So, Mom to the rescue with two head cleaning tapes for my camera, but sadly, they didn't fix the problem. I'll be looking for an authorized service center to see if I can get the camera cleaned. If not, I'll borrow my sister's camera.
I won't be working on the documentary this week, as I am going to be helping Fran (my best friend and still photographer for the film) with a huge shoot that she's doing. Three guesses... c'mon... give up? She's shooting the Massachusetts Firefighter's Calendar for 2009! YAY Fran!
I'll post again when I've got more news.
22 April, 2008
20 April, 2008
Grampa Hexed Me
Okay, maybe that's not true. I spent several hours on Friday and Saturday shooting exterior shots of all 14 PFD stations, then went to shoot my opening monologue on Saturday afternoon. (Thanks, Michael Morse, for babysitting my camera for a little bit!) Well, that's when I discovered that my camera isn't feeling so well. The sound was all messed up and the pictures were playing back all pixelated. Great...
So...
Now it's a quest for head cleaning tapes in hopes of correcting the problem. Either that or it's my big sister to the rescue with her camera.
Gotta love it. Stay tuned, kids.
So...
Now it's a quest for head cleaning tapes in hopes of correcting the problem. Either that or it's my big sister to the rescue with her camera.
Gotta love it. Stay tuned, kids.
04 April, 2008
Questions Answered
One of the things that I've repeatedly said in interviews about this film is that I have no current ties to any fire departments, other than the friends I've made along the way. Recently, I've had a lot of people ask me what my affiliations are with fire and police departments. So, in an effort to disclose my ties, these are the people that I'm related to who have been civil or military servants:
1. My Dad: Richard W. Blackman - Alabama National Guard, United States Navy (also trained as a fireman, being that he served on oil tankers), Rhode Island National Guard and Civil Air Patrol, Auxilliary of the United States Air Force.
2. My Grandfathers: Edward A. Conway - United States Army, served in WWI. Providence, RI Fire Department, appointed October, 1931, retired in 1951. Thomas W. Blackman - United States Navy Seabee, served in WWII.
3. Great-Grandfather: John L. Johnson - United States Army, Served in WWI. United States Army Reserve Military Police Officer, stationed at Tennessee Coal & Iron Railroad "village" in Alabama.
4. Great-Uncle: Lewis O'Donnell - Providence Police Officer for approximately three years. Appointed in October, 1931. Quit after breaking his ankle while giving chase to a robbery suspect and finding that no one would help him. Ended up working for Winfield & Sons Funeral Home.
5. Very Distant cousins: Captain Ronald Gilchrist - Providence Fire Department (Retired). Didn't even know him until about five years ago. Jack and Bill O'Donnell - Correctional Officers at the Rhode Island ACI. Joseph O'Donnell - Pawtucket Police Department (Retired). Major Stephen O'Donnell - second in command of the Rhode Island State Police. Never met him. There are others, including a Canadian Mountie, though I have never met them.
So, hopefully this will put to rest those questions. Yes, my family has a rich history of public service - being that we're a bunch of Irishmen, that's no big surprise, really.
My passion for the subject of the job of firefighting comes solely from my own heart. I wanted to be a firefighter and was unable to do so. Now, years later, I find that I am able to help gain some public support for America's Bravest by telling their story and giving some sense of humanity to them. People take firefighters for granted - they aren't people unless you're directly effected by their work.
I can attest personally to the fact that they are human... very human. With very human feelings and very human passion for the work that they do, despite all of the negativity that surrounds them.
So no - I'm not married to a firefighter, not dating one, not related to anyone currently on the job (at least not closely enough to be thought of that way) and I have nothing to gain from this project.
I have gained, though. I've gained an adopted family - and they have been there for me through good times and bad - especially now, as my family learns of the return of my father's lung cancer. They have come out in full force offering their support, love and friendship. For that, I am truly blessed.
1. My Dad: Richard W. Blackman - Alabama National Guard, United States Navy (also trained as a fireman, being that he served on oil tankers), Rhode Island National Guard and Civil Air Patrol, Auxilliary of the United States Air Force.
2. My Grandfathers: Edward A. Conway - United States Army, served in WWI. Providence, RI Fire Department, appointed October, 1931, retired in 1951. Thomas W. Blackman - United States Navy Seabee, served in WWII.
3. Great-Grandfather: John L. Johnson - United States Army, Served in WWI. United States Army Reserve Military Police Officer, stationed at Tennessee Coal & Iron Railroad "village" in Alabama.
4. Great-Uncle: Lewis O'Donnell - Providence Police Officer for approximately three years. Appointed in October, 1931. Quit after breaking his ankle while giving chase to a robbery suspect and finding that no one would help him. Ended up working for Winfield & Sons Funeral Home.
5. Very Distant cousins: Captain Ronald Gilchrist - Providence Fire Department (Retired). Didn't even know him until about five years ago. Jack and Bill O'Donnell - Correctional Officers at the Rhode Island ACI. Joseph O'Donnell - Pawtucket Police Department (Retired). Major Stephen O'Donnell - second in command of the Rhode Island State Police. Never met him. There are others, including a Canadian Mountie, though I have never met them.
So, hopefully this will put to rest those questions. Yes, my family has a rich history of public service - being that we're a bunch of Irishmen, that's no big surprise, really.
My passion for the subject of the job of firefighting comes solely from my own heart. I wanted to be a firefighter and was unable to do so. Now, years later, I find that I am able to help gain some public support for America's Bravest by telling their story and giving some sense of humanity to them. People take firefighters for granted - they aren't people unless you're directly effected by their work.
I can attest personally to the fact that they are human... very human. With very human feelings and very human passion for the work that they do, despite all of the negativity that surrounds them.
So no - I'm not married to a firefighter, not dating one, not related to anyone currently on the job (at least not closely enough to be thought of that way) and I have nothing to gain from this project.
I have gained, though. I've gained an adopted family - and they have been there for me through good times and bad - especially now, as my family learns of the return of my father's lung cancer. They have come out in full force offering their support, love and friendship. For that, I am truly blessed.
01 April, 2008
Possible Delays
Hello, All...
First, let me thank everyone for their notes about the Channel 12 piece. I greatly appreciate the continued support and encouragement - it means a great deal to me.
Unfortunately, I may run into some delays with getting the film finished. My father, Rick, had lung cancer just about a year and a half ago. He had a procedure done called a Tumor Ablation at that time and the tumor was thought to be gone as a result. Sadly, we found out yesterday that it is now growing again. We don't know what he is up against with treatment this time, or if he can even have treatments because of his diminished lung capacity. At any rate, this may cause delays in being able to get the film done.
I will try to keep posting to warn of any delays, but I do plan to try to keep busy with this project. It will help in the horrible waiting process when dealing with a family member with cancer.
Thanks again to all for your continued support.
Be well & stay safe, everyone.
Erin
First, let me thank everyone for their notes about the Channel 12 piece. I greatly appreciate the continued support and encouragement - it means a great deal to me.
Unfortunately, I may run into some delays with getting the film finished. My father, Rick, had lung cancer just about a year and a half ago. He had a procedure done called a Tumor Ablation at that time and the tumor was thought to be gone as a result. Sadly, we found out yesterday that it is now growing again. We don't know what he is up against with treatment this time, or if he can even have treatments because of his diminished lung capacity. At any rate, this may cause delays in being able to get the film done.
I will try to keep posting to warn of any delays, but I do plan to try to keep busy with this project. It will help in the horrible waiting process when dealing with a family member with cancer.
Thanks again to all for your continued support.
Be well & stay safe, everyone.
Erin
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