Evolution of the Constitution Documentary

Academy & Emmy Award Winner Jerry Pantzer to Direct Film

Jerry Pantzer has agreed to direct a documentary on the evolution of the Constitution that looks at this important document’s origin and how Microtution is using it today.

Jerry Pantzer has to his credit over 250 films in a broad range of visual styles and subjects. From hand held documentaries to dramatic films, as well as dance and performance videos, his work has won repeated Academy Award and Emmy nominations, as well as critical acclaim from the New York Times for his “exquisite” imagery (BOOK OF DAYS).

Overview

Beginning with the Iroquois Confederacy's impact on the development of the US Constitution, the film will highlight major Constitutional challenges and changes since it's ratification in 1789. 

The Constitution and American political practices are an ebb and flow of changing customs once grounded in an ideology of revolutionary excitement, heroism, and dedication to a government by and for the people. 

Two hundred plus years have eroded the last traces of such an atmosphere in America.  The profound difference between our system of government and our founding ideology has long since alienated itself completely from the social movements that gave birth to the first nation in human history to put its people at the center of their government. 

A Brief Look at the Film's Opening

Screenplay by John Long, WGA R13556-00

FADE IN:  EXT. PRISTINE WILDERNESS - DAY

Our NARRATOR looks at the camera.

NARRATOR

America the Beautiful! And for thousands of years the custodians of this great country kept it beautiful. I'm talking about native Americans - but did you know, the American Indian also gave us the formula for our Constitution?

EXT. PHILADELPHIA - DAY

Narrator is on the front lawn of Independence Hall.

NARRATOR

This awareness is more important today then ever before because      so many African and Latin Americans, Asians, Catholics, Jews, and especially Native Americans feel disenfranchised when they hear the words "our founding fathers". These Americans feel little to no kinship to the almost exclusively British men referenced by this term.

NARRATOR

The fact is George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison and the others credited with the creation of our Bill of Rights and our Constitution, had little frame of reference for a free and egalitarian society.

INT. PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM -DAY

On the walls are images of royalty looking as full of themselves as possible.

 NARRATOR

 These men lived in a time when the King of England owned England and the King of France owned France. Europe and most of the known world was owned and governed by its royalty, not its people.

 EXT. IROQUOIS INDIAN VILLAGE CIRCA 1700'S - DAY

 Narrator walks on the ridge with the village behind him.

 NARRATOR

A government of the people, by the people, and for the people was a new and radical idea to these men. But it was in fact the way of life to the indigenous aboriginal people and had been for centuries.

Your donation to the Microtution Foundation will help us tell this important story.