Book Proposal: Why We Stay: Memorial Sloan Kettering
As Memorial Sloan Kettering celebrates their 130th anniversary, Why We Stay: Memorial Sloan Kettering offers a unique look at the people behind the mission of the world's oldest and largest private cancer center.
Why We Stay is a series of photo folklore projects created by Nate Larson and Chris Cammock that use photography, audio storytelling, demographic data, and printed books to capture interesting stories of small groups and communities. The project will capture at least 100 photo portraits of employees who have served 20 years or more at Memorial Sloan Kettering (different criteria could be used for selection) along with answers to five preset questions in an audio interview and basic demographic data.
Why We Stay: Memorial Sloan Kettering Includes:
-Custom website with portraits and audio stories of at least 100 individuals. These audio visual portraits may also be hosted and used on the MSK website.
-200 signed copies of the first printing of Why We Stay: Memorial Sloan Kettering which normally retail for $39.99 and are printed in the USA.
-All portraits available for custom printing at economical prices directly through Why We Stay
-Nate and Chris available for public discussion, marketing, and presentations based on the work created
How We Fund A Why We Stay Project:
The cost to produce a Why We Stay project including travel, photography, audio recording, data capture, editing, design, and printing and delivery of 200 books is $15,000. Why We Stay is a program of the non-profit Cornish Colony Arts Council and support of their projects are tax deductible.
Below are some sample layouts that show the printed project format. Images from other projects and FOR PLACEMENT ONLY.
Sample Pages (clickable):
Sample of Custom Website Online Profile
Online profiles will be generated for each portrait participant. These online portraits pair answers to our five project questions with a clip of the audio interview. Memorial Sloan Kettering can use the images and profiles generated for their own interactive web pages or for other rich media projects. A sample profile with audio and interview data is below:
What is your favorite location, place, building, or spot in Royalton? Why?
That would be my own house. We have a great view. We see Kent's Ledge from our house. You see the river. You can see the train, hear the train. It's just really quiet and peaceful but at the same time it's like a mile from town so it's great, it's perfect.
What do you think makes Royalton unique or different from other places you have lived or visited?
I think one of the things that makes Royalton unique is that it's a pretty authentic town in that it's not skewed to one angle or another politically or socioeconomically. While we don't have maybe a lot of other kinds of diversity we do have a lot of socioeconomic and educational diversity in town, which is really interesting. The blends are interesting.
What is the most challenging aspect of life in a small Vermont town like Royalton?
Probably what's challenging is people kind of know your business. That's good and bad. That's good, you feel like people have your back, or your kids back. But at the same time if something goes a little awry, that's a challenge. I think for some people transportation away from here is a challenge.
What Royalton resident made a positive difference in your life?
Bob and Marguerite Caron. They've made a huge difference in my life. They're my in-laws but they're also like my surrogate parents too.
What do you want people to know about your town?
We have the best White River, the best. You caught it once. I can't even describe it, you caught it in a photo. Just the way the fog is on the water in September in the morning. It's like the best. It is the absolutely most gorgeous place.
What is wish for your life? What is a wish for your town?
For my town I guess I'd like to see them embrace public education with a little more gusto as a whole community, and not just certain people in the community but I think they do a great job bringing our kids up.
Proposed Production and Details
How & When:
The project scope includes the creation of the book, travel costs, editing, layout, design, links to rich media online profiles for each portrait and the first printing of 200 books delivered to NYC. The estimated total production cost is $15,000. Chris and Nate will work with MSK to select a list of employees to feature. They will also work with MSK to determine five questions for each interview. Chris and Nate will schedule three days during a normal work week to set-up a photo location at MSK and meet with the employees. The project will scheduled in April or May of 2014. The final online project and 200 books will be delivered 90 days after shooting (allowing two weeks for printing).
Additional Printing Options:
Why We Stay offers a simple book ordering solution that is totally scalable for partners who want more than 200 copies of their project. The complete title will be held as a print-ready digital file with our Vermont printing partners SPCC. Additional books can be ordered from the printer at any time without any involvement from Why We Stay. A 14 day turnaround is standard and the books are 100% created in Vermont--which we have found to be a selling point.
For this project, the only additional costs to the wholesale prices list below (direct SPC prices with no margin) would be $2. SPC would collect an additional $2 per individual book ordered on behalf of the authors. SPC also handles fulfillment and can quote actual stocking and shipping prices in addition to the prices below, should those services be required.
Sample Wholesale Costs: For an 84 page book of black & white and color photos (20 color pages) in 8.5 x 11--including laminated cover--the prices are below. Actual quotes may vary based on changes to page numbers and color vs. black and white. Suggested retail is $39.99.
Per Piece Price:
200 - $21.49 Ea.
300 - $16.66 Ea.
400 - $14.27 Ea.
500 - $12.77 Ea.
1000 - $10.11 Ea.
1500 - $9.09 Ea.
2000 - $8.58 Ea.