"The Flow Of Forsythe" Now Available!

Happy Holidays! I’d like to announce that my new documentary, The Flow Of Forsythe is now available at Film Baby!

Are you interested in art? Do you enjoy learning and hearing about artists? Have a spare 35 minutes? If so, then I think you might have a good time visiting the world of abstract artist, Charles Eugene Forsythe.

In my latest documentary, Charles takes us on a journey, reminiscing and reflecting upon his moments in time of both yester-years and today. 

 For more about the film, see my previous posts.

Available Soon: "The Flow Of Forsythe"

For those who missed the screening of my short documentary, "The Flow Of Forsythe", at Artomatic@Frederick on November 5, 2011, I'd like to announce that the film will be released within the next couple weeks on Film Baby. It will be a download only. Though the release will not be free, I hope you'll find the cost of $3.99 a fair price.

Those of you unfamiliar with the film, Charles Eugene Forsythe is the subject of the film. Charles is an abstract artist. This is Charles's story, as told by Charles. A glimpse into his world of yester-years and today. His moments in time. 

So, stay tuned for my next announcement. And if you feel like watching something interesting, please check it out.

For trailers, please review my earlier posting on October 29, 2011

Thank You!

Artomatic@Frederick Set To Screen "The Flow Of Forsythe"

Every town and city, near and far, have their very own treasures. And these treasures are many. We each know of some. They come in many forms. Some are places. Some are things. Some are people. And in this case, the treasure is Charles Eugene Forsythe, a long-time resident of Frederick, Maryland.

In my new short film, The Flow Of Forsythe, we catch a glimpse of Charles’s world of yesteryear and today, as he describes his ideas, experiences, and philosophy of art. His career spans back to the 1950s when he came on the scene as an abstract painter.

At 7:00 P.M., on Saturday, November 5, 2011, stop by Artomatic@Frederick and spend a moment of your time seeing and hearing one of Frederick’s local treasures share the story of his artistic journey in The Flow Of Forsythe.

After the screening, Charles and I will be on-hand to meet you and share thoughts about the film. Hope to see you there.

Artomatic@Frederick Website 

Aromatic@Frederick Facebook Page 

"The Flow Of Forsythe" Test Screens in Frederick

I'm happy to announce that I'll be presenting a test screening of my latest short documentary, The Flow Of Forsythe, in Frederick, Maryland on Saturday, November 5, 2011, as part of a five-week event known as Artomatic. The screening will begin at 7:00 P.M. Artist Charles Forsythe, who the film is about, and I will be available afterwards for a question and answer segment.

Charles, a long time resident in Frederick, will be showing his latest work, so stop by and check it out. Both Charles and I are very excited that we're part of this fantastic event, a first for Frederick.

If you're looking to do something different and fun on a Saturday evening, stop by and check out this interesting film. I'm looking forward to seeing you there. 

For more details about the event and its location, please check out the event's website, Artomatic@Frederick or follow the progress on their Facebook page (Artomatic@Frederick Facebook).

Here's my new teaser trailer:

The Skeptics Go To Washington!

Just a reminder (for those who may have missed my May 15 posting), if you're in the area, my documentary, The Skeptics In A World Of Their Own, is a feature selection for the Second Annual World Music and International Film Festival (WMIFF) in Washington, D.C.

The documentary will screen on Monday (9:00 P.M), August 15, 2011, in the U.S. Presidents Room at the Naval Heritage Center, adjacent to the U.S. Navy Memorial, located at 701 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20004.

Screening Schedule


There's still time to vote for your favorite trailer. Cast one for the boys: WMIFF Trailer Vote
For those in the Washington area who have never heard of The Skeptics, this is your chance to experience the magic of one small band doing their thing during the 1980s in a place called Frederick. So, if you're interested in seeing and hearing some Maryland homegrown, come by and check out The Skeptics In A World Of Their Own. 

Who knows, you might hear and/or see the real ghost of Abraham Lincoln roaming around!

Get your copy of The Skeptics' documentary at FilmBaby.

"The Flow Of Forsythe" Trailer

Screening For Charles

 On Saturday evening, July 16, 2011, at 8:00 P.M., I unveiled my new film for Charles Forsythe, Millie (his wife), and his daughter, Mina. This was my first screening of the film. Since the film was about Charles, I felt it was best he was given the opportunity to view the film in an intimate setting, one where he could speak freely about whether he was supportive of my work. I was nervous. Charles had not seen any of the footage. It was the first time he had participated in such a project and he basically agreed to it without really knowing me or my ability. Everything was in my hands and understandably, this caused a little anxiety.

We had shot footage over the course of seven months and accumulated over 16 hours of footage. I knew there was a real chance he might not like how I presented his story. But throughout the project, my confidence was high and I always felt Charles would like the results. I would have not pursued the issue if my instincts told me to walk away. This was my third cut of the film. My first cut started out just under an hour and now it was clocking in at 35 minutes and 59 seconds. I was pleased with this cut. The spirit I had originally envisioned was there, even though I wasn’t sure how it would work out. I hadn’t found the flow until late in the game. I just kept filming, collecting my colors to paint with later. It was time to unveil the film to Charles.

My wife, Nancy, and I greeted Charles and his family when they arrived and invited them in. We gathered around the dining room table and ate some snacks while I began talking about the last seven months. Our conversation had barely begun when Charles proposed a toast. We held our drinks in the air. Charles said something like: Here’s to the film, and no matter what the outcome, it was the experience we had together. This was worth celebrating, and it can’t be overshadowed, therefore, the film is already a success. Though I was very happy with his enthusiasm. I was still nervous.

When we first started the project, I explained to Charles that I had envisioned a film that would focus on him as an artist. Not long after shooting began, I decided to include more about his life and family. I think this more encompassing approach made Charles feel at ease with the project. But I soon realized that direction was not working. I decided my original idea was the way I needed to proceed. As we progressed, Charles’s faith grew in the project. I was relieved, as I knew there were plenty of opportunities for him to end his cooperation with me and pull out of the project. For me, the turning point came that indicated I knew Charles was on-board (and trusted my instincts), occurred when he told me about a conversation with one of his sisters. She wanted to know why anyone would want to make a film about him. His answer to her question was brilliant. He told her, “I’m just a prop”. When he told that to me, I burst out laughing. I knew at that moment he had a better understanding of what I was doing. Though he was still nervous, he realized that I, like him, was painting. But I was not using a brush.

It was show time!

We sat and watched the film. I tried to view with virgin eyes, but of course, that was impossible. All I could see were my flaws. As the end credits rolled, I looked over at Charles. He was smiling. I was relieved. From there, we laughed, joked, and began talking about scenes. 

Charles asked me about the music. He wanted to know for sure whether his son, Brian, had provided the music. Early on in the project, I asked Brian if he would provide the music, but in a vein outside his usual style playing. Brian was up for the challenge and readily agreed. Charles was unfamiliar with this style of music, what I call soundscapes, and most curious how it would fit in with the film. After the screening, Charles was impressed by Brian's work and felt the music fit well.

The screening had gone well. I was very pleased with Charles's reaction. My anxiety was gone. Well, not completely. I knew it was time to show a much bigger audience.

"The Flow Of Forsythe": The Beginning

Not long after my documentary, The Skeptics In A World Of Their Own, premiered at the Weinberg Center in Frederick, Maryland, on March 25, 2010 (See post February 23, 2011), I was busy trying to get my next project off the ground. I had a couple ideas in the works, but nothing was panning out. That changed in September of 2010. One of my ideas had finally sparked to life.

This particular idea actually started in late 2009 when I discovered the artwork of Charles Eugene Forsythe, an abstract artist. Mina, his daughter, had been one of the people interviewed for The Skeptics' documentary. It was on her Facebook page I noticed her father's artwork. Interested in taking a closer look, I went to his page and opened the photo album dedicated to his latest series of paintings. My initial reaction was quite unexpected. His work spoke to me. I immediately felt compelled to contact him. I sent him a small email message letting him know I admired his work and explained why I was attracted to his style painting. It wasn't long before he wrote back. I soon learned our thoughts and interests were quite similar. For one, we were both fans of David Lynch. In my email I had quoted from Lynch's book, Catching The Big Fish. Charles had the book and enjoyed it thoroughly. Lynch's book had inspired us. This short and simple book corroborated the way we both approached our projects. It really didn't take too many words for the book to describe its ideas, a very important factor that fueled our project. Charles and I practiced many of the same ideas and perspectives Lynch used to traverse the creative path. I was surprised. Charles and I became fast friends.

We were soon speaking on the telephone. During one of our early chats, I asked Charles if he was interested in allowing me to make a film about him and his art. Charles was flattered, but not too receptive to the idea. He actually found it more interesting that I was inspired to tackle such a project. My proposition was quite unexpected. The thought of someone making a film about him and his art had never crossed his mind. Though it seemed Charles was not game, his response was enough to make me feel there was still a chance he might change his mind. The idea needed time to develop.

In the weeks to come, we continued to correspond via email. As suspected, my film idea had certainly sparked Charles's interest. He emailed me and asked that I call him so he could further discuss his thoughts. Within a few days, we were on the telephone together. Charles suggested that instead of making a film about him, that I make one about his oldest son, Riley, who was living in California and was an established and respected mural painter, specializing in building size paintings. Charles explained that my film project idea was very synchronistic. My idea had come along at about the same time he had seen the film called Kick-Ass. I, too, had seen the film and was intrigued about how my idea and Kick-Ass had anything to do with each other. I listened.

Charles explained that the movie's main character, Kick-Ass, was exactly like a character Riley drew as child to make Charles laugh. The cartoon strip was something special he shared with Riley and he always looked forward to the next installment. Charles felt that if the movie - Kick-Ass - could make a splash, then why couldn't Riley's character, predating the Kick-Ass movie, also make a splash? Why couldn't Riley get a little acknowledgment for his original idea too? Charles suggested I speak with Riley, as he had already told him about me. I thought Charles's idea was interesting, but knew logistically that such a film was not possible for me, even if I pursued it, primarily because Riley and I were coasts apart. Besides, it was Charles's art that inspired me. But I took Riley's telephone number and contacted him several days later.

Riley and I had a fun conversation, but as expected, we both understood that making a film about his early crime fighting character was not going to get off the ground. I then pitched my idea about making a film about his dad's art. Riley agreed it was a good idea and said he would mention it to his father next time they spoke. I felt I was gaining ground.

Several months passed, but Charles and I had not communicated too often. I then discovered he was having a one-man show at the Blue Elephant Art Center in Frederick, Maryland. Frustrated that it was already Fall of 2010 and I had not launched another project, I contacted Mina and asked her if she would also say something to her dad about him giving some serious thought to my proposed film.

With Charles's one-man show approaching in the next couple weeks, I was getting nervous. I felt the show was a perfect event to capture and a great way to launch the making of the film. Apparently, the stars were in alignment. It seemed the prodding by Riley, Mina, and myself had paid off. Charles agreed to become involved. All was a go. The film was off the ground.

From September 2010  to June 2011, Charles and I met nearly every week. During our early film sessions, Charles, though wanting to make the film, was nonetheless anxious about how I was going to pull off the film. He had many concerns. And I certainly understood why. We barely knew each other and now I was filming him for hours as he spoke about his life. Would I make him look foolish? Would I embarrass him? Did anyone want to see him talk about his life? What were my intentions and motivations with the film? These were all good questions. But as each film session ended, Charles's understood what I was trying to achieve and his concerns dissipated. In fact, he found the experience invigorating, as did I, and his desire to keep going increased after each session. We were enjoying each others company and realized the experience was worth more than the outcome.

Though I had a strategy for the documentary, there were no story boards. Just a couple of images in my mind. Between each session I planned our next shoot. Once on location, armed with a list of questions, we improvised. Not necessarily the normal way to proceed with constructing a film, I decided that I would treat the project like a painting. The camera had become the canvas and our sessions had become the colors. When I got home from each session, I began mixing the colors. And as I laid down more colors, I knew that it could be no other way. I was painting.

David Lynch might say Charles and I were "deep sea fishing" together. With my approach to the film, I certainly had cast my line and was trolling deep waters. My idea about how I wanted to present Charles's story was cytsalizing, and by May of 2011, my, our, painting was coming alive.

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

The Garage

Several times during the course of filming this documentary, 2007 -2010, I received telephone calls from Ol' Hole Heels (OHH), letting me know the boys were getting together for a impromptu practice. I couldn't miss those, as they were usually full of surprises, both musically and otherwise. Since OHH had warned me about such happenings, it was important my gear was ready. To hone reaction time, I kept my camera sitting by the door, packed and loaded with fresh batteries. Having practiced the drill in advance, my time from house to car was 48 seconds. I was always trying to reach 45 seconds, but that was never achieved.

On this particular occasion (summer of 2009), I received OHH's alert. It was mid afternoon. The boys were on their way to practice. I arrived in the scene, beating them there by a good five minutes. OHH was there preparing for their arrival. Being a n excellent sound engineer, OHH busied himself setting up mics, adjusting their levels, and fine tuning the PA System's mixing board. He even restrung and tuned Andy and Dennis's guitars. An equally important task that OHH had completed was the preparation of snacks, a serious issue, as described in my last posting. Offering me a glass of grape cool-aid (the boy's favorite drink) we enjoyed a moment of quiet before they arrived and thundered the countryside.

Now, from 1984 on, the boy's had a few places to practice. They'd switch between an old tool shed and small warehouse (part of Andy's father's business), but their favorite, and eventually their primary location from 1990 on, was known as "The Garage". Well, it was a garage. But it was special. Located on one of OHH's many properties, "The Garage" is attached to his summer home. Housing a state-of-art recording equipment, this facility has seen much action. In addition to recording an amazing catalog of songs, over the years it has become somewhat of a magical place and the boys love it there, often using it to just hang out. The vibe of the place seems responsible for sparking fits of frenzy and creative genius. It was here where OHH has taught the band some of their signature stage moves.

This practice session was one of those special times. With an endless supply of grape cool-aid, popcorn, potato chips, and no-bake cookies, the boys were charged up. The room pulsated with excitement. Giddy with enthusiasm, the boys were on fire. I got to experience a phenomenon OHH had told me about. While playing, often they stopped in the middle of a song so they could laugh. No particular reason. Just laugh. As if their musical instruments were tickling them. I was fortunate enough to capture this on tape. What you see in the following video represents a composite of approximately seven takes of their song "Forget It":

Get your copy of The Skeptics' documentary at FilmBaby

Snack Tales

When I first started posting on this blog, I mentioned that OL' Hole Heels (OHH) approached me in 2006 to shoot two music videos and a documentary about the band he was managing, The Skeptics. Though his proposal sounded like a an interesting project, I was at first very reluctant. Since I knew next to nothing about the band, it seemed like a big time commitment. In fact, I wasn't looking to shoot a rock documentary and had only heard a couple of their songs through a friend, years after the band had departed the music scene and gone underground. OHH played me a cassette of the boy's music while we sat and talked about everything from dandelions to European fashion. Suddenly, I realized the music was great. Not only that, but there were many songs. Their catalog was huge. I was stunned by how many, but more so by how the songs resonated with me. Hearing all this great music helped warm me up to the project idea. Also helping to win me over was learning so much about OHH and his unique abilities and talents; one being his expertise on many obscure subjects. But more importantly, his pitch was mesmerizing. By evening's end, I was sold on his idea. For some reason, I felt akin to his ways. Don't know why, but I trusted my instincts, something we both had in common, and in hindsight, I'm certainly glad I did.

I'd like to share a story with you about the event that took place before my project with The Skeptics formally began. Before signing on to film the music videos or documentary, OHH said I must first pass an initiation of sorts. This was a test the boys requested using to determine if they were in-synch with me; something they needed to do, especially with someone they were about to give unlimited access to their lives and private archives.  Though my instincts indicated I should stay and follow through with their so-called "test", my brain said run! But I was curious and patiently listened to OHH as he further explained the need to abide by their wishes. Granted, it was somewhat of an odd request, but that night I found myself trusting OHH, and as time passed, my anxiety diminished and I began feeling that I was simply dealing with eccentricity. I was game.

OHH explained the boys were very fond of snacks. He said snacks were an essential part of their day to day affairs. Without them, nothing got done, no matter how important. Snacks were written into all contracts with the band, from recording scenarios to club venues. I laughed and asked OHH if this was some sort of joke. I had heard of big-time rock bands wanting certain colored M&Ms and exotic foods, but I thought that was done more for publicity stunts. He looked at me and said, "No, this is as serious as a possum on moonshine." I grinned. He didn't, so I kept asking questions. After about 90 minutes of intense conversation, including photoghraphs and a slide presntation, I was convinced OHH was telling the truth. There was no doubt in my mind his boys, The Skeptics, were quite fond of their snacks.  I agreed to honor their wish an carry out my task, "test", but it required one caveat: I get to film the event. OHH thought it over and decided it was good idea. He suggested that some of the footage might prove good enough for use in the documentary. He said if it turned out I was not the man for the job, I would hand over the tape and we'd go our separate ways.

On July 26, 2006, I met OHH at his Maryland office. I brought a cameraman with me. He asked to remain anonymous. When we arrived, OHH was already waiting outside. He jumped in the car and said he'd guide us to the location. We ended up on some desolate back road in Frederick County. OHH told me to pull the car over. He then handed me a map. Not sure what was occurring, my expression must have been funny, as OHH began to laugh. He said it was about a 30 minute walk and he'd meet us there. I asked why we had to walk? Why couldn't I just drive us there? He said the boys were adamant. They wanted the "test" as a way to evaluate how much I wanted to work with them. A few moments passed in silence. My cameraman and I exchanged glances. He and I had worked together for a long time. I saw the twinkle in his eye and knew he was thinking it might be fun. Besides, we both didn't sense any danger, other than OHH leaving us there as a practical joke designed for us to get back on our own. I had to make the call. Again, common sense told me I was making a mistake and I should call the whole thing off, but my instincts told me otherwise. Yes it was weird. It could prove risky in some ways. Nonetheless, my adventurous side won out. The "test" was a go.

We got out of the car and watched OHH drive away. Here I was standing on the side of the road, watching as my car disappeared in the distance, driven by someone I barely knew. And, I forgot to mention, I was carrying a cake. But worse yet, I was wearing a hat. It was OHH's, and part of the deal. This particular hat was his "good-luck" hat. He told me he had worn it during every critical band related negotiation or affair since 1985. He was entrusting it to me because he felt good about the project. So, giving in to his superstition, we stood on the side of the desolate road ready to move out. I had my map. I had a cake. And I donned the lucky hat of OHH. Without further delay, we were off on our adventure..."test". I could only laugh at myself. What was I doing?

Well, my "test" worked out. It was a blast. I met the boys for the first time that day and we immediately became fast friends. My willingness to take on the "test" proved my enthusiasm for the project. From then on, they knew it would all work out. And for the next three yeras, it certainly did. I found out much later, though, it was OHH who was putting me through the "test". The snack part was very real. OHH, as I soon learned, was an brilliant and effective barracuda of a manager who beats to a different drum. He was, and is, very protective of his boys. The "test" was just one of many unique ways of OHH that I learned to love. You'll continue to learn more about this remarkable man and his entrepreneurial spirit in posts to come.

The following video is of the "test", what I now fondly call, "The Initiation Journey". Unfortunately, once we arrived at the house, I was instructed to turn off the camera. There is no footage of  my first meeting with The Skeptics. The Skeptics' song, "Expanding and Contracting", though its words don't quite fit my "test", somehow felt right to use for this video. The footage of the boys playing was recorded at the Cultural Arts Center in Frederick, Maryland, during the summer of 2007, actually some of the first footage shot for the documentary.

 

The following short clip is only one of many occasions I experienced during  the boy's constant quest to locate snacks:

Get your copy of The Skeptics' documentary at FilmBaby 

The Skeptics Go To Washington!

Thanks to Ol' Hole Heels's (OHH) tireless efforts, The Skeptics In A World Of Their Own will screen at the Second Annual World Music and International Film Festival in Washington D.C.:WMIFF , at the United States Navy Memorial's Arleigh and Roberta Burke Theater, located on Pennsylvania Avenue: The United States Navy Memorial . The festival runs from August 15th through August 19th. The date and time of the documentary's screening has not been posted. Once the festival makes an announcement, I will post the date and time of the documentary's screening.

This is a short video of last year's festivities and this year's submissions in all categories: 2011 Submissions

Here are this year's documentary selections: Documentary Entries

Go to the following link and vote for your favorite - hopefully, The Skeptics - documentary trailer: VOTE

OHH asked me to tell all he'd like to win the trailer competition, as he would like to use the win as bragging rights while on his upcoming "Carvin' and Whitlin'" tour this summer at select venues across Maryland, Virginia West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

The trailer was written and directed by OHH. I shot the footage at one of his favorite outdoor lecture locations. He wanted to keep the trailer simple. He and I agreed that in recent years, trailers have become a vehicle for too much information, many times spoiling surprise elements of a film, and in some cases actually being better than the film.

OHH and the boys won't be there for the festivities, but they definitely find it fun knowing the spirit of The Skeptics will be alive in Washington D.C. this summer. Hopefully, a few viewers will walk away with a smile, knowing they had heard and witnessed something special.  

Get your copy of The Skeptics' documentary at FilmBaby

Encounter With Private Beauregard Pettigrew

Recently, I posted an entry about meeting two key staff members, Freaky Daddy and Jebediah Buzzard, who toured with The Skeptics during the 1980s. As mentioned, I wanted to include them in the documentary, but our schedules were out of synch, so I finally met up with them in the summer 2010. Ol' Hole Heels (OHH) was very instrumental in arranging our meeting, something I couldn't do without his assistance. While these interviews are most memorable, and discussions with them proved extremely interesting, I was unprepared for the next interview that OHH line up.

It all came about when OHH and I were discussing his knowledge of Maryland folklore. Having a long-time interest in the subject, I brought up the topic whenever possible. OHH was more than happy to discuss it with me. His knowledge of the subject is remarkable. Though he occasionally goes on speaking tours, he has yet to sit down and write a book. I'm still trying to convince him he needs to document and preserve  these stories for future generations, but as I prod him, his eyes glaze over. I'll keep trying.

Anyway, during one of our long chats around a camp fire (OHH loves campfires), OHH looked at me and asked if I wanted to meet someone truly special? I immediately said yes, not realizing who, or what, he was talking about. To my surprise, he said that this individual had something to do with The Skeptics. Asking him if it was another staff member, he said no. I looked up, waiting for him to continue. My marshmallow fell off my stick onto a hot rock. OHH watched it melt and sizzle.He chuckled to himself.

Finally, after a long pause, OHH said he could arrange a meeting with someone from the spirit world. I asked if he was talking about a ghost. Grinning, I was sure that when he looked up, I'd see that twinkle in his eye. But he was dead serious. Looking me in the eyes, he told me it wasn't his intention to ever set up such a meeting, but he was contacted to make the arrangements. OHH then launched into a story that I found very hard to believe. My skepticism was in high alert, but I couldn't rule it out, as OHH had never pulled a prank on me before. Knowing I was not quite buying his story, OHH said he could prove it to me. I asked how and he said that I would pick the time and location - anytime and anywhere I wanted - and we would go there together. To ensure no tricks were being played, OHH said that to ensure he was not playing a trick, I could arrive unannounced at his him when I was ready. He would then get in the car with me and I could drive us to my location without saying a word about where we were going. I was intrigued. I told him I'd take him up on his offer and with one condition. Before I could say anything, OHH assured me I could bring my camera.

After departing that day, I began formulating a plan. I felt sure that OHH had an accomplice who would follow us there and try to scare me as some big joke between them. Again, I knew that would be out of character for OHH, but nonetheless, I was taking precautions. There was always a first time for everything and OHH was preceded by his eccentricity.

It was Monday, August 23, 2010. I arrived at OHH's home around 6:30 A.M.  Knocking on the door, I looked around and saw no cars, only an old truck he used occasionally for supplies. He came to the door. It was apparent he had been awoken from a deep sleep. I told him to get dressed and that breakfast was on me. His eyes lit up. Looking at me, his spoke in a serious tone and said we were going to Cracker Barrel. I knew that was his favorite dining establishment and assured him that was no problem and I said that today we were meeting his ghost. Without pause, OHH got his hat and we were out the door.

We drove to a Cracker Barrel in Edgewood, Maryland and grabbed some chow. OHH was very pleased. Fueled by two pots of coffee and a good dozen flapjacks between us, we were back in the car and jumped on Interstate 95 to continue our journey. OHH never questioned me where we were going. I watched carefully in the rear view mirrors, even spontaneously stopping on back roads, to ensure we weren't being followed.

About an hour later we were at our destination. I had a friend who owned property in Delaware. He bought the property to build a house on at a later time. It was several acres of deep thick woods. No neighbors for miles. A stream ran through the property. We were in the middle of nowhere. I brought a couple chairs and we sat up on a bank near the stream. OHH pulled what looked like a dog whistle from his shirt pocket and blew into one end. I heard nothing. He said to relax and we'd not have long to wait.

My curiosity was piqued. I wondered what OHH had up his sleeve. The longer we sat there, I actually became more nervous. Then, about ten minutes later, I saw movement up ahead of us in the distance. I stood and strained to see through the trees. All I could see was the color blue, but couldn't quite tell what or who was approaching. I turned my camera on and waited. Seconds later, I heard a noise. It came from behind us. Quickly turning, I realized someone was standing nearby, very close to the stream. I glanced back to where I saw the color blue approaching, but saw nothing. Looking back around, I realized this person had on blue. It was a person. OHH broke the silence and said he'd like to introduce me to Private Beauregard. My camera was rolling. The following is what I filmed:

So, that was the last time I saw Private Beauregard Pettigrew. OHH and I departed. I was completely stumped, especially when I watch Private Beauregard walk away along the stream and basically disappear among the trees. Why didn't I touch him while I had a chance? I told OHH to hold my camera and raced after Private Beauregard. But he was gone. I could not understand how he outran me with all that gear he was carrying. I strained to listen for the clanging of his canteen, haversack, and all the other accoutrements, but heard nothing but running water. 

OHH and I packed up the car and departed the scene. I excitedly questioned OHH all the way home. He sat patiently listening to my spastic babble. How could anyone know where we were? OHH never left my side the whole morning. He didn't even have his cell phone on him because I asked him to leave it at home. I had mine.

Interestingly, a few months later, I learned that Private Beauregard Pettigrew was a real civil war soldier who allegedly died during the first battle of Bull Run in Manassas, Virginia. His grave has never been located. What is known about Pvt. Pettigrew death comes via a war diary now belonging to the family of a soldier who knew him. But there is something even more strange about this story. I met someone who looks like the person I saw near the stream that day. He a real guy named Bobby Madden, Jr., and he plays a character named Private Beauregard Pettigrew for the Monster Madhouse show that both Freaky Daddy and Jebediah Buzzard make appearances on. I was sure my puzzle was solved, but Bobby had a solid alibi. Yes, I checked up on him and learned where he worked. I won't go into those details, but my cover story allowed me to verify he was hours away during my encounter with the civil war soldier. You can see Bobby Madden, Jr. on Monster Madhouse .

OHH stands by his story. He completely understands my confusion, but tells me I'll eventually come around and realize what happened that morning was real. OHH gave me permission to use this footage for my blog, as he knew I had no way to prove anything. Despite my elaborate plan to set up the meeting, it appears I was either outsmarted by OHH and his cronies, or, well... all I know is something very weird occurred that day, and whatever or whomever I saw, was caught on film.

Get your copy of The Skeptics' documentary at FilmBaby

Jebediah Buzzard: The Skeptics' Rootworker

In this entry, I'd like to share my experience about meeting with one of the most important behind the scenes staff members that worked for The Skeptics during the 1980s..  As I mentioned in my May 5, 2011, entry, there were a couple people who I wanted to include in the documentary, but their schedules conflicted with mine and we were unable to meet. Fortunately, with the help of Ol' Hole Heels (OHH),  I was afforded the opportunity to eventually meet them and they agreed to make a statement for use in this blog.

As like the meeting with Freaky Daddy, my next encounter proved just as secretive. The date was August 15, 2010. I received a telephone call from OHH. He said I should get my camera and meet him at his office within the hour. He said that  Jebediah Buzzard was passing through the area and had a few moments to spare was willing to speak with me. The only thing I knew about Jebediah was he was instrumental in providing security for The Skeptics during their U.S. tours. OHH explained that Jebediah had become well known for his unique skills and was in high demand. OHH said it wasn't easy procuring Jebediah's services and THe Skeptics were very fortunate to have him on their staff, especially given the venues Freaky Daddy had procured for their tours. Having someone like Jebediah on-board was where OHH's rich background came in handy. They knew each other well. In fact, they had traveled together a few times while OHH was touring and giving lectures on Maryland folklore, another one of OHH's areas of expertise. Both OHH and Jebediah would pair up during a few summers and tour the Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia region.  Though Jebediah conducted much of his work in and around Arkansas, his friendship with OHH soon had him expanding his territory of operation. Jebediah has several homes and spends time in each location.

When I arrived at OHH's office, he rushed me back out the door and said we had little time to waste. Our destination was about an hour away. We would be heading towards western Maryland to a tract of land in a remote area. Arriving, we parked my car and proceeded on foot along a trail for another hour. We then came upon what appeared to be private property.  I couldn't see any building from where we were, but knew we were on someone's property because of a nearby fence.  OHH stopped us along side a path and said we would now wait.

About 30 minutes passed as we sat in silence. And then, I could hear the faint sound of an musical instrument. I stared in that direction as the sound grew near. It wasn't long before Jebediah appeared:

 

 

It should be noted that in recent years, Jebediah has become a regular on Moster Madhouse , a show based in Virginia that promotes monster films of yesteryear. He also hosts his own show Fright Time FunHouse .

Get your copy of The Skeptics' documentary at FilmBaby

The Skeptics' Documentary Screens In Harrisburg, PA.

 
I just received notification from Ol' Hole Heels (OHH) that The Skeptics In A World Of Their Own was selected for screening at the 13th Annual Artsfest Film Festival, in Harrisburg, PA., on Sunday, May 29, 2011. The documentary will be screened at 8:00 P.M., along with two short films by other filmmakers.

13th Annual Artsfest Film Festival

I'm sure the boys will be excited when they learn the news. OHH is definitely excited and most anxious for a new generation of Pennsylvanians to have a chance to see the documentary about a classic Maryland homegrown band.

OHH further informed me that he will already be in the area conducting his Carvin' and Whitlin' work shops, and if his schedule permits, he'll try to attend the festival screening and will be available afterwards for interview. If I learn he'll be there for sure, I'll post an update. I'm sure there are those who are very interested in meeting him and learning more about his legendary management skills during The Skeptics' heyday.

The Harrisburg Arts Council announcement:
 Harrisburg Arts Council

Get your copy of The Skeptics' documentary at FilmBaby

The Skeptics' Tour Manager

In 2006, after shooting a video to The Skeptics' song, "World Of Your Own", I was approached by The Skeptics' manager, Ol' Hole Heels (OHH), about doing a documentary about the band. I was reluctant. Although a fan of their music, I had only seen them play out twice, both times in 1989, with bass player Kevin Sefsic. The original bass player, Dennis Crolley, had by then left the band, but I did meet him at one rehearsal when he returned as bass player shortly before the band went underground in 1990. We met at lead singer/guitarist, Andy McCutcheon's parents home. All this came about because I was a good friend of Stephen Blickenstaff, the drummer. Stephen and I had made a few films together in the late 1980s. Though I had met Andy and Dennis, it was merely a handshake and brief exchange. I'm sure our meeting was quickly forgotten. So, in the summer of 2007, during our first day of shooting, I officially met them for the first time.

After giving OHH's proposal some thought, I felt compelled to take on the challenge. I knew it would be tough, as I did not know the band's history, nor was I connected or knew many of the band's fan base and friends. OHH told me, as I've mentioned in an earlier posting, that he would give me complete access to the band and their archives, along with a list of key and vital fans, family, and friends, who would be essential to interview. He further assured that he'd be there with me at every stage to help with any obstacles I encountered along the way. I quickly learned that OHH was my ace in the hole and things would go smoothly because it became quite apparent I was dealing with someone who was well connected and a force in his own right. Actually, as many know, he was already legend in Frederick, Maryland. I had no idea. But I quickly became confident the project would be easier than expected.

The following clip regards OHH mentioning the need of a tour manager, but was taken out of the documentary:

Moving on, the list OHH gave me of people to interview was fairly extensive. I immediately began to make telephone calls, introduce myself, and soon found most everyone was more than willing to allow me to film them for the documentary. Unfortunately, a couple key individuals were not available until after the film was shot. I explained it would be fun to get them to say a few words that I could eventually release in a blog. I was able to finally meet with them in the summer of 2010.

The first interview I filmed last summer was with Freaky Daddy, The Skeptics' Tour manager. He wasn't available during the filming of the documentary, due to being on tour with another band. It should be noted that in between tours, he is a regular on Monster Madhouse, an eclectic group of individuals in the Virginia area, who provide a very prominent show that promotes the fine genre of science fiction/monster films. Hosted by Karlos Borloff, the show is an outstanding achievement, but has not yet been fully recognized on the national level for its brilliance and dedication to promoting the fantastic monster films of Hollywood's yesteryears. For more information, please check out http://monstermadhouse.com/

Getting back to Freaky Daddy, he is somewhat of a recluse. While setting up tour dates for The Skeptics, the band members never saw or dealt with him. OHH was his only contact. Freaky Daddy and I met one afternoon in an undisclosed location. I was given instruction where to drive and park my car. From there, I was met by an individual, who blindfolded me, then drove us to a secret location. OHH had warned me I might encounter a strange situation before meeting Freaky Daddy, but he gave me his word all would be fine and to trust the situation. I did. The following scene is a result of that meeting:

Get your copy of The Skeptics' documentary at FilmBaby: http://www.filmbaby.com/films/5529

The Skeptics' Fashion Sense

One of the things I learned during my extensive interviews with Ol' Hole Heels (OHH) was how much time and effort he put into cultivating a look for the boys. He told me that when he first discovered them, he was taken aback by their the lack of style. He felt they were completely out of touch with the day's fashion. In fact, he realized they were completely out of touch with fashion in general. That was his first impression, but he suspected with comprehensive lessons and a few field trips, he'd whip them into shape. But first, he needed to convince them they needed a manager and his guidance was needed. After just one meeting, the boys unanimously agreed OHH's expert management skills, connections to the music industry (that's another story), and just plain worldly experience were invaluable. By the end of 1984, OHH was their manager.

OHH said that the boys were a mess. He felt several months were needed to make a decent transformation, however, problems occurred early on, and it wasn't long before the boys didn't want his help. Though they appreciated the groundwork he had laid, they soon began ignoring his suggestions. OHH was only able to supply one comprehensive session on issues, such as clothing, accessories, hair styles, and make-up, before they explained that they really didn't need any further help in those areas. They told OHH that it was his musical skills that was most needed, so he really didn't have to worry about their look.

OHH explained to me that he understood them wanting to break out on their own, to reveal their individuality ans sens of style, but since they were so new to the scene, there were pitfalls and nuances that needed someone like him, who had amassed such a skill-set, to help them pull it off. He tried getting this across to them, explaining for instance that he was equipped to quickly assess the situation, such as what was more appropriate wear, how to look, and most importantly, how to act while performing at each venue. But the boys were adamant. They began ignoring his advice. This frustrated OHH, as he knew their inexperience was far greater than their enthusiasm. Even to this day, OHH acknowledges they have definitely made progress, but it was, and has been, an uphill battle. He's still convinced that they need refining.

In the documentary, I was going to include a segment about the band's fashion and style, but during an early progress screening of the film, an argument broke out among them. Since the fashion issues were still too sensitive, and in essence not necessary for the story, it was determined to discontinue further filming of this topic. Subsequently, the following short clip was removed from the film. It reveals some of OHH"s frustration about the boy's desire to do their own thing, despite many flaws he tried to explain still existed.

In this next clip we hear from Andy (another deleted scene), as he describes the band's fashion sense. It should be noted that OHH was not mentioned, but a future shot with the band members was planned and would have included their acknowledgement of OHH's expertise and influence on fashion and a host of other topics.

Get your copy of The Skeptics' documentary at FilmBaby:
http://www.filmbaby.com/films/5529

Secret Meeting

In the Fall of 2009, I attended a secret meeting with The Skeptics. The boys were called together by Ol' Hole Heels (OHH) - the band's manager, for those of you new to this blog - to discuss their upcoming performance in conjunction with my documentary premiere during early 2010.

Much information regarding critical aspects of their style, writing techniques, and fashion sense were discussed that evening. After reviewing my footage, OHH deemed the subject matter discussed too sensitive for public consumption. He explained to me that it was due to his stringent control of the band's privacy that has kept them at the top of their game for the last twenty some years. According to OHH, critical band information in the hands of their competition would lead to losing their competitive edge. He had learned his lesson early on. During a 1985 show, the band was interviewed by the Frederick Post. In that interview their set strategy, of which included use of props and sophisticated dance moves, was revealed. An opening act utilized this information, forcing the boy's to quickly alter that night's performance, thus lessoning their show's impact on the crowd. This frustrated the boys and during one song, Dennis stopped playing his bass, sat down on the stage, and ate potato chips. Andy and Stephen quickly reacted and kept the song alive until Dennis rejoined them on the next song. OHH was not pleased. From that point on, all questions by the media went through him first.

The following very short clip was all OHH would allow me to post from the secret meeting. It does, however, provide fans with a rare behind the scenes look into their world. OHH said that when other information discussed that evening becomes antiquated, he will then consider releasing further footage.

For those wanting to learn more about this extraordinary band, check out the documentary, The Skeptics In A World Of Their Own. It can be found at Filmbaby.

When The Documentary Began

OHH at one of the overlooks on his property.

In recent weeks, it’s been very active at The Skeptics’ headquarters, located in Frederick, Maryland. For the last several months their manager, Ol’ Hole Heels (OHH), conducted fierce negotiations with executives of several major U.S. film distributors who were anxious to get my documentary, The Skeptics In A World Of Their Own, into their catalogs. Fortunately, OHH’s corporate experience and razor sharp negotiating skills came in handy during these talks with the "suits". OHH’s entrepreneurial spirit served him well during these tough negotiations and is a testament of his ability to handle such serious affairs.

After countless hours on the telephone, trips to California, New York, Georgia, and other states, OHH chose to collaborate with a company that understood his philosophy and eclectic ways. He decided it was best to offer the documentary to Film Baby , a company out of Portland, Oregon. OHH was pleased by their grass roots approach and lack of big business attitude, of which greatly appealed to his management style.

With Film Baby now on-board as distributor, I received a telephone call from OHH. He informed me of a new promotions campaign he was starting and wanted me involved. His idea was to begin posting some of the extra footage we had collected while making the documentary. Over the course of three years, I was given complete access to OHH, each of the band members, and their extensive archives collected during the band’s reign.

I liked OHH's idea. It was exciting to think I'd work with him again, but I was very apprehensive. There was plenty of footage that could be used, but that would require much time in the editing room. I wasn't sure I could commit to such a time consuming project.  OHH said no problem. He said he'd make it worth my time. He asked me to temporarily move in with him at his spacious home and offered me a lucrative deal as one of his key staff members. He anticipated we had much work ahead and it was important to give it full-time attention. I was reluctant at first, but soon agreed.

Though we keep different schedules, OHH comes in during the night and sifts through footage, approving what is releasable, and during the day I come in and begin editing. This schedule works quite well and reminds me of  what George Lucas and Walter Murch did during the making of Lucas's THX11-38.

In the summer of 2007, OHH had convinced the boys it was time to get back together and “make that magic happen all over again”. The following clip reveals that historical summer day when the band members arrived at one of OHH's secret locations for the first time to begin filming. Included in this clip are shots from their performance at the Cultural Arts Center in Frederick, Maryland, one of the venues the band performed during a rash of surprise performances over the course of making the film. Appropriately, their song, Three Miles To The Exit, was used. It was a song the boys used  to like playing while traveling to gigs during their last couple years together.