Joe White, executive producer of our Emmy-nominated documentary "Beyond Kitty Hawk," was just recently honored with the coveted President's Medal by the Aero Club of New England (ACONE).
ACONE is the oldest aero club in the Americas, predating the first Wright Brothers flight, and is globally renowned for its efforts to promote aviation history and educate the public about the value of general aviation.
White, a recreational pilot, oversaw production of our "Kitty Hawk" film and dedicated it to the unsung heroes who helped advance flight technology from the invention of the airplane to the Space Age.
Besides appreciating this well-deserved recognition by his professional peers, we candidly think this medal is one of the coolest-looking awards we've ever seen. Medals have an Olympian aura, far more than a traditional plaque or trophy.
Congratulations, Joe!
In the Massachusetts election to replace the late U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy, perhaps one of the most watched political stories this year, the Democratic nominee is fighting for an unknown Libertarian to be in the debates.
He's unknown, but happens to be named Kennedy. Joe Kennedy, even -- the same name as the controversial political patriarch. No family relation.
Favorite to win-it-all Martha Coakley, the Dems' Attorney General, is fighting to include Kennedy in the two WBZ TV and radio debates next week. Republican Scott Brown, who happens to be the father of American Idol heartthrob Ayla Brown, wants to keep the Libertarians out. Presumably because as the underdog, he needs to take on the Democrat with as few diversions as possible.
If you are a member of a third party in America -- regardless if it is the Green Party on the Left or the Libertarians on the Right -- the cards are stacked against you. The Democrats and Republicans make it virtually impossible for newcomers to get on the ballot, get into the debates and the media usually ignores you.
Experience the daunting challenges of third party candidates up-close-and-personal with "Crashing The Parties," our chilling documentary about life on the campaign trail.
Perfect for the political renegade in your life this holiday season!
If you have ever wondered what it takes to become a cheerleading champion, but don't wanna put on the skirt, then you are in luck!
Thanks to the new cheerleading documentary, "Blood, Sweat & Cheers," it is now possible to experience the grueling practices and heartbreaking competitions from the comfort of your living room couch. With bonus DVD commentaries from some of America's top Pop Warner cheerleading judges.
But don't take our biased word for it (we made the film). Here's what Boston Parents Paper, New England's premier parenting magazine, has to say about the film:
"The movie takes you inside youth cheerleading competitions, offering evidence that cheering is indeed a 'real sport.' And the storyline gives youth cheerleaders and coaches inspiration to strive for the best while enjoying the journey along the way."
And that, in a nutshell, is really why "Blood, Sweat and Cheers" belongs on the Christmas/Chanukah/Kwanzaa/Pick-Your-Holiday list for the cheerleader or coach in your life.
Inspiration. These girls working toward their dream of competing in the national Pop Warner championships are your sister, your daughter, your cousin or niece. These girls are you.
And as luck would have it, "Blood, Sweat and Cheers" is now available at Amazon.com. For an appetizer, watch the BSC movie trailer here.
For those of you outside of the Greater Boston area, let's get you up to speed. The gentleman on the left, 48-year-old Michael Chapman, just spent $12,000 building an elaborate four-story treehouse in his suburban backyard.
Citing code violations, the city of Worcester has demanded that the leafy McMansion be torn down -- under the threat of a $300 per day fine.
Chapman was widely mocked in the print media and talk radio for allegations that his nefarious clubhouse was meant to spy on his neighbors. We have no reason to doubt his claim that he is a nature lover.
However, we're most intrigued by this analogy he shared with The Boston Globe:
Yesterday, Chapman took reporters on
a tour of his creation, which is sturdy enough to support several
adults at one time. As acorns rained down from the higher branches,
Chapman said he will not appeal (the city's demolition) order.
He
compared the time that he has left with his treehouse - he did this for
himself (he has no children) - to a story by the Argentine writer Jorge
Luis Borges, in which time suddenly slows as the protagonist faces a
firing squad. Like the character in the story, he gets to complete his
work of art.
“It’s the act of creation, not the ownership that matters,’’ he said. “I’m never truly happy unless I’m making something.’’
Chapman's philosophy raises the eternal question: If an elaborate four-story treehouse falls in the woods and no one gets to use it, was it ever really a treehouse?
No offense to the Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges, but we starkly disagree with this approach.
In the world of video production and filmmaking, results and outcomes obviously matter. We certainly enjoy the artistic process. But creativity is useless if it is not applied with a project's final goals in mind.
A treehouse without occupants is meaningless. So is a promotional video or viral video without an audience.
Over the years, we've had the rare misfortune of working with a photographer, graphic designer or other creative type who puts their artistic vision ahead of the project. These working relationships inevitably do not last very long.
If we are editing a promotional video for your business or gathering a critical element for your news program or documentary, we are delighted to share our creative vision. But ultimately, when there is a conflict between our art and your message, there is no doubt about the final outcome.
Simply put, we don't like building treehouses that will have be torn down.
You know that feeling when you find a $20 bill inside your sportscoat?
That's how we feel about eight months after our movie "Hell Drivers: America's Original Crash Test Dummies" screened at Michigan's Hell's Half Mile Film & Music Festival -- in the gritty heartland of traditional county fair daredevil shows.
Almost as cool as getting our doorbell rung by Publisher's Clearinghouse, we got this trophy declaring we won the Hell's Half Mile audience award for best documentary.
Maybe "Hell Drivers" simply fits their Hellish brand, but we doubt the voting was fixed. Daredevil Rocky "Hardcore" Hauri parked the Rockymobile in front of the theater and spent a few days charming the crowds.
The HHM trophy came with a note apologizing for the late notification, but being late only enhanced the surprise.
Now, we're headed to the closet to check the pockets of our sportjackets.
Not knowing what it was like to be there on the beach of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina for Orville and Wilbur’s first flight, we can only imagine the work that must have gone into preparing for that historic event. Through the years people have imagined what it would be like to see a flying car, but we never thought we would be there the day that one actually took flight.
From the beginning of the design of the proof of concept vehicle, as the camera crew we’ve been able to be part of the journey to capture the “Transition” becoming a reality. From the test drives to preparing for the first flight we’ve been honored to be there every step of the way. All the work culminated on a cold March morning at the airport in Plattsburgh, NY when we stood alongside the runway as Terrafugia’s “Transition” reached liftoff. One of the challenges of capturing a live event like this is not knowing where or when on the 2 mile stretch of runway the aircraft will actually liftoff. Also, it was much colder than Kittyhawk… dawn in Plattsburgh averaged a balmy 9 degrees! But the flying car’s moment — years in the making — finally came. Through teamwork and experience we were truly thrilled to capture this landmark event in HD.
