Foundation Content: Samantha Hart
Director: James Lipetzky
Associate Producers: Stacy Paris and Matthew Goodhue