'The Next US' Mobile Film Project Uncovering Stories of Economic Reinvention in America

'The Next US' Mobile Film Project Uncovering Stories of Economic Reinvention in America

Filmmakers on the road in the U.S. seeking people who are 'inventing the future'

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- ON THE ROAD IN THE U.S. - The Next US (www.thenextus.com), a yearlong mobile film project aimed at recording stories of economic reinvention in America, is finding and profiling people around the country who are helping forge the next U.S. economy. The project is capturing this resurgent America in short, three- to five-minute films for immediate broadcast at TheNextUs.com, YouTube and elsewhere.

David Mackenzie and Susan Perkins, co-founders of Everyday Wonder Productions, the company they own and under whose banner The Next US project was born, began their trip on July 5, 2009 from Ashland, OR and have been on the road in their RV ever since.

They hope to raise awareness to the efforts of people who are following their dreams and finding success, but in ways that are ethical, sustainable and responsible to the community and the environment.

"We knew there were Americans out there who were taking risks, pursuing their passions, reinventing themselves or their businesses and were making it work," said Mackenzie. "We felt compelled to find those people, tell their stories and share them with the country in order to present some inspiration and good news in a time seemingly bereft of such stories."

Mackenzie and Perkins are currently funding the project themselves, but are relying on donations along the way to help keep them on the road. They are also offering sponsorship opportunities as they continue their travels to the largest cities and smallest towns throughout the U.S.

"The spirit of design, manufacturing and invention is alive in America in places you might not expect," Perkins said. "The people we're meeting are prospering, making money, but most importantly modeling the 'can-do' spirit that is needed right now. These short films inject the audience with the knowledge that others are finding a way through these difficult times."

Mackenzie, a Canadian who's lived in the U.S. for 22 years, and Perkins, an American whose roots go back to the Mayflower, formed Everyday Wonder six years ago. They combine more than 30 years of production experience. Their unique approach to design and production has earned them a spectrum of national and international clients such as Vogue, Texas Instruments, Girl Scouts of America and British Columbia Health Care.

Follow The Next US:
http://www.thenextus.com/
Twitter: @TheNextUs
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thenextus

Sample quotes from the films:

"We don't have to think out of the box, the box blew away."

-Bob Wetmore, EDC Greensburg Kansas, where 90% of structures were destroyed in a F5 tornado 2 1/2 years ago. (film available at www.thenextus.com in November, 2009)

Episode #5 Hulst Customs
http://www.thenextus.com/2009/09/30/episode-5-hulst-customs/

"Don't wait for the lottery, don't wait for a government program, none of that stuff will ever happen. You gotta do it yourself and it's all up to you."

-Paul Hulst, Hulst Customs

Episode #2 Rogue Creamery
http://www.thenextus.com/2009/08/05/episode-2-rogue-creamery/

"There's going to be a whole lot of unknown and you're going to have to get through it. You're putting yourself in the position to deal with unknowns, danger, uncertainty, risk and yet there's a little bit of joy that happens from all of the problem solving that you encounter on your journey."

-Cary Bryant, Rogue Creamery

Episode #4 Evergreen Federal Bank
http://www.thenextus.com/2009/08/24/episode-4-evergreen-federal-bank/

"You need to be able to take a risk, to do something just a little different to get some excitement, to get some buzz and trust that that circle of profitability will come around. Start from wherever you are and think about how I can, at this time, in this place, do good."

-Ranee Niedermeyer, Evergreen Federal Bank

About The Next US Project:

The Next US (www.thenextus.com), from Everyday Wonder Productions (www.wondereveryday.com), is a journey into the heart of America to find those who are thriving while supporting high standards of community, sustainability, ecology, and cultural evolution.

Source: Everyday Wonder Productions

CONTACT: Jim Keener of Keener Communications, +1-720-219-1540,
jim@boulderpr.com, for Everyday Wonder Productions

Web Site: http://www.wondereveryday.com/
http://www.thenextus.com/

-------
Profile: intent