Return to Pickens, holiday DVDs

Newport's Jane Pickens Theater will present a special showing of BEHIND THE HEDGEROW at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 16. Be there!
And keep in mind a great holiday gift: DVDs of the director's cut with bonus footage are now being sold at the Pickens, at the Newport mansion stores throughout Newport, and the Newport Museum & Shop at Brick Market on Thames Street.
They are also available online, with next-day shipping at the official HEDGEROW site. Mail orders are also accepted.
Happy holidays!

Now Shipping!

The DVDs arrived on November 2 from the manufacturer and pre-orders were shipped immediately. New orders will be shipped as they are received. Order now!

Big-screen premiere of director's cut!

After a successful August premiere and month-long run at the Pickens, filmmakers David Bettencourt and G. Wayne Miller returned to the editing booth to add about five minutes of superb footage that premiere deadlines prevented. The result is the director's cut, which is included on the deluxe DVD (along with extensive bonus footage) -- and it will be shown at Newport's Jane Pickens Theater at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 14, for the first time.

Participants will not only see the new cut -- they will each receive a DVD and, while supplies last, a movie poster, all for the price of admission. And, they will get to meet Miller, Bettencourt, associate producer Calvin Miller, and, possibly, members of the Slocum family and others in Newport Society.

For more information, visit the Jane Pickens site.

Festivals, DVD soon to arrive

After successful showings at the 2010 Rhode Island International Film Festival, in August, and just this month at the inaugural FLICKERS North Country Film Festival, we are looking at a select few additional festivals to show Hedgerow. We were asked to submit the film to Big Sky, one of the nation's premiere documentary fests, and we hop to be an official selection.
Meanwhile, the director's cut DVDs -- a longer version of the movie, with bonus footage -- should arrive from the manufacturer in less than two weeks. Order the DVD here!

Director's cut DVD on the way...

Having completed a successful month-long run at Newport’s Jane Pickens Theater, the critically acclaimed BEHIND THE HEDGEROW: Eileen Slocum and the Meaning of Newport Society is now headed to DVD –– with bonus footage of scenes and interviews not in the theatrical version.

“We made a movie of just under 60 minutes, which means that we left hours and hours of great material on the proverbial cutting-room floor. Now the best of that will be available to the viewing public,” said producer G. Wayne Miller.

Among the bonus features: footage of Yusha Auchincloss talking about growing up with his step-sister, Jackie Kennedy Onassis; Betty "Boop" Blake with more detail on her mother, who survived the sinking of The Titanic; and historian Michael Budd with more on the history of Newport's mansions.

The deluxe DVD will be available in late October, but preorders are being accepted now at the Hedgerow order page.

BEHIND THE HEDGEROW premiered in August 2010 as the opening-night feature of the 2010 FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film festival. It received four stars from The Providence Journal, and was called “shockingly refreshing and funny” by Newport Mercury, “daringly intimate” by Newport Patch, “fascinating” by NPR Morning Edition and “don’t miss” by Rhode Island Monthly.

BEHIND THE HEDGEROW, from Emmy-nominated filmmakers director David Bettencourt and Miller, is an unprecedented look inside the private world of Newport, Rhode Island, High Society –– a world whose roots lie in the Gilded Age of Vanderbilts and Astors.


BEHIND THE HEDGEROW is the second title from Eagle Peak Media, the production company founded in 2008 by Miller and Bettencourt. ON THE LAKE, EPM’s first title, premiered in February 2009 and has been broadcast in PBS markets across America It was nominated for an Emmy by the New England chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

And once more...

Yet again, Hedgerow has been held over at the Jane Pickens theater in Newport, shows now through Sept. 16. That will bring the theatrical run of the movie to four weeks, not bad! And soon, the DVD with bonus footage not in the film, check here for details as they are available.

Held over again

At the Jane Pickens Theater in Newport. Last week, shows were added through Sept. 2, which would have brought the run to two weeks, but a strong weekend box once more prompts more screenings. Shows have been added at 6 p.m. from Sept. 3 through Sept. 9. That will bring the theatrical run to three weeks, straight through the long Labor Day weekend, following our Providence and Newport premieres in mid-August. Check The Jane Pickens site for details.

Pickens run continues

Attended this evening's screening at the Jane Pickens Theater in Newport, and after the movie Dave and I answered questions from the stage and met with some of the 100 or so people in the audience. A fine evening. Strong box office continues, and the run may be extended yet again, beyond Sept. 2. Check back at the Hedgerow site for more details as they become available.

Ten screenings added at Newport's Pickens Theater!

Thrilled with the size and reaction of the audiences at the opening weekend of HEDGEROW'S Newport theatrical run, the Jane Pickens theater has added ten shows to the schedule, including several afternoon matinees. This brings to 19 the number of screenings at the downtown Newport theater.

The theatrical run follows the film's four-star world premiere in Providence Aug. 10 as the feature presentation of the opening night of the FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival, and the sell-out, turn-people-away Newport premiere on Aug. 10.
HEDGEROW will be shown at Jane Pickens at:

-- 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24
-- 6 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 26
-- 6 p.m., Friday, Aug. 27
-- 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28
-- 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29
-- 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., Monday, Aug. 30
-- 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 31
-- 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 1
-- and 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 2.

For ticket information, visit the Jane Pickens Theater.

Newport premiere sells out, many turned away...

The August 14 Newport premiere turned out to be a success beyond what we had hoped. Nearly 400 people filled Salve Regina University's Bazarsky Auditorium and dozens who had hoped to buy last-minute tickets were turned away. Apologies to them -- but the good news is that the movie will have a nine-day run at the popular downtown Newport Jane Pickens Theater. The run begins 6 p.m. Friday, August 20, and continues through Sunday, August 29. For times and tickets, visit the Hedgerow movie site or the Jane Pickens Theater.

A few scenes from the Newport premiere:

-- The line at the door.

-- Standing-room only in Bazarsky Hall.

-- Writer/producer G. Wayne Miller with friends Andy Kinnecom and Linda Borg (back to camera) and Laurence Cutler at the High tea Reception that followed at the Slocum's Bellevue Avenue estate. Laurence is in the movie.

-- Script consultant Y.T. Gabrielle, Miller and R.I. State Police Col. Brendan Doherty and his wife Michele. Col. Doherty is in the movie.

-- Gene Quinn and wife Margy Slocum Quinn, hosts of the reception.

-- Gabrielle, Miller, Adam Powell IV, Beryl Slocum Powell, sponsorships director Katherine L. Miller, and Coleen Richards Powell. Beryl is in the movie.


Photos by Y.T. Gabrielle and Katherine L. Miller

Awesome BEHIND THE HEDGEROW premiere!

We had a fabulous opening last night at Vets Auditorium in Providence -- a great audience that really seemed to dig the film, and fun parties before and after at this beautiful hall. The film itself, in high-definition, looked and sounded like nothing else. Now it's on to Newport for our August 14th premiere, followed by High Tea at the Slocums' Bellevue Avenue estate.
Pictured here are:
-- Script consultant (and fiancee!) Y. T. Gabrielle and writer/producer G. Wayne Miller, me, in the lobby.
-- Three Millers: Associate producer Calvin, sponsorship director Katherine L., and me.
-- Director David Bettencourt and me introducing the film to the audience of hundreds.
-- The hall beginning to fill up.
-- The writer's own after- after-party at The Temple Restaurant, next door.
-- G. Wayne Miller

25 hours...

... until the world premiere, 7 p.m. August 10 at Providence's Veterans Memorial Auditorium, of BEHIND THE HEDGEROW: Eileen Slocum and the Meaning of Newport Society. And just five days until the Newport premiere, 2 p.m. August 14th at Salve Regina University. Information on both screenings, which are followed by gala parties (the August 14 Newport soiree is on the grounds of Eileen's Bellevue Avenue estate!), is available through this link. Tickets will be sold at the door, at both events.

In the days before the premiere, we have received tremendous publicity, in newspapers, on the radio and online. To see some of it, go to this page on the Eagle Peak Media site.

And now, we basically cross our fingers, knock on wood and hope to break a leg. And hope to see friends, film fans and anyone else.

Score!

Early this morning in the studio, we completed the last phase of the movie before the final technical fixes of image and sound, which will occupy much of the next week or so. We brought in the excellent musical score by Lonnie Montaquilla and Ben Mesiti. Here are Dave and Lonnie, right, doing some fine-tuning.

The sound is beautiful, to match the quality of the high-def images.

See you at the Aug. 10 and Aug. 14 premieres!

TICKETS FOR BOTH PREMIERES NOW ON SALE

BEHIND THE HEDGEROW OPENS
R. I. INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL


July 14, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PROVIDENCE, R.I. –– Tickets are now on sale for the World and Newport premieres of BEHIND THE HEDGEROW: Eileen Slocum and the Meaning of Newport Society, the exclusive and first-ever movie about the secret world of old-money aristocratic Newport and one of its -- and Rhode Island’s and America’s -- most prominent families.

Both premieres, which are presented by the 2010 FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival, will be followed by gala parties. Admission to these parties is included in the ticket price.

The World Premiere will be 7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 10, at the VMA Arts & Cultural Center, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Providence, R.I., 02903. This screening is the feature event of the opening night of the FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival. Tickets are $25, including the post-screening soirée.

The Newport premiere will be 2 p.m Aug. 14 at Bazarsky Hall, O’Hare Academic Center, Salve Regina University, Newport. Tickets are $30, including a post-screening High Tea hosted by members of the late Eileen Gillespie Slocum’s family on the grounds of Slocum’s Bellevue Avenue estate.

Online ticketing for both events is available at the Film festival site or through the film site. Phone orders can be placed at 401-861-4445 or in person at the FLICKERS/RIIFF office, 83 Park Street, Suite, 1, Providence, RI 02903. Tickets will be sold at the doors but seating is limited, and advance orders are recommended.

Part history, part contemporary look, BEHIND THE HEDGEROW is told through the focus of Slocum, Newport’s last grand dame, who died in the summer of 2008. Slocum’s family has granted the filmmakers exclusive access to her archives and private Bellevue Avenue estate, where much of the film was shot over the last year.

The film features the on-camera appearances of several members of Newport Society, many of whom have never appeared on the screen before. The film is narrated by the late Eileen Slocum herself, through audio recordings made before her death.

Slocum was not only Newport’s last grand dame –– she was a leading national Republican political figure for many years, a friend of both Presidents Bush, Presidents Reagan and Ford, and many others on both sides of the political spectrum. She was a descendant of prominent Rhode Islanders, including Roger Williams and the Browns of Brown University. These stories are told in the film in Eileen’s own words and appearances by several friends, including former Governor Bruce Sundlun and Hugh D. “Yusha” Auchincloss, stepbrother of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

BEHIND THE HEDGEROW is the second title from Eagle Peak Media, the production company founded in 2008 by writer/producer G. Wayne Miller and director David Bettencourt. ON THE LAKE: Life and Love in a Distant Place, its first title, premiered in February 2009 to critical acclaim. PBS broadcasts in major national markets began in March 2009 and continue today. ON THE LAKE was nominated for an Emmy by the New England chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

George T. Marshall, RIIFF Executive Director, is the executive producer of BEHIND THE HEDGEROW.

For news, links to the HEDGEROW blog and Facebook page, and more, visit The Hedgerow site.
The Rhode Island International Film Festival is supported in part by the Providence Tourism Council, WJAR TV10, The Providence Phoenix, Stella Artois, Sony, HB Communications, Renaissance Providence Hotel/Temple Restaurant, Rule Boston Camera, NewEnglandFilm.com, the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts( RISCA), Equity Action, the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities (RICH), Amtrak, URI's College of Arts and Sciences, URI's Feinstein College of Continuing Education, the URI Film Media Program, Roger Williams University, PMA Industries, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, and contributions from members and community supporters.

THE FLICKERS’ BACKSTORY & MISSION:
The mission of the Flickers, the Newport Film Society & Arts Collaborative - now in its 29th year - has been to serve as a creative partner in the arts by uniting various media and arts disciplines that nurture the artistic process and support a vital part of our community. This includes multi-disciplinary art presentations; artistic and cultural activities; performance festivals; video and television productions; audio recordings and broadcasts; educational outreach programs; and the FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF).

ABOUT RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL:
The FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF), has secured its place in the global community as the portal for the best in international independent cinema, earning the respect of domestic and foreign filmmakers, filmgoers and trend watchers. This confluence of art and commerce brought together world-class celebrities, award-winning filmmakers, new talent and audience members in record numbers last year. Ranked as one of the top 12 Festivals in the United States, RIIFF is also a qualifying festival for the Short Film Academy Award through its affiliation with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. There are 65 film festivals worldwide which share this distinction and RIIFF is the only festival in New England. The next Festival will take place August 10-15, 2010. For more information about the festival, please visit the Film festival site.

Soft light on an evening on Bellevue Avenue...

Yes, we really did return to Eileen's mansion for one last shoot, the evening of Tuesday, June 29. We had some additional scans provided to us by Eileen's daughter Beryl Slocum Powell, which production assistant Brenda Rourke handles; a sound-recording of Patricia Painter, the diarist voice of Eileen, which musician/soundman Lonnie Montaquila oversaw; and an on-camera interview of granddaughter Phyllis Trevor Higgerson, which Dave and I conducted. That's Phyllis, back to camera, and me in the distance, in this photo by Dave.
Phyliss beautifully narrated an important era in her grandmother's life: her coming of age in 1930s New York City society; her engagement to richest-bachelor-in-the-world John Jacob Astor VI, whose mother was pregnant when she survived the sinking of the Titanic (the second Titanic story in the film, by the way); and the eventual meeting and marriage of Eileen and her husband John.

Final, final, we keep saying final...

And obviously, we don't quite mean it. I was in Newport last evening to scan some great vintage photos in the personal archives of Betty "Boop" Blake, now 94, and as charming and delightful as ever -- and what a memory. She shared some shots of Bailey's, the Glamour Girls, Palm Beach, Southampton and more that we would never find anywhere else. She will be our guest of honor at the
Newport premiere, 2 p.m. August 14 at Salve Regina University.
And very early this morning, Dave and I were at Brown University for some exteriors to illustrate Eileen's Brown family ancestry.
And, yes, we have at least one more trip to Newport... this is the price of being two perfectionists.

HEDGEROW approaches...

With the premiere now less than two months away, we are intensely editing. I spent a couple of hours today with Dave, pictured here, in the studio helping refine the opening sequence, Folks, it's starting to look kick-ass.
Information about the 7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 10 world premiere at Vets Auditorium in Providence can be found through this ticket link, and as always, more is at the official movie site.
And please join the Facebook World Premiere events page. There will also be a Newport premiere at 2 p.m., Aug. 14, Bazarsky Lecture Hall, Salve Regina University.

Newport venue changed

We are moving the Newport premiere to Salve Regina University. But nothing else has changed! Hope to see you at one (or both) of the premieres:

The Providence premiere will be at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 10, at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Providence, R.I., 02903. The Newport opener will be 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 14, in Bazarsky Hall, O'Hare Academic Building, Salve Regina University, 100 Ochre Point Ave., Newport

Ticket information is available at the FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival, and at the HEDGEROW site.

World Premiere tickets on sale now!

Order your tickets now for the world premiere, 7 p.m., August 10, 2010, with VIP soiree to follow, at beautiful Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Providence, in the shadow of the State House.

Very Final Shoot (?)

We had a crew in Newport for part of the afternoon, shooting a few more interiors at 459 Bellevue, and several exteriors, including Ochre Court, the main administration building for Salve Regina University, which has been enormously helpful to us. These are establishing shots that will find good use at the opening to the film, as we bring you past some Gilded Age landmarks into the private world of Newport Society.
This is Dave, shooting Ochre Court, which was a private mansion before the school. If you look at the chimney, you can see a sundial -- and it told the correct time!
The lighting in this is stunning, and can only be better in HD.
Thanks to Salve for their generous permission to shoot on their property.

Premieres set!

NEWPORT DOCUMENTARY PREMIERES SET

May 13, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PROVIDENCE, R.I. –– BEHIND THE HEDGEROW: Eileen Slocum and the Meaning of Newport Society, the exclusive and first-ever movie about the secret world of old-money aristocratic Newport, will have its world premiere as the feature event of the opening night of the 2010 FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival on Aug. 10 at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, it was announced today.

Its official Newport premiere will be Aug. 14 at Bazarsky Hall, Salve Regina University, in the City by the Sea. Both screenings will be followed by receptions –– with the Newport reception, “a Gilded Age tea party,” hosted by members of the late Eileen Gillespie Slocum’s family.

“We are honored to have these two prestigious venues to launch HEDGEROW, a documentary that provides a unique look at a one-of-a-kind woman who ruled atop a unique class at an extraordinary period of American history,” said writer/producer G. Wayne Miller. 

“The screening of this special motion picture promises to be the must-attend event of the summer,” added George T. Marshall, RIIFF Executive Director and executive producer of the film. “The screening also marks the return of Flickers to its home base of Newport, where it began 29 years ago. We could not be more delighted to bring summertime viewing back to the City by the Sea.”

Part history, part contemporary look, HEDGEROW is told through the focus of Slocum, Newport’s last grand dame, who died in the summer of 2008. Slocum’s family has granted the filmmakers exclusive access to her archives and private Bellevue Avenue estate, where much of the film was shot over the last year. The film is currently in post-production.

The Providence premiere will be at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 10, at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Providence, R.I., 02903. The Newport opener will be 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 14, in Bazarsky Hall, O'Hare Academic Building, Salve Regina University, 100 Ochre Point Ave., Newport

Ticket information is available at the FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival, and at the HEDGEROW site.

BEHIND THE HEDGEROW is the second title from Eagle Peak Media, the production company founded in 2008 by Miller and Bettencourt. ON THE LAKE, its first title, premiered in February 2009 to critical acclaim. PBS broadcasts in major national markets began in March 2009 and continue today. ON THE LAKE has been nominated for an Emmy by the New England chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Awards will be presented May 22 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., home of the New England Patriots

For news, links to the HEDGEROW blog and Facebook page, and more, visit www.BehindTheHedgerow.com


–– 30 ––

Great new presence on R.I. International Film Festival site!

We could not ask for more than this: A link to our site from the home page of the Rhode Island International Film Festival site. HEDGEROW will premiere as one of the main attractions at this August's festival. Thanks to our executive producer, George Marshall!

Roving Eye, April 25

Very fine afternoon yesterday at the Roving Eye Film festival at Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I. We screened some work-in-progress selections and discussed the making of the film -- and also received audience input into our poster. That's some of the people on hand looking at poster mockups. Also, a shot of the presentation, with a passage from the script on the screen.
Next up: a similar pre-release evening at Salve Regina University, 6 p.m. Wednesday.

New media coverage

We had a burst of publicity last year when we announced we were making this movie, and this week brings a fresh round, which we expect will continue through the August premiere.
Read how the Westerly Sun's widely-circulated (in Rhode Island and Connecticut) arts and entertainment magazine, The Guide, wrote about us in its April 22 edition. It's PDF format, scroll down to Page 5. A nice photo of Eileen friend and Jackie Kennedy stepbrother Yusha Auchincloss from one of our shoots, too, which I have re posted here.
And read how we were covered on April 22 in the Providence Business News -- our Roving Eye early look and discussion on Sunday, April 25, were listed as one of 10 Things To Do This Weekend!

Emmy Nomination for On The Lake!

ON THE LAKE: Life and Love in a Distant Place, has been nominated for Best Documentary in the 33rd annual Boston/New England Emmy competition, sponsored by the New England chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. This is quite an honor for David, me and the rest of the crew who made the movie. Congratulations to all of us here at Eagle Peak Media (as we move toward completion of our second doc, BEHIND THE HEDGEROW: Eileen Slocum and the Meaning of Newport Society. Winners will be announced at a ceremony May 22 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass.
ON THE LAKE premiered in February 2009 to critical acclaim, and has since been broadcast in PBS markets around the country. For more on ON THE LAKE, visit the movie site.

EARLY LOOK

April 12, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BRISTOL, R.I. –– This year’s Roving Eye documentary film festival will feature an early look at BEHIND THE HEDGEROW: Eileen Slocum and the Meaning of Newport Society, the first-ever feature-length movie about the secret world of old-money Newport that will premiere at the 2010 Rhode Island International Film Festival.
Writer/producer G. Wayne Miller and director David Bettencourt will be on hand April 25 at Roger Williams University to screen selections from the film and join RWU professor Edward Delaney to talk about the making of HEDGEROW and participate in a more general discussion, “The Art of Creative Storytelling.”
Part history, part contemporary look, HEDGEROW is told through the focus of Eileen Gillespie Slocum, Newport’s last grand dame, who died in the summer of 2008. Slocum’s family has granted the filmmakers exclusive access to her archives and private Bellevue Avenue estate, where much of the film was shot over the last year.
The Roving Eye event will be at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 25, at Roger Williams’ Global Heritage Hall 01. It is free and open to the public.
HEDGEROW, scheduled for PBS broadcast, is now in post-production. A second advance look and discussion will be staged in Newport on Wednesday, April 28. This session is by invitation only. Those interested in attending should contact Eagle Peak Media for time, location and other details.
BEHIND THE HEDGEROW is the second title from non-profit Eagle Peak Media. ON THE LAKE, its first title, premiered in February 2009 to critical acclaim. PBS broadcasts in major national markets began in March 2009 and continue today.
For news, links to the HEDGEROW blog and Facebook page, and more, visit the Hedgerow site.
More information about Roving Eye at the festival site.

Fire and thievery

We were back at 459 Bellevue yesterday for two critical pieces of Hedgerow: lighting and burning-down the fire that will be a central narrative device (trust me, it will work), and also to film Col. Brendan Doherty, head of the Rhode Island State Police, who recounted his encounters with Eileen which began in 1998 when he (then a detective) successfully investigated the theft of many priceless items by one of Eileen's butlers. A fascinating segment in her life -- and the film -- and Col. Doherty told the story with great detail and flair. He is, after all, Irish.
Pictured here are: Col. Doherty during the shoot, with Cal handling the camera, and me the questions; a closeup of Doherty during the interview; Cal setting up the lights; Doherty talking with me; the table in the main dining room, where Doherty first met Eileen; Cal, with rose-colored glasses; and Dave, Calvin and me discussing how to simultaneously shoot a fire and Doherty.
Photos by Y. T. Gabrielle.
-- Wayne

And one more time

We returned to 459 Bellevue today to get some shots that we discovered we need now that the script is pretty much done and we head toward editing, official start now slated for early next week. Also scanned a bunch of photographs of Eileen's husband John, who is a big part of the movie -- and who, until today, was not well represented in images. Well, we solved that. Here is associate producer George Calvin Miller in the main dining room working the scanner.

IMDB listing

You know you are "official" when IMDB, the authoritative Internet Movie Data Base, lists your movie. We are now with HEDGEROW. Visit the IMDB HEDGEROW site.

Scanning and scripting

We are now well into post-production, and among our many tasks is completing the scanning of the many great photographs we have of Eileen and her family and friends over her long life. This is a black-and-white of her with her sister, Phyllis -- undated, but looks to be circa World War II.
Meanwhile, I have completed a very rough draft of the screenplay. Rough -- but I am pleased. The structure looks good, with a nice narrative arc. I am particularly happy with the beginning, which will bring the viewer quite literally (and dramatically) behind the hedgerow, into Eileen's mansion and world. And the supporting cast is just marvelous, with one-of-a-kind performances of people who have rarely, if ever, been put on camera, among them the fabulous Betty "Boop" Blake and Yusha Auchincloss.
-- Wayne, on a frigid January morning.
Image courtesy of Margy Slocum Quinn

RICH Grantees pose in Statehouse

After the Statehouse ceremony Wednesday at which the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities announced its major 2010 grantees, the group posed for a photo. I am second from left, Dave is in the back, sixth person from left.
Photo by Jori Ketten, image courtesy RICH.
-- Wayne

Hedgerow wins major grant!

Dave and I went to the Statehouse today for a press conference announcing the winners of the major 2010 grants from the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities. We received one to help with the post-production costs of HEDGEROW, which will have its world premiere at the 2010 Rhode Island International Film festival. We graciously thank the Council for their continued support -- this is the second grant for HEDGEROW that they have awarded us, and these two grants follow one that helped push ON THE LAKE toward its completion in early 2009. Thanks also to George T. Marshall and Flickers Art Collaborative, which serves as our fiscal sponsor.

Cold winter shoot

We were back at 459 Bellevue on Saturday to photograph more interiors of Eileen's mansion and to scan photographs of her, her family and her friends. It was a snowy day -- quite beautiful in Newport -- and Dave got some nice shots of the exterior of the estate, dressed in winter. We will have use for these as part of a narrative device. Then I thought: We need to visit Eileen's grave. We need a shot of her tombstone with the snow falling. So we hopped in Dave's car and rove to the cemetery, about ten minutes away. This is Dave with one of our interns, capturing the scene. This shot, and the scene in real-life, and for the movie, had a beautiful surreal quality. Unbroken, fresh-fallen snow, and only the three of us there amongst the dead. Almost got stuck getting out -- no snow tires on Dave's car, and nothing was plowed. But well worth our while. Back at 459, we put beryl on camera again, wrapped up our scanning and departed into the evening...