A Time to Celebrate!

What you see on the right (in the minutes after the debut of her first documentary)  is a very happy, very relieved executive producer and on the left, the woman who helped edit "Tales of the Road-Highway 61." My friend Lisa is not only an excellent editor she herself is a filmmaker. I'm not sure if I can call myself a filmmaker---yet. 

My first attempt at producing something of the magnitude of "Tales of the Road" turned out better than I had ever imagined, but I had a special crew of editors, videographers and producers who joined me in creating what I hope is a documentary of lasting value. Judging from your e-mails, I think "Tales" is a success. 

Here are some comments:   Bob wrote: "The historical perspective you brought was excellent. It distinguished it from a normal travelogue and showed why that road has so much mystique."

Skip wrote:  "I just finished watching your Highway 61 special. What a chunk of history! Way to go! I've enjoyed traveling the major routes in Minnesota, but you showed me several spots that I'd never heard of."

Emily reads this blog and wrote to say:  "So many really incredibly fascinating stories, so little time. I really hope there is a part 2."

Sam dropped me a line to say: "Thank you so much for doing all of this. I can only imagine how much effort went into a labor of love that appears so effortless. The book and the documentary are truly inspirational."

Sam hit it on the head. This was a labor of love. Certainly, I didn't do it for the money!!!! (Heck-it's public TV!!) I love history and truly believe that we are better people for honoring our collective history where ever that is found. In this case, it was found along the side of a road. 

Will there be a sequel? Let me decompress for a bit and we'll see how that old, beautiful Caddy is running before we set out again. I'll keep in touch! Please stay connected to "Tales of the Road". We have a lot of fun things planned around this project for summertime road trips!

It's Showtime!!!

So. We are at the end of the road. In a few hours all the hard work and worry will be put aside and "Tales of the Road-Highway 61" will have its premiere before a televised audience. 

Good--bad--or otherwise---TOTR is my production and that is the way I wanted it. I'm sure there will be some people who'll wonder what all the fuss was about... thinking that the film didn't live up to the hype.  Others could pick nits over this or that. But for the first time in my career I've created a long-form production, from start to finish,  that looks on screen as it did in my head. The elements I visualized have come to life. (in large measure) As I write this, I want to throw up I'm so nervous. I really hope viewers like the documentary. Like it a lot. I am proud of this first effort of mine. Naturally, I see every mistake and know how I'll change it the next time.

The Next Time. Part Two. Yes, I'm just crazy enough to turn the Cadillac around and go back up the road and include the stories we just didn't have time for. First--a little celebration--then a LOT of sleep!

Enjoy the show. Drop me a line and tell me what you thought!

Labor pains?!

I had to laugh. My good friend, Jeryln Steele (www.wccoradio.com/pages/3457.php?)  had me on for an interview on WCCO Radio recently. We talked about the book and the upcoming documentary and as we wound up the interview she marveled at how long the process had been and said that on March 23rd (the premiere) "you'll be birthing your baby"--bringing this film into the world.  The analogy is cute. Taking that a step further---this then has been the world's longest pregnancy!!! 

The close captioning for the film is nearly done. We need to send a copy up to Duluth so WDSE-TV can air it on March 23rd too. There are many, many moving parts to this project and it has been interesting to see just how involved the process is. 

For the next few days I'm concentrating on doing a lot of media interviews ahead of the premiere.  I've found I'm much better ASKING the questions than answering them. Interesting to have the shoe on the other foot!

Photographic Evidence!

I can see why some of the on-line sites like Facebook and Flickr are addicting. 

Until now I've generally ignored on-line networking sites. I really don't have time to spend surfing around and checking out this photo or that piece of video. 

My good friend, Rich-the-Web Guy, (who did a great job on the website you are now enjoying: talesoftheroad.net) suggested setting up a Facebook page for "Tales of the Road" and a page on Flickr, the photo sharing site. I was skeptical, but I'm now proud to say "Tales of the Road" and its creator have been brought into the 21st Century!

Check out: http://www.flickr.com/photos/talesoftheroad

If you'd like to send a photo, drop me a line and I'll post it!

By the way, I just love the photo I posted here.  It is a vintage highway sign. It has to be from the 40's or 50's. It is forgotten along a little used stretch of the original highway.