The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Flagler:
FLAGLER BEACH — In this small, sleepy beachside town, one resident’s 25-minute documentary film — a scathing commentary on three city commissioners — is making waves.
DVDs bearing a tranquil view of the Flagler Beach Pier are floating through living rooms across the city, leaving viewers stunned, incensed, even outraged.
Called “Flagler Beach 3 to 2,” the short documentary film was created by 52-year-old Dan Bayerl using footage of commission meetings, newspaper articles and public records. It seeks to expose actions by the City Commission that Bayerl believes harm the town more than help it — from “secret committees” to rejecting the will of the people.
Now, they’re selling for $5 apiece at popular spots around town, The Pier Restaurant and Fisherman’s Net Restaurant and Seafood Market– not through Bayerl’s efforts, but through business owners eager to spread the word. The film debuted Feb. 21 to a packed Fisherman’s Net, attracting about 120 viewers.
My brother-in-law has taken a leaf from Michael Moore’s book (actually, he has been doing video stuff for years, but this is his first political foray, as far as I know) and made a documentary exposing the machinations of his local city commissioners.
Well done. I’m hoping he makes a torrent available (I’ll host it) to serve as a model for others who want to take citizen journalism to the next level.