Interview with Joel Foster, Writer of Tea Party: The Documentary Film

This week QuestionObama.com met with Joel Foster, the writer of Tea Party: The Documentary Film. 

Tea Party: The Documentary Film follows the struggles of five grassroots individuals and their transformation from home town rally goers and rally organizers to national activists in the 912 March on Washington. In the process, the film reveals what is at the heart of this nationwide surge of civic engagement - a return to and respect for a Constitutionally limited government, personal responsibility and fiscal restraint at the Federal level.

Here is what Joel had to say:

Can you talk some about how you became involved in the production of the film and why you were inspired to contribute to the project?

I became involved in the project from my work with the tea party movement as a local radio personality in Atlanta, host and speaker at numerous tea parties and a program director/writer for multimedia elements at various tea parties. My belief in the movement stems from my understanding that the Constitutional limits on the enumerated powers of our Federal government are being ignored in several ways today and the current spending is unprecedented, unsupported by the American people and unsustainable.

The trailer for the film is very professional. It is clear that a lot of hard work and time went into this project. What do you hope that the film accomplishes? What do you hope viewers of the film take away from it?

The trailer (and the movie) are both professionally produced. That has led some to speculate that it detracts from the grassroots nature of the movement. In actuality, it simply shows that there are true professionals in their craft that believe in this movement and, as is the case with the TEA PARTY film, they are sacrificing, many times at personal expense, to do what they feel is right. They are bringing their expertise to something they believe in. My goals for the film are that it will inspire further discussion and clarification among tea party goers about the principles of the movement and what the next steps need to be and that it will provide a resource for those on the outside wondering what the true nature of the movement is. I hope people involved in the movement are inspired AND empowered and those on the outside realize that the caricatures from the outside looking in are not helpful to anyone and that the movement is a movement of We The People rallying around the principles that hold a promise of liberty not only for all Americans but for all people around the world.

TeaParty: The Documentary Film provides an inside look at the journey of several “Tea Party Patriots” with very different backgrounds. What were some common themes shared between these characters?

All the main characters in the film are people from the grassroots level moved to action by the principles of the tea party movement - Constitutionally limited government, fiscal conservatism, free markets and liberty.

How and where did you find the characters for the film?

The characters were chosen to represent a cross section of those involved in the movement. The list of potential main characters was chosen from submissions by 912 March caravan organizers as they worked to register marchers.

Tea Parties started in a few communities, spread across the nation, and cumulated with a nationally organized March on Washington. What aspect or element of the movement do you feel contributed most to its rapid and broad growth?

Some of the biggest moments in the tea party movement started from the germ of several online social networking groups like Top Conservatives on Twitter and Smart Girls Politics, to name a few. The movement got a lot of help from the despised George W Bush TARP bill and the Obama stimulus bill of February. Media moments like the Rick Santelli rant and Glenn Beck's 912 Project were big drivers too.

Can you share a humorous or entertaining story that happened during the production of the film?

Matt Perdie, a NY based filmmaker, joined the documentary team for two weeks in Atlanta, GA during his walk across America for the making of his film, Perdie Across America. We got some unusual footage of him walking around Atlanta in an American Revolutionary uniform and talking with strangers. He was a big hit at Underground Atlanta! Nothing says America like some random guy in a period piece walking down a metropolitan street with

Has the mainstream media caught wind of the film, if so, what has been the reaction?

We've actually done talk radio in England now! Set for Australia this week. A couple of national talk shows (Mike Gallagher Show) have interviewed some characters from the movie that have talked it up a bit. We have had some interest from a national paper. This is a story on the edge of breaking nationally. This week we will announce the news that we are set to be one rolling out the movie in close to 200 locations around the nation through a grassroots network that is really getting behind the film at "cinematic tea party sneak peek townhalls". We will also announce that this is the first documentary film in US history to use the brand new Gigaplex platform from AppleAp that allows viewers to download a movie to their iPhone anywhere in the world!

Do you feel the Tea Parties have had an effect? From your perspective, has Washington taken notice?

I do believe they are having an effect. On one level, we have forced the delay of several pieces of destructive legislation - cap and trade and healthcare to name two - and have been one of the few outlets to bring awareness to alternative solutions to the healthcare problems with legislation like HR 3400 - solutions systematically ignored by the media and the majority in Congress. Ultimately, it has renewed an interest in civic literacy and engagement on a level unprecedented in our nation's history. This engagement is just in its early stages and it's not going away anytime soon.

Being given an inside look at the Tea Party Movement, what do you think is next? Any insight on where it’s heading?

First off, the tea party goers represent some who have been involved in civic engagment for a long time and many who are new to the process. I believe we must move beyond simple rally-going to become more educated and active in the process of good government and effective citizen lobbying at the local and national level. Candidates that support Constitutionally limited government, fiscal conservatism and free markets need to be championed in every contested district in both parties, wherever possible. The primaries in 2010 are critical for insuring that these candidates are at the top of the ballot in both parties next November. The tea party will continue to unite around PRINCIPLES FIRST candidates and needs to concentrate its focus on supporting those candidates in 2010. Representative government is only as good as the people who appoint it!

What do you recommend Americans concerned by the direction of our country do?

In a phrase, get involved! Lobby tirelessly against legislation that promotes big government under whatever facade - the current House healthcare bill and cap and trade are two prime examples. The biggest imperative, however, is getting involved at your local precinct level in identifying and promoting PRINCIPLES FIRST conservative candidates and supporting them by turning out the vote on their behalf during the primaries. And given the realities of census taking and the concerns many have over re-districting in 2010, the response for these candidates must be overwhelming to insure their success. That is where it really happens.

Take a look at the trailer of Tea Party: The Documentary Film.

You can visit the website here.