Several weeks ago, as I sat in my comfy yellow chair in the afternoon sunlight, I got a text message that read something like “Party at my girlfriends house, come by.”  with a number I didn’t recognize.  In this age of digital tethering, such spontaneous invitations have become less of a surprise to me, though i always chuckle that no one signs the invitations… there’s just an assumption that their phone number is already programmed into my phone.

“who is this?”  I texted back drowsily.

“Ed Turner” the texter replied.

Because I already had other plans that was the last I heard from Edward Turner.  he died a little over a month later.

Ironically I found out by text. a simple one from Jeff “Ed Turner passed”…

Ed was the very talented, wonderfully funny, thoroughly insightful sound man I hired on “Witt’s Daughter.” I met him nearly two years ago and being new at this, I placed high weight on the suggestions Jeff Siljenberg my cinematographer gave, and Jeff thought the world of Ed.  Though I can’t remember why I had to pick him up to bring him to the first day of shooting, I did so. And as he sat in the front seat of the car propped up against the door, long and lanky, indifferent and dog tired from working the night through before: I was thinking to myself “hmmm… what have I gotten myself into?”

What I had gotten myself into was a working relationship with a man I knew I wanted to always have on my team.   He took a while to warm up to me–a newbie director who once I was feeling my sea legs under me started saying “Schmack it on the Bingbong” when I was satisfied with the take and wanted to go on to the next set up. I recall him approaching me near the dumpster in my driveway, Cigarette dangling from his mouth “Schmack it on the Bingbong?” he said.  and after a moment like he was rolling a slug of wine around in his mouth to determine the taste, added –”I like it”

Ed’s laid back demeanor with a dry wit was welcome on the set. He was a hard worker who though he could have taken over because he was a big man and also had more experience than I, was totally was respectful. The several private talks we had on the set were invaluable. He was encouraging and wanted to see me succeed.  You want to have people like that around you, the world at times can provide people who are quite the opposite. I adored working with Ed and I planned on continuing the working relationship on other projects.

The last time I saw him was about five or six months ago at Phat fish for their happy hour. It was a surprise that he showed up, but I was happy to see him and catch up– same old Ed who made me smile– but he had forgotten “Schmack it on the Bingbong” (which is probably well enough….)

a month before I saw him, I had sent him this thanking him for his work. I really really appreciated him.

Hey Edward,

I just wanted to take a moment to say what a wonderful job you did  with the sound on “Witt’s Daughter” Of course some things you don’t realize until you are intimately aquatinted with them, ad that is the case with the sound on this film. I just got through doing the  sound break down for my final mix (which is sill about four weeks away) but I discovered so much about what you had done as I listened
to the various takes and cut them together to make a clean sound track. I was loving you!

… yes… you were right about the bathroom…

and I ended up having to do that adr… as i was cutting it together,  I was sad because my ADR lost a little spontaneity (which I  understand it to be expected) but as I was going through the takes, I found one take in the bathroom that had no water running. At first I  thought it was a mistake… but  then as time went on I remembered that you had insisted we do that. and so there it was– lovely unwaterred sound that I could cut in as  I could make it fit. Believe you me, I was thanking God for you then!

Well,

I just wanted to let you know how much i appreciate your work. Even though its looooooong after you have gone on to other things, you  have my utmost thanks.

I am indeed very thankful for having known and worked with Ed, and my prayers go to his family and girlfriend Sara in their time of grief.

Another chance to see the GI film festival’s best of fest on September 26th at the Ronald Reagan Library.  Witt’s Daughter will be showing at the 10:00 block. $25. ticket gets you the whole day plus admission to the library which I hear is pretty cool. And a reception at the end of the night with Gary Sinise.

Go here for more information

GI film festival posted this on Youtube so I thought I would share it with y’all.  Witt’s Daughter makes a little appearance. Pretty cool!

The mom set the large disposable plastic ware container on the table, its contents brimming with glistening violet red grapes. “Do you want one?” she offered, I took one or two, not wishing to be greedy…

Within moments they decended on the container… several children, its difficult to say how many, I could count them in my mind if I tried, but it was such a riot of arms and legs and a crush of tiny bodies pressing in around the table as hands reached in repeated from the container with an avarice unrivaled by in even the most impoverished lands. A plump little baby in his disposable diapers picked at his stem and then tried to press into the fracas. In desperation, he cried until the child’s patient mother chuckled and said “oh he wants more grapes but he can’t reach the bowl” and she deftly snapped a small amount from the stem and handed it to him. The rest of the children continued to eat unabated, lips smacking, teeth glistening, they did not talk they merely ate as one after another tiny opalescent glistening orb was shoved hungrily into their mouths.

In the end they wandered away and not even a grape remained. The mother who had brought them, returned to the container and held up the remaining stem like the bones of some animal that had gotten to close to the banks of the Amazon only to be picked clean by a pack of ravenous Piranha.

© 2009 Carole Holliday

for coverage from This Week in the Pentagon click here to go to Youtube excerpt of just the GI Film Festival  or see the whole May 22  show here (the GI Film Festival Coverage starts around 13:38)

 to hear the interview please click here

As time has gone on, I’ve gone from listening to loud music all the time to listening to news radio…I hope that doesn’t mean I’m getting old. At any rate, I was thankful for KNX 1070 this afternoon because of a story they ran on Operation Gratitude’s weekend Box packing at the Aromory in Van Nuys. Grateful, because I was lost.

I had been driving around for nearly an hour and a half and I was as much late-thinking about my character flaw of “in for a Penny in for a pound” mentality…” They didn’t know I was coming. i just decided to show up because I had seen on Twitter that they were packing boxes for the weekend to ship to the servicemembers downrange. But I wanted to go, I mean, after all, I’m doing a screening of “Witt’s Daughter” that with proceeds going to Operation Gratitude’s non profit organizations.

It took me a couple minutes longer after I heard the story to realize that I could get the address from the radio station (as Google Maps had sent me to some random location NOT the Armory and three 411 Verizon searches had yielded a bunch of useless phone numbers…as I tried to find someone who would know where he Armory was as they they said it wasn’t listed.) After a few minutes of rustling through papers, the cheerful voice on the other end of the phone located the address and gave it to me 17330 Victory Blv. I had been so close in my many back and forths through the area, if only I had turned right instated of left… but no matter, I was on the road and I was happy.

The room was loud with a mix of early disco era music and the energy of people happily bustling with a job to do. By time I got there at 2:30 p.m. they had packed four thousand boxes. People were everywhere, and though I was informed that the afternoon was slower than the morning, I was still amazed at the mass of humanity that was there. Old, young, people dressed as characters from “Star Wars” (why?) people wearing green shirts they’d purchased that bore the Operation Gratitude Logo, all working to a cause on this huge human assembly line.   I met Carolyn Blashek, founder of Operation Gratitude and was whisked into the hullabaloo,

After signing a release that promised the Gov that I wouldn’t come after them if I was injured on site (it was a gov building) Anne took me to a place that was in need of people– the human conveyer belt. There, people would grab boxes and drag them along the rectangular table assembly line where people on the other side of the table would put in items: A magazine, A “Dear Hero” letter, a box of Girlsccout cookies, a CD or DVD, lotions, chaptsick, Ben Gay (hurled at me with cheerful but enthusiastic force by a fresh faced blonde teenager, toothpaste, tooth brushes, fistfulls of candy, cough drops, fabric squares (I forgot to ask why) and more magazines.  I went through the line several times shepherding four to six boxes at a once until I was taken to a table that filled out customs forms. I immediately flashed on the time that a friend of mine had tactfully said “you do such a lovely job stuffing envelopes” after seeing my attempt at legibility on her wedding envelopes. But I was assured that my writing was readable–heavens I hope those soldiers get their packages.  Time flew and soon there were no more boxes to address for the day, and I looked up and saw the human conveyer belt and assembly line was gone, the tables empty.  A forklift pulled a large box filled with little boxes from the warehouse and soon the pens, packing tape and customs forms were whisked away as well.  

I was done. As I went to wash my hands I saw a lone girl in the hallway at a letter writing station. I asked if I could join her.  Anyone who was there could write a letter telling them a little bit about yourself, and thanking them for their service.  Tears came to my eyes as I thought of them overseas, a completely volunteer military. Most of them, signing up when they knew it was a time of war.  On my worst day at work, no one ever shot at me, nor planted a bomb where I would find it and die… But these brave men and women–they chose to do it. “Wow” I said. and other things I will reserve for the “Dear Hero” i wrote.

It may not seem like much. A letter a box with little odds and ends– but it means a lot to them.  Everyone likes to be told they’re appreciated–even tough service members…I guess I should say, ESPECIALLY service members. A box with their name on it means heaps because for a moment, to someone outside of their family, someone sees them as a hero. 

for more info re: Operation Gratitude click here

Please join us on May 29th for a special salute to the troops

(click on the image for a downloadable PDF flier)

Witt’s Daughter

7:30 p.m.

At the Fine Arts Theater

8556 Wilshire Blvd Beverly Hills, CA 90211(310) 360-0455

Tickets are $10.00 online at www.thefineartstheatre.com or at the door

 $2.00 from each ticket will support

Operation Gratitude

A non-profit organization that sends care packages and letters to the service men and women overseas.

 Following the screening will be a Q and A Moderated by Corporal Lex McMahon USMC with representatives from:

Operation Gratitude

The Soldier’s Project

The National Veteran’s Foundation

& Members of the Cast and Crew of Witt’s Daughter

Bring a letter for a soldier deployed overseas or write one there in the Fine Arts lobby!

 Opening music 

Enjoy a piece of cake from Hansen’s Bakery in the lobby at the end of the screening

Parking after 6:30 8484 Wilshire Blvd (Flynt Communications building) The black tower at the Southeast corner of La Cienega and Wilshire $2.00 at the concession stand

http://www.crowdedmetrofilms.com for film info

click on the image below to download a PDF flier

Please help out an have a fun time to boot!

“Witt’s Daughter captures the sadness a service member feels in missing out on the beautiful moments a family has without their soldier. Unlike many films however, Witt’s Daughter has hope that love can bring a family close again. I am a service member that understands being away from his loved ones brings trials, but these trials can bond and grow a family, Witt’s Daughter illuminates this story.”

Specialist Robert Ham, U.S. Army Paratrooper and Broadcast Journalist

“I don’t think people often realize the depth of the problems the soldiers face when they return back home. Especially those who have just had kids and then have to leave for a few years. It happens all the time, and it has to be incredibly hard on both the soldiers and their families. Nowadays it’s easier to keep in touch with video chats, e-mails and digital photos, but back during the Korean war, they didn’t have those things. When Witt went off to war, that was it. He was just gone, and other than the letters I’m sure he wrote, he had no connection with his family until he returned back home. The story was brilliantly written and was played out with incredible sensitivity and in a way that made you really feel for the characters…”

 Duane L. Martin Rogue Cinema

“Carole Holliday demonstrates a sensitive gift for authentic story-telling as well as a real talent for hand sculpting a motion picture. Witt’s daughter will touch your heart and reassure your spirit that love is the balm for their deepest wounds.”

Larry Carroll, News Anchor

“Set in 1953, Witt’s Daughter showed the America hidden in obscurity behind a glamorous age. In telling her story, Carole Holliday does an incredible job choosing characters that each exhibit their own innocence…”

Gary Sweeny The Midnight Palace

“Excellent,” a clean cut man who appeared to be in his early forties said as he passed me in the doorway after seeing my film.  I had held the door open for the person behind me and somehow ended up holding the door for the crowd as they passed. Each of them saying something nice about the film. It was awkward, eventually I dropped my eyes– I didn’t want to seem like I was fishing for compliments by holding the door open– I just didn’t want to be rude and drop it in someone’s face.  Most of the audience had enjoyed it. (one single guy left– but not everyone’s going to like everything you do) But the whole thing was very positive experience.  After the Q and A, where I was asked questions ranging from “Where’s the little girl?” to a” how is it you’re so young and yet chose to do story about the Korean war” to “You wrote the song from the film? Wow?” I was happy.  The film looked and sounded good and was getting a good response. The evening was ending on a high note– though It had started very rocky…

Witt’s Daughter was screening at 8:00 pm and  It was a madhouse at the multiplex. Edward’s Island theater was packed out to get into all the festival screenings– and they were all running late.  The percentage of the three hundred or so Newport Beach film festival volunteers in the bright yellow shirts assigned to the Edwards Island multiplex had gone into lock down mode. “No” was all they could say.  Oh– and “get in the line over there”  The will call line the ticket line the movie line had all become a snarled mass of people all trying to get something done before they missed their film… and so was I.

“Excuse me, you’re joking right?” I said to the volunteer who had earlier in the day been quite garrulous. Now, strained was all he could be. “No, I’m not.  Your friend can get into the theater before you– he has a ticket, you need to get in line”  “But where’s the line?” My friend asked, trying to make sense of the disastrous explosion of events.  The panicked volunteer gave no answer, but turned on his heels and pushed his way into the crowd INSIDE the theater. For him this was one of those times that tried men’s souls.

it had been a long day. I had gotten up early to go on a Yacht/breakfast thing that Orange college had given in honor of their filmmakers.  (early like six thirty in the morning early, but still was rushing to make sure I didn’t miss the eight o’clock boat)–I have to admit I was pretty annoyed.  “What does he mean I cant go into MY movie?” I sputtered to Jeff, my cinematographer.  “My movie”

I had spent the entire week before (Paid for  facebook advertisements)to get people to come. I had written and sent out a press release to practically everyone I could think of (the Girls Scouts of Orange county sent me a lovely response, “Thank you, Carole for the information and congratulations!” )  I had done everything I knew how to help the festival make money on content I was providing– and now I couldn’t go in until all the paying ticket holders had their seats.

Jeff was talking about something but I wasn’t hearing him. I was too steamed…

Eventually they let in the crowd of people for the film. like a stubborn pouty child, I waited outside until everyone sat and then I took a seat in the back where Jeff had saved it for me.  It was a nice crowd. The biggest one the film would play for.  there were four films and mine was last.  Because of the theme, “Impact of  War” it turns out Witt’s Daughter would be playing for people who might be in the military.  the first film brought a bunch of military people to the screening.  I was nervous– and not because of the audience response. I could not control that.  What I was nervous about was the Digi-beta I had provided for the festival. I had no idea how it would look–or sound.

A little back-story–When I first finished my film, I had to get it transfered to a tape stock that normal theaters could use.  Being a low budget affair, I went with the low budget post studio (still paying nearly $450 bucks for a “low budget” tape transfer).  I won’t write their names here, but suffice it to say what I got was low budget results. The film sound was so muffled that the theater had to turn it up so that it was audible and then it distorted the speakers. Of course I didn’t find this out until after a very kind man paid $2000.00 to transfer the film from the now faulty sound tape to another digital format. (and that messed up copy went to the Academy for screening….ughhhhhh)  So now here it was four months later, and a friend of mine from church who works at t large post house had graciously offered to make me copies from my master– it was done, but as I was sitting in the theater waiting for the film to show, I didn’t know how it would sound–or look(the copy from the other place had looked not very much unlike vomit–but that could have been transferring the HD image to Beta SP)   So as the film started, I was on the edge of my seat internally–while Jeff was on the edge of his seat litteraly. 

“It’s a little dark” he said under his breath “but I think it’s the projector”  He never sat back in his chair as he watched every frame slide by successively. I on the other had was listening to my crystiline clear perfect sound. I was awash with feelings of relief, sadness and anger.  Never again, I thought as I listened to the faint but definite sound of children playing in the background on the screen.  Never again will I use a low budget place. ugh!

But I notice something else as I was listening to the room–the response was different.  There are places where the audience usually laughs, and they weren’t.  But the room wasn’t dead– it was different. You could feel the energy of  them actually listening…

After the screening, two men approached the lead actor, Adam Edgar and told him that the film captured the idea of something with which they struggle. They told him that they go through training not to expect things when they return home, but even still, its difficult not to do it. I was touched when I heard that. And excited as well. Witt’s Daughter will have a screening at the end of May with $2.00 from every ticket going to Operation Gratitude, an organization that sends care packages and letters to soldiers overseas. (more on that in another blog)

After the screening as we were walking around the Fashion Island trying to find some place to celebrate the evening, Tomas Solli, a Norwegian filmmaker I had met and befriended the first day said cheerfully,  “maybe he didn’t know– the guy who wouldn’t let you  in on your pass… Maybe he didn’t know it was your film”

I hadn’t thought that. In the harried pace of the evening, I had neglected to give the poor man the benefit of the doubt. (I’m glad I didn’t yell at him–yikes!)

The next day I ran into him and ask him– that was indeed the truth. With all the crowds all the filmmakers were getting into theaters first and leaving paying ticket holders with the bad seats or not getting in at all.  He didn’t know that I was going into my film and would not have stopped me had he realized. He apologized.  

As the festival went on, the lines got more organized the confusion became less– and the compliments kept coming. A sprightly older lady with twinkling eyes and  sinewy limbs wearing a vizor cap stopped me in the mall with her smile and greeting. I nodded and kept going.

“I liked your film” she said. Then I recognized her. 

“Oh– you asked the question about why I chose the Korean War” I said to her and we chatted lightly about her experience there at the Newport Beach Film festival. She wished me luck and left. I watched her for a moment as she jauntily melted into the crowds of  shiny happy tanned Newport shoppers.  Smiling to myself I turned and trotted up the stairs ready to watch another round of great films.

Its great to Google your name every now and again, You can find all sorts of goodies if you do. Doing a short film self promotion is essential–but it also needs to be constantly monitored… of course to add things, but as well, to update information. So now that the 2009 Newport Beach Film festival is over I spent the past couple of days tracking down interviews about the film and updating blog posts. I also discovered a wordpress stats tracker (I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me to do that before) but it’s come in handy to see where people are looking in my blog and–egad check the links to see if any of them were broken (and yes, they were)