Filmmaker Behind International Documentary Movie Interviews UNC Finance Professor

To date, we have completed approximately 45 of the 100+ total interviews we anticipate for the filming of our new documentary movie exposing the state of financial literacy (illiteracy) in America that also explores what role the school system should play in teaching basic financial education students.

One of our interviews in December was with Finance Professor, Dr. Christine McClatchey, at the University of Northern Colorado, who shared lots of shocking statistics and stories, but also told us about a new pilot program they are implementing to teach basic financial literacy to freshmen college students -- a very needed (and popular) service.

The UNC school newspaper wrote this article about our interview with Dr. McClatchey. The Greeley Tribune also wrote this article the next day.

2008 California Summit on Financial Literacy - CalCPA and California Jump$tart Coalition

I found this to be very ironic, so I wanted to share. This is a short video of the 2008 "Financial Literacy Summit" hosted by the California Society of CPA's and California Jump$tart. I commend them for putting on this event, and I think that most viewers will agree this clip is great exposure for the financial literacy cause in general, as well as their specific event (notice their logo in the background of EVERY interview). Smart folks!

However, when we recently wanted to film something similar at the Larimer County Financial Literacy Summit (held on 12/8 in Colorado), they tried to tell us "no" because it would be "too disruptive" and they were opposed to “adversarial” words like "shocking" in our press release when describing the state of financial literacy in this country (how else would you describe it?). Because it was a public event, we finally got limited access to film the individual interviews we wanted in a back room, but I really wish we could have actually covered the "event" in a manner like this video for inclusion in our documentary movie, as well as for promotion purposes of the event in the future. Not exactly PR geniuses…

Businessmen Examine Financial Literacy

The Coloradoan newspaper just wrote a nice article about our documentary film project exposing the state of financial literacy in America, along with the solution. Click here to read the article on their website. For updates about the movie: www.SecretsOfMoneyMovie.com.

Explanation of Yield Spread Premiums on Home Mortgages

We just completed our 3rd week of filming (40+ interviews) for the documentary movie, "The Secrets of Money". We recently interviewed college finance professor Christine McClatchey, and after we were done she gave one of the best explanations (stories) I have ever heard of "Yield Spread Premiums" on home mortgages, which I was able to capture with my new handheld FlipCam. More clips and a trailer will be posted soon on our movie website!

NCBR: 'Financial Literacy -- the Movie'

The Northern Colorado Business Report published a nice article in "the Eye" section describing our new documentary film which is currently in production. We are traveling the country coast-to-coast over the next 3 months asking the question: "Why don't schools require financial literacy classes?" and the responses so far have be stunning, to say the least. Check out our movie website at www.SecretsOfMoneyMovie.com for more details about the project.

Channel 2 News TV Interview - Saving vs. Spending

Interview on Channel 2 News in Denver talking about holiday saving vs. spending. The tough economy means "back to basics" for consumers!

GOOD NEWS: Larimer County now Welcoming Us!

I am pleased to announce that the Colorado State University (CSU) Extension Office (Larimer County) has changed their position on on this matter and are now offering to provide us access to their "Financial Literacy Summit" on Monday (12/8). We received the email below on Wednesday to formalize this offer:

Hi Braun,

It was good to meet you yesterday at the Larimer County Extension office.

I’m hoping you still have the summit on your calendar for Monday, Dec. 8.

Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. Your participation will include the morning and afternoon session, as well as lunch.

The Estes Park room, adjacent to the session area, has been set aside for media interviews, which can take place during the lunch hour (noon-12:50) and is also available after wrap-up at 4:30, until about 6:00 p.m. if you need the extra time.

We will plan on having lunch available for your videographer as well.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any additional questions.

Thanks so much.

-Joanne

Joanne Littlefield, MMC
Interim Assistant Director-Community Relations
Front Range
Communications Coordinator
Colorado State University Extension
Joanne.Littlefield@colostate.edu
970-491-4640 (office)
970-980-5880 (cell)
www.ext.colostate.edu