OUR MISSION
Our mission is to educate youth through film workshops and programs, and expand film opportunities in Nebraska and throughout the world. We give area youth local opportunities to gain film industry experience and skills that will serve them throughout their lifetime.
ABOUT THE DIGG SITE
The Digg Site Productions, as a concept, began in 2000. Stacy Heatherly had a successful career in the film industry and was at a point in her life where she wanted a change. She took some personal time away to reflect and gather her thoughts. She contemplated other careers and even offshoots of careers in the film industry. Ultimately, she decided to form a production company and focus on documentaries. Almost immediately after making the decision, she received an email from a woman with a personal story that begged to be told.
While Stacy was doing the paperwork to incorporate the company, a thought hit her: What if the company would do something different with the revenue it would receive from selling its films?
She did quite a bit of research and discovered an organization in New York that taught college students how to make documentary films. It was a college-length course. This organization also sold its curriculum. She purchased the curriculum and began the work to change our company into a nonprofit. Our first programs were designed to teach high school youth, but we have evolved to incorporate more younger age groups and now offer three camps per year.
Stacy developed a plan whereby we could use the revenue from the sale of our films to cover tuition for the students. She knew it would take us a few years to become self-sustaining because we first would have to produce and sell our films to realize the dream. During those years, we would ask for donations and apply for grants.
Since 2009, we have gotten the program up and running. The first two programs we partnered with Fremont Public Schools and Metropolitan Community College and offered our students dual credit for the course. We have successfully added camps for younger students, doubled attendance and continue to build programs such as internships for the students.
Each year we see the students excel. We receive calls and emails from our students’ family members expressing their deepest gratitude for the opportunity we have offered their students.
Stacy’s first film of her career was Too Wong Foo. She had no film set experience and was given the opportunity to work the entire film. Her next film set was working with Alexander Payne’s Citizen Ruth. That film catapulted her career as she continued to work with Alexander and other Directors like Bernie Caulfield Producer of many network movies included Game of Thrones.
The Digg Site Productions is a Team of incredible film focused professionals who dedicate endless hours to provide a unique opportunity to students who have an interest in film. Every single person and every single student have made us what we are today.
We are so grateful to all our Donors, Supporters, Sponsors, Educators, Volunteers and Parents who help us help kids!
Our Team
Administration
Board of Directors
Advisory Board
Stacy Heatherly
Director, Development & Distribution
Eastern Nebraska Film Commissioner
Auxiliary Team
We are also very fortunate to have the following professional individuals on our Auxiliary Team:
Myesha Essex - Acting Coach
Matthew Cries for Ribs - Production Coach
Samuel Mfinanga - Cinematography Coach
Ishma Yusaf Valenti - Directing, Writing, Producing Coach
Sarah Marchese - Educator
Kristin Zahra - Educator
Christina McDonald - Social Media & Communications