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For more than 30 years, John Kiesewetter has been the source for information about all things in local media — comings and goings, local people appearing on the big or small screen, special programs, and much more. Contact John at johnkiese@yahoo.com.

Filmmakers Strike Out On Reds ‘Great 8’ Funding

John Kiesewetter

Producers of the documentary about the Big Red Machine “Great 8” are “exploring a few different options” after failing to fund the film on Kickstarter, the online crowd-funding site.

Only $19,580 was pledged toward the $500,000 goal during a 51-day on-line campaign, which ended Jan. 15. Just 79 people offered financial support for the “GR8.” Under Kickstarter rules, the producers do not get any money, because the goal was not met.

Comedian and “GR8” writer-producer Josh Sneed had been the main spokesman for the film by the Barking Fish Loungevideo production company downtown, which produced “4,192: The Crowning Of The Hit King” in 2010. “4,192” director Terry Lukemire and producer AymieMajerski, plus Nick Lachey, Chad Lowe and Sneed, make up the “GR8” production team.

When I asked if filmmakers have a Plan B, Majerski said: “I don’t have an answer for you at this point, as we are exploring a few different options. I will let you know if anything of note unfolds in the coming weeks.”

They had targeted 2016, the 40th anniversary of the Big Red Machine’s 1976 World Series sweep of the New York Yankees, the Reds’ second of two consecutive world titles. As the Kickstarter campaign was ending, the Reds announced that Pete Rose will be inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame and have his No. 14 jersey retired during a Big Red Machine reunion the weekend of June 24-26.

“We most definitely agree that it is a great time to celebrate the Great 8,” Majerski said.

The Great 8 -- Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez, George Foster, Davey Concepcion, Ken Griffey Sr., Cesar Geronimo and Rose -- earned 26 Gold Gloves, six MVP awards and 63 All-Star game selections.

John Kiesewetter, who has covered television and media for more than 35 years, has been working for Cincinnati Public Radio and WVXU-FM since 2015.