Second Annual World Music and International Film Festival Reminder

With the 4th Annual Philadelphia Independent Film Festival (PIFF) now over, I'd like to remind everyone that The Skeptics In A World Of Their Own documentary is heading to Washington, D.C. for screening at the Second Annual World Music and International Film Festival (WMIFF) (See the May 15, 2011 posting in this blog for more details).

Below are important links to the festival's site. Don't forget to vote for your favorite trailer. Hopefully, The Skeptics In A World Of Their Own trailer strikes your fancy (I know Ol' Hole Heels wants your vote):

2011 Documentary Entries

Trailer Voting

2011 Documentary Film Nominee Selection

Screening Schedule

Stay tuned for updates and breaking news!


Get your copy of The Skeptics' documentary at FilmBaby

OHH Meets The "Dwayyo"

I’ve mentioned in previous posts that Ol’ Hole Heels (OHH) travels around conducting “Carvin’ and Whittlin’ work shop tours. These tours take him through the mountainous areas of Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. He travels these areas on foot. I’m amazed by the distance he covers. He has a truck, but doesn’t use it, preferring a more intimate journey with the land. One of the benefits of such extensive travel is his physical prowess, as evident in my last posting of him demonstrating the difficult “Skeptic Kick”.

Around September of 2009, I met OHH in the Harpers Ferry to see him off on one of his shorter tours in the West Virginia area. I wanted to capture a little more footage of him because I knew he’d be gone until winter and I wanted to finish documentary and premiere it by early 2010.

During the interview, I learned something that surprised me. I had no idea OHH was an expert on Frederick folklore and legends. Interestingly, he was reluctant to continue speaking about the subject with me that day. I was confused. He told me the time was not appropriate. Before discussing such things, especially in deep woods like we were in, proper conditioning of location was needed beforehand to ensure our safety, and to ignore such preparations was a lack of respect for the natural forces around us. I was still confused. Thinking back to my dealing with Jebediah Buzzard (see my May 10, 2011 posting), I had a clue.

Asking him to explain further, he said it was too involved at this time to go into in any detail, but maybe some other time we could explore the subject more. I kept at him. Whenever I could, I’d change the subject and ask more questions. Finally, he gave in. But first he had to do something. Pulling a leather pouch from his jacket, I watched him pull out what looked like chewing tobacco and stuff it in his mouth. He chewed and chewed, and then suddenly walked around in a circle spit out gobs of dark phlegm I was not allowed to film.

OHH said he’d provide a very, very brief piece of information about  a creature he had personally encountered in the woods of Frederick County. Of course, I asked to film him talking about the experience. He reluctantly agreed, but I convinced him it would do no harm, as the footage, if ever released would reveal no disrespect. OHH looked uneasy. He stood for a moment and stared in the distance. He then told me to get my camera ready and he'd be back in a few moments. He departed up the path. I waited. Within in a few moments, I saw him approaching and turned on the camera.

The above footage is all OHH allowed me to film that day. I was disappointed, but happy I had captured something. OHH said he was taking a chance, but promised we would return to the topic one day for extensive discussions, just not at that time.

I’m still waiting to continue our discussion.

Learn The Skeptic Kick

Yesterday, I posted news about The Skeptics documentary getting accepted in the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival. It wasn't long before I received a telephone call from Ol' Hole Heels (OHH). Thrilled about the documentary being selected for screening in Philadelphia, he asked that I meet him. Not wanting to discuss details on the telephone, he provided directions to his location and asked me to bring my camera.

Thirty-five minutes later, I arrived on the scene. OHH was cooking near a picnic table on a small portable grill. Offering me a bite, I wasn't sure what it was, but the smell told me to stay away. Far away. My instincts were correct. I learned it was possum. OHH said he needed some extra calories for today's filming session.

As OHH chowed down on his protein, I sat and listened while he explained the reason for our meeting. He said it is time his special dance became known to a larger audience. Developed right after he became the boy's manager, he created this signature dance and named it the "Skeptics Kick". During shows in the early 1980s, OHH hired a go-go dancer to demonstrate the dance along side the band while they played. He picked a go-go dancer because their training regiment enabled them to sustain complicated moves throughout a night's show.

OHH told me that while attending recent shows, he's noticed the number of people who know the sophisticated dance have significantly dwindled. And since the boys no longer like having dancers accompany them on stage, he feels a  new strategy is needed to ensure the dance does not fade away. And this is why he contacted me.

Being very impressed by his Jane Fonda workout tapes, OHH feels it's time his routine becomes available in households across the U.S. With new interest in the band, and as the documentary makes its way into more film festivals, the following demonstration is presented with hopes this dance is rediscovered by a whole new fan base. OHH feels the "Skeptic Kick" has the potential to set dance floors across America on fire.

WARNING: Perform this dance at your own risk. If unsure, please seek advice from your physician.

Get your copy of The Skeptics' documentary at FilmBaby

The Skeptics Documentary Will Screen In Philadelphia!

 

 

I just received word that The Skeptics documentary, The Skeptics In A World Of Their Own, was selected for screening at the upcoming 4th Annual Philadelphia Independent Film Festival, June 22 - 26, 2011.

4th Annual Philadelphia Independent Film Festival (PIFF)

This five day event will occur at various venues: Multiple Venue Schedule . The Skeptics documentary will screen at Media Bureau Studios, (725 North 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA., 19123), 3:30 P.M. on June 24, 2011: Media Bureau Studios

I would like to thank Benjamin Barnett, PIFF Founder and Director, for selecting The Skeptics documentary to screen at this event. I'm very excited about my documentary being accepted and hope those who attend will enjoy the film.

Ol' Hole Heels and the boys were notified. They are thrilled that their story will be shared at this fine festival in the film-loving city of Philadelphia.

Thank You!

A Frederick, Maryland Musical Treasure: The Skeptics

Are you interested in hearing and seeing some great Maryland homegrown? Do you like a blend of original surf, punk, psychedelic, and good ol' rock tunes? Are you looking for something that isn't mind-numbing, stale, plasticized-putricity? Then check out my documentary, The Skeptics In A World Of Their Own, and experience the fun and creative energy of this band. I think you'll be surprised and will appreciate this ear candy. Take a chance and bring a smile to your day. Who knows, you may find yourself humming a tune or two.

Get your copy on at FilmBaby

Ol' Hole Heels Thanks 13th Annual Artsfest Film Festival

I'd like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to Caleb Smith for giving Keith Chester's documentary, The Skeptics In A World Of Their Own, a chance to screen at the 13th Annual Artsfest Film Festival (hosted by the Moviate in Harrisburg, PA, this past Sunday evening). Keith and the boys have contacted me personally and asked that I also express their thanks to Caleb and his festival staff, Moviate, and those who attended the festival. We are quite thrilled about the film getting further exposure. Unfortunately, I was on my “Carvin’ and Whitlin’” tour and could not attend the festivities, but have heard back from several sources, including two of the band members who were in attendance, Stephen Blickenstaff and Dennis Crolley, that the event was quite successful.

As long-time manager of The Skeptics, I'm quite proud of this documentary. It provides a rare glimpse of these fine musicians doing what they did and do best: good ol’ foot- stompin’, knee slappin', rock and roll. We hope the fine citizens of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, who were fortunate enough to catch the screening of this documentary, experienced a little magic that night and walked away with a smile on your face.

Get your copy of The Skeptics' documentary at FilmBaby