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Proposal `07My name is Mitch Popa, an independent filmmaker from the United States. Two Years ago I completed a DVD about Southern Costa Rica. The DVD highlights the ecological diversity of places like Corcovado National Park, the importance of protecting such areas and profiles three lodges that are proving ecotourism works as a viable means of developing sustainable local economies while assisting in the conservation of land. To see a preview of the 3 programs on the DVD please visit www.mitchpopaproductions.com or www.costaricarainforesttravel.com.We are now beginning our new production for 2007. It is a 2-dvd set and will be both a video travel directory and video postcard. Similar to the first in terms of message but this 2-dvd set and will be expanded to include all of Costa Rica and a variety of the country’s best ecolodges. The DVD set will be a video postcard for those who have visited Costa Rica and a video guide or (video yellow pages) for those who are planning on visiting Costa Rica. We have sold 1500 copies of the current DVD to many people who have watched it and then booked a trip to Costa Rica. I expect the same to happen with this project but on a much grander scale.Because we believe ecotourism can influence the conservation of land and that lodges can educate their guests about the importance of conserving tropical environments as well as entertain, we only work with lodges who have chosen to run their business with respect; both for their employees and for the environment.  Packaged as a 2 DVD SetDVD One will be a documentary about the country of Costa Rica. The program will take viewers from coast to coast and border to border. The country’s history, culture and national park system will be explored. We will also examine how the country has realized the importance of protecting its natural resources and the steps being taken on behalf of conservation. It will also include bonus features such as; a photo gallery of wildlife, flowers, beaches, sunsets etc. The gallery photos will be high-resolution and suitable for printing and framing. We will also include screen savers and nature-based audio tracks. Another feature we’re sure people will love is a series of mini-documentaries about various conservation projects going on in Costa Rica and how to get involved, maybe even your conservation or community project. In an effort to satisfy the appetites of the thousands of bird-watchers who visit Costa Rica regularly, DVD One will also feature a documentary about the birds of the neo-tropics. If your lodge is popular with bird enthusiasts, make sure that fact makes your list of things to cover. An underlying theme on DVD One will be one that stresses the fact that rainforests and its inhabitants the world over are threatened due largely to the demands of developed nations. And if we are serious about conserving them, each one of us must become conscious consumers and stop supporting those that are involved in the exploitation of cultural and natural resources. DVD Two is the video yellow pages/video travel guide. The main menu will be an interactive map of the country. As the viewer drags their computer mouse/remote control over a specific region, that region will be highlighted and an icon for each lodge will appear and clicking on that icon will access individual lodge video segments. Your 4-5 minute custom written video segment will be filmed during our stay with you. Before filming begins, a meeting with lodge management and Mitch Popa Productions will be held to ensure nothing is over-looked or missed. It is recommended that your segment include your Accommodations, Food, Tours, Conservation Projects, Uniqueness and Charm. Remember this is your chance to show off your lodge and all that it has to offer. Start thinking now about how you want your lodge portrayed. Using a country map as a guide accomplishes a couple objectives. It eliminates the need for alphabetized lists. Lists can be boring and unfair to businesses whose name does not begin with one of the top five letters of the alphabet. It also teaches the users about the country’s geography and gives them a sense for what to expect in different regions. This approach makes the whole experience more interactive and more interesting when planning a vacation to Costa Rica. When viewing the DVD Travelguide, users will feel more like they are on an adventure versus wading through a stack of brochures or websites.  Producing the DVD’s in this manner satisfies two different audiences. For the guest that is already there, it serves as a great trip souvenir bringing back many beautiful memories and something they can share with friends and family encouraging others to visit. For the people who have yet to visit, it serves as an exciting, interactive guide they can use to plan their itinerary. And when they return, it becomes a valuable trip souvenir and a tool for planning future trips. It is also a Postcard. The dvd’s are packaged so that your guests can buy it, write a note to a loved one, put a stamp on it and drop it in the mail. Making it an attractive, unique and fantastic gift. Or they may choose to buy a handful of them as gifts to accompany the traditional T-Shirts and coffee cups. Marketing The DVD Postcard and Travel Guide. We will be distributing between 8,000 and 10,000 of these a year to various outlets both in Costa Rica and the United States. Besides selling them at your reception desk or in your gift shop, The DVD Postcard will be marketed through Amazon.com, Nature Landings Magazine, Costa Rica Traveler Magazine, Conde Nast Traveller Magazine, Outsider Magazine and at 30 + hotels and gift shops all through Costa Rica. The DVD Postcard will also be promoted on-line at a variety of websites. It will be sold at every business that participates in the travel guide. This network will act as a cross-promotion tool for everyone participating. This DVD will help people plan and visit a variety of lodges on a variety of trips. All participating businesses will benefit as this DVD finds its way to people interested in true ecotourism experiences. We will also market to groups like the National Audubon Society, The International Ecotourism Society etc. This DVD Set will also be marketed to travel agencies in the United States and Europe that are involved in the promotion of ecotourism in Costa Rica and Central America. The DVDs will also be available to ICT and other governmental organizations involved in the promotion of tourism. Another avenue we’ll pursue after we complete the DVD set is creating shows for the Travel Channel and others. An example of three shows would be; Beach Lodges of Costa Rica, Rainforest Lodges of Costa Rica and The Top 10 Best Ecolodges in Costa Rica. Costs to Participate – $2,500. Payable in three payments; 1. $800, 2. $900. Plus accommodations. 3. $800. Payment one is due when you sign up to be one of the featured lodges. Payment two is due when we show up to film your lodge. Payment three is due when we deliver your 125 copies. Please remember the DVD’s retail for $20, so once you have sold your 125 copies, your cost to be featured on the DVD is basically free! During filming we’ll need complimentary accommodations for a four person crew (rooms, meals, etc.) We also suggest you assign an employee to guide us during our filming to help facilitate and make sure nothing gets missed. The fact is DVD/VIDEO sells, has a great shelf life and people will share it with friends, family and interested travelers. What we’re asking you to do is invest in a marketing plan that basically cost you nothing and will be effective in reaching new clients for years to come. We begin filming in April so it is important all interested lodges get in touch with us as soon as possible. Due to scheduling we cannot accept any new applicants after April first. Please contact either Mitch Popa or Michael Cranford at the following addresses. Thank you for your time and we look forward to hearing from you. In USA Mitch Popa Productions 5020 N. Rapid Creek Rd. Inkom Idaho 83245 208-775-3035 Sample of Video – www.mitchpopaproductions.com In Costa Rica Michael Cranford Apdo 28 Puerto Jimenez Peninsula de Osa Costa Rica 378-3013 miguelincr@hotmail.com If you would like a complimentary copy of our current DVD Postcard send us your mailing address here in Costa Rica or in the USA. E-mail miguleincr@hotmail.com Thanks for you time. Michael H. Cranford |
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