The Storm Subsides

The whirlwind which I call August is near at an end with only one more trip to conduct. I am for some reason compelled to let all know, I have not forgotten you and am still on the case.

In the upcoming week, I plan to complete my interviews planned for this production. I will though be starting schooling full time in September but this is where I will begin the writing as well as primary editing.

While in Vancouver, I had the opportunity to chat with a number of people about my project. When they heard that I was working on roadside memorials, it was as if a light suddenly came on and they suddenly internally acknowledged all the memorials they had passed without before giving a second thought.

We all sleepwalk through life to one degree or another and it is my hope that by simply talking with these people that I have disabled the snooze button if only for a moment.

By the way, I totally enjoyed my time at the Justice Institute of BC. The instructors and my fellow students were a breath of fresh air.

Yet another roadblock

Family, don't you love them? Seems that August will be taken up by family manners and my editing platform is "in the mail". Once more at a standstill. I will return from Manitoba late middle of the month then God willing, snag my final two interviews, then the writing begins. I just have this compulsion to tell all those who have helped me to this place I am at that I haven't forsaken the faith and I will make this movie.

Time doesn't march, it gallops

And especially when you have things which need doing. Presently, I have my Mac back and it is working, I say that tongue in cheek. I have to catch up with a number of projects including our holiday footage from February which I still have not put together. I have summer schooling as well as preparation for a journey into the uncharted regions of Manitoba with my father for a visit to see my younger brother. And all this is not even touching my chores at home.

I did interview Janet, the only survivor of a crash which claimed the lives of her husband, younger sister and her boyfriend. Needless to say that the driver of the car that hit them was also killed. Here I learned many things, first of all, the driver that causes the tragedy does not get a memorial. This just seems to be a given in almost all instances. Their family's would rather just forget, or so it seems. This interview has shown me the depth of human strength and devotion. This lady defied medical odds and lived. Every major organ was damaged or burst from the impact and this doesn't even take into account the fracturing of nearly every bone in her body. One of the attending paramedics has since the accident and Janet's miraculous survival gained a profound belief in God as nothing else would account for this woman's survival. Though losing her husband and sister, she continues on despite her disabilities to be a good mother to her two you children who had their father taken from them.


Meeting Janet just makes me even more driven to complete this project. Working this documentary around life is a challenge but nothing like the challenges those left behind face daily. They have patience. I am now looking at an optimistic completion date some time in January. I have a couple more interviews to shoot then I trade the cameraa in for a word processor and the challenges that it will bring.

Getting closer

First of all, I would like to thank Dr. Belshaw for his time yesterday. John Belshaw and his wife, Diane Purvey authored the book, Private Grief, Public Mourning, a scholarly examination of roadside memorials in the province of British Columbia. A professor's time, especially during their off time during the summer is judiciously guarded and I so appreciate his contribution to the project.

Dr. Gerri Exccell of Reading in the UK has also been of great help and inspiration. After watching her documentary, In Loving Memory, recently aired on BBC2, I can see the sensitive scholarly treatment she gives the subject of roadside memorials. Dr. Excell educates the viewer to the multi layered nature of this topic in effect bringing most of us out of the "sleep walker" like state most of us go about our daily lives in. Gerri Excell takes us, for the most part, subconsciously kicking and screaming and reintroduces us to our humanity, our empathic side and the compassion most of us have long since buried. Gerri educated in a way that makes us whole as a people.

Gerri Excell teaches us that death is indeed a pivotal part of life. I encourage everyone to check out her new web site.
gerriexcell.com

The project is nearing completion of principle photography. This will be presenting myself with new challenges. I just now have to await my "New" i7 imac's return from repair.

And the Beat goes on

First, I must applaud Gerri Excell of Reading in the UK for her wonderful and touching documentary "In Loving Memory" aired 7, July on BBC 2. Gerri puts a human face on a subject which many fail to recognize the vast significance of. Roadside memorials are an expression of individuality in a world which demands cookie cutter citizens both in life and in death.

I concluded my interview with a grief councilor just the other day. Through this entire process, I am learning so much more about myself and what it means to be human. I am in the pre interview stage with a young woman who survived a horrendous MVA. She lost her husband, sister as well as a dear friend. After listening to her story of loss and her determination to set right her life, those out there prone to complain about our own adversities should be ashamed, myself included.

Next week I will be speaking with renowned academic John Belshaw. After that I will need only to collect a couple more interviews and principal photography will be completed. Then the next phase of this project will begin.

Again in the right direction

My hats off to Gerri Excell in Reading, UK for her Documentary, "In Loving Memory". The reviews were all in praise. I will see it one way or another.

After my experiences with life throwing curves, things are slowly getting back on track.
I hope to correspond with Gerri and learn from her experience. The interviews are again being scheduled. All the stories are important and deserve a voice.

My special thanks to my dear friend Ivan who gave of his time and friendship to help in my time of need.

Time for me to grab my phone and camera and get back into the field.

Reboot

My father seems to be coming out of the woods but there still remains much to be done.

I have been getting pickup shots with the Lake Country BC Ambulance station as well as having a wonder talk with Linda Woods. I am setting up a time to interview John Belshaw, renown academician on the topic of Roadside Memorials ans well have been in contact with Gerri Excell in the UK who is airing her documentary on the subject on BBC2 tonight. It is good to be back in the saddle.