Social Innovation
Social Magik
Project Venture Philanthropy was born from the pages of my first feature-length screenplay called Einstein’s Last Request. Within the script, the main character… an alter ego of mine… decides to become an international venture philanthropist with his recently inherited fortune. Existentially, this character is no different from me here in reality.
Nonetheless, there is quite a difference in our life circumstances. Unlike me, my character has a multi-billion dollar fortune to help him co-create the grandest vision he can imagine for the world. This plot device allowed me to imagine and dream in a manner that I could not allow myself to partake in here in our three dimensional world. I knew that the journey my fictional doppelganger was going to embark on was not any different than one I myself might take when I achieve similar circumstances… in heart, mind and spirit.
My character decides to stage and fund a 7-day charity rock concert festival where all gross profits are used to create, build and sustain an international orphanage in America, as well as creating a plethora of well-paying part time and full time career opportunities. This character does not recoup one cent in profit or for expenses- he is inviting the world to attend the concert, invest their money and become partners in saving children and creating jobs.
As I was writing the script and imagining its production… something changed. I call it Social Magik. I realized that I could approach the vision from a different perspective through transforming my intention of producing a film with a social message into creating a vehicle for social change in our world… as well as on the screen. I became enthralled with blurring, distorting and ultimately erasing the lines between art imitating life and life imitating art.
Why simply create a fictional charity concert festival and fictional international orphanage with fictional jobs when I can create them here in our every-day reality? So, Einstein’s Last Request has become my quest to transcend the divide between the message and the messenger. Project Venture Philanthropy was born with the idea that I, (not my alter ego), could in fact build a grand social experiment where music fans around the world can unite for an almost unprecedented live music event that collaborates their purchase of tickets, memorabilia, concessions, lodging, etc.- with the musicians donating their time to create a huge orphanage and many jobs along with it. I am pledging like my character to earn not one cent from this endeavor, every dollar raised is used as intended to create, build and sustain the orphanage.
The concert festival will serve as a major component of film production and now, (rather than Einstein’s Last Request being an ordinary fictional drama), in grand Social Magik fashion, the film transforms into a fictional drama based on a true story. Every gross dollar from the film’s receipts will also be donated directly to the orphanage. The concert festival will take place annually and provide the funds to continue to maintain and evolve the orphanage. Two of the most vital aspects of the project include creating ‘green’ & sustainable solutions for all of our efforts & the opportunity to create within the orphanage a model for an integral education and redefining the American educational system.
I am going to fund this project with donations from Philanthropists who also do not earn a cent, but become the Angel Investors and co-creators in one of the first 21st century examples of Social Magik and Venture Philanthropy. The American Dream must be re-imagined and reinvigorated. Art can truly imitate life and life imitate art!
This article came out last year. I seriously think it may be the most important document since the constitution… okay, maybe that’s a bit hyperbolic! But seriously– this story should send shivers down the spine of America and the entire world- From Social Entrepreneurs to Agents of Change, Visionaries & Pioneers. Mark Zuckerberg and Dustin Moskovitz, Bill & Melinda Gates, Warren Buffet…AWESOME!
I’ve been dancing around this concept for a few years as I’ve been envisioning and writing my first feature-length screenplay, ‘Einstein’s Last Request’- To be honest I don’t know how long Venture Philanthropy has existed as a concept but I can’t recall it being used this publicly ever before.Thanks so much to all of you for providing me two words that encapsulate and inspire so many wonderful ideas and visions that I felt at times were peculiar to me and my brand of idealism; I should have known better but I’m just a regular guy out in the world who dreams and believes that I have something special to contribute to the world even though I’m starting from scratch without billions.
Every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving. Albert Einstein
He also remarked:
You ask me if I keep a notebook to record my great ideas. I’ve only ever had one.
Here Is Mine:
This is a dream, an intention, hope and one of my strongest passions. It’s one path to becoming a billionaire venture philanthropist. Paying it forward just like all of you! My mission is to help co-create 25 more billionaire venture philanthropists in my lifetime; Change Agents, Social Entrepreneurs, Artists- People who spend their fortunes with compassion, empathy, love, creativity, ingenuity, and without fear.
To Heal The World
Peace,
Bret A. Warshawsky
bretaw@gmail.com
732.829.2194
